AVERY

  After getting our measurements done, I wanted to just bolt right out of the door and rush to my room, but I can't just leave. According to my mother, that is a rude gesture. However, the interaction earlier between my future husband and I was all I could think of until the end of the meeting with the seamstress.

  During the measuring session, I had a hard time watching her take his measurements. I kept glaring at her subconsciously and kept realizing what I was doing. It was a battle between my conscious mind and my instincts at that point if I should stop her or not.

  I mean, I shouldn't be upset that she's touching his chest, but her advances are too obvious and I was getting annoyed.

  Both the seamstress and King Typhone left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts for a while. I grabbed my white silk robe, slipped it on and left the room.

  "Took you a while to get out."

  I yelped in surprise, hearing a voice just as I closed the door. I looked to my right and there I saw King Typhone leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his muscular chest and eyes glowing as he looked down at me.

  "Y-Your Maje--" I stopped myself and cleared my throat, "T-Typhone. What are you... What are you still doing here?"

  He smirked, hot and seductive, "Well, my dear princess, I'm not about to let my future wife walk down these dark halls wearing just... that."

  He gazed at me from my feet up to my face. Our eyes met and I glared at him. I closed my robe and tied it around my waist.

  "You're not really subtle with the staring, you know that?" I hissed and turned on my heel.

  I started walking ahead of him and I could feel him follow behind. It was chilly and I shivered when a gush of wind blew in our direction.

  "It's cold tonight, isn't it?" Typhone inquired.

  "Yes. It is. In Ynkerthia, the nights are colder even during the summer." I said, glancing up at him.

  His hands were in his pockets and his eyes were focused straight on. I looked away and sighed softly.

  "I hope you don't mind the chill. I might be assuming, but... is Lazarith a warm kingdom?" I asked, not looking up at him.

  "My kingdom is all snow for half a year, making it hard for my people to earn a living." His tone was firm, serious, and nothing that I've heard before.

  "What... What do you do then?" I pressed further.

  "I sell goods to other kingdoms." He didn't explain what goods he was talking about so I decided to ask.

  "What kind of goods?"

  He looked down at me and I looked back. Our eyes met and his next words surprised me.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  "Monsters."

  What? What does that mean?

  My eyes slowly widened and I blinked up at him, "What... What do you mean?"

  "Have you not heard the rumors? The King of Beasts? The slayer of all monsters?" He raised a brow and I composed myself.

  "No. I... I know. I know about that, but I... I just thought they were exaggerating."

  He chuckled, "No lies in those rumors, princess. Those are all truths."

  I just hummed in response and before we knew it, I was already standing in front of my room. I faced him, looked him in the eye, and smiled softly.

  "Thank you for walking me, Typhone. I shall see you tomorrow."

  "No problem, princess. I'll see you tomorrow." He bowed his head and didn't smile or give me a smirk which was slightly odd. He turned to leave, but I stopped him.

  "Wait."

  He turned around and I ran to him. I got on my toes and placed my small hands on his muscular shoulders. I leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. I blushed furiously and mumbled a soft 'thank you' before running inside my room. I shut the door behind me and leaned against the door, feeling the loud pounding of my heart.

  What the hell did I just do?! The King's going to kill me tomorrow morning. I can feel it.

  **********

  The next day, we did not get to have the King join us for breakfast because he went back to Lazarith for an emergency. The next few days, however, were exhausting. I did not get to see the King very much before he left because I had a lot of wedding preparations to do. I was kind of disappointed not to see him for a few days, but I just brushed it off.

  Meylin helped me pick the flowers and the theme for the invitations. The guests have arrived after the invitations were sent and I was surprised that King Ferhann was invited which i found out was King Typhone's idea.

  He just wanted to rub it off on King Ferhann's face that he's going to marry me.

  I sighed as I slouched on my seat in the gazebo. I could not pick up my book because of how tired I am. Meylin brought me some tea and biscuits, but I couldn't even eat because I felt so tired.

  "Those are some treats you got there, princess. Mind sharing them with me?"

  The voice of the person surprised me. I looked up and saw King Typhone approaching me. I sat up straight as my eyes widened.

  He was wearing a plain black button up shirt, dress pants, and his hair was all messy.

  "Y-Your Majesty! You're... You're back." I stood up and he just chuckled.

  "Is that who I am?" He teased.

  "Oh. I'm sorry. T-Typhone." I looked down, embarrassed.

  "Let's eat those snacks, yeah? Your wasting such efforts from your maid." He sat beside me and took a milk biscuit. I watched him as he ate the biscuit in just two bites.

  He pointed at my stack of books, "You were reading?"

  "I was... I mean, I wanted to, but I was too tired to pick one up. My brain is not working at the moment." I said, taking a sip of my still hot tea.

  I then reached out and poured a cup for Typhone. He hummed and leaned back on his seat. The topic of me kissing his cheek did not come up and I was so thankful for that because I have no excuse on what I just did.

  "I think I know why this is your favorite place now. This seat is comfy, it's quiet and the view is amazing." He said, looking at me. I snapped out of my thoughts.

  "Yeah." I simply replied and looked around, avoiding eye contact with him.

  There was silence and I wanted to break it so I swallowed thickly.

  "So... uhm... did the emergency in your kingdom got settled?" I asked, fiddling with my fingers.

  There was a long pause before he spoke, "Yeah. For now at least. My men can handle it over there so... yeah."

  There was hesitation with some of his words, but I didn't press any further. I nodded and decided to just keep quiet.

  "About the wedding preparations..." He began, "I'm sorry if I dumped it all on you. To be honest, I don't know what to do so I asked you to handle it."

  I blinked, "Well... it's kind of hard, but with Meylin, it's a bit easier."

  "That's good." He whispered softly, but loud enough for me to hear.

  A few moments later, his right hand man, Grimore, walked towards us and he bowed to me before whispering something to Typhone. He sighed and nodded.

  Grimore left and Typhone looked at me, apologetic.

  "Something came up and now I have to leave my beautiful bride again." He groaned and stood up. He took my hand and placed a soft kiss on my knuckles.

  "I'll see you later, princess." He bid before leaving.

  I caressed the place where he kissed my hand and blushed.

  How can he be so gentle despite his rough exterior?