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Chapter Text

The ballroom buzzed with lively energy that evening, as a renowned orchestra on the side enhanced the romantic ambiance in the grand space.

Numerous couples descended onto the dance floor of the ballroom, where ladies adorned in exquisite dresses and gentlemen clad in crisp suits gracefully intertwined. Unbeknownst to them, they became so enthralled by the romantic ambiance set by the renowned orchestra that they failed to notice a young man gazing at them with sparkling eyes.

Observing the noble couples from his kingdom on the dance floor, the young man noted their joyful expressions, which inexplicably brought him happiness as well.

Eager to join them, his enthusiasm waned instantly upon seeing his husband, who stood beside him radiating boredom, his fingers tapping impatiently on the grand chair, as though venting his dissatisfaction.

The young man, flashing a charming smile at his husband, extended an invitation, "Your Majesty, may we dance?"

His husband gasped momentarily, his forehead creasing with a faint frown, fortunately fleeting enough to escape the notice of the guests.

"Of course," the man replied firmly.

A wider smile graced the young man's face as he watched his husband rise from the throne. Instantly, silence descended, the music from the orchestra and the click of ladies' high heels in the ballroom vanishing.

The guests fell silent, their eyes fixed on their king as he stood up from his throne. Holding their breath, they speculated about his next move.

It was widely known that their king was ruthless and unforgiving, never overlooking anyone's errors. Yet, a sense of relief washed over the guests as they observed a young man, renowned for his generosity and kindness, standing beside the king. This young man happened to be the queen of the kingdom.

With a smile, the king extended his left hand toward Draco, his right hand concealed behind his back. "Would His Highness Draco want to dance with me?”

Draco's smile widened as he anticipated joining the king on the dance floor, eager to showcase their bond to another noble couple that had stirred a hint of envy in his heart.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Draco replied, placing his right hand gracefully atop his husband's open left palm.

With Draco by his side, King Harry James Potter strode confidently onto the dance floor, tightly grasping Draco's hand. Draco, mirroring Harry's gracefulness, walked with elegance, eliciting gasps of amazement from the guests.

As Harry halted at the center of the dance floor, a breathtaking melody enveloped the ballroom. He placed his hand on his wife's slender waist, while his other hand gently held Draco's. In turn, Draco rested one of his liberated hands on Harry's broad shoulders.

As soft music played, Harry and Draco gracefully danced alone on the floor, while the other nobles gathered at the ballroom's corner, captivated by the unfolding romantic spectacle, destined to become gossip fodder among them.

Draco sensed the admiration from the guests for their apparent intimacy, yet he also acknowledged it as mere facade. He couldn't ignore the absence of genuine love in his husband's eyes after five years of marriage.

With a deep breath, Draco recognized that this wasn't the marital bliss he desired. He longed for a husband who could wholeheartedly love him, unlike Harry. If not for his position as the queen of a vast empire, Draco would have sought an annulment long ago.

Carefully, Draco inquired, "Is Your Majesty thinking about that girl?"

"Yes," Harry replied.

He sadly noted Harry's honesty.

Curiously, Harry asked, "How is your relationship with her?" as he gracefully spun Draco on the dance floor.

"We’re fine. I feel like she's a little sister to me. She's very innocent and prone to tears," Draco responded lightly, eliciting a smile from the other man.

"Thank you for gracefully accepting it. I doubt any other noble would ever agree to have their husband's mistress reside in their own home.” said Harry sincerely.

"There's no need for me to object to Your Majesty having a mistress. I understand my place in your heart, and I have no right to feel jealous because I know you don't love me," Draco replied with a genuine smile.

"Are you mad because I don't love you?" Harry asked carefully.

"No," Draco replied curtly, which allowed Harry to breathe a sigh of relief. They danced again gracefully and elegantly.

As they danced, Draco spotted a young woman in a simple dress watching him and Harry with hopeful eyes. Despite her attempts to conceal herself in the corner of the ballroom, Draco recognized her due to her distinct attire.

He recognized the young woman—Harry's mistress. His gaze locked with her dark brown eyes, causing her to startle as she realized her hiding spot had been discovered by others.

Rather than shooting angry glares at Harry's mistress, Draco chuckled softly. He found her adorable and believed anyone would easily fall in love when encountering such a charming girl.

"What's going on?" Harry inquired, appearing somewhat perplexed by Draco's behavior.

"Your mistress is hiding behind the curtains, peeking at us. She's quite adorable," Draco explained with a shake of his head and a smile.

Harry's eyebrows arched with intrigue. He swiftly turned around to face the large red curtains at the far end of the ballroom. He grinned with amusement upon noticing his mistress attempting to conceal herself behind the curtains, but her feet remained visible due to the gap. 

"It seems she's in need of you, Your Majesty," Draco remarked, giving Harry's shoulder a meaningful squeeze before withdrawing his hand. Harry nodded decisively, his eyes now gleaming with happiness.

"Thank you for your company," Harry said, bowing slightly as he took his hand and gently kissed it.

Draco responded with a smile.

Without hesitation, Harry strode purposefully into the royal garden, away from the crowd. Aware that his mistress had been spying on him, Harry anticipated her prompt pursuit.

As the king left him alone on the dance floor, Draco thankfully smiled with happiness, preventing any nosy inquiries from the gossip-loving royal guests.

"You and His Majesty make a splendid pair, Your Highness. I wish my daughter could find a match like His Majesty and live a life as happily married as yours," remarked a middle-aged noblewoman among the many surrounding him.

"Let's hope your daughter finds success this season," Draco responded kindly, offering his best smile.

The nobles chuckled with admiration upon seeing their queen's smile, lauding it as the most enchanting smile in the entire kingdom—a smile that concealed numerous secrets.

"Oh, Your Highness, you're simply stunning. This kingdom is truly fortunate to have a queen like you," exclaimed one of the nobles.

"Thank you. I'm equally fortunate to have people like you," He replied graciously.

The black-haired woman was stunned to see the man she had been focusing on suddenly vanish from the dance floor. Instead, she found Queen Draco, the man's wife, engaging in a brief conversation with the guests.

She felt a surge of emotion, almost wanting to cry. She had hoped the man would notice her and whisk her away from the crowded room of nobles. Unintentionally, her dark brown eyes met the queen’s silver ones.

She painstakingly lip-read the words spoken by the queen, whom she greatly admired. It took five repetitions from Draco before the girl finally deciphered the words that kept coming from the queen's lips, someone she considered akin to her own brother.

His Majesty is in the garden. Go meet him.

The woman's sadness dissipated instantly as she echoed those words in her mind. She grinned at Draco, feeling grateful for his guidance.

Without hesitation, she murmured a word of gratitude and mimicked the bowing gesture she had observed among the nobles in the palace. Draco responded with a nod and an elegant smile to her expression of thanks.

The young woman hurried towards the royal garden, certain that her man would be there behind the castle, away from the crowded palace. The garden, accessible only to the royal family, was undoubtedly quiet amidst the bustling festivities.

Her haste caused her to overlook a stone in her path, leading to a tumble onto the damp grass, still wet from recent rain. A pained groan escaped her lips as she felt the sting of the impact on her elbows and knees. Despite her efforts to rise, she found herself too weak and helpless to do so.

Soft sobs escaped her as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Are you attempting to entice other noblemen? Aren't you content with being with His Majesty alone?”

The cold and piercing voice prompted the girl to lift her head. Her dark brown eyes met the stern gaze of the man standing proudly before her, unwilling to offer assistance. She recognized him as Prince Cedric Diggory, the cousin of the man she sought.

Prince Cedric, one of the prominent members of the royal family, openly glared at the black-haired girl with contempt.

"Prince Cedric! What have you done to her?!" an angry shout diverted the girl's attention from Prince Cedric's hostile expression.

Cedric grimaced and casually averted his gaze to the other side of the garden as he noticed his brother kneeling to assist his attention-seeking mistress.

"It's alright, I'm here now," Harry reassured, gently drawing the girl into his arms.

Her cries intensified, prompting Harry to tenderly stroke her back as it trembled violently from her sobs, whispering soothing words into her ear.

Cedric rubbed his ear, irritated by the repulsive sobs emanating from his brother's mistress.

"Are you injured?" Harry asked with concern, his gaze fixed intensely on his mistress. Intense emerald eyes abruptly halted at the girl's elbow, where a slight bleeding was evident.

Not only her elbow but also her knee showed signs of bleeding.

The king's jaw clenched, his gaze turning sharply towards his cousin, who appeared indifferent to the unfolding events. "What have you done to Arabelle?!" Harry demanded with a furious growl.

Observing his brother fiercely defending his mistress, Cedric couldn't help but seethe with anger. He returned his brother's gaze with equal intensity. "I pushed her because she refused to show me respect. Just because she's the king's mistress doesn't mean she can act however she pleases," Cedric lied, his tone icy.

"Prince Cedric! You've crossed a line!" Harry exclaimed.

"Whatever," Cedric replied indifferently.

Growing weary of the tumultuous scene before him, Cedric briskly strode towards the royal ballroom, ignoring his brother's angry shouts. Despite Harry's efforts to suppress his anger, he focused on comforting the still sobbing girl.

"Shh... Don't worry, everything will be okay," Harry whispered softly as he gently caressed the top of Arabelle's head.

The girl, Arabelle Ansbach's sobs gradually subsided.

She gasped, suddenly realizing that her cries might attract the attention of the nobles. If those gossip-hungry nobles arrived, Arabelle was certain that it would tarnish the reputations of King Harry and Queen Draco.

Determined not to allow that to happen, Arabelle refused to let her own troubles jeopardize the people she cared about.

"Are you able to stand?" Harry inquired as he stood up and offered his hand to assist her.

"Y-yes, I am," Arabelle responded softly, reaching out to grasp the man's outstretched hand.

Arabelle's small hand tightly grasped Harry's large palm as she attempted to rise, but her legs trembled violently, unable to support her weight.

Sensing the unusual movements, Harry reacted quickly, swiftly catching Arabelle's back before she could fall onto the damp grass.

"Watch out!" Harry exclaimed, taken aback by the sudden movement.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." Arabelle's voice trembled, on the verge of tears once again.

Without a word, Harry slid his hand between Arabelle's thigh and back, lifting her effortlessly in a bridal carry.

"Uh... Harry... Everyone can see us!" whispered Arabelle frantically with her eyes moving around to make sure that there really wasn't anyone else in the garden.

"I am the king, and this is my palace. I have the freedom to act as I please here," Harry responded casually. He guided them back into the palace through a secluded path, away from the prying eyes of the nobles.

"They might not think much of it, but your reputation and that of His Majesty Draco could suffer," Arabelle said, her gaze filled with worry as she looked into Harry's eyes.

"If our reputation suffers, so be it. Your safety is more important than any status," Harry asserted firmly.

After enduring the continuous conversations of the nobles at the party, Draco finally extricated himself from the crowd. Despite wanting to engage with them a bit longer, Draco couldn't suppress an eye roll of annoyance when the topic of wealth arose in their conversation.

The ostentatious displays of wealth during informal events like this had become an undeniable open secret. The nobles would flaunt the latest luxury clothing from renowned fashion designers and gather to form their own association to showcase their affluence.

Truth be told, Draco disliked it.

Amidst the lively sounds of the orchestra, Draco's shoe tapping echoed distinctly as he strode steadily and elegantly towards his designated seat.

As Draco sank into the plush, luxurious chair, he let out a sigh of relief. Leaning back into the majestic throne, he grasped its elbows with his slender hands.

Glancing at the empty throne beside him, intended for the king, Draco felt no concern. If Harry was enjoying himself with his mistress, then Draco was content with his current position.

"Good evening, Your Majesty. May blessings always be upon you and this kingdom," greeted one of Draco's guests, bowing before him.

With a dazzling smile, Draco responded, "Thank you, Duke Richmond. I hope you thoroughly enjoy the remainder of this party," causing Duke Richmond, Charles Richmond, to straighten up.

For a moment, Charles couldn't tear his admiring gaze away from Draco's beautiful and understated face. He couldn't help but envy Harry for having such a stunning spouse. If Charles had sent his proposal letter to the Malfoy patriarch a month earlier, Draco would be by his side now.

"If Your Majesty doesn't object, may I have the honor of a dance?" Charles asked with adoration in his eyes.

Though Draco wanted to decline, he couldn't refuse considering Charles Richmond's status as one of the influential dukes contributing to the kingdom's prosperity. Reluctantly, Draco accepted the dance from the man who seemed to hold him in high regard.

"Of course, Duke Richmond," Draco smiled as he stood up from his seat and took Charles's outstretched hand. He couldn't help but notice how cold it felt.

With pride, Charles escorted Draco to the center of the dance floor, eager to showcase his triumph in securing the company of the kingdom's foremost figure and sharing a dance with Draco.

As the orchestra played, Charles and Draco began dancing in the midst of the floor.

"Tonight, Your Majesty, you look exceptionally beautiful," Charles complimented with admiration.

"Thank you, Duke Richmond. You look quite handsome tonight as well," Draco responded sincerely.

Charles's smile widened upon hearing Draco's praise. While he had received compliments about his appearance from many people before, hearing them from Draco's alluring lips filled him with an unparalleled sense of joy.

"Ah yes, sorry in advance if this question sounds rude. But... Are you sick? Your hands feel so cold. I can even feel it even though I'm wearing gloves," Draco looked at the man worriedly.

Damn it, Charles cursed his nerves, feeling anxious while dancing, a first for him. Take notes, dancing. They didn’t even hug, oh god!

"If you're unwell, there's no need to push yourself to be here. Just send a letter, and I'll understand," Draco assured sincerely, his words tinged with concern.

The duke felt his heart race as he sensed the genuine worry in Draco's voice. Was this what it felt like to be cared for by someone you deeply admired?

"I don't want to disappoint Your Majesty," He replied.

"But you're ill! There's no need to exert yourself like this," Draco insisted stubbornly, prompting a chuckle from the duke.

Charles found Draco incredibly endearing, and his jealousy towards Harry intensified. It seemed unfair that not only did Harry possess a vast and prosperous kingdom, but he also had someone as perfect as Draco by his side.

"I appreciate Your Majesty's concern. But there's no need to worry. After this dance, I'll head straight back to the Manor," Charles assured, receiving a slight nod from Draco in response.

They danced together to the orchestra's music, their movements synchronized until Charles reluctantly had to release Draco's hand as they prepared to change partners.

“Got you!”

Draco gasped as he felt a pair of sturdy hands grab his waist tightly, violating dancing etiquette. He lifted his head to confront the owner of the impolite gesture, but upon seeing the face, he halted his disapproving remark.

"Prince Cedric, do you realize that your actions are impolite?!" Draco expressed disbelief, shaking his head.

"Really? I wasn't aware," Prince Cedric replied nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders.

Draco sighed, gently moving Cedric's firm grip from his waist. "Prince Cedric, continuing this behavior will lead to negative perceptions," He cautioned, glancing around discreetly. Thankfully, none of the guests had noticed their interaction.

"Draco, are you aware that I'm quite irritated at the moment? That self-conscious girl has spoiled my night. I'm at a loss as to what I did to encounter such ignorance," the prince grumbled without paying attention to the sentence that had previously been saying.

Choosing not to engage with the man’s disrespectful behavior, Draco frowned slightly and asked, “You mean Arabelle?”

"Of course! Who else but that ignorant girl in the kingdom?" Cedric retorted with a huff.

Draco took a deep breath, perplexed by Cedric's intense dislike towards Harry's mistress. In fact, Arabelle never disturbed Cedric's composure. "She has a name. You shouldn't just call her that," He chided and shook his head.

Cedric grunted and grimaced, clearly feeling quite frustrated. If he hadn't found Draco on the dance floor, he might have taken out his annoyance on his innocent subordinates.

Noticing the prince's distress, Draco scrambled to find a way to ease his irritation. "Wouldn't you rather leave this place? I'm already bored," He suggested, looking at him expectantly.

As anticipated, Cedric gazed at him eagerly. The chance to whisk Draco away from a formal party like this was a rare opportunity for him, knowing how comfortable the queen always felt sitting in his throne from the arrival of the first guest to the departure of the last one.

"Of course!" said Cedric excitedly.

In a rush, Cedric seized Draco's hand and pulled it somewhat forcefully, but Draco made no objection. He understood that someone like Cedric likely possessed great energy and didn't mean to grab his hand so vigorously.

Cedric tightly gripped Draco's hand, which felt warm and prompted Draco to reciprocate by tightening his grip on the prince’s. Suddenly, Cedric came to a halt, causing a frown to crease Draco's face as he observed the spot where they had stopped.

"What are we doing here?" Draco asked, perplexed as Cedric halted right in front of the entrance to the royal labyrinth garden.

The prince chuckled at Draco's puzzled expression as the young man's eyes gazed at the lonely labyrinth garden ahead.

"We overlooked that, but let's focus on this instead," Cedric released Draco's hand and gently lifted his chin, redirecting his gaze from the labyrinth garden to the night sky adorned with twinkling stars.

"Isn't it beautiful, Your Majesty?" Cedric inquired, noticing his captivated gaze.

"Yeah..." Draco responded softly, his words seeming to be carried away by the night breeze.

"It would be more beautiful if we spend it the right way," Cedric's words prompted him to turn his gaze towards the beaming man. "Will you spend your last dance with me, Your Majesty?" the prince asked formally, extending his hand towards him.

He smiled and gently placed his hand atop Cedric's without hesitation. They danced with joyful smiles adorning their faces, accompanied by the faint sound of the orchestra echoing from the royal hall.

This time, Draco found himself dancing in the open air, his dress brushing against the damp grass below. They moved to the faint melodies of the orchestra and the chirping of the small insects residing in the garden.

"Are you happy?" Cedric asked, his movements gentle as if he wished to prolong their time together tonight.

"I've never been happier," Draco replied warmly.

Chapter Text

As Draco observed Arabelle, who was laughing joyfully with her radiant smile, all the maids and guards present were captivated by the beauty and kindness of their proud queen, His Majesty Draco.

The girl, holding the cotton cloth in her small hands, asked, "Your Majesty, is my embroidery finished?"

Turning his attention from the basket of embroidery threads to the girl's cotton cloth, Draco couldn't help but smile in amusement at the abstract patterns. If the young woman hadn't been boasting about embroidering roses, Draco might not have known what his husband's mistress was currently working on.

"Yes, it looks lovely, Arabelle," Draco fibbed, offering a sweet smile to ensure Arabelle didn't feel inferior in his presence.

At this juncture, Arabelle stood out as the only honest soul in the kingdom, and Draco was determined not to lose such a genuine friend.

"Thank you so much, Your Majesty. I'm even more eager to embroider now," Arabelle exclaimed with a wide smile, revealing her row of white teeth.

Shortly after, both Draco and Arabelle resumed their embroidery tasks. Draco noticed Arabelle's slight clumsiness as she embroidered, evidenced by a soft whimper escaping her lips when the needle pricked her finger.

Draco demonstrated remarkable skill and attention to detail as he embroidered. In no time, he completed his work, adorning the soft beige cotton cloth with a soothing arrangement of blue tulip flowers.

With satisfaction evident on his face, he gently cleaned the cloth from any stray embroidery threads. 

"Woah, this is so beautiful, Your Majesty!” Arabelle's sudden exclamation beside him startled Draco, but he refrained from showing annoyance. 

Glancing at Arabelle, he smiled, “Thank you,”

Without seeking Draco's permission, Arabelle placed her hands adorned with long nails on Draco's cotton cloth.

"What kind of flower is this? I've never seen anything as beautiful in our kingdom," She exclaimed in awe, gazing at Draco's embroidery.

"This is a tulip. Tulips come in many colors—red, yellow, blue, white... They're not native to our land; they originate from Turkey," Draco explained patiently, ensuring she understood each word.

