A Kiss.

~Fortuna~

The night was perfect for me. While the sky hung dark and heavy for some, I welcomed it.

The new concubine had made Karl angry, and he would unleash his wrath on her like thunder. She had no idea what storm she had stirred.

I sat by the window, sipping my wine, the one made specially by the royal chef.

It was a luxury only a few of us enjoyed—the king, the queen mother, and then me, before the rest of the family got their share.

The taste was rich and satisfying, much like the events that would unfold tonight.

"The king is coming to the quarters," Melinda, my chief maid, informed me.

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. I had thought he would wait until tomorrow to deal with the foolish girl. It seemed the gods had turned against her already.

"I wonder what kind of punishment awaits her," I mused, sipping slowly. "I don't pity her. She deserves every bit of it. Let's see how she reacts when she finds out she'll be married to that arrogant Elvin."

I couldn't suppress a laugh. Tonight was going to be entertaining.

I instructed the maids to prepare my room; after he dealt with the concubine, Karl would come to me. That was always how it went.

The room was perfectly arranged, just as I liked it, but the king was taking longer than I expected.

Growing impatient, I made my way to the queen mother's quarters to see what was holding him up.

As I passed by, I noticed the women gossiping. Their whispers silenced the moment they saw me, scattering in different directions like frightened birds. Something wasn't right.

I stopped Marissa and questioned her sharply. "Has the king arrived?"

"Yes, your highness," she replied, her head bowed low.

"Where is he?" I asked, feeling the heat of suspicion rise in my chest.

Marissa hesitated, her silence betraying her fear. She seemed to forget that her loyalty belonged to me first, not to whoever she was currently serving.

"Don't test my patience tonight, Marissa," I warned, stepping closer, lifting her chin with the tip of my finger. "Spill it out, now."

"In the princess's room... upstairs," she stammered, taking a step back.

My brows furrowed in confusion. I thought he would have left that room by now, especially after the scene in the hall. What could he still be doing in there?

Without another word, I left Marissa standing there and made my way to the queen mother's room. I knocked lightly, and her voice invited me in.

"Forgive me, mother, for disturbing you at this hour," I curtsied, stepping inside.

The queen mother was always gracious, but her obsession with love and children irritated me.

"Come in, dear," she urged, already removing her jewelry for the night. "Is there something you need?"

"No, but the king has been in the concubine's room for quite a while," I said, glancing around to ensure no one else was present. I needed to be cautious with my words.

"He's still in the quarters?" she asked, visibly surprised. She clearly had no idea what was going on.

"Yes, mother. He went there after the hall, and I'd normally not care, but he was furious when he left," I added, concern flashing in my eyes. Not because I cared for the girl, but because I wanted my husband back.

I could see the worry creasing her face. Without hesitation, she grabbed a shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders. We rushed out of the room together, heading upstairs.

We knocked on the door to the princess's room. I wasn't afraid of anything happening between them—he had promised me he wasn't interested in her. But I wanted him out of there. I wanted him with me.

**

~Karl ~

The kiss was more than I expected. Her lips were soft, and though she was inexperienced, she caught on fast.

I deepened the kiss, letting my tongue play with hers, my hands roaming gently along her back. The hunger I felt for her was raw, as if I hadn't been touched in ages.

But this wasn't just about desire. For the first time, I wanted a woman, not for an heir or to satisfy some curse, but because I craved her—every part of her. We were on the brink of something more.

I found the zipper of her dress and started to undo it when a loud knock echoed through the room.

Damn it.

I was ready to ignore it, but Katrina pushed me away, her cheeks flushed.

I had no choice but to stop, clearing my throat while she hurriedly fixed herself.

Her face turned pale, like she hadn't just been melting in my arms moments ago.

Sighing, I ran a hand through my hair. "Come in," I said, trying to hide my irritation.

To my dismay, it was mother and Queen Fortuna. Perfect. The last people I wanted to see right now.

They bowed, waiting for me to speak, but I didn't hide my annoyance. "Now what, mother?" I asked, a frown forming.

"I-I thought you were fighting..." She trailed off, then shifted her attention to Katrina. "Are you alright, dear?"

I glanced at Katrina, who looked completely thrown off. She swallowed hard, stammering, "Y-yes, m-mother."

"You look pale," my mother walked over, touching her forehead. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"Y-yes, mo-mother," Katrina mumbled, forcing a smile that quickly faded. I bit back a grin. She didn't want anyone to know what had just happened between us. I could play along.

"We'll send the royal physician to check on you," Queen Fortuna added, turning to call for a maid. I raised an eyebrow. Fortuna helping her? That was unexpected. She wasn't the type to show kindness, especially to someone who had crossed her.

"N-no need," Katrina tried again, still flustered. "I-I'll be fine by tomorrow."

I chuckled, leaning closer to her. "I didn't know you were a stammerer."

All eyes were on her now. She fidgeted, rubbing her palms together, and I couldn't help but admire the way she looked—innocent, yet hiding the secret we now shared. A moment I wasn't going to forget anytime soon.

"That's strange," Fortuna chimed in, her gaze sharp. "She didn't stammer when she disrespected me earlier."

Katrina stayed silent, not defending herself. Something about her felt different now. My heart beat faster. She hated me—it was clear.

"I'll head to my room. Goodnight," I said, moving toward the door. But as I reached the hallway, Fortuna's voice pulled me back.

"Have you told Katrina she's marrying Prince Elvin?"

My heart dropped. How had I forgotten that?

I turned to see Katrina's face. Horror and shock washed over her features. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but nothing came out. Her eyes, however, said everything.

'I hate you, Karl'