Chapter 68
1111 Words
KALVIN
In all my life, I never thought I would get to admire such a view again. Even the sun blessed her skin, kissing it with admiration from the gods. No one else would receive such poetic justice except the love of my life, Ariana.
Her hair was completely back to its pure white color. It was really depressing that she wanted to dye it back. I picked a lock and twirled it, appreciating its softness. However, since I was touching her, she flinched and moved away, taking the lock of hair with her.
No matter how hard I tried, she was still very… damaged. It was too hard to override that.
There was a soft knock on the door, interrupting my inner monologue. I could already tell who it was by his mannerism. I stood up, wore my pants and walked out shirtless. Standing by the door was Tyler, holding a scroll.
“Good morning your highness.”
“It was a good one till you ruined it. What do you want?”
“A letter arrived from the palace for you. It’s from the king.”
“Is it a summons?”
“I haven’t opened it yet.”
“... Give me that.”
I opened it, skipped the long introduction and read the content. I sighed and was tempted to toss it into a fire. Tyler caught it in time and shook his head.
“What? Don’t judge me.”
“Still, you shouldn’t toss it into the fire like that. It’s from the king. It’s an act of treason.”
“Is your head still stuck up your arse? Picked a new master, haven’t you?”
“How insulting, your highness. My loyalty is only to you.”
“... That’s gross.”
He smiled, creeping me out even more. I pushed him back, slipping into the room.
“I’ll deal with that later. Have them bring breakfast up.”
“Oh your highness, you have a little something on your face.”
“Hmm, what?”
“It’s like a patch of new skin on you. It has a different color too.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I said, rubbing my face vigorously.
“Oh dear, it would seem like you are showing symptoms of love sickness.”
“... Really?”
He laughed, turning to leave. I fought the itch to kick his derriere and entered the room. Fortunately for me, Ariana was still asleep. I slipped back into the bed, cuddling her. She recoiled at first but I guess she recognized who I was and leaned in.
For me, there was no better definition for happiness. Except of course, we have children. Girls preferably. I don’t want another man sharing my wife’s love with me. It’ll be a terrible inconvenience.
“Kalvin…”
Gods, even her morning voice sounds like a seraph’s.
“Good morning my dearest.”
“... Morning.”
“It’s a beautiful morning, isn’t it?”
“Say that to my broken back.”
“Ack! Are you alright? Let me see.”
“No, I’m fine. I have training early this morning.”
“Lion can let you off for a few days. We can’t afford you exacerbating your condition.”
The look in her eyes; she definitely thought I was an i***t. It’s fine though. Better that than she thinking I was a monster. Of everyone I had met, she was the only one not scared of me because of what I was.
She just didn't want to drag me into her problems and felt guilty for leaving me so she was trying to run away. I fully understand that.
“Ariana, do you hate me?”
“Yes” she replied without missing a beat.
“You do?”
“Of course not. My body definitely hurts from your mishandling but I didn’t hate it and I don’t hate you.”
“So, you love me?”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
I laughed, pulling her into a hug.
“Thank you, Ariana. For trusting me. For staying with me.”
“You forced me to do that.”
“You had plenty of chances to leave me. I had to be manipulative a little but you could’ve left anytime. Thank you for not leaving me.”
“I’d still leave one day.”
“And I’ll search for you. You’re my life’s purpose.”
“That’s creepy.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Let go.”
“Okay.”
I released her and she curled away.
“You… scare me.”
“I do? How?”
“There are so many things unnerving about you and how you behave, especially when you decided you wanted to be with me. I can’t help but feel you have an alternative reason. I guess I’ll see you attitude now that we’ve done it.”
“Ariana, am I really that untrustworthy?”
“You appear so.”
“... I guess it was too soon to do this. I was being selfish. I let my desires take over me. If I had known this is how you would feel about it…”
“You’re not entirely at fault. I wanted it too. I guess it did help me release all my pent up stress. But now, I can’t feel my legs. You’re way too big.”
“I... I can’t control that. It wasn’t my intention to hurt you. I can’t cut it off if it appeases you. I would just have to hope that one time would be enough for us to have children.”
“... I don’t know which is scarier. You offering to castrate yourself just because of a offhand comment or you wanting children with me.”
“What’s wrong with wanting children?”
“You want me to bear an heir for you? That’s ridiculous.”
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a boy. In fact, I only want girls.”
“Gods, you’ve thought this out… look, only your legal wife and queen can bear a heir for you. I cannot do that.”
“But you’re my legal wife and queen!”
“... Not anymore. I may be your wife but it’s not legal.”
Everytime. Everytime I feel like I’ve progressed with her one step, I am always flung ten steps backwards.
“That’s just an excuse. I thought you didn’t hate me.”
“I don’t!”
“Then tell me the real reason why you don’t want children with me.”
“I can’t have children, Kalvin.”
- Writer
