Chapter 19| I'm Sorry

"Aurora,"

The feeling of someone gently shaking me reached my senses. I slowly woke up, my groggy eyes meeting Julian's amber ones. His black curls were dripping wet, and droplets of water were playing across his bare, toned chest. He had on a black robe with golden linings. It was open, revealing his towel-clad waist and his muscular torso. This was a good view to wake up on, I thought.

He raised a brow when he noticed that I was now fully awake and was just staring at his blessed body. Darn it Aurora! Don't fill your mind with such thoughts. My subconscious scolded me. It was as if it had a more sane side than me.

"Like what you see?" he asked cockily while pushing me to the bed and rolling on top of me. My heartbeat quickened, and I squirmed under him. This man.

I pushed him, but he was just so strong that he didn't even budge. Damn, even though we knew each other for a while now, he still has that effect on me. I avoided his heated gaze. "J-Julian..."

"Hmmm?" his head lowered and went to my neck, inhaling my scent. I was now currently aware that I did not have my bath yet and I probably smell unpleasant.

"Get off me," I breathed out.

He withdrew and forced me to look into his eyes. He gave me one last look before getting off me. He went to the bedpost and just stood there, calculating my every move like a predator watching its prey. I was becoming uncomfortable as I forced my self to get up from the bed. "Stop looking at me," I pouted.

Julian shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest, making his broad shoulders bulge. Good lord. This man was made with perfection.

"You're my wife, I have the right to stare at you whenever I like," he answered. I was going to roll my eyes when I suddenly remembered what he told me when I rolled my eyes at him last time. 'The next time you roll your eyes, that would be when you are beneath me, naked and screaming in pleasure'. I shuddered when my mind made me remember what he said.

He seemed to know it because he just smirked at me. "Get ready, we will be going on a journey,"

"What journey?" I asked. This was out of the blue, and I hadn't expected it.

"We will be going to Risalam, to seal an alliance with their king. Is it okay for you? or do you want to stay here instead?"

My heart warmed when I looked at his concerned face. He cares for me. Awwwww. I flashed a smile and went to him, my hands instantly wrapping around his torso. I stood on my toes to peck him in the lips. He was just so tall, I had to crane my neck up."I want to go with you, besides, what's a king without its queen?"

Light made its way into his eyes and he lifted me up with his strong arms, twirling me around in the air. I squealed, feeling rush and happiness flowing through my veins. I sighed. This was perfect, too perfect.

He set me down. "I'll be waiting in the dining hall. We will be having breakfast together with the court,"

I nodded. He was going to kiss me but I swiftly turned around and ran to the bath, all the while laughing. I heard him groan before I heard his footsteps going out of the door, closing it gently.

My blue dress flowed behind me as I walked towards the dining hall. There were three guards behind and infront of me, all because of Julian's silly orders to keep me protected at all times. He knew that I can handle my self better than anyone here, but he just doesn't want to take any risks, now that my life had been endangered for two times.

Chatter was coming out of the dining hall, and I was surprised when I saw Julian walking to my direction. I thought he said that he would be waiting for me inside? Anyways, I was thankful because I didn't have to endure the heated stares of the members of the court by my self.

"Are you ready?" Julian asked me. I nodded in response while he hooked his arms with mine. The Giant pair of doors opened and the noise from before had gone to complete silence. The weight of the stares that the members of the court gave us was unnerving, but I refused to let it get to me, even with the knots in my stomach.

I held my head high as we walked further into the room, hand in hand. We sat on our seats, Julian being seated on the head of the table and me on his left side.

"Good Morning, your Majesty. I would like to introduce my self to your greatness. Theodore Gareth IV, a loyal subject and advisor to the king," a man with balding grey hair and large stomach stood up and bowed to the both of us. He had a long white beard, and he was wearing a robe that was similar to the ones that the others were wearing.

After he introduced himself, several others stood and introduced themselves. I just gave them smiles, urging them to continue although I was sure that I would forget their names due to their majority.

"General Angelo Balmain, general to the great army of Kashmir," The familiar general spoke up and bowed to the both of us. He gave me a tight smile before going back to his seat. On his side was Meredith, who had her head down the entire time. I wonder if she has a problem. If she does, I hope that she won't be afraid to talk to me about it.