"Turkey?" Arabelle frowned, puzzled by the unfamiliar name.

"It's a foreign country, very far from here," Draco clarified.

"Oh... Well, I really want to visit Turkey now!" Arabelle exclaimed excitedly.

He responded with a smile, choosing not to raise false hopes for the innocent, naive young woman.

The smile gradually faded from Draco's face as he felt confused. He noticed a bluish patch on Arabelle's exposed neck, causing faint wrinkles to form on his brows.

He instinctively reached out to touch the girl's neck, seeking to identify the cause of the mark.

Arabelle gasped in surprise as Draco's long finger made contact with her neck.

"What happened to your neck, Arabelle? Do you have a bug infestation in your room? Should I relocate you?" Draco asked with concern, gently stroking the red spot with his index finger.

Draco grew increasingly puzzled. Despite spending nights in numerous forests while hunting with his husband, he had never encountered such bluish spots. He was certain he'd been bitten by insects in those forests.

"I-it's not from bugs,” Arabelle stuttered, her hand trembling as she touched the bluish blotches on her neck.

"Then what caused it?" Draco asked, tilting his head slightly in confusion.

"It's... uh... because of His Majesty," Arabelle admitted, her face turning as red as a ripe tomato in the royal plantation.

"His Majesty? Did he harm you?" Draco's voice rose with concern at Arabelle's revelation.

"N-no... It's not like that... His Majesty didn't harm me... In fact, it feels amazing," Arabelle stuttered, overwhelmed with embarrassment.

Draco's confusion deepened as he listened to Arabelle's words. His gaze, initially fixed on her neck, shifted to his personal maid, who was watching him with inscrutable eyes.

The maid appeared to be pleading, yet an air of disdain and anger surrounded her, typical of a royal maid in her black-and-white lacy apron. Still perplexed, Draco observed as his maid shook her head and silently signaled Draco a code to tell Arabelle to leave them.

"I don't quite follow, Arabelle," He admitted, causing her to flinch in surprise. "But those spots shouldn't be on display. It's odd," he added gently, tugging the satin scarf around his own neck that shielded it from the sun's rays.

With care and gentle movements, he enveloped Arabelle's neck with the peach-colored satin scarf, concealing the blemishes from view.

"That's much better," He expressed with satisfaction as he observed the marks now hidden beneath his scarf.

Nervously, Arabelle clutched the scarf that the queen had just placed around her neck. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"It's no trouble. Now, return to your room and have the maid apply some ointment to make the marks vanish quickly," he suggested, softly stroking Arabelle's hair.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I apologize," Arabelle replied. With haste, she rose and hurried out of the gazebo rotunda, situated above a small river.

He smiled slightly as he observed her hurried departure, indicating her struggle to grasp the etiquette lessons he had arranged for her.

Should he invest more time in tutoring Arabelle? However, dedicating more time to her education might compromise his leisure and draw criticism from his husband regarding his governing policies.

Taking a shaky breath, he began gathering the embroidery threads scattered across the ivory-white stone table.

"Your Majesty, allow me to assist you," His personal maid interjected, momentarily halting his movements.

Despite his sweet smile, he continued collecting the threads, placing them neatly into the basket prepared by one of the maids.

He chuckled at his maid's frustration, feeling satisfied with his ability to handle the task effortlessly.

"I seem to have defeated you once more," He teased, his amusement evident in his tone.

His maid's irritated sigh prompted another bout of laughter from Draco, reminiscent of a symphony played by skilled musicians. However, his laughter abruptly ceased as he recalled something, his expression turning serious as he focused on his maid.

"Do you know about the red mark on Arabelle's neck?" Draco inquired, his tone grave.

Nervously, the maid hesitated to respond, torn between honesty and the desire to spare her queen any distress.

"Glenice... Are you avoiding my question?" He pressed, his voice tinged with concern.

Glenice gasped in surprise, her eyes widening as she stared at Draco before firmly shaking her head. "No, Your Majesty. I would never dare ignore a queen in our kingdom."

Draco's demand for an answer prompted Glenice to awkwardly glance at him, sensing his curiosity. She felt compelled to satisfy her queen's inquiry.

"That red mark is typically caused by their partners during sex, Your Majesty. It's a form of stimulation," She explained fearfully, awaiting Draco's reaction anxiously.

"S-sex…?" He repeated haltingly, his face flushing with embarrassment at the mention of such topics. Just hearing the words made his cheeks turn crimson for some reason. "And how did His Majesty leave the mark?" He inquired again, curiosity glinting in his eyes.

The maid’s heart sank at her queen's question.

Glenice, Draco's personal maid since his official coronation as queen, had spent five years in his service. Over this time, she had gained a deep understanding of her queen's life due to his openness with her.

Perhaps she was the only outsider aware that her queen remained a virgin.

"He… His Majesty kissed her and bit her," She explained somberly.

Draco blinked several times as he processed his servant's words. Unfortunately, he was still a virgin, unable to fully comprehend the implications of her description.

"How does it feel? Does it... hurt? Ah, no... Arabelle says it feels amazing," He mumbled, his words audible to Glenice.

Her heart sank further. Draco Lucius Malfoy, who was beautiful, intelligent, and responsible, deserved a partner better than their king.

"If you wish, Your Majesty, I can procure a book on the subject for your study," She offered with a forced smile.

The queen’s eyes widened with excitement at Glenice's suggestion. He eagerly nodded, a gesture unbecoming of a queen of a large kingdom.

"However, this must remain strictly between us, Your Majesty," Glenice emphasized.

"Absolutely, it will stay between us!" Draco affirmed.

As Draco read each meticulously crafted sentence in the book provided by his maid, his cheeks flushed red. He felt a sudden surge of warmth enveloping him, transforming his normally chilly room into an uncomfortably hot environment.

Leaning against the elegant headboard of his magnificent bed, Draco, clad in an exquisite gown, felt his heart race as he encountered the explicit passages within the book. Despite his conscience urging him to cease this inappropriate activity, his curiosity compelled him to persist until the final page.

Biting his lower lip, he experienced a novel sensation coursing through him, a feeling he couldn't quite comprehend. This was the first time he had encountered such intense emotions, and a sudden heat began to stir between his thighs.

The sound of the door being pushed violently made him jolt in surprise. He quickly concealed the explicit book Glenice had given him beneath his soft goose pillow.

Remaining alert, he speculated on the identity of the intruder violating the royal chamber's sanctity. He ruled out his husband, knowing Harry's upbringing as a nobleman would prevent such behavior.

"Prince Cedric?!" He exclaimed in surprise as Harry's cousin stormed towards him with a visibly irritated expression.

"Here you are. I've been searching for you everywhere!" Cedric snapped with exasperation.

He recognized that Cedric was speaking informally due to their long-standing acquaintance, which began even before Draco's betrothal to Harry. They had met at their debutante party, quickly bonding over shared interests and forming a close friendship.

"Why are you seeking me out, Prince Cedric?" He inquired, assuming a posture befitting his noble status.

Cedric disregarded any sense of decorum as he flopped onto the bed occupied by Draco, catching the blond off guard. Despite their well-known friendship, Draco worried about potential gossip.

"What are you doing, Prince Cedric?!" Draco exclaimed, instinctively pulling a nearby blanket over himself, though unsure of why he did so.

The prince leaned back, supporting his head with his hands, and playfully surveyed Draco from head to toe.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking that, Your Majesty? What are you up to?" Cedric inquired, barely containing his amusement.

"Protecting myself?" Draco responded, his tone tinged with uncertainty.

"From whom? From me? Are you afraid I'll lay a finger on you? Oh dear... My Draco isn't so innocent anymore," Cedric teased, ending with a satisfied chuckle.

Draco scowled and pursed his lips in annoyance, unsure why he felt so guarded, especially considering it wasn't the first time they had shared a bed. Before Draco married Harry, they had slept together, even with Cedric's favorite dog, Nelly, sleeping between them.

"Your face is flushed. Do you want me to touch you?" Cedric asked amidst his laughter.

"Stop it!" Draco shouted irritably, turning his face away.

Still chuckling, Cedric got up from his position, indicating his intention to leave Draco's room.

"Thanks for cheering me up, Your Majesty," the prince teased, his trademark grin still present.

Draco remained silent in response to the teasing, instead focusing his gaze on the bedroom window, avoiding eye contact with the other.

"I'll take my leave then. Until next time, Draco," Cedric said as he gracefully exited the room.

Draco snorted in disbelief, feeling annoyed by Cedric's presence which had disrupted his mood. He decided to put the vulgar novel aside for now, planning to resume reading it later when the moonlight provided privacy. Swiftly, he retrieved the book from beneath his pillow.

"What book are you reading?" 

His heart raced upon hearing the voice, causing him to turn in horror towards the source. "Y-Your Majesty?!" He half-screamed, hastily concealing the book under his pillow.

He could sense his husband's gaze fixed on him with a mixture of confusion and astonishment, evident in the sharpness of his emerald eyes and the faint furrow of his brow, indicating his disapproval of his behavior.

Feeling tense, he swallowed hard as the atmosphere in the room grew awkward. He cleared his throat deliberately, adjusting his slightly disheveled hair and straightening his posture.

Harry's keen observation didn't miss any of Draco's actions. With one eyebrow raised, he awaited further explanation from his queen, his gaze piercing through Draco.

"What brings you to my room, Your Majesty?" Draco asked, attempting to maintain eye contact with the intense stare, despite feeling a chill creeping through his bones at the scrutiny.

Surprised, Harry looked at Draco and responded, "Can't I visit my wife's room?”

Stupid, Draco berated himself internally, feeling foolish. He wished he could throw himself into the royal pond teeming with koi fish. His heart raced as Harry confidently strode towards the long sofa, not far from where Draco was seated.

"What's the matter?" Harry inquired, sensing Draco's apprehension as he observed him.

"I-it's... nothing, Your Majesty," Draco stammered.

"Then what is it?" Harry pressed.

"What?" He blinked in confusion.

"What's going on with you? Are you feeling unwell? You're acting strangely," Harry scrutinized him with a penetrating gaze.

The blond flinched at those words, wondering if his husband was truly concerned for him. As queen of a large kingdom, he knew that his well-being could affect the functioning of the realm.

"No, Your Majesty," He assured calmly.

"Then what's the matter?" Harry pressed.

Taking a deep breath, Draco had to make up an excuse.

"I'm just feeling a bit confused, Your Majesty. Night is approaching, and Arabelle surely needs your attention," He explained with a sincere smile, a mask he often wore when conversing with others.

The king’s frown vanished upon hearing his explanation. "You're right. I should attend to Arabelle, if only my workload wasn't so overwhelming," Harry lamented.

Draco blinked several times upon hearing Harry's grunt. "So... Your Majesty came here to avoid your duties?"

"Yes,"

Instant silence filled the space as Harry answered the question quickly and steadily. Draco wanted to get out of this room so he could avoid this very awkward situation.

Breaking the silence, Harry stated, "If you need to rest, go ahead. I'll be out in a minute."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Draco obediently nodded.

Without delay, he lowered himself onto the queen-sized bed, turning his back to Harry. He felt too intimidated to meet his husband's gaze, which often carried an air of disapproval.

Closing his eyes, he attempted to drift into the realm of dreams, while Harry lingered in the room, observing him appearing fast asleep on the spacious bed. His breathing seemed steady, giving Harry the confidence to rise from his seat.

Surveying the entirety of his wife's room, Harry noted the stark contrast between Draco's elegant white and gold decor and Arabelle's teenage pink decorations.

With no hesitation, Harry approached Draco, marveling at how even in slumber, he exuded an aura of extraordinary elegance, unlike Arabelle with her sloppily sleep.

Contemplating Arabelle prompted him to hasten his departure from the room and head straight to his mistress. But before doing so, he felt the need to confirm something.

With deliberate care, he lifted Draco's pillow, his hand moving slowly and gently to retrieve the book that had unsettled him. Upon seeing the title, Sex with the Devil, he arched an eyebrow in surprise. His gaze shifted quickly from the book's cover to Draco, who remained fast asleep.

Who would have thought that someone as seemingly perfect as Draco would read such a vulgar book? Harry felt a wave of amusement wash over him.

Before he could burst into laughter and risk waking Draco, he returned the book to its original place. With a faint smile, he exited the room.

"What do you think we should do to get the weavers back to weaving linen?” Harry directed a question to his wife, who appeared engrossed in writing at a luxurious wooden table across from him.

Upon hearing Harry's voice, Draco raised his head to meet his husband's fixed gaze. Although he hadn't fully processed the question, as a queen of a large empire, he understood the importance of maintaining an impeccable appearance at all times.

"In my opinion, providing additional wages to weavers who choose to work with flax would be beneficial. Linen production is notoriously challenging, yet the demand for linen remains high," He responded instinctively. Despite speaking without much thought, his firm tone lent credibility to his words.

"Queen Draco, you must understand that our kingdom currently practices frugality. We must be prepared for any eventuality, including potential attacks from other kingdoms seeking to seize power," Harry cautioned.

He swallowed nervously, his posture rigid, but he managed to maintain his composure until he was confident that Harry remained unaware of his intense fear and nervousness.

"I understand. However, the additional wages I propose wouldn't come from royal funds or taxes imposed on the people," He clarified.

Curious, Harry leaned forward, folding his arms on the wooden table. "What do you mean?" He inquired, intrigued by the idea.

Engaging in discussions with Draco was something Harry enjoyed, especially when he wasn't with his mistress, Arabelle. Harry admired Draco's intellect and innovative solutions to various challenges, finding their conversations more enjoyable than those with the self-serving members of the royal council.

"I... I propose implementing a surcharge on the sale of linen cloth by the kingdom," Draco cautiously explained. He maintained a silent gaze, awaiting Harry's response, while observing his husband's facial expressions for any signs of displeasure.

"Go on," Harry prompted.

"The kingdom could introduce a new regulation mandating a 5% surcharge on all linen purchases, with the additional revenue earmarked solely for the flax craftsmen who supply the linen," Draco explained smoothly.

"Do you believe people will be willing to pay such a premium for linen? They might opt to purchase from other kingdoms instead, potentially harming our economy," Harry countered.

"No, Your Majesty. Our kingdom produces high-quality linen fabric, which commands its value. People won't hesitate to pay the extra 5%. Furthermore, our linen has become a status symbol among young nobles at social gatherings. With the added premium, they'll be even more eager to showcase our luxurious linen," Draco reassured confidently.

The king rested his chin on his hands, a frown creasing his forehead as he carefully pondered his wife's words.

Observing his reaction, Draco anxiously bit his lower lip, fearing rejection and feeling like he had failed as a wise queen to his people.

"All right, I'll deci—"

"HARRY!”

Before Harry could complete his sentence, a scream interrupted him, causing both Harry and Draco to hastily search for the source of the disruptive voice, which turned out to belong to the individual who had rudely burst into the royal study through the door.

A young woman wearing a pink dress adorned with a large ribbon around her waist rushed into the room, oblivious to the presence of the two individuals already occupying the space. Her face sparkled with tears as she wordlessly flung herself onto Harry's lap.

"What happened to you, Arabelle?”

Confused by Arabelle's sudden appearance and distress, Harry furrowed his brow as he tried to console her. He watched as she buried her face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. With a sense of bewilderment, Harry gently stroked her back in an attempt to provide comfort.

From his seat, Draco observed the scene unfold before him, noticing Arabelle's tears as she cried into Harry's chest. A pang of envy flickered through him as he wished he could freely express his emotions without the weight of his royal duties.

Taking a deep breath, he acknowledged the reality of his situation. If he weren't the queen of a kingdom, perhaps he could have lived a simpler, happier life with his own family. But fate had decreed otherwise, binding him to Harry.

He observed Harry's expression closely, sensing the man’s worry and frustration. Knowing he needed to intervene, Draco moved toward Harry's desk.

With a silent exchange of glances, Draco knelt beside Harry, gently reaching out to touch Arabelle's arm as he softly called her name. “Arabelle…”

The woman responded to Draco's gentle inquiry by pulling away from Harry's chest, her tear-stained face turning towards him. Harry frowned, realizing that his mistress wasn't responding to his calls.

"What's wrong?" Draco asked softly, reaching out to gently wipe away the tears on her face.

Biting her lower lip, she struggled to control her sobs. Draco grew increasingly concerned.

"What happened? You won't be scolded," He reassured her softly.

"M-my legs," Arabelle managed to reply amidst her tears.

Both Harry and Draco exchanged confused frowns as Arabelle lifted her flower dress, revealing her legs covered in red blotches.

Draco was taken aback by the sight, surprised to see her typically smooth legs now marked with red blotches.

"The maids... They didn't warn me about the caterpillars in the dandelion garden at the palace's end. And when I showed them my legs, they laughed at me," Arabelle tearfully explained.

Harry's jaw tightened upon hearing her words, his hands already clenched tightly. "I'll deal with those maids. They'll be exiled to conflict territory," He hissed angrily.

Draco glanced at the other man, noting his anger, before reaching out to inspect Arabelle's skin. He sighed inwardly, observing that she had rough scratches on her feet.

"Does it hurt?" He asked gently as he examined her skin.

"It's... Itchy," She whimpered, clutching Harry's shirt tightly.

"Draco, get the royal healer quickly!" Harry instructed urgently.

He blinked awkwardly upon hearing Harry's undeniable command. He didn't want to be dictated to by anyone; he would only obey orders that came from within himself.

"No, Your Majesty," Draco firmly refused as he stood up.

Harry frowned in disbelief at Draco's refusal.

"Didn't you hear what Arabelle just said? She'll feel terrible if she shows her legs to someone el—"

"Are you going to let her continue crying like this?!" Harry interrupted, his voice rising.

Remaining calm, Draco wasn't surprised by the high-pitched words that just came out of his husband's mouth. He once read a novel that said a man would feel his heart squeezed when he saw his loved one suffer, and now, Draco understood Harry's concern for Arabelle. He had nothing to fear.

"I have some herbal ointment in my drawer. I'll rub it on Arabelle's feet," Draco offered calmly.

He immediately rose from his position without waiting for the king's response. Despite his quick pace, he maintained his characteristic grace. Retrieving the ointment from his drawer, deliberately kept there, he swiftly returned.

"It's so itchy..." Arabelle whimpered.

"Why are you still standing, Draco? What are you waiting for?!" Harry's tone conveyed extreme annoyance as he watched Draco place the ointment on his desk and stand beside Arabelle.

"I'm currently wearing the royal crown. I won't lower my head while wearing it," Draco calmly said.

Upon hearing his words, Harry's tongue seemed to freeze. He was well aware of the protocol that forbade royal nobles from bowing their heads for too long to others, particularly when wearing a crown. He couldn't help but flinch as he observed Draco remove the ruby-red crystal crown from his head.

"Now, I can proceed without concern of someone else taking my crown,"

Chapter Text

Draco stood in silence, observing the royal guards as they diligently practiced their swordsmanship. His presence commanded respect, for he was the queen of this kingdom. There was no need for Draco to seek permission to enter the training ground.

The guards continued their drills unperturbed by Draco's presence. After all, who could be bothered by such a beautiful figure?

"Draco!"

The sudden call of his name jolted him from his reverie. His silver eyes, previously fixed on the guards' swords with admiration, swiftly searched for the source of the voice.

"Prince Cedric, there's no need to shout. I can hear you just fine," Draco remarked upon spotting his friend and brother-in-law approaching, wielding a large sword. 

Cedric merely smirked and shrugged in response. Without a word, he strode over to where the royal guards were training. Draco couldn't help but feel intrigued as he watched Cedric conversing with the guards. There was an air of camaraderie and satisfaction among them.

Hadn't he once declared Cedric as the most formidable knight in the kingdom? While Cedric's prowess might still be overshadowed by Harry's, his brilliance on the battlefield was undeniable. 

