Sneaky Kisses

In the quiet morning, as dawn's first light gently filtered through the curtains, Theron leaned over, careful not to disturb his wife's peaceful slumber. With a playful glint in his eyes, he pressed a tender, fleeting kiss on her forehead, his lips brushing softly against her skin. The simplicity of the kiss spoke of a deep and enduring bond- a secret gesture of love from Theron towards his wife.

"What are you doing?" Astra's voice full of sleepiness startled Theron, as he withdrew back to his side of the bed.

Astra lazily pulled herself and sat up, rubbing away the drowsiness from her eyes.

"Were you stealing kisses again?" she feigned anger staring at him with narrowed eyes.

A week had already passed by, but she could not get used to Theron's sneaky kisses especially early in the morning or in the evening while going to bed.

"It was a small... just small, good morning... kiss," he showed his small finger to her emphasizing on the 'small, good morning kiss'.

Astra wanted to keep her serious expression but found herself smiling foolishly. Theron's little actions made her melt, and she knew he had made a place on her heart. Theron time together made her want to live the moment without a care to the world. He had become her epitome of happiness. But still, she missed her cute Theron though she loved the shameless Theron equally.

"You don't have to do it... sneakily," why did it sound like she wanted him to do it open. Astra regretted her words but before she could take them back, Theron was already kneeling in front of her his eyes sparkling.

"Then I'll wait till you get up and have my morning..."

Astra placed her index finger on his lips to stop him from saying more. She had already noticed Queen Sienna who was standing in front of the door.

'Aren't we entitled to privacy? Why does everyone get in and out whenever they want to, but we are locked in here despite this being our room?' she dared not utter those word loudly in front of the always aloof queen.

Queen Sienna had actually arrived there when Theron was busy staring at the sleeping Astra. She watched the entire episode unfold. Her son who was cold to everyone and never smiled was now bustling with happiness. How she wished he could remain so even when he got cured. Her view on Astra was improving with every single realizing she had no bad intentions towards Theron. Even if she harbored hatred for Ardenia Kingdom, she never used Theron as a pawn or tool for revenge. Queen Sienna could detect pure care in her eyes, whenever she gazed Theron. She was about to knock when she sensed someone looking at her and true to her thoughts, she met Astra's eyes. Her expression changed drastically to her usual cold demeanor.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," Astra got off the bed followed by Theron who had just noticed his mother's presence and stood beside her. His playful expression from earlier was replaced by a frown guessing what his mother had to say.

"To you too," she replied to Astra then turned to Theron after sensing his displeasure due to her presence.

"Good morning," he greeted impatiently, but did not show it. If he could, he wanted to live with his beautiful wife alone with no one disturbing their life. Thanks to him for being a crown prince so that would never happen.

Queen Sienna nodded in acknowledgement then said, "Hope you haven't forgotten about today. We have an important visitor arriving and 'both' of your presence is needed," she stressed on the word both her eyes flashing to Astra then back to Theron, leaving the little girl wondering the meaning behind her words. It was not like any one of them would be left behind so what was the reason for her to remind them?

"We remember mother. We were just about to get ready," Theron said Govind Astra a quick mischievous glance knowing he was lying early in the morning.

"I can see that," Queen Sienna dragged her words shifting her eyes from one to the other. "I'll be leaving now. Don't take too long to 'get ready'."

Astra felt like puking blood understanding the meaning behind Queen Sienna's word. She wondered how long she had been standing at the door and how much she saw. How Astra wished to bury herself under the blanket and never come out. It was too embarrassing for her to be caught by the queen or better mother-in-law doing those kinds of things so early.

"Astra," Queen Sienna called standing near the door but she did not turn back.

"Yes, Your Majesty," she replied swallowing hard with her lower lip bitten as she stared at the queen's back.

"It's... mother now. Or aren't I your mother?" she asked astonishing Astra but then continued without waiting for her reply. "He's only yours now and no one has the right over him more than you. Don't weaken even for a single minute." With that, Queen Sienna left the room.

Such words coming from Queen Sienna's mouth were not to be taken lightly. Astra understood that whatever she wanted to convey to her would not be easy to deal with.

'He's only yours now and no one has the right over him more than you. Don't weaken even for a single minute,' her words repeated in her head trying to decipher the meaning, but she could not grasp anything. All she knew was this had to do with the people she offended. But that did not matter, shewas a little elated that at least Queen Sienna was on her side and top it all, she had allowed her to her mother.

"Wife, are you fine? Do you have fever or something? Should I call for a physician? Why am I even asking. I should probably call for one."

Theron was about to head out of the room but Astra caught his hand.

"Am not sick. See, am totally fine," she said placing his big palm on her forehead.

Theron frowned then narrowed her eyes at her curiously before asking, "Then why were you behaving like... You were confused, then curious, then acted as if you were planning to go for a war and then you started smiling and giggling."

Astra face palmed herself inwardly realising she had been acting up to her emotions when she was lost in thought.

"Oh, that. It was nothing. I was just thinking of something," she laughed awkwardly before starting to walk away.

"I want to know," he followed behind relentlessly and determined to know what she was thinking.

"No. It's a secret."

"Huh? What secret?"

"_"

"I read that husband and wife aren't supposed to keep secrets from each other. Wife I want to know."

"You should stop reading those kinds of books." 'They always put me into trouble.' she said the last part inwardly before disappearing into the bathroom leaving Theron behind who did not follow her anymore.

He paced back and forth thinking what to do so she could tell him but nothing came. He looked at the bathroom and without a warning he got in saying.

"I still want to know, wife."

"Theron!" Astra screamed at the top of her lungs and covered Theron with her dress with her night dress which she had already taken off.

"Why are you shouting? I read that husband and wife can see each others nakedn..."

"I won't spare those books!" she cut him off by stuffing the night dress into his mouth then pushed him out of the bathroom with a warning not to go in.