A variety of food was served and before I knew it, we were eating to the delicious feast this kingdom has to offer. Julian kept putting a lot of food on my plate, even though I still haven't finished what he gave me just then.

"That's too much Julian," I stopped his hand from putting a spoonful of wedged potatoes. He looked at me with brows raised.

"Eat up. It will be a long journey, and I don't want you to be hungry," he told me sternly, and I knew that there was no room for argument, but I still did anyway.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "My stomach will get sick if I eat too much Julian, I don't want to vomit like the last time I rode a horse,"

He sighed before putting the potatoes back to the plate. "Fine,"

"Julian..." I intertwined my hand with his and used my thumb to rub the back of his palms soothingly.

"So your Majesty, when do you think you will bear the next King of Kashmir?" a man who I remembered the name was Ethan spoke. The table got quiet and they just looked at me, waiting for my answer. Julian gripped my hand in a comforting way.

"I... I don't know, time will tell. I am sure that his highness is patient," I replied. My heart was thrumming in my chest. I knew that Julian and I needed to do the consummation soon because if we do not, questions will arise.

Murmurs started when I finished the sentence. Alot of them frowned, while others just kept to themselves.

"But your Majesty, we need to be sure that you bear the heir of the king," Another man spoke.

I sighed before answering. "I cannot really tell-"

"That is the duty of the queen!", "Why isn't the king doing anything about it?", "Is she infertile?" Alot of sentences were spoken, but so far, those were the ones I deciphered. The room was filled with discussions as to why I am still not bearing the heir of Kashmir, and it was starting to make me uncomfortable.

"She must know that she needs to secure the throne for the future," "If she cannot bear a child, then she is not appropriate to be a queen," Another horde of loud murmurs came, but only one stood out. It came from Theodore.

"If that is the case, then I think it is just right for the king to search a new queen,"

I shook my head. Julian stiffened beside me, muscles becoming taught. His hand that was intertwined with mine fisted, and his knuckles turned white, but he did not seem to care. His jaw ticked, and I was afraid on what he might do. I winced, feeling his death grip tighten even more. The people around us seemed to be oblivious by Julian as they just kept on with their loud murmurs.

"Theodore is right!"

"A queen who cannot bear a child is unacceptable!"

"She needs to be repl-"

"ENOUGH!" Julian's voice boomed throughout the room, as he stood up. He let go of my hand, and banged his own to the table, making the utensils on top of it clatter. "You will not disrespect my wife like that if you do not want to have your heads separated from your bodies!"

The room was now silent, too silent that you could almost hear a pin drop. The men's faces turned white as blood drained from them. They were trembling in fear, and recognition set in their eyes. The Julian infront of me was not his usual self, it was as if someone had taken over him and he was an entirely different person. He was angrier and DEADLIER.

He walked out and closed the door with a loud slam, I almost thought that it broke. I gave them one last glance before I ran and followed him. He was nowhere to be seen.

"Where did his highness go?" I asked a guard. He seemed hesitant to answer, and I did not blame him. I was scared to go near Julian due to his current state, but I knew that he wouldn't hurt me.

"In the stables," he finally answered after a whole minute of contemplating. I thanked him before rushing off.

There he was, tending to his horse. He was still stiff, and his face was still red from anger. As if sensing me, he stopped for a minute before continuing. "Go away Aurora,"

I approached him but he just kept tending to the horse. I put a comforting hand in his shoulders, but he just moved it away.

"Go away," he repeated. I still did not listen. If only I can calm him- I was caught off-guard when he faced me.

"Get lost Aurora! I do not want to see anyone right now." He lashed out at me. I felt more concerned than scared. He exhaled a deep breath before he looked at me with lost eyes. I cupped his face and rubbed his cheek soothingly with my thumb.

"It's okay Julian... I understand," I told him in a gentle voice. I kept looking into his distraught amber eyes. I will not give up. NO.

"I'm sorry," he breathed out after what felt like an eternity. I just smiled at him. My hands made its way around his torso before I snuggled into his chest. "Let's go,"

<gdiv></gdiv>

<gdiv></gdiv>