Over the past year, Harry had been preoccupied with indulging his mistress, leaving all matters of war to be handled by Cedric. Naturally, Cedric agreed to take on this responsibility, as he enjoyed the praise he received each time he emerged victorious in battle.

"Your Majesty, we've made a wager," Cedric exclaimed, jogging towards Draco.

"A wager?" Draco queried, puzzled.

"Yes, we've placed a bet on you," Cedric clarified.

Draco's expression shifted to one of surprise at Cedric's words. Unconsciously, he took a step back, horror evident in his gaze as he stared at Cedric.

His mind replayed the plot of a racy novel Glenice had handed him earlier that morning. It depicted the main character being ensnared in a bet, ultimately ending up confined in a palace, forced to cater to numerous mashers.

No! Could Draco be heading towards a similar fate?

"It's not as ominous as it sounds, Your Majesty," Cedric chuckled, noticing Draco's apprehensive expression.

"Then enlighten me, Prince Cedric. What exactly do you mean by wagering with me? Have you forgotten my status?" Draco's glare intensified.

He refused to let fear and confusion cloud his judgment. After all, he was the queen, wielding boundless authority within the kingdom.

"It's precisely because you're the queen that I proposed this bet!" Cedric exclaimed, his words astonishing Draco.

He shook his head in disbelief at Cedric's audacity.

"So, some of the finest guards and I are going to engage in a competition of skills. You're the focus of our bet... I mean, whoever emerges victorious will earn the honor of sparring with you. Isn't that exciting, Draco?" Cedric's enthusiasm was palpable, reminiscent of a child pleading with their mother for the latest toy.

Draco was momentarily speechless. He berated himself for overthinking. Damn it. Little did he know that fiction novels could play tricks on his mind.

"Oh, you should have been clearer, Prince Cedric," Draco sighed in relief.

"So, Your Majesty, what do you say? You won't disappoint them, will you?" Cedric gestured towards the guards, who seemed to be placing their hopes on him.

Draco flashed a charming smile at the guards. “Very well. But do recall, it’s been quite some time since I last wielded a sword.”

"Then please, take a seat and await my return. You'll be facing me!" Cedric declared confidently.

"You speak as if victory is assured, Prince Cedric. Such arrogance may be your downfall," Draco replied calmly.

Once more, Cedric paid no heed to the queen's caution. Clad in training attire, he gracefully made his way to confront the awaiting guards.

Meanwhile, Draco remained standing, holding a small umbrella to shield himself. He secretly wished for a seat but refrained from sitting on the ground to avoid soiling his attire, knowing Glenice would scold him. Thus, he resolved to remain on his feet.

From his vantage point, he could observe the guards cheering exuberantly, evidently informed by Cedric of his agreement. He reciprocated their enthusiasm with a charming smile and a graceful wave.

As the session commenced, he found himself surprisingly engaged, untouched by boredom or fatigue. The clash of swords and the glint of steel in the sunlight stirred an impatient anticipation within him to witness the outcome.

One by one, the guards exited the arena, leaving Draco hopeful as Cedric confidently strode into the center, wielding his sparkling sword. He couldn't help but covet that sword, clutching his satin gloves tightly as Cedric engaged in the final bout of the preliminaries. The elegant clash of swords only heightened his fascination.

The resounding impact of metal striking metal reverberated loudly. All eyes in the audience held their breath as the prince skillfully maneuvered his sword, ultimately delivering a decisive blow to his opponent.

"I win," Cedric declared with a smirk, locking eyes with Draco in triumph.

The guards erupted into applause as he withdrew his sword. With a crooked smile, he strolled towards Draco, allowing the tip of his sword to graze the rough cement of the battleground.

The sound of the blade scraping against the coarse surface resonated like a beautiful melody to Draco's ears, stirring something within him, a dormant aspect he had long suppressed since assuming the role of queen.

"Your Majesty!" Cedric's booming voice accompanied the motion of his hand, tossing the sword towards Draco.

Trained in agility by his own father, Draco effortlessly caught the sword.

"I see. Your Majesty seems to admire my sword more than my face," Cedric remarked formally, eliciting laughter from the other guards.

Draco didn't take offense at Cedric's jest, despite it bordering on insult to royalty. Instead, he joined in the laughter.

"I'm eagerly anticipating our bout, Your Majesty," Cedric added with a smile.

"Are you really going to fight Prince Cedric, Your Majesty?" Glenice asked with concern as she pinned Draco's hair up high to keep it out of the way during the impending fight.

"Absolutely," Draco affirmed confidently, gazing at his reflection in the sizable mirror before him.

Having changed into simpler attire, he now wore clothes devoid of any flashy embellishments, save for a small embroidered flower at the neckline. Despite the simplicity, he still emitted an air of opulence, his elegant form draped in plain fabric.

"What if His Majesty finds out?" She fretted, eyeing Draco through the mirror's reflection.

"He won't. He's likely occupied with Arabelle," He reassured with a casual laugh.

"But what if you get injured, Your Majesty?"

"If that happens, just summon a healer and keep it under wraps. Simple, isn't it?" Draco replied nonchalantly, flashing a small grin.

She winced with worry at her queen's seemingly reckless words. "Your hair is done, Your Majesty," She announced as she finished styling his locks.

"Thank you, Glenice. And please ensure my previous attire is discreetly returned to my chambers. I'd rather not invite any judgment from the nobles," Draco instructed, glancing at the luxurious garments piled haphazardly nearby.

"Of course, Your Majesty."

He nodded slightly in acknowledgment before reaching for Cedric's beautiful and elegant sword, which had been presented to him. With determined strides, he made his way from the guards' changing room to the training grounds, where the prince awaited.

Every guard's gaze remained fixed on him as he entered the arena, his firm posture, intense gaze, and gentle smile regarded as a true boon to the kingdom.

"Are you ready, Your Majesty?" Cedric asked formally as he approached.

"As you can see, Prince Cedric," Draco replied with a gentle smile.

The guards held their breath at the sight of that smile. Despite Cedric's fierceness in battle, they feared for their queen's safety. In their eyes, their queen appeared delicate, and they vowed never to remain silent if any harm befell him.

"Shall we commence, Prince Cedric?" Draco inquired earnestly.

"Sure, Your Majesty," Cedric responded with a crooked smile. Pointing towards a group of guards, he signaled for one of them to bring forth a sword prepared for the duel.

Accepting the sword, Cedric kept his gaze fixed on Draco.

Upon seeing Cedric receive his sword, Draco promptly bowed in a sign of respect, indicating his readiness to engage in a noble duel. Cedric mirrored the gesture, bowing with one hand concealed behind his back.

A round of applause greeted them as they straightened their backs, but the sound swiftly dissipated as they commenced their battle.

Draco moved with anticipation, conscious of his long absence from swordplay. As a revered queen, he was determined not to tarnish his reputation with a defeat in front of the royal guards.

Yet, observing Cedric's leisurely movements and crooked smile, annoyance stirred within him.

Acting on impulse, he strode boldly towards Cedric, raising his sword and aiming it hastily at his neck. As expected, Cedric effortlessly evaded the attack.

"Don't rush, Your Majesty. I'm not going anywhere," Cedric remarked with laughter.

"I highly value time, Prince Cedric. Every second holds significant meaning for me. Please keep that in mind," Draco stated coldly, once again adjusting the distance between himself and Cedric.

"In that case, will Your Majesty deign to spend such precious time with a humble noble like myself?" Cedric inquired, his gaze fixed firmly on Draco.

"Yes, provided you can best me. I grow weary of your reluctance," Draco responded, his tone firm.

"I only hold you in the highest regard, like a queen, Draco. I have no intention of being disrespectful," Cedric explained.

"You speak as though I've never faced disrespect in my life," Draco retorted.

Cedric raised his eyebrows at his words, sensing the sincerity behind them. He understood that Draco wasn't jesting. "Then, I shall henceforth act with determination," He declared, taking bold strides towards Draco

Draco braced himself as Cedric approached, raising his sword in anticipation.

Clang! The resounding clash of metal echoed through the arena as their swords met. The guards watched in astonishment as he effortlessly wielded a sword that seemed too heavy for his slender frame.

"Swift maneuver," Cedric remarked as he noticed Draco deftly deflecting the sword aimed at his neck.

Draco remained composed, but swiftly disarmed him with a rough motion, maintaining a distance between them. Cedric tightened his grip on his sword, scanning his surroundings as Draco vanished from his immediate view. Slowly turning, he found Draco fixating on him with a fierce, warrior-like intensity.

As Draco advanced towards him, Cedric was compelled to point his sword at his flawless skin, the blade poised for defense. Suddenly, Draco halted his advance, a satisfied smirk gracing his lips as he observed his own blade pointed squarely at Cedric's chest.

Their positions were now equal.

"Before we conclude this duel, I have one question for you," Cedric locked eyes with Draco, whose silver gaze seemed to gleam in the sunlight.

"Ask away," Draco responded casually, taking a step back.

"Doesn't it hurt to see your husband with his mistress?"

The question that came so easily made Draco's eyebrows knit together. He hadn't expected Cedric to inquire about something he had already pondered himself.

"No. If I were hurt, I'd take measures to remove that woman from the palace," He asserted confidently, stepping forward, causing Cedric to instinctively step back, showing he had no intention of causing him harm.

"Are you not considering the same?" Cedric pressed, stepping forward.

"What do you mean?" Draco asked, puzzled.

"Seeking a romantic liaison," Cedric clarified.

He winced at the suggestion. If his instincts hadn't compelled him to retreat, his neck might have been in danger of being stained with blood by now.

"Nonsense. What man would desire such a thing?"

"Indeed, there are men who are open to such arrangements. Sometimes, affairs can offer certain advantages," Cedric replied, trapping Draco with his words.

Those words weighed heavily on Draco's mind, disrupting his composure

"For instance... myself. I desire to be your secret lover."

Draco's heart raced, his eyes widening at Cedric. Confusion clouded his thoughts as Cedric continued to maneuver around him, until suddenly, Draco felt a sharp pain in his neck.

"DRACO!" Cedric's echoing cry, accompanied by the clang of the sword hitting the rough cement floor, left everyone in stunned silence as they observed their motionless queen.

Reacting instinctively, he swiftly lifted Draco into his arms, panic evident on his handsome face as he hurried away from the training grounds. It was only then that Draco realized. He reached up to touch his neck, finding his hand covered in a deep red stain.

"Draco, please, stay with me!"

Harry couldn't suppress a smile of amusement when he saw Arabelle adorned with a crown of fresh flowers atop her hair. Truly, his mistress looked adorable. His hand naturally reached out to brush aside some stray strands that had fallen over her face.

"Do I look pretty, Harry?" Arabelle asked, her smile radiant as she looked up at him.

"Have you ever appeared anything less than beautiful to me?" He replied, gently taking one of her hands in his own, his touch warm and comforting.

Her laughter tinkled crisply at his response. Without hesitation, she leaned back against Harry's strong chest. The king encircled her slender waist with his arms, allowing her to toy with his palms as they matched their hand shapes together.

"Who's more beautiful? Me or His Majesty?" Arabelle lifted her head to meet Harry's gaze, his handsome face appearing serene under the shade of the maple tree against which he leaned.

A subtle furrow creased his brow at her question.

"Why do you ask?" He asked curiously, noticing the gleam of curiosity in her eyes.

"I'm just curious. You must know that His Majesty is considered the most beautiful in the entire kingdom."

He nodded hesitantly, answering her question with a slight frown. Harry wasn't one to ignore the rumors circulating in his kingdom. He was well aware of the public's perception that his wife was the epitome of perfection in their realm.

Draco was renowned not only for his beauty and elegance but also for his competence in royal duties and his kind-hearted nature. Additionally, Draco had earned praise from the royal staff for warmly embracing their king’s mistress.

"But... you're not attracted to him, you're attracted to me. So, that means I'm the prettier one, right?" Arabelle asked with a hopeful smile, gazing at him with eager eyes. He simply nodded faintly and offered her a gentle smile.

Arabelle was undeniably beautiful, although her features didn't conform to the standard beauty ideals of the western kingdom. With her dark eyes and straight, black hair, she didn't fit the typical western beauty standards. Yet, he found her face captivating. Perhaps it was because he couldn't find her unique beauty in anyone else in the kingdom.

But when he thought of Draco... Ah, his wife was truly stunning.

"Tell me if I'm prettier," She pouted, unsatisfied with just a nod and his faint smile. Her endearing attempt at seduction sounded adorable to his ears, prompting him to let out a hearty laugh.

This was what he enjoyed about spending time with Arabelle. Her playful antics always managed to bring laughter to his lips and helped him forget about the stacks of paperwork waiting on his desk.

"You're the most beautiful to me," Harry assured her, planting a kiss on the top of her head.

She chuckled softly as Harry showered her with affectionate kisses on the top of her head. The couple was immersed in laughter until Arabelle, nestled in Harry's arms, caught sight of a familiar figure—Glenice, Draco's personal maid—hurriedly making her way from the royal guards' training area.

The laughter abruptly ceased, replaced by a look of confusion on her face. Why was Glenice running around the training area of the royal guards?

"What's wrong?" Harry inquired, puzzled by her sudden change in demeanor.

Before she could respond, Harry's emerald eyes had already glimpsed Cedric emerging from the training area, carrying a figure in his arms.

Wait... that figure... Draco?

"It seems something has happened to His Majesty. We need to go to him, Harry," Arabelle urged anxiously, rising from his lap.

With a faint nod, Harry swiftly rose to his feet, moving with urgency towards the small house near the training area—a special facility for guards injured during practice.

As he entered the small house, the clamor of voices greeted him, stirring a sense of concern within the king. He quickened his pace, disregarding Arabelle, who struggled to keep up due to the weight of her dress feeling heavier than usual.

"Draco! Please, stay with me!"

His disbelief only deepened as he beheld his wife cradled in the arms of his cousin, Prince Cedric, his shock intensifying upon seeing fresh blood staining Cedric's hands and... his wife's shirt.

What just happened?!

"Prince Cedric! What madness have you unleashed?" Harry's voice surged with anger as he confronted him upon entering the small house.

The king's arrival and his furious words prompted the guards surrounding Cedric to slowly retreat from the scene. Yet, Cedric appeared oblivious, refusing to acknowledge his brother's question or even meet his gaze.

"Prince Ced—"

"Shut up, Draco! Why do you always insist on speaking? Do you want to damage your vocal cords?!" Cedric's shout cut off Draco as he attempted to utter another sentence.

He couldn't comprehend Draco's behavior. Despite a sharp sword striking his neck, he still dared to speak, seemingly unafraid of worsening the profuse bleeding. Harry observed the concern etched on Cedric's face, his fists tightening with a pang of wounded pride as he witnessed his wife embraced by his own cousin.

"You!" Harry called out to a servant who appeared to be holding back tears, recognizing her as Draco's personal maid.

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty?" Glenice responded, her voice trembling.

"What happened to His Majesty?!"

"H-His Majesty sustained an injury while sparring with P-Prince Cedric. A sword grazed His Majesty's neck," Draco's servant explained, her voice shaking with anxiety.

"WHAT?!" Arabelle's piercing scream echoed through the small house, standing beside Harry, equally shocked. Harry felt as surprised as h,er but he managed to conceal his emotions, his expression remaining stoic.

"If you and your mistress intend to cause a scene, Your Majesty, I suggest you leave this premises immediately," Cedric interjected coldly, eliciting a disapproving frown from Harry.

Had he not been preoccupied with Draco's condition, Harry might have drawn his sword on his ungrateful cousin. Ignoring his words, he approached Draco, who was still in Cedric's arms.

Upon meeting Draco's gaze, Harry noticed the sadness in his silver eyes, indicating he had lost a significant amount of blood.

"Have you forgotten that harming the spouse of a king is strictly prohibited? Your actions could warrant a death sentence by beheading," Harry declared icily, shifting his gaze from Draco's drooping eyes to Cedric's face.

His cousin fell silent, refraining from responding to Harry's words, acknowledging his own wrongdoing.

Immediately, the tension in the small house intensified. Both Harry and Cedric exchanged hostile glances, causing even the healer attending to Draco's wound to feel a shiver run down their spine.

"Your Majesty, you may punish me once Draco has received treatment. I will accept my punishment willingly, without any objections," Cedric offered solemnly.

Jaw clenching in frustration, Harry’s unease lingering despite pouring all his desires into his mistress's body. With a grunt, he rose from the bed and retrieved his satin robe from nearby.

Arabelle appeared puzzled by his abrupt departure. It was unlike him to leave immediately after reaching his climax. Typically, he would embrace her, tenderly kiss her forehead, and shower her with compliments, leaving her feeling happy and cherished.

"Harry, where are you going?" Arabelle asked, watching him hastily don his satin pants strewn on the floor of her room.

"I want to check on the queen. I need to know how he is," He replied simply.

"Oh..." She pursed her lips, nodding slightly. "Please give my regards to Draco as well," She added with a smile.

"Of course. Good night," Harry nodded, casting one last glance at her before exiting the room.

With dignified strides, he crossed the velvet-carpeted palace floor. His pace quickened as a slight flutter stirred in his heart, his wife's pained face flooding his thoughts.

All the guards stationed there bowed their heads, avoiding direct eye contact with Harry as he walked past them. It was a longstanding royal regulation in the kingdom.

His gaze narrowed upon spotting four guards stationed outside Draco's chamber door. While he wasn't particularly inclined to monitor his wife's activities, he knew Draco didn't typically employ such strict guards, especially outside his own room. Draco valued his privacy and limited his interactions with others accordingly.

"You... You're from Prince Cedric's palace, aren't you?" Harry asked, mildly surprised by the presence of the four guards with yellow stripes on their chests.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"What brings you here?"

"Prince Cedric instructed us to guard the queen," came the reply.

A faint frown of displeasure creased Harry's forehead at the response. For some inexplicable reason, anger simmered within him upon hearing it.

"Tell your prince that my palace boasts guards far more capable than those in his own, so there's no need for him to send unnecessary personnel to attend to my wife," Harry stated firmly, his expression hardening.

"Very well, Your Majesty."

"Now, leave," Harry commanded brusquely. The four guards bowed respectfully before departing.

With his features still stern, he pushed open Draco's door with a grunt. However, upon entering, he remembered the need for quiet if someone was unwell.

Taking a shaky breath, he suppressed his agitation. The attention Cedric paid to his wife unsettled him. Gently closing the door behind him without making a sound, he approached Draco, who lay sleeping on his side.

His frown deepened as he caught a faint whiff of blood in the air. Though subtle, the scent confirmed the presence of blood in the room. His keen sense of smell, honed from his time on the battlefield, detected it easily.

Moving swiftly, he hastened towards Draco.

"Bastard," Harry muttered, his eyes brimming with fury as he observed the white cloth around Draco's neck stained with blood, even seeping into the goose feather pillow beneath him.

Deftly, he repositioned Draco from lying on his side to lying on his back, thankful that his wife remained undisturbed by the movement, appearing exhausted.

Once satisfied that Draco wouldn't shift positions again, he crossed the room to a large cupboard adorned with gold ornaments. He opened it and reached for one of the neatly arranged scarves inside.

He approached Draco with a light cream-colored scarf in hand, feeling reassured by the peacefulness of his wife's slumber. He believed that replacing the bandage on his neck was the right decision.

Reflecting on the potential chaos that would have ensued had he summoned the royal healer, he acknowledged that such disruption would have robbed Draco of much-needed rest.

With care, he removed the blood-stained white cloth, revealing the depth of Draco's wound. His frown deepened at the sight, anger surging once more. What reckless actions had his cousin and wife taken to inflict such a severe injury upon him? And why was he bearing the pain in silence?

