What would Astra say?
What would she say?
King Magnus’s gaze held a challenge, as if daring Aveline to out herself and the Farren royal family for their attempts to lie to the biggest threat to their kingdom.
Aveline didn’t dare to look away in fear of being suspicious.
As someone in the royal household, even she knew the basics of reading body language.
If she looked towards her father, it would seem like she was waiting for a prompt.
If she looked at Astra, then they’d seem like conspirators.
The best option was to hold the king’s gaze, even if it felt like her body was turning to stone with fear.
How would Astra reply?
“But I have a clumsy, good-for-nothing sister.” Yes, that sounded like something Astra would say.
The whole kingdom knew about their bitter relationship.
No one would believe that Aveline would do such a thing for her dearest sister.
King Magnus glanced at the scar once more.
“Your sister gave you that?”
He’s still not satisfied!
“That’s the last time I arrange flowers with her.” Keeping their faces close, Aveline nodded her head towards her family.
“Poor thing could barely hold a pair of shears.” The pair watched as Astra tried her hardest to pluck a petal from the air, only to fail and lose them all.
Astra was dressed in the typical formal regalia with a ceremonial collar in the Farren colours.
Instead of her usual jewel-encrusted garish tiara, she wore Aveline’s simpler bandeau tiara that Aveline inherited from her mother.
It sat on top of a silk veil to conceal her real hair colour.
It was easier to explain how ‘Princess Astra’ had had a hair accident on the day of her wedding than to lighten Aveline’s darker locks.
“Aveline?”
The world went silent.
Does he know?
Breathing became difficult, and being so close like this, Aveline had nowhere to run.
“Your sister’s name.”
“Right…”
He knows more than I thought.
Aveline composed herself.
“Though sister is a loose term. She’s more like a -”
Embarrassment?
Burden?
Fool?
What does Astra call me behind my back?
“Seems like our lovers are already lost in each other!” The priest’s interruption was much appreciated.
Aveline herself didn’t know what she was going to say to throw King Magnus off her scent.
“Please complete the last step.” He drew his fingers together suggestively.
Aveline’s brows drew together.
King Magnus stared at the elder.
Oh.
Oh.
In all of her panic, Aveline forgot about the –
“True love’s kiss!”
The crowd cheered.
Even Astra had a sly smirk on her face.
The fiend is enjoying this!
The couple blinked at each other.
Perhaps for the first time that day, they were thinking the same thing.
Absolutely not!
“Now, now.” The priest raised his hand to demand peace.
“Let’s give them some peace.” He stepped to the side.
Silence.
Now, all eyes were on them.
No one coached me on this!
King Magnus still had her hands in his, but Aveline started to feel some moisture gathering against her skin.
At least they were in the same boat.
Kiss those lips?
Won’t I end up devoured?
Per his role as a leader, King Magnus took the initiative by cupping a hand against his bride’s face.
A thumb gently stroked the shape of Aveline’s lower lip.
The unexpected action made her stop breathing.
Slowly, he drew close.
Turned his head to conceal hers from the view of the crowd as the thumb covered her lips.
The groom kissed his own knuckle.
Not his bride’s lips.
Despite this, Aveline could feel his heat seep into her skin.
Almost taste the mead on his lips.
The couple held each other’s intense gaze as they fooled the people.
What was I expecting?
The crowd roared with excitement.
Farren for peace.
Paxmouth for a new queen.
For however long she’ll last.
❀
Weddings, especially royal weddings, last too long.
An escape for a respite was much needed in the empty drawing room.
Aveline yearned to be out of all these layers.
She thought her usual undergarment, dress and bodice were a lot, but Astra’s preference for brocade, embroidery and draping trumped that.
They were the reason she had to hide before the banquet.
“Is something the matter?”
Of all the times he could have appeared, her newly-wedded husband came just as Aveline had a hand down the front of her bodice, adjusting it.
It must have been a sight.
Worst of all, her hand became stuck!
“Um…” Aveline tried.
She tried to pull out her hand, but it was stubborn.
The stars are not in my favour.
Another tug.
Nothing shifted.
She turned away; he was a man after all, but he was also now her husband.
Couples don’t hide from each other.
So, she turned back.
The pair blinked at each other.
“Shall I call for assistance?”
“Absolutely not!”
If I don’t die by his hands, then I will be by Astra’s for making a fool out of her name!
