Ariana sat beside Zavren as the hall buzzed with life—violin players strumming gracefully while guests chatted in low murmurs. Royal waiters moved in perfect order, serving with elegance. Her gaze swept across the crowd until it landed on a particular woman.
The lady looked old, with grey hair neatly pinned back. She was speaking to a young man, but for some reason, Ariana's eyes lingered on her more than usual.
There was something about her that made Ariana stare it was like she was a mystery. Just as she was about to shift her gaze away, the woman moved.
Ariana's heart skipped a beat, and her breath caught slightly. The woman turned, her eyes locking directly with Ariana's. Her lips moved slowly, and Ariana read them perfectly:
"Congratulations."
Ariana's heartbeat quickened.
If she wasn't mistaken, the way the lady smiled at her made a shiver run down her spine—not out of fear, but surprise. It was as if the woman knew her from somewhere… but Ariana was certain they had never met before.
'Who is she?' Ariana wondered deeply.
Meanwhile, Zavren's gaze moved to Ariana's hands, noticing how nervously she was clutching her dress. He could tell she was incredibly anxious—and honestly, who wouldn't be?
He leaned in slightly, his deep voice low but clear enough for her to hear.
"You look gorgeous, Aria."
Ariana's lips parted as her body shuddered with a wave of sweet, unexpected shivers. She turned to him, her face flushed, her heart warming—and racing wildly.
'Calm down, Ariana. It was just a compliment, Nothing more' she told herself, but the words echoed in her mind like a chant. She pressed her lips together, trying to focus.
"Are you tired?" Zavren asked quietly.
Ariana nodded timidly. She was indeed tired and would've loved nothing more than to get some sleep—any way possible.
Zavren raised his hand calmly.
The moment his hand was in the air, the music halted. The hall fell silent, and all eyes turned toward him.
The king was about to speak.
Ariana's eyes widened slightly. "Please no… he's not about to say what I think he is. Oh my….No, come on. He's just going to make an announcement. He's not that shameless to—
Her thoughts were cut short as Zavren's voice rang clearly through the grand hallway:
"The ceremony will continue, but I and my wife, Queen Ariana, will be taking our leave. She's quite tired and needs to be energized."
Ariana's eyes shot wide open in shock.
Did he just say "Queen"?!
Her heart skipped and then began to pound wildly. All she had done was nod—just a tired little nod—thinking he'd tell her to hold on for a bit or maybe say, "I understand," or "Just a moment more."
But no. Not this man.
Zavren opened his mouth again to continue, but Ariana tugged at his garment, wide-eyed. He turned to her, and she gave him a pleading look—the kind of silent warning a mother gives her child when a visitor offers them too many sweets.
Zavren only smiled wider, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"We will be leaving now."
With that, applause echoed through the hall.
Ariana's face burned even more as she remembered his earlier words.
Did he really have to say "energized" out loud?
This man—this utterly shameless man—was the most shamelessest she had ever met.
Was that even a word?
She pursed her lips. Earlier, she had been able to glance calmly around the crowd, but now… she couldn't even bring herself to look anywhere. Not after what her overly caring king of a husband had just said—something she hadn't expected at all. How had things spiraled out of control.
Zavren stood as the music resumed, yet the crowd remained silent, all eyes still fixed on the royal couple, waiting to see what the king would do next.
He extended his hand toward her. Ariana placed hers gently on top of his, grateful that at least they were finally leaving. She couldn't possibly stay here a moment longer—not after he had so publicly erased her tiredness with just one bold sentence.
A slow exhale slipped past her lips as she rose to her feet.
And just as she did, a collective gasp echoed through the crowd.
Zavren moved swiftly—scooping her up into his arms.
Ariana's body turned numb in pure shock.
She couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe this man.
He's really doing this… in front of everyone?
Ariana was frozen with disbelief, unable to even protest. Instead, she quickly used both hands to cover her face, her cheeks burning as Zavren began descending the stairs with practiced ease—like this was something he did every day.
Did he just—
Why does he always do things that leave her stunned in the most unexpected, shocking ways?
And now, every eye in the hall was glued to them.
Zavren's aura radiated with quiet power as he moved gracefully through the crowd, his presence parting the air like a tide. Whispers rippled around them, eyes wide in awe and curiosity.
They watched as the usually composed, often distant king held his queen with such obvious protectiveness and care.
Just what did this woman do to the king?
That was the question on everyone's mind.
To make him act like this—something he never did.
Not in all these years. Not even once.
They moved aside—no, it was more like they were being pushed by an unseen force. Zavren walked forward, his cold gaze fixed straight ahead, still holding Ariana protectively in his arms.
The moment they stepped through the large hall doors, they shut behind them with a heavy thud.
And as soon as the doors closed, the whispers erupted like crashing waves across the hall.
"Did you see the way he looked at her? Do you think he…?"
"He carried her so protectively. Why? She's not even perfect. I should be the one in his arms."
"You? You that can't even wash your own panties?"
"Oh my… did you see her eyes? I think she's cursed."
"I saw them too. Maybe she bewitched him with those eyes. She is very beautiful though. Do you think he'll marry another wife? We'd want a talking queen at least."
"I heard someone else already has twins for him."
"That's a lie! Who told you that? Who's the woman?"
"I don't know her name."
The hall buzzed with murmurs and scattered gossip, each voice carrying its own judgment, curiosity, or jealousy. The crowd was a mix of admiration, envy, suspicion—and a little fear.
Everyone had something to say.
But only one truth held:
No one had ever seen King Zavren act like this before.
**
Zavren walked calmly, his smokey grey eyes shifting down to Ariana—only to find her eyes fixed on the night sky.
She had no idea it was this beautiful.
As he carried her, her head tilted slightly upward, and she stared in quiet awe. The stars above sparkled endlessly, and somehow, with the way Zavren moved, it felt like the sky was moving with her—dancing just for her.
"It seems my wife is enjoying this," Zavren said, a teasing note in his deep voice.
Ariana's body tensed slightly—she had completely forgotten her earlier shock, distracted by the beauty above her. And now, she was caught. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at him, but Zavren only chuckled.
He ascended the short staircase effortlessly, entering the inner hallway of the palace.
"Seems you won't be seeing the stars now," he murmured, his voice echoing slightly against the marble walls. A slow smile curled at his lips before he added:
"But don't worry. I'll make sure you see more than stars tonight… Fireworks," he said, his voice trailing into something lower, darker—intimate.
He glanced at her, as his pupils slightly dilated with intensity—
He halted in his tracks, his blank expression faltered.
Ariana was asleep.
Peaceful. Unbothered.
And Zavren could only stare—completely undone.