Lost in his thoughts, Harry delicately wrapped the cream-colored scarf he retrieved from Draco's wardrobe around the young man's slender neck, which now appeared somewhat pitiful.

Stepping back after securing the scarf, he gazed intensely at his serene countenance. "Beautiful," He murmured, fully cognizant of the truth in his words.

Reflecting on his fortune, Harry considered himself the most fortunate man in the kingdom for being married to someone deemed an angel by the people. Not only was Draco's appearance captivating, but his inner beauty matched his outer charm. It was likely this combination that prompted Draco's parents to demand such a high dowry for his hand in marriage.

However, his admiration was interrupted when he noticed Draco beginning to shift sideways once more. With purposeful strides, he approached him and firmly held the young man's body to prevent further movement. Draco's eyes fluttered open at the sudden restraint, blinking a few times as he registered Harry's presence. His eyes widened in surprise upon realizing how close Harry was.

Instinctively, he attempted to break free from Harry's grasp.

"What are you doing? Did I startle you?" Harry raised an eyebrow at the fear and nervousness evident on his face.

"N-No, Your Majesty.” Draco suddenly realized he was wearing a thin dress and slowly reached to pull the blanket higher, covering half of his neck with it.

Harry couldn't help but notice his actions. "Why are you pulling up the blanket? Isn't it a bit warm tonight?" He asked casually.

"I... I feel cold..." Draco stammered, clutching the edge of the blanket.

"Oh? Do you need me to warm you up?"

A blush spread across Draco's cheeks and neck as he looked at Harry in surprise. What did his husband mean by that?

"I mean the heater. Should I turn it on?" Harry quickly clarified, trying to suppress a foolish laugh. It was indeed amusing to see Draco's flushed face and surprised expression.

Draco's already flushed face deepened in embarrassment. He felt ashamed of the wild thoughts that had crossed his mind earlier. How could Harry entertain the idea of spending the night with him when he already had Arabelle, his mistress, available to fulfill his desires?

"It seems you should refrain from reading those erotic novels. They seem to be affecting your mind," Harry remarked, just before he moved closer to the heating stove nearby.

Draco's eyes widened in surprise at his husband's words. How did Harry know? Had he asked the servants or checked Draco's library? But such a thing seemed too good to be true. With Harry's busy schedule, he certainly wouldn't have had the time to delve into such trivial matters. After all, these inconveniences stemmed from Draco, someone who held no significant place in Harry's heart.

Yet, Draco couldn't shake off the embarrassment. It was ridiculous! For whatever reason, he felt an overwhelming urge to flee and disappear from the room!

Chapter Text

Draco leaned against the headboard of his bed, stealing a glance at his husband, who was busy adjusting the heater in the room. He nibbled on his lower lip, observing as Harry removed his wolf fur cloak. From his vantage point on the bed, he couldn't help but admire Harry's impressive back. His heart skipped a beat as he imagined himself wrapping his arms around Harry from behind, resting his head against the man's strong back.

For the first time, he felt a pang of jealousy towards Arabelle.

"How are you feeling? Is it warm enough?" Harry inquired as he straightened up.

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty," Draco replied. Harry then made his way towards the soft lounger nearby.

He noticed the reddish marks on his husband's chest from the corner of his eye, and suddenly, his thoughts turned negative. After indulging in the highly erotic novel, he couldn't help but wonder if those marks were from Arabelle.

Did Harry and Arabelle have some fun before he came to see him?

"Why are you still here, Your Majesty?" Draco inquired, noticing Harry sitting idly on the lounger.

"Am I unwelcome?" Harry retorted, raising an eyebrow.

"No, not at all, Your Majesty. But... wouldn't it be better for you to spend the night with Arabelle instead of wasting time here? She often has nightmares," Draco suggested smoothly, but it only seemed to furrow Harry's brow.

His sharp and unfriendly gaze bore into Draco's pale face. Draco couldn't understand why Harry was reacting so harshly to his innocent suggestion. As if Draco had committed a fatal offense.

"Do you not want me here?" Harry asked slowly.

He was taken aback and blinked a few times. He certainly didn't mean to make Harry uncomfortable.

"No,"

"Do you enjoy having me here?"

"No!" Draco responded quickly and a little loudly, widening his eyes.

His abrupt reaction seemed to catch Harry off guard, earning him a strange look from his husband. Draco immediately cursed himself for forgetting his noble etiquette. Harry would surely view him differently after this.

"I apolo—"

"Draco!”

He was on the verge of apologizing for his impolite behavior, but the loud thump of his bedroom door and the familiar voice of a man he knew well halted his sentence midway. Both Draco and Harry immediately directed their attention toward the source of the voice.

Prince Cedric, clad in his night robe, hurriedly made his way to Draco. Paying no heed to Harry's presence in the lounge chair, he seated himself on Draco's side of the bed. His firm hands gently cupped his pale face. "Are you alright? Did an intruder breach your room? I've just discovered that the guards I assigned to protect you were ousted by a man who likes having an affair," Cedric stated in one breath.

"I'm fine, Prince Cedric," Draco reassured him, holding both of Cedric's hands that cradled his face. He attempted to remove them, but Cedric tightened his grip, as if unwilling to let go.

Filled with intense emotions, Harry's jaw clenched tightly as he approached his brother from behind. With a low growl, he forcefully turned Cedric's body away from Draco, his glare piercing.

"Have you forgotten the royal protocol? It's forbidden for a man to enter another's room at night, especially if they're married. It seems you're eager for punishment," Harry stated icily.

Unfazed, Cedric stood his ground. He was accustomed to confrontation, even facing life-threatening situations with his older cousin.

"If punishment awaits me, then I hope you're prepared for consequences as well. Remember, punishment in this kingdom applies to all, regardless of status," Cedric retorted, his tone unfriendly.

"What are you implying?!" Harry's voice surged with emotion, unable to contain the bubbling anger within him.

"You're a married man, in case you've forgotten, yet you visit a young woman instead of your wife every night. And to make matters worse, no one knows what you've been up to with that whore ," Cedric accused, referring to Arabelle.

Harry's heart pounded in his chest at Cedric's derogatory term for Arabelle.

A whore?

Was Cedric's opinion of Arabelle truly that low? Did he have to shout in his brother's face to defend Arabelle's honor? After all, she was a decent woman; she was even a virgin when she first slept with him.

"Shut your mouth, Cedric! She's not a whore! She's my mistress! I have every right to see her!" Harry exclaimed, causing Draco to flinch in surprise.

Draco watched the escalating argument between the two cousins with deep concern. He was afraid of the potential consequences of their conflict, which could destabilize the kingdom.

"Then let Draco be my lo—"

A powerful blow landed on Cedric's face, causing his head to jerk violently to the side. Despite the hit, Cedric's lips curled into a sinister smile.

"Be careful what you say! Do you want to lose your head tonight?!" Harry's voice reverberated with authority.

Feeling the tension in the air, Draco finally rose from the bed and approached Harry and Cedric, sensing the need to intervene.

"Your Majesty, please forgive Prince Cedric. He doesn't fully comprehend his words. He's still young and struggles to control himself," Draco pleaded earnestly.

Harry swiftly shifted his piercing gaze from Cedric to Draco, his chest rising and falling rapidly, signaling his heightened emotions.

"You defended him over your own husband?!"

"I'm not taking sides, Your Majesty," Draco replied firmly, without a hint of hesitation. "I'm merely expressing what I believe is right. I cannot allow this ongoing conflict to destabilize the kingdom." He maintained eye contact with Harry, showing no fear of his husband's intense glare.

Harry clenched his jaw even tighter, visibly displeased with Draco's prioritization of the kingdom over their personal matters. He glared at both Draco and Cedric with fury before storming out of the room, leaving a tense atmosphere behind.

Once Harry had left, Draco shot Cedric a frustrated look as the prince tended to the blood at the corner of his lips. "You're unbelievable," He shook his head in disbelief.

"Yeah, you're right. I'm unbelievable because of my cousin's wife," Cedric replied sarcastically.

Harry's jaw clenched tightly as he watched Draco and Cedric approaching, with Draco's hand firmly clasping Cedric's. The sight felt like a searing ember scorching his heart.

Fury and frustration surged within him. He had the irrational urge to swat Cedric's hand away, but he forced himself to quell the irrational thoughts. Cedric was family, and Harry was certain he wouldn't dare to come between Draco and himself.

"Harry!" A piercing shout, slightly grating to the ears, broke through his turmoil. Turning, Harry saw Arabelle bounding towards him, her smile brightening her face.

Among the crowd, Harry was perhaps the only one who regarded Arabelle with admiration, as the kingdom's people often cast disdainful glances her way.

Everyone in the palace was well aware of Arabelle's status as the king's mistress. They also knew that the king doted on her incessantly. Yet, they couldn't fathom how she could prance about with such a carefree smile.

It seemed the king had abandoned all pretense of palace etiquette.

"Ah... Is His Majesty accompanying us as well?" Arabelle inquired, linking her arm through Harry's as they observed Draco's approach with Cedric by his side.

"Yes," Harry confirmed.

"Isn't His Majesty still unwell?" She asked curiously, noting the shawl draped over Draco's slender neck.

"Yes," Harry replied succinctly.

Her eyes narrowed upon hearing his response, finding it peculiar. If Draco and Cedric weren't present, she might have expressed her displeasure and scolded him. "I didn't expect Your Majesty to join us. I think your neck still hurts," Arabelle remarked, to which Draco responded with a smile.

"I'm feeling better now. I couldn't possibly miss out on the royal agenda," He replied, causing Arabelle to purse her lips and nod in understanding.

Unintentionally, her gaze met Cedric's. The prince stared back with a mixture of disdain and anger, causing Arabelle to instinctively clench her hand around Harry's arm. Draco noticed Arabelle's demeanor and briefly glanced at her hand resting on his husband’s arm before returning his gaze to Harry.

"Your Majesty, since everyone is gathered, perhaps we can commence our journey. And since Arabelle will be joining us, it seems I'll be sharing the carriage with Prince Cedric," Draco suggested with a smile.

Arabelle's face lit up with joy upon hearing his proposal. This trip marked her first excursion since arriving at the grand palace. She never imagined she'd have the chance to spend time with Harry on her inaugural outing.

"You can't!" Harry interjected, his voice slightly raised.

His refusal caused the delighted smile to vanish from Arabelle's lips in an instant. Clad in a light pink dress, she regarded the king with a puzzled expression. The rejection immediately sparked a flurry of anxious questions in her mind. Was Harry no longer interested in her? Had she lost her allure in his eyes?

"You're the queen, especially as we're traveling across the kingdom. What impression do you think it will give if you're seen sharing a carriage with another man?" Harry's tone was sharp with disapproval.

"We're not like you and your mistress. There's no need to worry, Your Majesty," Cedric chimed in mockingly.

Harry's jaw tightened visibly. It seemed he would have to deploy his cousin to battle once more. Cedric's presence in the palace only served to exacerbate his irritability. If he couldn't find a way to keep the prince away from his wife, he knew he'd never find peace.

Before Draco married him, he knew that the blonde was already close friends with Cedric. However, throughout their five years of marriage, Harry never suspected any impropriety between Draco and his cousin, as he knew their relationship was purely platonic.

Yet, ever since Cedric's troubling remarks to him the other night and Draco's defensive responses, he had begun to feel uneasy.

"I'm Draco's husband. He should be in the same carriage as me," Harry declared, locking eyes with Draco, who remained composed.

Draco fails to grasp that two brothers are currently vying for his attention.

"And you expect me to step aside and allow you and your wife, along with an unknown woman, to travel together? Do you wish to tarnish the kingdom's reputation?" Cedric retorted, refusing to yield easily.

"Then Arabelle and I will share a carriage," Draco interjected.

"Agreed," Cedric chimed in, sporting a victorious grin.

Once again, Harry found himself defeated.

Without a word, he roughly removed Arabelle's hand from his arm and strode briskly towards one of the unmounted horses. It was clear he preferred not to share a carriage with Cedric.

"Draco, if you need anything, just call for me. I'll ride alongside your carriage," Cedric offered, prompting Draco to tear his gaze away from Harry.

"Aren't you coming onto the carriage?" Draco asked, puzzled.

"No, I'd rather ride alone, but having you by my side would certainly alleviate any boredom," Cedric declared, seemingly unaffected by the tension around him.

Arabelle stared at Cedric in disbelief. Could this be the same man who had always regarded her with disdain and anger?

"Very well. Take care," Draco nodded as Cedric withdrew his hand, gently kissing the back of his hand before departing.

"You too, stay safe," Cedric added before striding away from Draco and Arabelle.

Once Cedric had left, Draco turned to Arabelle with a gentle smile and lightly took her hand. "Let's board the carriage. We can't loiter here indefinitely," Draco chuckled.

Arabelle followed suit, her mind still swirling with thoughts. A luxurious carriage awaited them, and with the assistance of the coachman, they settled onto the plush seats inside.

The interior of the carriage was hushed. Draco gazed out the window pensively, while Arabelle found herself captivated by Draco's flawless appearance. Even in repose, he exuded an air of refinement and intelligence.

Someone as impeccable as Draco must have attracted numerous suitors. Despite being married, Arabelle couldn't shake the nagging possibility. She twirled her fingers nervously, unable to suppress the question that had been gnawing at her mind.

"Your Majesty..." Arabelle called tentatively, her lower lip caught between her teeth.

Turning his gaze from the window to her face, Draco raised an eyebrow. "Yes? Is there something you need?" He inquired, noting the anxiety etched on her features.

"No, Your Majesty... I just wanted to ask you something..." Her voice trembled with nervousness.

"Please, go ahead," Draco replied, smoothing down a few stray strands of hair tousled by the gentle breeze entering the carriage.

She hesitated, biting her lower lip as she carefully regarded him. She knew her question might be perceived as disrespectful.

"What is it, Arabelle? What do you wish to ask?" Draco prompted, blinking inquisitively.

"That... Does Your Majesty have any other romantic interests aside from His Majesty?”

"Another man, hmm?" Draco murmured, his gaze fixed on the towering trees not far from his seat.

Their entourage had halted in a forest, swiftly transformed into a camp by the royal guards as the sun surrendered to the moon, necessitating a pause in their journey.

It had been approximately an hour since their rest began. Draco perched on a crudely fashioned wooden seat, pondering Arabelle's question from earlier.

He felt perplexed. Why had there been a recent influx of questions regarding other men in his life? Did they not understand that he was content in his current role? He wasn't oblivious; he wouldn't allow love to overshadow the responsibilities tied to his coveted position within his family.

Taking a deep breath, he found himself unsure of how to respond to her question. However, he felt grateful when Harry suddenly approached them and invited Arabelle to ride the same horse with him. It was the first time Harry had intervened in a conversation between Draco and Arabelle, and he felt thankful for the interruption.

Lifting his head, his gaze met the night sky adorned with competing stars, each vying to illuminate the earth. Suddenly, he felt warmth enveloping his back as a cloak made of wolf fur was draped over his narrow shoulders.

Turning around, he locked eyes with Cedric, who regarded him with admiration. It occurred to him that it had been a while since Cedric had looked at him with such adoration.

"May I join you here?" Cedric inquired, indicating the spot next to him.

"If I object, will Prince Cedric still insist on sitting here?" Draco challenged.

Cedric smirked at the question and without a word, promptly settled himself beside him, eliciting a subtle pursing of his lips in annoyance. The prince chuckled softly, finding Draco's expression endearing. He reached out to lightly pinch his chin.

"Don't look so displeased. You're a queen. It's important to maintain your authority in front of your own people," He remarked, effectively coaxing Draco into restoring his lips to their original state.

Cedric hummed contentedly to himself. Draco was exceptionally compliant, a trait he found pleasing. With Draco's obedience, he felt reassured that Draco wouldn't reveal any unfavorable aspects of himself to others, especially the king.

"Why are you still here? Wasn't your tent prepared by the guards?" Cedric initiated conversation, seeking to engage Draco.

"I'm simply feeling a bit restless, and I thought I'd enjoy the night sky before retiring," Draco replied, lifting his head once more to gaze at the sky.

Observing his exquisite features from the side, Cedric marveled at his beauty. The young man was truly breathtaking, as if his face had been sculpted by a smiling deity.

Draco's eyes, like Cedric's, were a mesmerizing shade of grey. His blonde eyebrows framed his face, complementing his naturally pink lips, which had a tantalizing allure capable of captivating any man.

Truly, Draco Malfoy seemed almost ethereal. With his demeanor and appearance, he appeared too exquisite to be mere mortal.

"Isn't the night sky breathtaking?" Draco asked, his gaze still fixed on the celestial display above.

"Yeah... Absolutely stunning," Cedric muttered almost incomprehensibly, his eyes still entranced by Draco's profile.

Cedric's murmuring prompted Draco to tear his gaze away from the sky, only to find Cedric's eyes fixed intently on his face.

"Why do you always make me feel unworthy of being with you?" His words furrowed Draco's brow in concern.

In Cedric's clear grey eyes, he detected a hint of desperation, albeit faint. He realized that Cedric was indeed feeling desperate. But why?

"What do you mean, Prince Cedric?" Draco asked.

The prince offered a faint smile as his thumb brushed across Draco's forehead, smoothing away any traces of worry lines. "My offer remains open. Whenever you are ready, I'll be your lover."

He gazed in disbelief as Cedric echoed the words that had long troubled his heart.

What had happened to these people? Did they truly believe Draco was so reckless as to engage in a clandestine affair behind his husband's back? If he had yearned for love and attention, he would have sought out another man who could truly warm his heart ages ago.

"The air is growing colder. It would be wise for Your Majesty to return to the tent," Cedric stated formally, rising from the wooden seat he had occupied moments ago.

Though Draco remained silent, he lifted his gaze to meet Cedric's handsome visage illuminated by the moonlight.

"Good night, Your Majesty," Cedric bid with a respectful bow before departing.

He continued to watch as Cedric slowly entered the nearby tent, his thoughts swirling with unanswered questions and unresolved emotions.

Tonight, he sighed heavily once more, his head beginning to feel weighed down by his thoughts. He lifted his gaze to the sky once again, hoping to find solace in its beauty. However, his eyes were drawn instead to the figure of a man standing rigidly in front of his tent, his piercing gaze fixed firmly on him.

It was Harry, standing tall with his arms folded across his chest. The gentle night breeze tousled his robe, adorned with wolf fur. His stare felt like a sharp dagger.

Had Draco done something wrong? Wasn't it acceptable for a queen to spend the night sitting on a makeshift wooden seat, gazing at the stars? He swiftly rose from his seat, bowing deeply for a longer duration than usual, a clear indication of his apology. 

Draco straightened his posture, noticing his husband was no longer standing alone. He saw Arabelle tenderly embracing the king from the side. A faint smile touched Draco's lips as he raised his hand to wave gently, locking eyes with Arabelle.

The chilly wind swept through the surroundings. Draco knew he couldn't linger here any longer.

Chapter Text

The sun began to timidly rise from the east, as if reluctant to gaze upon the group of humans who had already awakened and were eagerly attending to their duties. Though the forest was still dimly lit by the early sunlight and the wind carried a biting chill, the group remained enthusiastic.

This morning, they would continue their journey toward their original destination.

"Your Majesty, are you going to ride a horse? Why do you need to ride when the kingdom has already prepared a carriage for you?" Glenice asked as she twirled Draco's blond locks.

"We'll be there soon. I want to enjoy the scenery, so don't try to stop me from riding a horse," Draco replied in a playful tone, causing Glenice to sigh deeply.

Her queen was indeed very stubborn; Glenice knew that well. Persuading Draco to change his mind was impossible. After Glenice finished curling his hair and lightly blushing his pale cheeks, Draco immediately stepped out of the tent. Outside, Draco saw many guards and servants bustling about, busy with their tasks.