“Not even your sister and her shears?” His eyes were indifferent, but his lips were tilted slightly.
Is he making fun of me?
“She’ll probably kill me if her garments are ruined!” Aveline turned toward the mirror as she continued her mission.
There seemed to be some give when she threw her shoulders into it, but the added weight and lacing of the bodice was a challenge.
She paid no mind to the other in the room.
Aveline didn’t notice him again until he was almost directly behind her.
“I didn’t know that you were close enough to share garments.”
At that, Aveline froze.
What?
Their eyes met through the mirror.
That’s when Aveline realised just how much taller, larger and broader he was than her.
An ounce of his strength could snap her in half.
Her hand clenched when those hands settled against her waist.
Aveline was not like the average Farren high-born.
Her body was accustomed to exploring, harvesting and moving goods around – not sitting idle, drinking tea and pruning flowers.
Yet, King Magnus’s hands could encircle her waist, his fingers nearly meeting.
Oh my…
They stayed there for a beat before he moved them behind her.
Their eyes remained fixed on each other’s reflections in the mirror.
Aveline was a deer caught in his sights.
Her husband was an unreadable hunter.
A sharp tug at her bodice made her almost crash into his chest.
That’s when Aveline realised –
“W-wait! What are you -”
The bodice loosened.
Her trapped hand flopped free.
Aveline stared at it like it wasn’t attached to her body.
King Magnus’s hands worked deftly to relace the bodice.
Not as tight as last time, but enough so that she had room to breathe comfortably.
Those enigmatic hands slid back to their place around her waist, and Aveline felt a tingle run up her spine.
They pulled her against that solid chest once more.
“There. All done.”
His hands lingered for a beat before he slowly released her; not before those fingers grazed the intricate fabric of the bodice.
Aveline didn’t dare to turn her gaze away from the mirror, and neither did King Magnus.
Everything that just happened flashed through her mind.
Those hands.
His chest.
His voice.
Did he just help me?
As if he saw her confused expression, he raised a brow.
It wasn’t like the usual disdain or judgement from others, but a teasing one.
Yes, you should thank those who helped you…
but would Astra do that?
Instead, she said, “You seem well-versed in women’s garments.”
The brow went down, but the lips went up.
“I don’t like others touching what’s mine.” His eyes trailed down her body in the mirror.
I didn’t think this gown was his style.
He shares more with Astra than I thought.
“I’m sure she’ll let you borrow it if you ask.” Aveline shrugged.
It wasn’t like her sister didn’t have a whole wing dedicated to her fashion.
Even if her sister was a brat, she was the trendsetter of the kingdom.
King Magnus’s smile dropped.
“What?”
Why is he confused?
That’s my line!
“The gown.”
“What would I do with the gown?”
“If you want to wear it, ask someone else to lace you in!” Aveline rolled her eyes as she threw her hands up.
This man had more layers than she had the patience to understand.
“I’m not judging.”
But as she moved away, fingers loosely circled her wrist.
Looking up, King Magnus had a strange expression on his face; like he was in pain.
“That’s not what I meant.”
Does he sound frustrated?
With what?
“Then what?” Aveline pulled away to face him and crossed her arms over her chest.
It was like an adult demanding a child to express themselves.
“I didn’t mean the dress.” King Magnus tried again.
There seemed to be a determination in his eyes.
Aveline reviewed what she was wearing before concluding: “The belt?”
That makes sense!
“It’s versatile! Even my male cousins wore it once!” Her hand caressed the silver feather-shaped buckle.
When she looked back up with a small smile, King Magnus’s expression was unreadable.
His lips were in a thin line as his eyes searched her face.
He looked stern, but something told her that he wasn’t actually mad.
As expected of an observer like him.
At any other time, it would have terrified her, but something was different about this.
His shoulders began to shake.
Then a soft chuckle broke the silence.
Aveline blinked.
Is he…
laughing?
“You really are…” A hand smoothed over his face to settle on his chin.
His posture was relaxed and casual.
“Unexpected, Princess.”
Oh no…
“The Princess Astra I’d heard of could charm a whole court.”
Aveline frowned.
Charming people at the market is much harder!
“I had expected her to realise when she was being charmed herself.”
Charmed?
By him?
Aveline’s cheeks burned when she understood.
“Ridiculous!” She ripped her gaze away.
That chuckle returned as a finger slipped beneath her chin, gently turning her face back to his.
“Then why are you blushing?”