Night had completely settled over the palace by the time Kingston and Roseline finally returned to their chambers.
The grand wedding celebration, the crown princess ceremony, endless greetings from nobles, royal dances, blessings, and formalities had drained every bit of energy from them.
The heavy doors of their chambers closed behind them with a soft thud.
Silence.
Peaceful silence.
For the first time that entire day, they were finally alone.
Kingston loosened the collar around his neck and exhaled deeply while Roseline softly removed the jeweled veil resting on her hair.
Her silver-white gown shimmered under the warm candlelight, making her look unreal.
His wife.
The title alone nearly made him grin foolishly.
Roseline turned toward him with tired eyes and a shy smile.
"I want to soak in the rose bath," she confessed softly, almost embarrassed.
Kingston immediately nodded.
"Of course."
There was no teasing in his voice this time.
Only gentleness.
"I would like to get some refreshments from the kitchen first," he added calmly. "I'll be back soon. Take your time."
Roseline looked slightly reluctant to let him go after spending the entire day surrounded by people, but eventually nodded.
"Don't stay long."
A smile tugged at his lips.
"I won't."
She disappeared toward the bathing chambers while Kingston quietly exited the room.
The moment the door closed behind him, the softness in his expression faded slightly.
There was one last thing he needed to do tonight.
One last permission he wanted before truly beginning this new chapter with Roseline.
—
The royal corridors were quiet at that hour.
Most servants had retired, and the guards stood silently by the walls.
Kingston eventually stopped in front of the private quarters assigned to King Louis.
Before he could knock twice, the door opened.
Lucas stood there.
The assistant blinked at him before immediately stepping aside.
"Crown prince."
Kingston nodded once.
Lucas glanced toward the sitting area inside the room where Louis sat coldly reading documents under dim candlelight.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Very tense.
Lucas looked between both men and wisely decided his life was too precious to remain caught between them.
"I shall… take my leave."
He vanished immediately.
The moment the door shut—
Louis slowly raised his eyes toward Kingston.
The air turned colder.
"How dare you come here?"
His sharp voice sliced through the silence.
Kingston remained calm.
Louis narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"Aren't you afraid I might gobble you up like your wife said?"
Then, unexpectedly—
He pouted.
Actually pouted.
His irritation and jealousy were so visible that Kingston nearly laughed.
This was the first time he had ever seen the terrifying King Louis behave so childishly.
The mighty ruler of a feared kingdom looked genuinely offended.
Ever since arriving at the palace earlier that evening, Louis had been visibly grumpy.
Displeased.
Sulking.
Why? --
Because his precious sister kept protecting Kingston against him.
And honestly?
Louis hated it.
Kingston noticed the dangerous glint in his eyes and knew the king was probably imagining ways to throw him out the palace window.
Or beat him until even his ancestors failed to recognize him.
Still…
Louis restrained himself.
Only because of Roseline.
Because one wrong move and she might truly hate him forever.
Outside the room, Lucas nearly collapsed against the wall in shock.
His mouth hung open dramatically.
"Oh my God…" he whispered internally. "The royal guards must hear this."
Cold King Louis?
Pouting?
Acting jealous?
Speaking cheesy nonsense?
This was national news.
Lucas was just about to sprint away and spread the greatest gossip of the century when a cold voice suddenly came from inside.
"Lucas."
His entire spine froze.
"Guard the door."
Simple.
Sharp.
Deadly.
Lucas immediately straightened.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
His gossiping spirit died instantly.
Stay calm.
Stay alive.
He repeated those words mentally like sacred prayers.
Inside the room, Kingston raised a brow slightly at Louis.
Louis responded with a murderous glare.
"Go back to your wife," Louis muttered coldly. "Don't make her think I kidnapped you. I don't want her visiting my dreams again just to torment me."
Kingston frowned slightly.
There was something hidden beneath those words.
Pain.
Longing.
As though Louis had truly spent years dreaming about his lost sister.
Kingston slowly stepped forward.
"You are her family, Your Majesty."
Louis remained silent.
"I need your approval," Kingston continued sincerely. "Or else I cannot proceed tonight. You know how precious this night is to a newly wedded wife."
For the first time, Louis' expression shifted slightly.
"But I wouldn't dare move forward while knowing her only family has finally been found. And she hasn't taken his blessings."
Kingston sighed softly.
"I secretly promised myself something long ago," he admitted. "That after our marriage, I would search for her family."
Louis' gaze sharpened.
"I knew she needed them. Even if she never admitted it."
Kingston smiled faintly.
"She's stubborn. Too stubborn. She hides her vulnerability well. Roseline truly believed she was abandoned because she was a burden."
Louis' fingers tightened slowly around the armrest of his chair.
"But I never believed that."
Kingston looked directly at him.
"Her appearance, aura, elegance… everything about her screamed nobility."
A bitter smile touched his lips.
"And now I see I was right all along."
Louis remained silent.
"She is the one everyone has been searching for. The princess your kingdom mourned. The sister you never stopped yearning for. The baby my parents felt guilty about."
Kingston paused before continuing softly.
"My parents regret not realizing it sooner. But they truly cared for her without knowing."
"Oh, sure," Louis interrupted dryly. "They cared for her like a daughter but still allowed their son to marry their daughter, right?"
Kingston almost choked.
"My king—"
Louis glared.
"No parents interference," Kingston quickly explained. "Roseline accepted me herself. We developed feelings naturally."
His voice became gentler.
"I love her."
Louis' eyes narrowed slightly.
"I truly love her."
The room grew quiet.
"And I will spend my entire life protecting her."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
No uncertainty.
Only complete devotion.
"Please," Kingston said quietly
@Queenzayn