Not wanting to stand idly by and watch the activity, he walked toward the place where the horses were resting. Before setting off, it would be best to choose a horse for the journey.

He noticed a dark brown horse that stood out among the others. The horse looked fresh and ready compared to the others, as if it had prepared itself to serve its master on this chilly morning. Slowly but surely, Draco approached the dark brown horse. When he reached it, he gently stroked the top of its head.

Draco wanted this horse. He was just about to turn around and announce his choice to his entourage when the sudden shriek of another horse made him stop in his tracks.

There, he saw a pure white horse staring at him with eyes filled with pain. Something was wrong with the horse. He stepped closer.

"What's wrong? Why do you look like you're in pain?" Draco asked softly, reaching out to stroke the top of the horse's head. As soon as his hand touched the horse, it let out another small shriek.

Frowning, he began to examine the horse's body, covered in pure white fur. Everything seemed fine until he noticed a black creature latched onto the horse, feeding on its blood.

"It's a leech!" Draco gasped. Without a hint of fear or disgust, he swiftly pulled the leech off the white horse's hoof. The horse let out a small cry at his rough movement.

He flung the leech to the ground, where its bloated body nearly burst. He crushed it under his foot until it oozed the blood it had stolen from the horse.

"There, now you're alright," Draco said soothingly, gently stroking the horse's head. He continued to stroke the animal until he heard approaching footsteps. He remained calm, pretending not to notice.

"Seems like you're obsessed with all my things, Draco. My sword and now my horse," Cedric remarked as he approached.

He turned to face Cedric, who was standing nearby. "Is that wrong, Prince Cedric?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, but it does seem unfair. You're so obsessed with everything I have, and I allow it. Yet, why won't you let me be obsessed with what you have?" Cedric replied, his gaze inscrutable.

"Are you obsessed with becoming a queen?" Draco asked impulsively.

Cedric laughed heartily, leaving Draco to watch in silence until he finally stopped and cleared his throat. "No, but I am obsessed with having a queen," The prince said with a meaningful smile.

Draco remained silent; once again, their conversation veered into familiar territory. He wasn't naive; he knew Cedric had harbored feelings for him for a long time, but he had chosen to ignore it. Draco's duty was to his family, who wanted him to be queen, and he wouldn't let them down for love.

"Ah yes, I almost forgot to ask, what are you doing here?" Cedric inquired, approaching the horse Draco had been gently stroking.

"I'm choosing a horse."

"Choosing a horse?"

"Yes, I plan to ride. The distance from this forest to the Delion kingdom isn't too far. I want to enjoy this short, torturous journey," Draco explained.

"And... you've chosen my horse?"

"Yes. Are you going to give it to me?" Draco asked, looking directly at him.

"Of course, I’ll give it to you. I’d give you anything you need; you don’t even have to ask," Cedric replied, gently stroking the horse's head.

"Should I thank you for your kindness?" Draco asked, tilting his head slightly.

Cedric looked at him tenderly before answering. "If you want to thank me, don't give me words I might forget upon waking. Give me words that let me tell the world you are mine."

"Like what…?"

“I love you,” Cedric said firmly.

Silence fell between the two nobles as they stared at each other with intense, indecipherable gazes. The moment was broken by the sound of deliberate, heavy footsteps on the forest ground. He saw Harry approaching from behind Cedric with a menacing expression, looking ready to draw his sword.

"Have you forgotten the kingdom's rules? A married person is not allowed to meet someone unmarried without a third person present," Harry glared at Cedric.

"So, Your Majesty wants me to be alone with His Majesty in public? I’d be very blessed if you granted me that permission," Cedric replied with a smile.

Harry clenched his fists so tightly that turquoise veins protruded prominently over the backs of his hands.

"Harry, we're going to ride together, right?" 

Cedric took a shaky breath as Arabelle approached them cheerfully, breaking the tension. She spoke without a trace of shame or hesitation. He immediately directed a deadly glare at her. The girl, adorned in childish pink and floral jewelry, looked like a doll.

"Ah, Your Majesty is here too? I didn't expect to see you," Arabelle said, trying to remain calm and not be affected by the prince’s sharp gaze.

"Yes, I'm selecting a horse. I intend to ride for this journey," Draco answered kindly.

"Why didn't Your Majesty choose the carriage?" Arabelle asked curiously.

"I simply wish to enjoy the forest air before we depart for Delion kingdom."

"Then I'll suggest Harry ride alongside you for some fresh air—"

"Quiet! Your presence next to Draco will only hinder his enjoyment of the fresh air," Cedric interjected sharply.

"Prince Cedric! How can you speak so disrespectfully to a woman?!" Harry reprimanded him for his words.

"I only speak disrespectfully to certain types of women, one of which includes yours—a shameless whore who dreams of having the king all to herself.”

Draco elegantly held the reins of his horse, drawing the attention of the guards positioned behind him. In this moment, he exuded an aura of regal grace, akin to a deity descended from the heavens.

Suddenly, a commanding voice ahead signaled the group to halt. It was Harry's voice. "We'll take a brief break. Use this time to eat," He announced without glancing back at the group.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The entire group responded in unison, affirming their obedience to the king's command.

While the others dismounted their horses and sought shelter under the shade of the forest trees, Draco remained seated on his horse. His silver eyes remained fixed on Harry, who was assisting Arabelle in dismounting.

He couldn't shake the feeling that taking a break at this moment was unnecessary. With just three hours remaining until they reached the royal capital of Delion, he believed they could endure hunger a little longer. However, he chose to keep his thoughts to himself, observing the guards and maids already gathered under a tree, sharing jokes and laughter. He didn't want to disrupt their camaraderie.

"Care for a walk? I know a spot where you can relax," Cedric proposed, catching him off guard.

Draco turned his head to find Cedric seated on a black horse, having relinquished his white horse to Draco. Despite the clear warning from Harry, Cedric approached him with boldness, displaying a fearlessness towards his royal sibling, even in the face of potential consequences.

"I'd rather stay here, Prince. I don't want to risk angering His Majesty further by meeting with you," Draco politely declined.

Cedric's brow furrowed delicately at the rejection, his mind racing to find a solution that would allow him to take Draco to his favorite spot without provoking further ire from his husband.

As Cedric pondered a solution, his gaze inadvertently fell upon Glenice, Draco's servant, standing respectfully beside the white horse Draco was riding. A smile spread across his face as an idea formed in his mind. He could take Draco to the place he had in mind and include Glenice in their outing.

"We can bring Glenice along," Cedric suggested, his smile widening.

Draco seemed momentarily taken aback by the proposal before agreeing with a slightly confused response. "Yes, of course."

With his smile still intact, Cedric guided his horse towards their destination. Before Draco followed suit, he stole a glance at his husband. Seeing Harry and Arabelle engrossed in their own enjoyment, he breathed a sigh of relief, reassured that he could slip away without Harry noticing.

He signaled for Glenice to follow him, mindful of her walking pace as she trailed behind. Ahead, he noticed Cedric halting his horse, apparently waiting for him.

"Since we have quite a distance to cover, we should pick up the pace on our horses. I know you don't want us to be late, and Harry will be upset again," Cedric suggested as Draco's horse drew alongside his own.

"I can't ride any faster. Glenice won't be able to keep up with this horse's speed. If the destination is still far, we might as well return to the resting spot," Draco said, casting a glance at Glenice, who remained respectfully bowed.

Cedric's brow furrowed with dissatisfaction. "You there. Can you ride a horse?" He inquired of Glenice.

"Yes, I can, Prince," replied Glenice, still keeping her head lowered.

"Problem solved. Draco, give your horse to Glenice. You'll ride with me. That way, we'll arrive on time," Cedric proposed.

Draco appeared to ponder for a moment. Making his decision, he dismounted the white horse without a word. Cedric's face lit up with a bright smile as he watched him approach. Without further delay, he extended his hand to assist Draco in mounting in front of him.

"Are you ready?" Cedric inquired, a hint of nervousness evident as he grasped the reins of his horse. In this position, it appeared as though he was embracing Draco.

His heart skipped a beat as he caught the fresh scent of roses emanating from Draco's long blonde hair. That scent alone was enough to drive him to madness!

"Yes," Draco replied briefly.

Cedric wasted no time, urging his horse forward swiftly. The journey, which might have otherwise felt long and tedious, passed unnoticed. Ahead of them, Draco spotted a field of stunning blue flowers, though he had yet to see them up close.

"Do you like it?" Cedric asked as he halted his horse precisely where he intended.

"It's breathtaking," Draco awed.

Taking in the surroundings, he could only admire the bed of blue flowers, which was incredibly soothing to the eyes. The area seemed uniquely picturesque, with the serene blue flowers juxtaposed against the shade of a lush green tree.

"Don't you want to dismount?" Cedric asked, amused by his continued fascination with the scenery before them.

Draco was taken aback, shifting his gaze from the scene to Cedric, who had already dismounted the horse. "Of course, I'd love to," He replied, declining Cedric's hand and instead leaping from the horse himself. His eyes lit up as he beheld the enchanting vista before him—it truly was a slice of heaven on earth.

His legs carried him instinctively into the midst of the blue flower garden. A smile spread across his face as he felt the soft petals beneath his feet, relishing in their freshness. Delicately, he reached out to caress the tiny blue blooms within his reach.

Cedric mirrored his joyous expression as he followed in the queen's footsteps. His heart swelled with happiness at seeing him so delighted.

“Ah!” suddenly, Draco let out a small yelp as his foot caught in the bushes, threatening to send him tumbling. Acting swiftly, Cedric placed a reassuring hand on his back, steadying him and preventing any mishaps.

"I forgot to warn you about the bushes. We need to watch our step here," Cedric assisted Draco in regaining his footing.

"Thank you, Prince Cedric."

"Just Cedric. You can call me Cedric," Cedric insisted, locking eyes with him.

Draco found himself lost in Cedric's eyes for a moment, which rivaled the beauty of the surrounding flower beds. Eventually, a gentle smile graced his lips.

"Okay, Cedric," He agreed, turning towards the inviting shade of the nearby tree.

Cedric's heart raced with excitement. He felt like a lovesick teenager, experiencing a joy far greater than any victory on the battlefield. Unconsciously, his grip tightened around Draco's now liberated hand. Draco was taken aback but allowed him to hold his hand, suspecting he was concerned about him stumbling again.

Hand in hand, the two nobles made their way towards the expansive shade of the tree amidst the sea of blue flowers. A sense of tranquility enveloped them as they stood beneath the vast canopy.

"Do you visit here often?" Draco asked with curiosity.

"Not very often, but whenever I traverse this forest, I find myself drawn to this spot,"

"It's stunning and... magnificent,"

"It is. Yet, it becomes even more breathtaking when I have the company of someone I care about," Cedric shifted his eyes from the flower bed to Draco's face.

Draco chuckled heartily. "You needn't speak such words to me. I am your brother's wife. You'll never win me," He stated once his laughter subsided.

"It's a shame... If only I hadn't gone to war back then, perhaps I could have intervened in your wedding and taken Harry's place. Then, by now, we might have had adorable, beautiful children. And handsome ones," Cedric mused, a wistful smile playing on his lips as he imagined a blissful future with Draco.

"Yes... what a missed opportunity," Draco replied absentmindedly.

A comfortable silence settled between them, punctuated only by the gentle whispers of the wind and the rustle of leaves. He was lost in the enchanting scenery before him until he felt Cedric's intense gaze fixed upon his face. Turning to meet Cedric's gaze, he saw a hint of longing in the man's eyes. The gaze remained steadfast on his captivating features.

Gently, Cedric reached out to fix Draco's hair, which had come loose from its tie due to the playful breeze in the area. Once the hair was back in place, his hands tenderly cradled Draco's face, ensuring that nothing obscured his radiant beauty.

Draco tensed as he observed Cedric slowly inching closer to him. The brunette's face drew near, and he could feel his breath against his skin.

The situation felt reminiscent of scenes from the erotic novel Glenice had once given him. Instinctively, he felt the urge to shut his eyes, but images of his wedding with Harry flooded his mind—vows exchanged at the sacred altar.

With a forceful push against Cedric's chest, he created some distance between them. Cedric was taken aback, on the verge of questioning what had transpired. Yet, upon seeing Draco's composed expression, a peculiar sensation tugged at his heart. Hadn't Draco experienced a spark when Cedric had touched him?

"We should return shortly. The journey is set to resume," Draco stated calmly.

In a modest yet elegant gown, Draco settled into a chair positioned deliberately before the palace window in the Delion Kingdom. His eyes fixed upon the night sky, occasionally illuminated by dazzling bursts of lightning. Unbeknownst to many, what might appear as a grim spectacle to others had transformed into a wondrous sight for Draco. Perhaps... since his father coerced him to forsake love in pursuit of the throne.

The night breeze intensified, tousling his long, silky blonde locks as thunderous roars echoed in the sky. Raindrops cascaded from the somber heavens, swiftly evolving into a tempestuous downpour. He bent his legs onto the chair, embracing them with both hands. He buried his face against his knees, closing his eyes as tears streamed down his blushy cheeks, mirroring the clarity of the falling rain.

He wept silently, without a single sob or violent tremor that typically accompanies the tears. Tears continued to flow as raindrops pelted his dress, until a comforting warmth enveloped him. Without opening his eyes, he sensed someone draping a blanket over his form.

Remaining motionless, he delicately wiped his tears away, unwilling to display vulnerability before anyone. As the windows slammed shut and curtains were drawn, he finally raised his head. Before him stood Cedric, his back turned, diligently arranging the curtains to block out any remaining rays of lightning.

"What brings you here, Prince Cedric?" Draco inquired as Cedric turned to face him.

"I couldn't shake off this restlessness until I confirmed your well-being," Cedric replied with a gentle smile.

While Cedric's expression exuded warmth and kindness, Draco regarded him with a steady gaze.

"I assure you, Prince Cedric, I'm perfectly fine," He asserted firmly. "But it's best for you to leave my room. I wouldn't want His Majesty to find you here. We're not in our palace, and I'd rather avoid any confrontation between the two of you."

As he moved to rise from his seat, Cedric's hand pressed down on his shoulder, compelling him to remain seated. His eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected that Cedric, usually so gentle and fond of jokes, could be so forceful. But he should have known, given Cedric's fearsome reputation on the battlefield.

"Don't do this, Prince Cedric," Draco said calmly, meeting Cedric's gray eyes.

"How long are you going to keep living like this, Draco?" Cedric asked sharply.

Draco swallowed hard, feeling the oppressive aura emanating from his gaze. "I don't understand what you mean," He replied without the slightest trepidation.

"Don't play dumb! You know I love you! How long are you going to ignore me, huh?!" Cedric's yelled. "Until when?!" His shout was accompanied by the violent crash of lightning.

Draco turned his gaze to the side, not wanting to look at Cedric. Despite the other’s piercing gaze and harsh shouts, he could still see the deep frustration and sadness in his eyes.

"If Prince Cedric forgets, let me remind you once more. I am the wife of Harry James Potter, ruler of the Kingdom of Shinia. I am your brother-in-law and queen. Does Prince Cedric think it is appropriate for me to open my heart to you?" He asked, his tone formal and controlled.

Cedric's jaw tightened, and his breath hitched when he heard Draco speak to him so formally. Cedric didn't like it. The blonde's words made it seem like they had never had a close relationship.

"I don't care! From the start, you knew I loved you! Even before you got engaged to that crazy Harry! But you kept your heart closed! What's wrong with you?!" Cedric exclaimed, frustrated.

Draco pressed his lips tightly together, unwilling to answer Cedric's frustrated question. He couldn't possibly reveal that his father had meticulously planned his life's path from the beginning.

As the sole heir of the Malfoy Royal family, he was destined to marry and become the queen of the Shinia Kingdom. His father had orchestrated everything carefully. Being obedient, he didn't refuse, believing it was for his own good as his father always insisted.

"Answer me, Draco!" Cedric snapped.

Draco clenched his jaw and steeled his gaze as he finally mustered the courage to look Cedric in the face. He refused to show any weakness.

"Isn't it obvious? It's because I don't love you," He said bluntly.

Cedric gasped involuntarily, stepping back. Draco's unwavering, sharp gaze showed no remorse, making Cedric feel as if a knife had pierced his heart. It hurt deeply.

After a few seconds, Cedric straightened his back and looked at him with determination. "You can say you don't love me now, but I'll keep trying. I'll keep trying until the day comes when you say you love me.”

He remained silent, struggling to find the right words to make Cedric understand that his love was futile. He watched as Cedric quickly left the room, a mix of confusion and frustration filling his mind. Why did love always seem to bring about such irrational thoughts? He didn't understand.

Taking a deep breath, he rose from his seat and decided to take a walk to clear his mind, hoping it would help him sleep better.

As he wandered aimlessly through the halls, every guard and servant he passed gazed at him with admiration. Even in a simple dress, his beauty shone brilliantly, as if he had just descended from the heavens.

He continued walking aimlessly until his eyes fell upon a couple sitting together in a distant pavilion, wrapped in each other's arms. Even without approaching, he recognized them as Harry and Arabelle.

Love, it seemed, truly made people act irrationally. How could they display their affection so openly? Perhaps they assumed the storm would keep others away. If so, they were foolish.

He watched the couple until Harry, holding his mistress close, accidentally met his gaze. His sorrowful eyes locked with Harry's for a few seconds. They continued to stare at each other until a thunderclap made Draco break eye contact.

Without offering any respect or a single smile, Draco turned away—something he had never done before.

Chapter Text

Draco was scheduled to have tea with the royal consort of Delion on this cloudy morning. Ensuring his attire was modest, appropriate, and elegant, Draco, accompanied by his maid Glenice, made his way to the central royal garden.

As they walked, his eyes were delighted by the beds of dandelions, the kingdom's hallmark. According to a book he had read, the kingdom's founder named it Delion because dandelions flourish abundantly throughout the realm.

The royal consort, who had been waiting for Draco, rose upon seeing him approach. A smile adorned her lips.

"Have I kept you waiting, my lady?" He asked with a friendly smile.

"No, not at all, Your Majesty. I was just so excited about this meeting that I arrived early," The consort replied warmly. "Please, have a seat, Your Majesty."

He gracefully settled into the soft white chair across from the royal consort, aware of her admiring gaze.

"The rumors were true. You are indeed charming and humble, Your Majesty," The consort said admiringly, bringing a gentle smile to his face.

"Thank you, my lady. You look beautiful today. His Majesty must truly admire your beauty," Draco replied, causing the consort's already rosy cheeks to blush even more deeply at his compliment.

"Ah yes... It feels inappropriate for us to chat without you knowing my name, Your Majesty. I am Natalie Canterbury. I was previously the 13th concubine, but now I've been appointed as the main consort, filling the position of queen that has been vacant for a long time," Natalie explained in detail.

Draco had only expected her to mention her name.

"Greetings, Lady Canterbury. It seems there's no need for me to introduce myself," Draco replied with a gentle smile.

Natalie responded with a light laugh. Soon, the two were engaged in conversation, discussing royal life, politics, gossip, the military, and flowers.

Through their conversation, he realized that Natalie wasn't what many believed. While some thought she used her body to attain her position, it was clear that her excellent knowledge also played a significant role in her rapid rise from an ordinary concubine to the main consort.

"Your Majesty, there is something that has been on my mind since your entourage arrived in this kingdom," Natalie began, catching his attention. "This might sound a bit personal, but I'm genuinely curious."

"If you are curious, feel free to ask. I will answer," Draco replied, setting his delicate white cup adorned with gold flowers on the table.

"How do you get along with His Majesty's mistress?" Natalie asked directly, causing him to raise his eyebrows slightly. "If you don't want to answer, that's perfectly fine. I realize this question might be inappropriate. You can forget I asked," She added quickly when she noticed his silence.

