Chapter 20| Risalam

Julian and I had been riding in this carriage for almost 5 hours now, but his tense muscles were yet to relax. He did not say a single word to me, even though I knew that he had a lot on his mind right now. His knuckles were turning white due to the pressure his fisted hands gave, and his perfect jaw was clenched.

"What's the matter?" I asked. He just ignored me and continued on to being stiff as a statue. I sighed before putting my hand over to his clenched ones. He stiffened more- if that's possible, but I refused to let it get to me. I forced his hands to open up- although I had a hard time doing it, and intertwined my hands with his.

I laid my head on his shoulders, and I closed my eyes. "What is the matter, Julian?"

He sighed. "I did not like how they spoke to you earlier," he gritted out. I understood where he was coming from, I really did. But instead of being mad at them like Julian was, I decided that it was better to let go of it. They were not satisfied with my answer, but they can't do anything to dethrone me. It was Julian's last call. Even if they don't like me being they're queen, no one is begging them to stay. The palace doors are always open if they ever wanted to leave.

"It's okay Julian, just let it go. You can't do anything about it. It already happened,"

"You are my wife, and they are not allowed to talk to you like that. They are lucky that I hadn't beheaded them the moment they opened their filthy mouths," he gripped my hand tightly, causing me to wince.

I just smiled at him. "Thank you for not beheading them," I cupped his face, urging him to look at my blue eyes, "and besides, I'm proud of you. You used your brain instead of your emotions,"

Julian's taut posture relaxed. A thought made me wonder. What will the king ask in exchange for an allegiance? Most kingdoms ask for supplies, food, weapons, while others want assistance for war. It just depends on what problem a kingdom is currently facing.

Various sceneries passed by as we rode for the next hour. Neither of us said a word, but the silence was not awkward at all. It was peaceful as we gazed out at the breathtaking views. Further into the journey, the once snowy climate that Kashmir held was replaced with a hot, humid one. I guess we are out of the borders of the kingdom.

We were traveling in a valley, the mountains on either side filled with lush nature. I took in a deep breath and was satisfied; the pleasant smell of the lilies filling my nose.

"Julian?"

His attention diverted to me. "What?"

"When will we get there?" I asked, feeling my bottom becoming sore from sitting for a long amount of time. I was becoming restless; it was unlikely for me to just sit and do nothing.

"Before the sun sets. When we get there, I want you to be careful. I can't afford to lose you with its vast population," he said while tucking a hair behind my ear. Only one kingdom was famous due to it being over-populated that other residents have no choice than to pack up and leave.

I scrunched my brows. "Are we going to Risalam?"

"Yes, that is why I want you to be careful. The people there cannot be trusted, and I can't guarantee that I will be by your side at all times," His voice held finality and seriousness. This was my first time going to another kingdom except Julian's, and now I'm on my way to Risalam, a kingdom famous for theft and prostitution. I felt a cold shiver.

It was rumored that the king there was more vile than any other creature, but I doubt it was true. Julian himself was rumored to be the sinner of Kashmir, yet all he gave me was kindness and loyalty.

The carriage we were riding in drew to a slow trot before halting completely. My heart quickened as the huge palace gates opened and slowly let us inside. Julian gave my hand a squeeze before he let himself out of the carriage, talking to a man dressed in long, purple robes. Strange. Usually when a royal visits a kingdom, the general is expected to great them out of respect. I didn't mind though, as long as no one is aiming a dagger on our throats, we're all good.

The door to my side of the carriage opened and an arm was held out for me to hold. I placed my gloved hands on it as I slowly got out of the carriage. I was immediately greeted with the gentle ray of the sunset, something that I missed since I moved to Kashmir.

Huge, palace walls greeted us as Julian intertwined his hand with mine. The palace was huge, magnificent even, but it was nothing compared to the enormous size and beauty of Kashmir's. Servants ran back and forth, and it was obvious that they were extremely busy.

We got inside and was directed to the throne hall by a few maids. The hall itself was big, with purple and yellow flags that were hung on every corner. At the furthest side of the hall, three thrones were placed, with the biggest one place at the center and the smaller ones on either side of it.

A man dressed in royal clothes sat on the center throne, a gold crown placed on top of his head. He was no doubt the king. He stood up and walked towards us with a smile.

Now that he was near us, his features were more defined. He had waist-length blonde hair, a medium physique, and a handsome face, but not as handsome as Julian's. Wait, what?

"Ah, Julian. It's so nice to see you again," he said. Did they know each other before? Well, they must have been close friends as they greeted each other with first names.

"The pleasure is mine, Cavill," Julian let go of my hand and bowed. The king chuckled as he returned the bow.

"And who is this beautiful lady over here?" He eyed me, a dark look crossing his features, but I paid no heed to it.

