CHAPTER FIVE.

As they kept advancing towards the nuptial chambers, Loretta kept panting and sighing. What the hell was going to happen in the nuptial chamber by the way? Was the king going to force himself on her? She wasn't even ready and no one told her about these nuptial chambers.

"You seemed so tense, my lady" king Alexander's voice filtered into her ears and she stopped in her tracks before turning to him, even the entourage that were following also stopped and bowed.

"What happens in the nuptial chamber?" Loretta asked again, she was holding on to the side of her gown and her corset was already making her wince in pain. The only thing she wanted to do now was just to remove everything and have a nice soothing bath.

"What do you think happens, my lady?" King Alexander answered with raised eyebrows, "we are both married and I am sure you know the meaning of nuptial"

He was enjoying the look of horror on her face, the way the color drained from her eyes as he talked.

Loretta glanced over to the entourage and back to the king.

"Can they leave us?" She wasn't sure if he would agree but when she saw him make a gesture with his hand, she heaved a sigh.

"You have to get comfortable with people being at your beck and call princess, you are a queen now and that should be your reality"

"What are your plans for me tonight?"

The king gave a light chuckle, "don't flatter yourself princess, you need to rest. The nuptial chamber is your room and you don't need to be weary of me"

Loretta gulped, thank goodness it was not what she was thinking.

"Have a good night rest"

After talking, king Alexander turned on his heel and left while three young girls rushed over to the princess and bowed to her.

"My lady, we have prepared your bath," one of them said.

"Thank you" Loretta answered, her eyes still fixated on the retreating figure of the king.

"We will help you bathe" another of the girls said and that was when she turned her head to the huge door in front of her.

******

After leaving her, Alexander made his way to the gates alone and his guards were not surprised to see him, he always went out at night on his own and returned at the early hours of the morning, it was his routine and no one dared to question him.

"My lord" they all bowed to him.

"Take care of the palace"

Then he galloped away on his white horse, the horse galloped through the bushes up on a hill until it came to a halt In front of the Castle which was on top of the hill.

Ranging from the air and the surrounding, it had an eerie feeling but he wasn't fazed even in the slightest. He was already used to the surroundings after all these years.

Walking towards the front door, he threw it open and walked into the semi dark house. The only source of light in the room was the candle burning at the far end of the room and a huge figure was sitting by it. He was bare to his chest and his well sculpted body was in view.

"I knew you would be sitting here, dead" there was a hint of mockery in his voice as he took slow strides towards the figure on the chair.

Ace sat up when he heard the words of the king and badly wanted to roll his eyes, even at the confines of his own home he wasn't allowed to rest.

"Why are you here?" He asked in an uninterested voice, he didn't even bother to stand up from where he was seated.

"I have come to check up on you, I knew i would find you here" Alex replied while lowering himself on the chair in front of him. A chalice of wine was on the table in between them and he helped himself to some.

"The day is still young, why did you leave your new wife to come here?" This time around, Ace sat up but he still looked dead and uninterested.

"She has retired to her chambers and I decided to cole and check on you, make sure you don't hurt yourself"

This time around, Ace gave a loud chuckle that resonated in the house but the chuckle also sounded lifeless then everything went silent again.

"I am not going to give you the luxury of seeing me when I die Alexander, you know that"

The man in front of him just raised the goblet to his mouth and took a mouthful.

"Nice wine, where did you get it?" He was obviously trying to lighten the mood of the big guy in front of him.

"Someone arranged some jars of wine on my horse" Ace answered with raised brows and Alexander gave him a faint smile.

"I wanted you to enjoy"

The two of them fell silent, the only noise was Alexander occasionally slurping on his drink while Ace had his attention on the candle the whole time. It was like he was thinking about something, something deep.

"Want to go for a swim?" Alexander suddenly asked,

"you love going for midnight swimming though"

"You should leave now Alex" Ace responded and stood up before grabbing his cloak.

"Where are you going?" Alex also stood up, "it seems you are going to take my advice?"

"Don't flatter yourself my king"

Alex's countenance changed, "I am only your king in the palace, not outside the palace"

Not bothering to say anything, Ace grabbed his sword and made his way out of the house into the silent night, Alex threading by his side.

"Care for a horse ride?" He asked again and this time Ace stopped.

"Why are you bothering me?you should be in the palace by now"

King Alexander gave him a smile, "I am the only person who can put up with your attitude, you know that right?"

Ace didn't saying for the main time and later held up his sword,

"If I win you in a spar, you will go back to the palace right?"

"Of course" a smirk crept up on the king's lips as he reached out for his sword.