Draco sensed the woman in front of him was nervous, likely fearing her question had offended him. "As I said, I will answer your question. There's no need to be so nervous, Lady. I am not easily offended," He reassured her with a small laugh.

Natalie visibly relaxed, letting out a sigh of relief.

"To your question, I don't know the exact answer myself. Perhaps it's because she's a sweet, innocent girl, and I see her as a little sister. It feels nice to finally have a sister," He explained, further increasing Natalie's admiration for him.

Now, without a doubt, Natalie would tell the world that the person currently sitting in front of her was the incarnation of an angel. Beyond being beautiful, intelligent, elegant, well-spoken, and polite, Draco also has a very good heart.

"I am truly envious of Your Majesty's heart. How can you consider His Majesty's mistress as your own sister? If I were in your place, I would see her as a pest that needs to be exterminated," Natalie grumbled, her frustration slipping out.

He smiled at Natalie's blunt words, which were uncharacteristic of a royal concubine. Perhaps it was because Natalie wasn’t born into nobility. No matter how diligently she adhered to royal etiquette, she sometimes slipped.

"Yes, we could eliminate the pest to protect our property temporarily. But do you know? There is a chance the pest could become stronger and learn to anticipate our actions. That sounds very dangerous. So, rather than risk it growing stronger, it's better to let it continue enjoying its current position," Draco explained, smiling gently.

Natalie was momentarily startled by the explanation. The atmosphere between them remained silent until the interruption came in the form of a man's arrival.

The handsome young man bowed slightly in a gesture of respect as he approached Draco and Natalie. It was none other than the crown prince of the Delion Kingdom.

"I apologize for intruding on Your Majesty and Lady's leisure time, but I would like to speak to Lady Canterbury alone," The crown prince said, his gaze lingering on Draco's captivating silver eyes.

"Your presence is not an intrusion at all, Your Highness. As it happens, I was just considering exploring another area of the palace," Draco replied with a polite smile.

"Thank goodness. I was worried that my arrival might disturb Your Majesty,"

This time, Draco responded to the crown prince's words with a gentle nod and a smile. He then rose from the chair he had occupied for the past three hours. Before leaving, he took a moment to bow slightly to the crown prince.

"Your Majesty, do you find something odd about His Royal Highness and his stepmother?" Glenice asked him as they exited the garden.

"No,” Draco said, feeling a tinge of curiosity.

In response to her queen, Glenice nervously bit her lower lip. She was acutely aware of the strict rule against lowly maids discussing royal family members, especially if the conversation involved anything negative.

"Speak, Glenice. You've piqued my curiosity," Draco demanded. 

After a long internal struggle, Glenice finally decided to respond. "I was considering whether His Royal Highness and his stepmother might be involved romantically, or perhaps... they've had intimate relations in the past."

Draco's eyebrows furrowed. "How did you come to that conclusion?" He inquired, casting a sidelong glance at her.

"Well, the way His Royal Highness gazes at his stepmother seems different, like there's a mix of deep longing and affection, but also resentment," She explained.

"Perhaps he looks at all women in such a manner.”

"No, Your Majesty! Moreover, when we left earlier, His Royal Highness immediately dismissed all the maids who were present."

"Glenice... when there are servants around, it's no longer a private conversation, but a public spectacle," Draco joked, chuckling heartily.

Glenice pursed her lips, unable to match the queen’s wit. Then, her eyes inadvertently drifted towards the distant garden. She narrowed her eyes at the surprising scene.

"Your Majesty, they were kissing!" She exclaimed, causing Draco to startle.

Fortunately, they were not in the palace corridor at the moment. Otherwise, Glenice's outburst might have caused quite a commotion. Her scream made him reflexively follow what his maid was staring at. His mouth opened slightly wide when he saw Natalie making out with her stepson.

Good grief! Even Draco had never seen Harry making out with Arabelle like that.

"His Majesty Harry James Potter and His Majesty Draco Lucius Malfoy enter the room!"

The firm voice of the palace guard at the entrance of Delion Kingdom's hall resounded, silencing the room abruptly. The only sound that followed was the orchestra, playing a welcoming tune for the perfect royal couple of the past decade.

Every eye turned to the pair in admiration; the ladies marveled at the King's handsomeness, while the gentlemen were captivated by Draco's extraordinary beauty.

Although Draco wore a crown smaller than the royal one left in their kingdom, it did nothing to diminish his powerful and elegant aura.

Harry was acutely aware that behind the ostensibly admiring gazes, many of the men were looking at Draco with lustful intent. His jaw tightened.

With great effort, he restrained his emotions. He did not want the anger surging within him to mar the festivities that the Delion Kingdom had so meticulously arranged for them.

Harry and Draco continued their stately walk until they finally settled into the pair of throne chairs adjacent to those of the king and royal concubine of Delion.

Draco took a moment to exchange a polite smile with Natalie as their eyes briefly met.

Without delay, the king of the Delion rose from his throne. The lively atmosphere, fueled by the admiration of the assembled ladies and gentlemen for Harry and Draco, swiftly dissipated into silence.

"I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the guests who have graced us with their presence at this welcoming party for the entourage from the Kingdom of Shinia. I hope this celebration not only entertains our esteemed guests but also fosters even closer relations between the Delion Kingdom and the Shinia Kingdom," proclaimed the king of the Delion Kingdom, his nearly white hair accentuating his authoritative voice.

The king picked up a long-stemmed glass filled with dark red wine from beside his throne. A joyful smile illuminated his wrinkled face as he raised the glass high in a toast.

"Cheers to the Kingdom of Delion and Shinia!"

"Cheers!" answered the guests in the ballroom.

Subsequently, the ballroom resonated once more with the lively chatter of the attendees, reveling in the festivities hosted by the king of Delion.

"I must say, the flavor of this wine is exceptional. I had no idea the Delion Kingdom possessed such a precious gem," remarked Harry to the older king seated beside him.

A pleased grin adorned the face of the king of Delion. "If Your Majesty finds it enjoyable, I could arrange for a shipment to Shinia. Naturally, it might come at a slightly higher cost—”

"You speak as though my realm is teeming with commoners," Harry interjected sharply, fixing a blank stare upon the elder king.

The king of Delion was taken aback by Harry's words, fearing he had inadvertently caused offense. He was acutely aware of the delicate relationship forged between Delion and Shinia over the past century and did not wish to jeopardize it.

"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty," The king of Delion stammered, his complexion paling with apprehension.

Harry pursed his lips, observing the older king's reaction with a penetrating gaze, a trademark of his intimidating demeanor. "Considering the splendid party you've arranged, I'll grant you forgiveness this time," He remarked, averting his eyes away.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," The older king expressed with great relief.

Harry merely cleared his throat and offered a faint nod in response. His eyes remained fixed on the ballroom door, anticipating the arrival of the girl who had pledged to reveal herself to him, even if only from a distance.

Aware that his husband awaited Arabelle's appearance, Draco felt powerless to act. He could only sip the wine poured for him by a servant, feeling a sense of boredom—a rare occurrence for him. Perhaps he found this party somewhat futile in terms of enhancing his prestige.

Yearning to escape the festivities, he longed to immerse himself once again in the popular books among the Delion people, gifts from Natalie. Twirling the tall glass in his slender hand, he attempted to dispel his boredom. His husband showed no inclination to engage him in conversation, unlike the king of Delion with his concubine.

Every gesture of Draco's was keenly observed by a particular man, who seethed with immense anger. Despite his efforts to contain it, his rage bubbled uncontrollably, particularly upon witnessing the woman he loved chatting gleefully with his own father.

Driven by a desire to release the pent-up emotions of jealousy and fury consuming his heart, the man strode purposefully toward the gathering of the royal family. He noted the stiffening of his father's concubine as she caught sight of him, but he paid her reaction no mind.

"Good evening, Your Majesty Draco, Your Majesty Harry," greeted the young man as he halted before the throne where Harry and Draco were seated.

Natalie's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her stepson's arrival, fearing he might utter something untoward and spoil the party's atmosphere.

"In return, good evening to you, Your Royal Highness," Draco responded with a gentle smile, his gaze meeting the crown prince.

"You are truly resplendent tonight, Your Majesty Draco. I daresay even the goddess of beauty would envy your current radiance," The crown prince remarked, openly praising Draco in the presence of his husband.

Harry immediately shot a disapproving glare at the young man before him, who had audaciously complimented Draco in front of him.

"Thank you, Your Royal Highness. You, too, exude remarkable charm tonight. I'm certain many are captivated by your handsome appearance," Draco replied gracefully, though his words reignited Harry's simmering rage. 

The Shinia king redirected his glare towards Draco, but it had little effect on him, as usual.

"May I have the honor of sharing the first dance of the evening with you, Your Majesty?" asked the crown prince politely, bowing and extending his hand towards Draco.

"Of course, Your Royal Highness," Draco responded, reaching out with a deliberate yet composed motion to grasp the crown prince's hand.

However, before he could complete the gesture, a firm hand suddenly intercepted his own. His face held an expression of surprise as he looked at the hand's owner, none other than his husband.

"His first dance belongs to me. I am his husband, and I rightfully claim it," declared Harry purposefully, his hand lingering on Draco's back for the benefit of the onlookers in the ballroom.

Draco couldn't help but feel a slight shiver at the touch, as it was a sensation he had rarely experienced from his husband. Harry's emerald eyes exuded an aura of possessiveness, silently proclaiming to all present that Draco belonged to him.

"Your Majesty, the dance partner is soon to change," Draco remarked simply, sensing something amiss with his husband.

Harry muttered incomprehensibly, his eyes still fixed on the man who continued to stare unabashedly at his wife with desire evident in his gaze.

Meanwhile, Draco maintained his graceful movements in sync with the orchestra's music. As the song changed, signaling the beginning of the partner exchange, Harry spun Draco around. He couldn't keep his spouse dancing with him indefinitely. Despite being away from Shinia, Harry was bound by royal protocol and couldn't flout the rules at will, even though he had already breached some of them.

Raising Draco's hand high, he delicately guided the blonde into the arms of another dancer. Initially, everything seemed in order, until his eyes fell upon the crown prince of Delion, who appeared poised to claim the queen's waist.

His jaw clenched. He would not allow that to happen.

After spinning for a while, Harry's hands instinctively returned to encircle Draco's slender back. An overwhelming sense of possessiveness compelled him to draw Draco closer until the blonde's head rested against his broad chest, enveloped in soft satin fabric.

Like a protective lion guarding its prey, Harry leveled a sharp gaze at the crown prince, eliciting a surprised reaction from the young man, mirrored by the other guests in the ballroom.

The assembled guests unanimously upheld King Harry and Queen Draco of Shinia as the epitome of an ideal couple for over a decade.

"Your Majesty, you should have released me. We've missed the partner swap," Draco gently admonished, tilting his head to meet Harry's eyes.

"I have no interest in changing partners. I have no desire to dance with those frivolous women," Harry casually lied.

Draco inwardly grimaced. He had never witnessed his husband dancing with anyone else besides himself and, of course, Arabelle. It was evident that Harry didn't want to provoke jealousy in his naive mistress.

Resuming their dance, Draco and Harry moved gracefully until they were interrupted by the arrival of a guard from the Shinia Kingdom. The guard whispered something to the king, causing him to appear slightly startled.

"Very well, I'll be there shortly," Harry responded to the guard, who nodded before departing. "I must leave. Arabelle requires my presence," He explained as he released his hands from Draco's back.

"Ah, of course," Draco remarked casually, taking a few steps backward to create some distance.

Not wishing to prolong the exchange, he bowed respectfully, a gesture mirrored by Harry. The king was on the verge of departing the grand ballroom when the irritating voice of the man he considered an adversary provoked a growl of annoyance from him.

"Your Majesty, it appears you are without a partner now. Might I have the honor of being your companion?" The crown prince inquired politely, extending his hand to Draco.

"Of course, I would be delighted. Dancing with this future king must be quite an experience," Draco responded equally politely, accepting the crown prince's outstretched hand.

"Damn it," Harry muttered, still rooted in place.

Draco cast Harry a startled glance at his public swearing—an action unbefitting of nobility, especially for a king of a prominent kingdom. The crown prince chuckled amusedly as he observed Draco's husband hastily exiting the ballroom.

"Did Your Royal Highness find something amusing?" Draco inquired, noting the crown prince's amusement.

"Yes," The crown prince confirmed.

"May I inquire as to what it is?"

"A jealous husband," The crown prince replied with a broad smile adorning his handsome features.

Draco's expression subtly soured upon hearing the response. Was the crown prince insinuating that Harry was the jealous husband? If so, it didn't bode well for the Delion Kingdom. How could a potential leader fail to discern the situation accurately?

"Ah," Draco replied tersely, causing the grin on the crown prince's face to falter.

For a brief moment, the only sounds in the room were those of the orchestra and the clicking of heels as Draco and the crown prince faced each other.

"Ah yes, before proceeding, allow me to introduce myself. I—" 

"Terence Higgs. Am I correct, Your Royal Highness?" Draco interjected, flashing a sweet smile.

"Yes, Your Majesty, your recollection is accurate. Should I take pride in the fact that such an exceptional queen remembers my name?”

"It's merely a name. Anyone could remember it," Draco replied casually.

"Yes, just a name, one that perhaps in the future will be remembered as that of a rebel and a traitor," Terence remarked with a wry smile.

Maintaining his composed demeanor, Draco refrained from showing any overt interest in the direction of Terence's conversation. "And why would that be? As the future ruler of Delion, you will be known as a king, not a rebel," Draco stated calmly.

"You must be aware of my fondness for my stepmother, correct?”

Draco maintained a steady gaze on the man’s face, impressed by his directness and the personal nature of his comment directed towards a royal guest. "I prefer not to involve myself too deeply in the affairs of others," He replied, offering a gentle smile.

"However, it seems intervention may be necessary, Your Majesty. I believe the rebellion I have orchestrated is of such magnitude that it will inevitably impact the Shinia Kingdom," Terence continued, his smile mirroring Draco's.

Draco maintained his calm demeanor, but he felt uneasy about someone else entangling Shinia's name in potential turmoil. "Would it not be prudent to reconsider your words, Your Royal Highness?" He queried sharply.

"I'm afraid I cannot comply, Your Majesty," Terence remarked with a chuckle tinged with amusement. "I bring this to your attention because I wish to spare the Shinia Kingdom from involvement in this rebellion. My intention was to stage a coup against my father on the day he appoints my stepmother as queen of our kingdom."

"And?" prompted Draco.

"I implore you to ensure that your husband refrains from intervening in this matter," Terence continued. 

Draco arched an eyebrow at the confession.

"I am certain that Shinia, with its longstanding relationship with Delion, will oppose my rebellion and may even provide support to Delion. Therefore, I beseech Your Majesty to persuade His Majesty not to interfere. Though I am embarking on rebellion, I harbor no desire for unnecessary bloodshed as a consequence of my actions.”

Draco maintained a blank stare at Terence until the man completed his statement. Calmly, he withdrew his hands from Terence's shoulders.

"If Your Royal Highness is orchestrating a rebellion, then the shedding of blood upon this land should be a matter of concern for you. However, if you wish to prevent the contamination of this land with bloodshed, then I urge you to abandon your plan.”

He moved gracefully, effortlessly matching the steps set by his husband as they strolled. Occasional faint smiles adorned his lips as he listened to the somewhat uninspired jokes coming from the king of Delion, directed at him, Harry, and the concubine.

Presently, Draco, Harry, the king of Delion, and Natalie were enjoying a leisurely time in the expansive central garden of the palace, which surpassed Draco's expectations in terms of size and complexity. The garden boasted numerous pathways, some of which appeared bewilderingly labyrinthine. According to Natalie's explanation, many immigrant nobles often found themselves lost amidst the garden's beauty.

Natalie clung affectionately to the arm of the Delion king, whose once imposing stature had been diminished by the passage of time. Nonetheless, Natalie succeeded in projecting an image of devoted wifely affection, despite Draco's knowledge of her clandestine interactions with her stepson.

In contrast to her concerted efforts to portray a harmonious marital facade, he could only discreetly slip his hand into Harry's strong arm, lacking the overt displays of affection that Natalie and the king of Delion exhibited. Despite this, whenever others observed them together, they invariably remarked upon Draco and Harry's seemingly perfect relationship spanning several decades.

"Your Majesty Draco, what measures do you take to ensure your husband's happiness?" Natalie inquired formally, offering a warm smile.

He internally chuckled upon hearing her question. Given the chaos that had previously characterized their household, he hadn't expected her to be inquisitive about his marital dynamics.

However, he realized that Natalie was genuinely trying to fulfill her role to the best of her ability.

"I don't do anything, my lady. My husband is already content, so there's no need for me to make extra efforts to ensure his happiness," Draco responded, smiling sweetly.

As he had anticipated, his husband, walking beside him, remained aloof to his response, the Shinia king’s expression impassive as he stared straight ahead, his focus elsewhere.

"If I had a wife as beautiful as Your Majesty Draco, simply beholding his lovely visage would suffice to bring me happiness," jest the Delion king, eliciting a light chuckle from Draco.

While he responded to the older king's jests with apparent ease, Harry's reaction was noticeably different. It was evident that the man didn't appreciate the king's words. This was evident as Harry's hand, previously held gently by Draco, moved to encircle his slender waist tightly.

He was taken aback, though not entirely surprised. While it wasn't uncommon for his husband to hold him by the waist in less crowded settings, he remained composed, maintaining a facade of nonchalance, as if he were accustomed to his touch.

"Nevertheless, I eagerly await news of blessings from the Shinia Kingdom. I anticipate the arrival of offspring from Your Majesty and His Majesty," The king of Delion remarked.

Internally, Draco winced slightly. Was the older man oblivious or indifferent? How could he overlook Harry's affection for his mistress, a topic widely discussed among the aristocracy? Despite the discrete nature of the conversations, the information was widely known.

"When Your Majesty's offspring comes of age, would you consider a future union with my grandson?" The older man asked, his smile directed at Draco.

Before Draco could respond, his husband's disapproving glare silenced the Delion king. With just that glance, the older man's wide smile faltered.

"Are you capitalizing on circumstance?" Harry questioned, his jaw tight with tension.

"I... I didn't intend it that way, Your Majesty... It was merely a jest," The old man stuttered.

Observing his husband's escalating emotions, Draco's hand instinctively moved to gently stroke his muscular arm within reach, hoping to soothe his feelings with the tender gesture.

Indeed, the gentle touch succeeded in diverting Harry's eyes from the Delion king, although his expression remained stern. At least, he refrained from directing his anger towards the older king.

"I regret to inform you, Your Majesty, that your request cannot be fulfilled. I am incapable of bearing children," Draco conveyed softly, eliciting a sigh of relief from the older man, knowing that his life was not at risk if Draco remained at Harry's side.

"I express the fervent desire that Your Majesty Draco might contemplate the adoption of a child or perhaps more, eagerly anticipating the prospect of assuming the role of aunt to the endearing progeny of Your Majesty.” Natalie's cheerful suggestion about Draco adopting children dissolved the previous tension among the four.

"I hope so," Draco replied, pulling a gentle smile.

As they strolled through the garden, conversation flowed between Draco and Natalie, occasionally punctuated by remarks from the Delion king. However, Harry remained aloof, his brow furrowed in constant disapproval.

"Your Majesty, do you hear that?" Natalie's tone grew more serious.

"What is it?" Draco asked, perplexed.

"Isn't that the sound of weeping?" observed the king of Delion, his sharp senses reminiscent of his days as a seasoned knight.

“Like a girl’s voi—” before Natalie could finish her sentence, she abruptly halted, her hand flying to cover her mouth in shock as Harry loosened his grip on Draco's waist.