"My apologies, this is my wife." It seemed that Julian noticed him eyeing me because he stressed the 'wife' word a little.

I curtsied to the man that Julian referred to as Cavill, in order to show him my respect. He seemed satisfied with it. He looked as if something snapped in his head when he hurriedly bowed to me.

"King Cavill of Risalam, it is nice to finally meet you," He held my gloved hand and kissed it, his lips lingering on it for a while, more than I would like. He finally let go of it and I wasted no time to snatch my hand back and intertwine it with Julian's. He saw the gesture and an amused glint made its way into his emerald green eyes.

He was still looking at me and I was confused, not until I remembered that I was yet to introduce my self. I cleared my throat awkwardly.

"Queen Aurora of Kashmir pleased to meet you, my lord." I avoided his eyes. I was getting weird vibes of this man.

He let out a full-blown laugh. "Do not stress it my dear, you can call me Cavill just lik-"

Cavill did not get to finish his sentence when a loud shriek cut him off, surprising us.

"JULIAN!"

A beautiful, green-eyed woman with short wavy blonde hair ran to Julian and jumped on his arms. Julian was taken aback, but he did not support the woman as she continued clinging to Julian's arms. I just looked at them with a frown before I covered it up with a calm demeanor.

Cavill seemed to have seen my frown because he quickly grabbed the woman from Julian's arms.

"Karilla! Is that a way to treat a guest with his wife?" Cavill reprimanded he woman named Karilla. He then turned to me with an apologetic smile. The woman just looked at me with wide-eyes, as if she was shocked that Julian already had a wife.

"I am terribly sorry about that, my lady. This is my sister," he paused before silently urging the woman to introduce her self. She did.

"Princess Karilla of Risalam pleased to meet you," she curtsied. I just smiled at her before I introduced my self.

"Queen Aurora of Kashmir, pleased to meet you as well, Princess Karilla,"

Once again, the princess looked taken aback as I introduced my self as the queen of Kashmir. Her emerald eyes just kept looking between me and Julian.

"I-Is Julian... You are now the King?!" she squealed at Julian.

He just chuckled awkwardly before nodding. "Yes I am, Karilla. Why do you seem so surprised by it?"

I frowned once again when Julian and the princess acknowledged each other with a first-name basis. Only families, close friends, and acquaintances do that... Unless... I rejected the idea even before I can process it. No, it can't be. Julian told me that he had no one before me, or will there ever be. I remembered his words. 'You are the first, and hopefully the last'

"I..." The princess failed to answer. She tried to hide her admiration with her eyes, but to me who was watching her closely, it was clear as day. Once again, Cavill noticed my frown when he called for the maids.

"There is a feast later in honor of your arrival" he smiled at us both, "You must be tired from the long journey, a maid will escort you to your chambers,"

He excused his self and Karilla. True to his words, a maid approached us and directed us to our chambers.

It was huge, with various types of flowers put on vases that were placed on every corner of the room. There were two huge windows, but you could not really see what was outside due to the vines covering the outside of it. It was beautiful, nonetheless.

A huge bed was placed at the center, and my body almost ran to it. I was exhausted. The maids dressed me into something more comfortable and by the time they went out of the room, Julian wasted no time to change into his braies.

He laid on the bed, his muscular upper body bare from any clothes. He patted the space next to him, but I just stood while crossing my arms over my chest.

"You and that princess seemed to be very comfortable with each other," I asked him.

Julian got up from the bed and approached me. I had a calm demeanor on my face as he went in front of me and snaked his arms around my waist. He bent down and snuggled his nose on my neck. "Are you Jealous?"

I didn't answer. I did not know if I was Jealous or is it just me being territorial. I don't know. I did not face him, only kept looking ahead with a face devoid of any emotion.

He sighed. "You don't have anything to worry about Aurora,"

I scoffed before rolling my eyes. I still did not face him, but I was well aware fo his amber eyes burning holes on my face.

"Right, I totally believe you," I sarcastically answered him.

"Aurora, do you remember what I said to you on our first night together?" he asked. I remembered, but I ignored him. Who cares? Well, I do. But do to my stubborn self, I refused to believe him.

He kissed my forehead. " You are the first, and I sure as hell know that you are my last,"

My cold demeanor broke as I felt my heart warm up. I desperately tried not to smile as I continued staring ahead, but it became impossible when he started placing kisses all over my face. He started tickling my sides and I released a laugh.

"You're unfair," I pouted.

He stole a kiss on my lips as he grinned at me. "And you're beautiful,"

I squealed when he lifted me up with his strong arms and threw me in the bed. He wasted no time crawling towards me pulling me flush with his body. He inhaled my scent.

"Sleep Aurora,"

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