Wearing a concerned expression, Harry swiftly moved towards the source of the crying, displaying a disregard for any potential criticism of his abrupt actions.

Equally attuned to the situation, Draco recognized the cries as those of Harry's mistress. Despite this, he endeavored to maintain a facade of indifference to avoid disrupting the ongoing activity involving the four of them. His eyes fixed on Arabelle, who sat sobbing with her legs drawn up to her chest, feet were bare, revealing their dirtiness even from a distance, without him needing to approach her.

Once a lowly woman — even though she was allowed to live in the palace — she remained a lowly woman.

The king of Delion appeared taken aback at the sight of Harry cradling a weeping woman in his arms. Being deeply infatuated, he recognized that Harry's concern was solely for the distraught woman he held.

"Forgive me, I must attend to my woman," Harry stated briefly as he passed by the Delion king.

The older king appeared to be still reeling from what he had witnessed, offering only a faint nod in response. With Harry's departure alongside the woman — Draco, the king of Delion, and Natalie were left in silence.

"That woman is my husband's mistress, Arabelle," Draco volunteered, breaking the silence. He sought to prevent the stifling atmosphere from engulfing them all.

His words effectively diverted the attention of the older man from Harry and his mistress to himself. The relaxed demeanor of Harry's lawful partner, devoid of any traces of anger or disappointment, intrigued the king of Delion.

"I share a strong bond with Arabelle. She's like a sister to me, so I never harbor any resentment towards His Majesty or Arabelle when they are together, as they are a couple entitled to their moments," Draco clarified, interpreting the king's expression of pity and confusion.

"Your Majesty, your kindness knows no bounds. I've never encountered anyone with a heart as generous as yours. In contrast, I recall that when my former queen was alive, she always sought to sow discord among every concubine I introduced into the palace," remarked the Delion king.

Draco responded with a warm smile to the king's praise. He felt thankful for his steadfast heart, which, despite being married to Harry for five years, had never wavered in its loyalty, allowing him to reap the rewards of such devotion.

"In that case, Your Majesty, I retract my earlier statement. I understand that the idea of having a child seems improbable," declared the king without hesitation, causing Draco to feel slightly uneasy.

Natalie, attuned to Draco's shifting mood, quickly seized the king's arm in a playful manner. "Your Majesty, I'm feeling quite exhausted. Could we return to our chambers?" She inquired, her tone laced with a hint of playfulness as she blinked her eyes several times at the elderly monarch.

"Our duties are not yet complete. We cannot leave His Majesty unatten—"

"Your Majesty Draco, may we return to the palace first?" Natalie interjected, shifting her gaze to Draco.

"Ah... of course, Lady. If you're tired, you and His Majesty can head back first. I intend to take a stroll here a bit longer," Draco replied without any objection.

The royal concubine’s smile broadened upon hearing his agreement. "See? Let's head back! I'm eager to rest!" She exclaimed to her husband.

The king of Delion let out a tired sigh but couldn't help but smile at her playful demeanor. Her affectionate behavior brought a sense of youthful joy to him.

"In that case, we shall take our leave, Your Majesty. I trust you will enjoy your time in our humble garden. Should you require assistance finding your way back, simply follow the golden statue," The king said with a smile, to which Draco nodded in acknowledgment.

After bidding a brief farewell to the queen of Shinia, Natalie took hold of her frail husband's hand, signaling their departure. She understood the potential for her husband's outspokenness to inadvertently cause offense, especially considering his tendency to speak without restraint. Natalie worried that his words might inadvertently exacerbate Draco's underlying concerns, despite the young man's composed demeanor.

As the king of Delion and Natalie departed, Draco released a heavy sigh. Tilting his face upward, he squinted against the intense sunlight that bathed him.

"The weather seems to have cleared, perhaps because the man who adores you now has the opportunity to spend some private time with you,"

Draco lowered his hand from shielding his eyes. As he did so, he noticed the man who had been pursuing him for days smiling warmly, with one muscular arm extended to gently envelop Draco’s.

"At last, we have the chance to be together," The man declared, his voice tinged with longing.

"What brings you here, Prince Cedric?" Draco inquired, his brow furrowing as he observed his brother-in-law's handsome face.

"I meant what I said earlier, Draco. I desire a relationship with you. I can't bear merely watching you from a distance," Cedric declared, meeting Draco's gaze directly.

He regarded Cedric impassively, devoid of any hint of nervousness or confusion in his eyes. Letting out a sigh, he took a step back. While he longed for love, choosing Cedric would undoubtedly be the wrong path. He didn't want to be remembered as a queen who betrayed his husband by falling in love with his own brother-in-law, tarnishing the reputation he had worked tirelessly to maintain.

"Draco, why is it so difficult for you to open your heart to me and allow me to show you what love truly is?" Cedric implored, gripping Draco's hand tightly.

Draco remained steadfast, refusing to turn around. With determination, he attempted to extricate his hand from the prince's grasp, but to no avail. "Don't you ever get tired of discussing this?" He questioned, his voice tinged with weariness.

Cedric's jaw clenched as he closed the distance between them. "I will never tire, Draco, because this is my battle for love," He asserted, frustration evident in his tone.

"Why the sudden change, Cedric?" Draco exclaimed in frustration as he noticed the man’s unwavering resolve.

"I haven't changed at all. My feelings for you have always been there. In the past, I convinced myself that friendship was enough, but I can no longer deny my true feelings," Cedric confessed earnestly.

"Then rid yourself of those feelings!" Draco burst out involuntarily.

Cedric was taken aback by his outburst, realizing it was the first time Draco had raised his voice, and it was directed at him. He was unsure whether to feel disappointed or pleased that he had once again become Draco's foremost concern.

"I can't," Cedric murmured weakly, his hands instinctively reaching out to grasp Draco's arms gently.

Draco looked on in disbelief, attempting to break free from Cedric's hold with all his might. Yet once again, his efforts proved futile against Cedric's strength, honed through years of combat on the battlefield.

"I can't, Draco! I just can't!" Cedric yelled, his grip on his arms tightening with immense force.

In response to the increasing agitation, Draco's breathing became erratic. With a surge of emotion, he delivered a resounding slap to Cedric's left cheek, the sound echoing in the tense air as he finally asserted himself against his brother-in-law.

He understood that his recent actions contradicted the gentle and loving image he cultivated as a queen, but Cedric's outburst and aggressive behavior evoked an overwhelming sense of fear within him, reminiscent of the bitter memories left by his father.

"Cedric, I acknowledge your love for me, but I'm afraid I cannot reciprocate. While it might be simpler if we were ordinary individuals, we are bound by noble ties within the same family. I refuse to tarnish the legacy of the Shinia Kingdom by succumbing to fleeting emotions," Draco stated calmly, regaining control over his emotions.

Cedric appeared stunned by the slap, his gaze fixed on him as he struggled to process his words. Gradually, Cedric released his grip on Draco's arms and whispered “I”m sorry,” his gaze downcast with sadness.

Draco felt a sense of relief, hoping it signified an end to the prince’s pursuit of him.

"I apologize, but I cannot cease loving you or striving to win your affection," Cedric declared solemnly.

He shot Cedric a frustrated glance, intending to voice his rebuttal, but Cedric had already briskly departed, leaving him behind. Despite Cedric's somber demeanor, he detected a flicker of anger in his gaze, realizing that his slap had likely wounded the man deeply. As a nobleman, Cedric would undoubtedly perceive the slap as a grievous insult.

Congratulations, Draco, you’re making things worse.

"Your Majesty, was your recent action too abrupt? I couldn't help but notice from a distance, even though he is your brother-in-law..."

He swiftly turned his piercing gaze towards the man approaching him, the man’s handsome features adorned with a faint smile. Concluded with one encounter, another ensued. He felt unease at this development.

"I've recently learned of Your Royal Highness's penchant for eavesdropping and spying on others," Draco remarked, attempting to maintain a casual demeanor.

Terence, the next in line to the throne of the Delion Kingdom, raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't have been observing if Your Majesty and your companion weren't raising your voices and... that slap... quite impressive," He chuckled, further irritating Draco.

He continued his approach towards Draco. Upon standing directly in front of him, he delicately lifted Draco's chin with his index finger.

"I should have anticipated this. With such a captivating visage and a spouse who doesn't appreciate you, Your Majesty, it's only natural for members of the royal family to develop an interest in you," The crown prince smirked.

Despite his previous demeanor, Draco abruptly pulled away, causing the finger to lose contact with his chin.

"If only my stepmother weren't expecting my child, perhaps I might have harbored affection for you as well, Your Majesty," Terence stated, concluding with a chuckle.

"What is your intention?" Draco inquired disapprovingly, reacting to his absurd statement.

"Nothing. I'm not one to exploit vulnerable individuals," Terence responded with a nonchalant shrug.

"Do you expect me to believe you?" Draco questioned with fierce intensity, eliciting a soft snort from the man.

"Believe what you will. I seek nothing from you. However, what transpired today has given me insight into which side would align with me should your husband intervene to quash this kingdom's coup.”

Chapter Text

Today marked the day that the entire Shinia Kingdom entourage began preparations for their return in two days. Everyone was busily engaged, including Draco, who despite his own hectic schedule, found time to sit in the Delion Kingdom library and delve into a book that had piqued his interest.

As a soft breeze drifted through the window, Draco felt completely at ease. He read the words of a young, cream-bound book with great enthusiasm.

The book in question was a novel—specifically, a beautiful romance novel, not an adult one. Draco couldn't quite pinpoint when his interest in romance novels began to develop, but it might have started when Glenice introduced him to adult novels that featured romantic stories, subtly shaping his tastes over time.

In the end, Joceline accepted Enrick's humble proposal under the moonlight. Enrick placed a plain, unadorned ring on Joceline's finger and wept. At last, he could call Joceline his forever.

The end.

Draco smiled softly as he finally finished reading the last sentence of the book. Engaging with romantic novels like this tended to rejuvenate his young soul. He yearned to experience the elusive emotion known as love. Draco desired to fall in love with the right man and to spend ample time together.

However, his gentle smile quickly vanished as he envisioned his father, currently seated in his oversized chair at Malfoy Manor, staring at him intently.

A bitter smile replaced Draco's earlier expression. His father would never understand him. His father would remain vigilant, knowing his son craved love. Instead, his father expected Draco to become the ideal queen and provide an heir for Shinia.

Unable to contain his emotions, a tear escaped from the corner of Draco's eye. Shouldn't a queen like himself be entitled to experience love? Even falling in love with his husband seemed impossibly complicated now.

"Did the novel have a sad ending, Your Majesty?"

Upon hearing that familiar deep voice, Draco quickly wiped the tears from his cheeks with the back of his hand. He took a moment to compose himself with a deep breath before lifting his face to smile at the other man.

Despite everything, Draco knew he had to remain gentle and polite to this man, even though he had been coercing Draco into a relationship over the past few days.

"It's not that sad, Prince Cedric. I was merely moved by their love journey, which was fraught with twists and turns, yet they managed to endure until the end," Draco replied with conviction.

Cedric raised an eyebrow before finally sighing and smiling. "Love is indeed like that. It can make you a little crazy, taking you on a journey unlike any you've ever experienced. But that journey will eventually make you realize that love is a fundamental human need."

Cedric then folded his hands and placed them on the wooden table between him and Draco, resting his chin on his clasped hands. Smiling, he admired Draco's beauty.

"Your Majesty, have you ever been in love?”

Draco met Cedric's gaze. "I think you already know my answer, Prince Cedric," He said with a smile, gently closing the thick novel. He placed his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his hands.

"Don't you want to experience it? Falling in love is fun," Cedric remarked, smiling broadly and revealing his rows of white teeth.

"I'd like to try, but I can't," Draco replied sadly, causing Cedric's smile to fade.

"Why do you say that? You haven't even tried," Cedric said, a delicate frown appearing on his forehead.

"I haven't tried, but I can foresee the outcome. I don't want love to drive me crazy. I'm afraid it will make me forget who I am.”

Cedric remained silent, observing Draco's rare display of sadness, a vulnerability the blonde seldom showed, not even to his father.

He was uncertain whether to feel happy or sad, knowing he was once again the first to witness Draco's various expressions.

"Love won't be so frightening if you find the right person," Cedric said softly.

After a few moments, Cedric straightened up. He reached out and gently tugged one of Draco's intertwined hands, softly stroking the back of it. Cedric wanted to convey warmth to Draco's soft, cold hand.

"Can't we begin, Draco? If you give me a chance, I can make you fall in love," Cedric stated.

Draco's heart began to waver. Cedric's tender, loving gaze—a look he would never receive from his husband—filled him with doubt. The gentle caress of Cedric's hand made him feel at ease.

He felt on the verge of tears again, unsure of what to say to the brunette. He feared that whatever he said today could have profound consequences for the Shinia Kingdom and the Malfoy family in the future.

He did not want to be remembered as a bad queen in the annals of history, nor did he want to be branded an indifferent wife. He wished to avoid all the hate and scorn, even in his eternal rest.

"We can do it discreetly, Draco. Just you and me. Your position as queen won't be tarnished by our relationship. The Shinia Kingdom and the Malfoy family will continue to maintain their good relationship," Cedric said softly, deepening Draco's indecision.

Having never experienced love, Draco was naturally curious about this feeling—one his father had long suppressed, deeming it worthless.

Yet, he was also afraid. He feared the potentially chaotic future.

"I can't. I'm scared," Draco said, his voice trembling violently.

One of Cedric's free hands gently moved to caress the side of Draco's face, making Draco even more indecisive.

"You can do it. We haven't even begun. There's nothing to worry about. Everything will be fine," Cedric reassured him.

Draco shook his head, pulling away from Cedric's caress and withdrawing his hand from Cedric's grip. "This is wrong, Prince Cedric."

"There's nothing wrong with falling in love,"

"Yes, there's nothing wrong with that. But right now, it all feels wrong. I'm your cousin's wife. These feelings shouldn't develop," Draco said, frustrated.

"Draco... trust me, we'll be fine. We just need to take it slow and keep it secret. That's all.”

"I can't," Draco refused, rising from his seat. He was about to stride out of the library, which was currently occupied only by him and Cedric, but Cedric's grip on his hand made him stop.

Draco didn't want to turn around and look at Cedric, knowing it would make him indecisive again.

"Give me one chance, Draco. We'll both be happy in this relationship, trust me," Cedric pleaded.

"I can't!" Draco snapped, firmly pulling his hand away from Cedric's grip.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Draco began to walk away. Suddenly, he froze as he felt strong arms wrap around him from behind and Cedric's head rest on his satin-covered shoulder.

Draco closed his eyes, trying not to cry. He didn't want to become emotional over the forbidden love his brother-in-law was offering.

"Just one chance, Draco. I love you so much. I know you've never been happy with Harry. Let me make you happy," Cedric implored.

Draco bit his trembling lower lip. Should he give it a chance? He didn't want to be a hypocrite; he longed to experience what it meant to fall in love.

"Draco..."

Taking a deep breath, Draco arrived at an answer, hoping it wouldn't lead to a bloody conflict.

"All right…”

Cedric held Draco's soft hand tightly, a joyful smile constantly adorning his handsome face. Finally, he had the attention of the person who had captivated him entirely.

Glancing to the side, Cedric observed Draco, who now appeared a bit different. The young man's blonde hair was still damp from his recent wash. Cedric had taken Draco for a walk in the woods right after he had finished cleaning up, not even allowing him time to dry his hair, seizing the moment instead.

Meanwhile, Harry and his mistress were out traveling, spending their last day in the Delion Kingdom browsing the market for jewelry. Following suit, Cedric decided to spend his last day exploring with Draco.

Given the secrecy of their relationship, he also invited Draco to the forest, knowing how much the young man enjoyed the outdoors.

"Why do you keep staring at me? Do I look ugly without makeup?" Draco asked, pursing his lips in annoyance.

Cedric chuckled. One of his free hands gently caressed the top of Draco's head. "No, you always look beautiful to me, whether you wear makeup or not," Cedric said sincerely.

"Charmer," Draco sneered, smiling widely before shifting his gaze to the large trees surrounding them.

"What's wrong with charming my lover?" Cedric asked with a slight chuckle, prompting another playful sneer from Draco.

He felt that his relationship with Draco had progressed significantly, despite officially starting just one day ago. Perhaps this rapid development was due to their deep familiarity with each other, allowing them to embrace each other's feelings wholeheartedly.

His happiness grew even more intense as he continued to witness aspects of Draco that no one else had ever seen. He was certain that even Draco's husband was unaware of these facets. He felt relieved and proud to be the only person Draco trusted to reveal his full range of emotions.

"Ah, look at that bird!" Draco exclaimed, shrieking slightly as he saw a small brown bird fall helplessly to the ground, an arrow piercing one of its wings. It was apparent that the bird had been used as a target for practice.

Draco pulled his hand from Cedric's grip and hurried over to the bird. He grimaced slightly as he gently lifted the defenseless creature with both hands. Cedric followed and knelt beside him, gently stroking the bird's head with his index finger.

"Is it dead?" Cedric asked.

"No. It's still breathing, albeit faintly. The royal healer can save it," Draco replied.

Cedric looked at Draco in surprise for a few seconds, finding his words slightly unreasonable. "Alright, then, let's bring it back," He agreed, noticing the intense worry in the other's eyes.

"Is that allowed?" Draco asked, looking at Cedric with a hopeful expression.

Cedric chuckled. "Of course you can," He said, making Draco smile happily. "First, let me remove the arrow.”

Carefully, he drew the arrow. Once it was removed, he immediately used the handkerchief from his trouser pocket to bandage the poor bird's bleeding wing.

After ensuring the bird was stable, the couple stood up and continued their walk through the dense forest. However, this time Cedric could no longer hold Draco's soft hand, as Draco was now preoccupied with caring for the helpless bird.

"They're brown, just like your hair," Draco said softly.

"Is that good news?"

"I don't know," Draco replied simply, shrugging nonchalantly.

"I think so. I want you to remember me every time you see that little bird," Cedric said in a tone that was half-threatening.

Draco laughed and snorted in response.

Following that brief exchange, Cedric and Draco's journey was filled with lighthearted laughter until the sound of galloping horses abruptly silenced Draco.

"Sounds like someone's coming," Cedric said, having also heard the approaching noise.

Draco's face suddenly turned pale with worry. Cedric noticed immediately and quickly began thinking of a way out.

"It sounds like a member of the royal family. Draco, you should keep walking and act normally."

"What about you?" Draco asked, a little panicked.

"I'll leave as soon as possible. Don't worry about me. I'll return home a few hours after you get back to the palace," Cedric replied.

"Okay," Draco said, trying to calm his pounding heart.

Before running away, Cedric took a moment to gently caress Draco's cheek and speak “Careful,” softly to his lover.

After the prince left, Draco composed himself and continued to wander with a calm expression.

"Draco, what are you doing here?"

The familiar voice made Draco tilt his head up, meeting the emerald eyes of the man riding the horse valiantly.

"I was just taking a short walk, Your Majesty," Draco replied, smiling gently.

"At this hour? Are you alone?" Harry asked suspiciously, squinting sharply at Draco, whose expression remained calm.

"As you can see, Your Majesty, I am alone," Draco replied.

"I'm not convinced. This forest is quite far from the palace. Are you with Prince Ced—"

"And what about you, Your Majesty? Weren't you supposed to be traveling with Arabelle?" Draco interjected quickly, disregarding the potential repercussions of his actions.

Harry frowned, sensing something was off. "I just came back from the market to exchange some clothes," He said, and Draco nodded in response.

The atmosphere between them fell silent. Neither knew what to say until Harry noticed the small bird in Draco's hands, which appeared to be dying, if not already dead.

"The bird is dead. Why are you keeping it?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.

"This bird isn't dead, Your Majesty. It's still breathing," Draco replied disapprovingly, gently stroking the bird's head with his thumb.

Harry's eyes assessed Draco's appearance, which failed to embody the exalted image of a queen revered by the people of all kingdoms. Harry chuckled slightly. He had planned to bring Draco back with him, but given Draco's disheveled state and his own immaculate appearance, rumors were inevitable.

"Come up," Harry said, extending his hand to Draco.

Without a word, Draco accepted the firm hand. Refusing Harry's invitation was not an option, especially with nightfall approaching. Draco certainly wouldn't have made it back to the palace without a light.

As Draco sat on the horse, positioned in front of him, Harry quickly spurred it forward. However, a subtle furrow appeared on Draco's brow as he realized they were moving in the wrong direction.

"Isn't the palace that way?" Draco asked, confused, pointing in the opposite direction.

"Did I say we were going to the palace?"

"Huh?" Draco reflexively lifted his head to see his husband’s face.

Harry was taken aback by Draco's behavior given their current position. From where he sat, he had an unobstructed view of Draco's chapped red lips, which inexplicably stirred a desire in him to taste them. He cleared his throat before speaking, his gaze shifting toward the dense trees, which paled in comparison to the allure of his wife's lips.

"We need to get cleaned up," He stated.

"We?" Draco inquired, his confusion growing.

"I mean, you. It's imperative that you clean up. Your appearance is rather disheveled.”

They found themselves at a serene waterfall, its crystal-clear waters untouched by human interference. Draco marveled at the unspoiled beauty of nature, yet his admiration waned as he recalled his purpose.

Cleaning up.

Draco wasn't one to neglect personal hygiene, but with the sky darkening, he couldn't gauge the time without testing the icy waters with his feet.

"Take a swift bath. I'll be waiting over there," Harry indicated a sizable tree some distance from their current location.

Draco stiffly nodded, his body trembling slightly as he felt the cold water splashing against his arm by accident. He was about to pivot and head towards the river adorned with a small waterfall when a sudden recollection seized him.

Turning around, his eyes widened slightly as he noticed his husband standing a bit farther away from his current position.

"Your Majesty!" Draco called out in a slightly elevated tone, ensuring Harry could hear him, despite its seeming impoliteness, given the man's status as king.

Upon hearing Draco's call, Harry halted and turned around, his eyebrows raising ever so slightly.

"My bird..." Draco muttered, edging closer to Harry.

"The bird is deceased. You should simply leave it here. The serpents will undoubtedly appreciate a delightful meal," Harry stated with a stoic expression.

"It's still alive! It's breathing!" Draco retorted, his irritation clear, seemingly forgetting momentarily the regal status of the man he addressed.

"And what would you have me do, Draco?" Harry inquired, his patience evident.

"Please tend to it," Draco pleaded as he handed the helpless little bird to Harry. Subtly, he pressed his lips together and raised his head to meet Harry's eyes, anticipation written across his expression.

For a brief moment, Harry remained motionless, seemingly incredulous at what he had witnessed and heard. How had he discerned this endearing aspect of Draco?

With a deliberate clearing of his throat, Harry sought to dispel the awkwardness that engulfed them. His snort, in turn, made Draco feel self-conscious, prompting him to instinctively retreat, creating distance between them.

Draco felt a pang of self-reproach. Only a day prior, he had freely expressed his emotions with Cedric, yet now, he struggled to contain them. He refused to be perceived as incompetent by anyone.

"Very well, I'll attend to it," Harry finally conceded.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Draco said, handing the fragile bird into Harry's palm with a rigid movement.

"I'll take my leave then. You should hasten your cleaning. Nightfall approaches," Harry instructed, as Draco's helpless avian companion settled smoothly into his hand.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Draco acknowledged obediently, nodding his head.

Without waiting for Harry to depart, he promptly turned and advanced towards the chilly river. Gazing upon the somber waters and the magnificent yet daunting waterfall, he couldn't help but feel a weight in his heart. If only the sun still illuminated the sky, perhaps he wouldn't be so apprehensive about entering the river.

He resolved to immerse his legs into the river, lifting the hem of his dress to prevent it from getting wet. With a slight grimace, he felt the icy touch of the river water on his legs, yet he persisted, endeavoring to acclimate to the extreme temperature.

Once he had endured enough, he withdrew his legs from the water's edge. Taking a moment to ensure Harry had departed, he quickly discarded his dress, leaving it along with his underwear by the riverbank.

Pristine, delicate form reminiscent of porcelain, he cautiously entered the crystalline river. He flinched as the water felt even colder than before, exacerbated by the chilling wind that swept through, causing him to shiver uncontrollably.

Overwhelmed by the intense cold enveloping him, Draco tightly shut his eyes and gingerly rubbed his icy-cold arms, feeling the violent tremors coursing through his slender legs.

Unable to endure the frigid water any longer, he hastily submerged himself and resurfaced, his lips now pallid with the cold's grip.

Ignoring all else, he made his way towards the riverbank, fully aware that remaining in the water any longer would risk his demise. To his astonishment, he discovered his dress and underwear being dragged into the water, prompting a wide-eyed reaction.

Quickly retrieving the soaked garments, he scrambled out of the river. Upon reaching the riverbank, he clutched the clothing and underwear tightly against his chest.

A faint groan escaped his pallid lips as he realized that wringing out his clothes had failed to render them dry.

"Wearing them will only invite fever. I can't afford to fall ill," Draco muttered, his mind already racing to devise a solution to his current predicament. His eyes darted restlessly across the river's expanse.

Clamping his pale lower lip between his teeth, he weighed his options. Drying his clothes seemed futile without the sun's warmth to aid the process. Frustrated, he resigned himself to sitting by the riverbank.

Allowing his bare buttocks to rest on the earth, he folded his legs to minimize the chill that assailed him. His long hair cascaded loosely, shielding his chest and draping slightly over his smooth back.

His body convulsed with violent shivers as the biting wind assaulted him. It was unbearably cold. If he had known it would come to this, he would have opted to accompany Cedric instead. No, he would have declined Cedric's invitation to venture into the wilderness altogether.

At the moment, Draco's sole beacon of hope rested on Harry. Perhaps the man still harbored a modicum of concern for his spouse.

"Draco,"

Draco's heart skipped a beat upon hearing the male voice that had occupied his thoughts mere moments ago. He raised his gaze to find Harry regarding him with a startled expression.

Undoubtedly, Harry must have been casting judgment upon him as an audacious queen. Draco was acutely aware of that.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked, his voice strained, his own heart racing in tandem.

Despite Harry's steadfast resolve not to entertain impure thoughts about Draco, his mind rebelled when he beheld his wife's naked form, adorned with a sorrowful expression. A primal urge surged within Harry, compelling him to envelop Draco's innocent, trembling body in his own warmth.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Draco muttered, his gaze laden with sadness.

"What do you mean?" Harry queried, disbelief coloring his tone.

"Regrettably, my clothing inadvertently found its way into the river. It would be unwise to don damp attire, risking illness and neglecting my duties. Yet, Your Majesty witnesses me in this undignified state. I beg your pardon, Your Majesty," Draco explained somberly.

Harry's eyes narrowed in incredulity at Draco's words. Undignified? Did Draco not realize that he appeared as an angel fallen from grace in his current state?

The pristine white skin appeared irresistibly soft, accentuated by the long blonde locks attempting to shield its owner, while the slender legs intertwined as if seeking solace from the cold.

Draco Malfoy embodied every man's wildest fantasies.

With a grunt, Harry shrugged off his lightweight robe and draped it over Draco's bare back with gentle care. Draco flinched, staring at his husband's face, which inexplicably burned with intense anger.

"Nothing about you embarrasses your husband, Draco," Harry declared. "For the interim, you will need to wear my attire. You cannot go about in just my robes until we return to the palace," He instructed.

Draco bit his lower lip, his heart momentarily faltering. He urgently required clothing, especially considering he wore nothing beneath Harry's lightweight robes, and the cold was beginning to gnaw at him.

"Put them on. It's an order," Harry's tone hinted at growing impatience with Draco's hesitation.

Reluctantly, Draco reached for the garments. "Yes, Your Majesty," He acquiesced, his heart heavy with resignation.

As he grasped the slightly oversized attire, Harry made no move to turn around. Naturally, he couldn't request the man to avert his gaze for him to don the clothing freely. After all, Harry had already asserted his authority as a ruler.

Draco, seemingly disregarding his usual sense of self-respect and familial reputation, chose to turn his back on Harry. Despite the importance he and his father placed on maintaining their image, it appeared insignificant in the presence of Harry.

With deliberate care, Draco lowered Harry's thin robe, draping it halfway down his thighs. Harry couldn't help but notice his wife's graceful yet subtly seductive movements.

A lump formed in Harry's throat as he beheld his wife's figure, exposed for the first time in five years of marriage. Reluctant to acknowledge it, he couldn't deny Draco's newfound maturity and allure compared to Arabelle. His head spun as Draco gracefully maneuvered to adjust a pair of brown pants higher onto his hips.

"Fuck," Harry muttered softly, his breath quickening.

Though Draco could still discern Harry's muttered expletive, he endeavored to maintain his composure, proceeding to don his clothes with gentle movements. Uncertain whether Harry cursed due to the slow progress of dressing or the fact that Draco wore the king's attire, he remained composed.

"Your Majesty, could you please fasten the clasp?" Draco requested, casting a glance over his shoulder at his husband.

Wordlessly, Harry advanced towards Draco. Once again, he swallowed hard as he beheld Draco's smooth back, his mind flooded with impure thoughts. He shut his eyes tightly, attempting to quell the intrusive thoughts. Determined not to succumb to temptation, he hastily fastened a satin string to the hook-hole at the back of Draco's tunic.

Whether due to Harry's clouded judgment or his considerable strength, he pulled the string so tightly that Draco emitted a soft moan of discomfort.

"Why are you moaning?!" Harry growled in frustration, his eyes seemingly veiled with a haze of desire.

"I apologize, Your Majesty," Draco murmured softly.

"Don't make strange noises or moan in front of others!" Harry growled, stepping away from Draco in irritation.

Draco sighed, feeling a pang of frustration at how everything he did seemed to displease Harry. As a result, he became apprehensive about approaching Harry unless it pertained to matters of the empire, politics, war, or commerce.

Taking a deep breath once more, he acknowledged how odd he must appear in the oversized garments. "I should use the robe," Draco muttered, reaching out to retrieve Harry's discarded robe from the ground.

He donned the robe quickly, determined not to further test Harry's patience with his slow movements. Ensuring everything was in order, he promptly approached Harry, standing beside the dark brown horse that had transported them to the location.

"Your Majesty..." Draco called out cautiously.

The king shifted his gaze from the horse to Draco's figure as he called for him. "Let's go," He said, extending his hand to assist Draco in mounting the horse. After ensuring Draco was seated comfortably, he mounted the horse himself.

Wasting no time, Harry spurred his horse forward, the darkening sky and the encroaching sounds of wildlife urging the couple to hasten their exit from the forest.

Throughout the journey, Harry and Draco exchanged no words. Draco remained silent as Harry directed his horse towards the back entrance of the Delion palace.

A wistful smile crossed Draco's lips. It was evident that Harry was intent on preserving his own reputation, given Draco's awkward appearance in his clothing.

"Just return to your chamber and change into your own attire," Harry instructed briskly as they dismounted from the horse.

"Yes," Draco replied obediently, struggling to keep pace with Harry's stride as if he were pursuing something of great importance. "Good night, Your Majesty," Draco bid farewell as his husband finally entered the wide-open door of a room—the entrance to his and Arabelle's chamber.

The king mumbled incoherently without acknowledging Draco. Once his husband had departed, Draco hurriedly made his way to his own chamber, eager to avoid being seen in his current state by anyone else.

"Draco,"

Draco froze as he noticed Cedric emerging from his chamber. The prince regarded him with surprise.

"Where have you been?" Cedric asked.

"His Majesty and I became lost in the woods," Draco explained.

"Then... your attire? What happened to your clothing? Has something occurred between you and His Majesty?" Cedric pressed, much to Draco's discomfort.

"We cannot discuss such matters here," Draco responded, glancing discreetly at a nearby guard.

Though the guard maintained a stoic demeanor, it was clear he had no interest in Cedric and Draco's affairs. They understood the potential for their conversation to become fodder for the gossip mill among the nobility if the guard were to eavesdrop.

Abruptly, Cedric grasped Draco's hand, urging him to enter his chamber. Draco was taken aback by Cedric's actions, aware that such displays could arouse suspicion if observed by others.

"Cedric… you promised we wouldn't draw attention to oursel—" Draco began, but before he could finish, Cedric enveloped him in a tight embrace. The brunette seemed to be conveying all his longing and concerns to the person who held his heart.

"Draco, do you not realize how deeply I worry for you?”

Draco drew a deep breath as he stood before the imposing door crafted from exquisite, high-quality wood, radiating an aura of luxury evident in its intricate carvings adorned with golden ink.

Exhaling slowly, he extended his hand to push open the grand door, his heart racing at the sight of an older man, still remarkably handsome, awaiting his arrival.

The elder, with long white hair, greeted Draco's entrance with his usual indifferent gaze, betraying no excitement at Draco's presence. It was a ritual known only to them whether the older man consistently dispatched missives urging Draco's visits.

Despite his nerves, Draco continued his graceful approach, maintaining his gaze fixed on the older man's bored expression.

"Greetings, Your Grace," Draco said respectfully, offering a gesture of deference.

His courteous greeting was met with a mere grunt from the elderly man. Draco took a shaky breath. Their familial bond seemed to be deteriorating with each encounter, despite sharing the same bloodline.

"How was your visit to Delion?" Lucius asked, studying Draco, who managed to maintain a composed facade.

"It went well," Draco replied.

"Do you expect me to believe that?" Lucius retorted skeptically, eyeing his son.

"Have you ever had faith in me, Your Grace?" Draco countered sarcastically, though his expression remained mild.

Lucius arched an eyebrow before a faint smile tugged at his lips. "I have so much faith in you that I even appointed you as queen," He replied sardonically.

Draco clenched his jaw, torn between the urge to confront his father and the realization that such a confrontation could jeopardize his position as queen and the affection of his people. He couldn't afford that.

"Why have you summoned me here, Your Grace? Surely you understand that, as queen, I cannot afford to squander my time on trivial matters," Draco remarked casually.

"Surely you must have surmised the reason?" The elder man inquired, concluding with a faint chuckle.

An heir.

The older man seemed fixated on the topic, repeatedly bringing it up as if it were the sole subject of interest. Wasn't he at all curious about his own son's well-being?

"My stance remains unchanged. I refuse to bear a child with a man I do not love," Draco retorted, his gaze piercing as he addressed the elder man—unfortunately his own father.

"How naive," Lucius scoffed before standing up from his seat.

Despite the fine wrinkles adorning Lucius' face, it still exuded an incredibly intimidating presence, albeit somewhat diminished from its former allure.

Had Draco's mother not been betrothed to his father, it is likely that Lucius would never have married, given his extremely authoritarian demeanor and the absence of any displays of affection towards others.

"My son, love is akin to poison. Sweet poison. First, it may bring you joy, but eventually... it will rob you of even the ability to smile," Lucius sneered, his smile twisted.

Draco opted for silence. He saw no point in expending his energy on arguing with his father, knowing their discussions always circled back to the same issue.

"You are obligated to bear Potter's child. Whether you harbor feelings for him or not is inconsequential. That gift was bestowed upon you upon your birth by your mother, so do not squander it," Lucius declared, enveloped in an unmistakably authoritarian aura.

"You have no power over me. Supposedly, you've lost control over me since I left this house," Draco ground out through gritted teeth.

"Draco, don't be obstinate. Do you believe that by refraining from having children, you can maintain your position?"

Draco's heart raced, his posture rigid. No, he couldn't afford to lose his position.

"What if Potter's whore conceives and bears a son? Potter, who holds such affection for his whore, would likely adopt the child as his heir, given his wife's aversion to bearing children with a man he doesn't love," Lucius jeered as he circled his son's tense form. He seemed to derive pleasure from seeing the anxiety and panic reflected in Draco's face. "And when that occurs, you will become the subject of ridicule. Gradually... you will be sidelined and forgotten," He finished with a satisfied smile.

His father's words succeeded in shaking Draco's confidence, causing him to fret over the conflict between his principles and his ambitions.

"Consider it, Draco. Your position—"

"No! I will never bear a child with a man I do not love! Even if it costs me my life, I will stand by my decision," Draco declared stubbornly, fortifying his trembling resolve.

Lucius chuckled at Draco's defiance, reminiscent of Narcissa, who had been unwavering in her convictions. Sadly, she had passed, and memories of her gradually faded from people's minds.

"I anticipated your refusal," Lucius remarked, halting before Draco.

Draco opted to maintain silence in response to his father's words, though his disdain was unmistakable in his eyes.

"Since you refuse to bear Potter's child, then Potter's whore cannot conceive," Lucius stated matter-of-factly.

Draco regarded his father with a cold stare as Lucius retrieved a small glass bottle from his pocket and placed it into Draco's hand, without a word exchanged between them.

"You may depart," Lucius said casually, turning away to return to his seat.

Draco gritted his teeth as he observed his father recline in his chair, wearing a self-satisfied expression. Consumed by profound despair, he bid his father farewell with a polite bow before briskly exiting the imposing room, which suddenly felt suffocating.

Hurrying to the courtyard of Malfoy Manor, he approached his awaiting carriage with determined strides.

Pausing for a moment, he tightly grasped the bottle bestowed upon him by his father. He stared blankly at the transparent liquid within the glass container, his slender fingers trembling as he shook it.

In a burst of frustration, he hurled the bottle forcefully towards a nearby rock. Within moments, the pristine liquid spilled onto the stone and surrounding grass.

With a steely resolve etched onto his face, he resumed his walk towards the awaiting carriage.

Chapter Text

He looked directly at a young man who was laughing in the garden with someone he knew intimately. Despite the considerable distance between them and the presence of several maids, he couldn't suppress his irritation at the sight.

Harry was acutely aware that this man had set his sights on his wife. Every encounter between them was driven by ulterior motives, something Harry understood all too well.

Should he send Cedric back to the battlefield? But which battlefield would his cousin need to go to? Sending Cedric was tantamount to a pledge of cooperation. Harry couldn't hastily dispatch his brother to every available conflict; doing so would signal that Shinia intended to defend those kingdoms.

Alternatively, should he arrange a marriage for Cedric? Cedric was of a suitable age for marriage, and his handsome appearance would certainly attract a princess whose alliance would strengthen Shinia's position.

Yes, Harry needed to find a suitable match for Cedric.

His entire plan unraveled abruptly when he felt a pair of small hands wrap around him. Harry smiled, instantly recognizing who they belonged to without turning around.

With his gaze still fixed on his wife, Harry's hand reached up to gently caress the small hands.

"Are you looking at His Majesty?" Arabelle asked, resting her cheek against Harry's back.

Harry responded with a hum, a question she didn't need to ask.

"Harry, have you noticed that ever since we returned from Delion, His Majesty has been very close to Prince Cedric?" Arabelle inquired as she released him and moved to his side.

Harry raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

"Yes, I suspected they might have a relationship, but His Majesty would never do that. He firmly upholds his marriage vows," Arabelle said with a sweet smile.

Harry stared at Draco's back momentarily before turning his unreadable gaze to Arabelle. "Why is he so difficult to understand?" He muttered.

"What?" Arabelle asked, frowning.

Harry sighed deeply and slowly shook his head. His thumb brushed away the slight wrinkle on Arabelle's forehead. "Never mind," He said, managing a small smile.

"Oh... okay..." Arabelle nodded, her expression appearing endearing to Harry.

"Could you please ask Draco to come here? I have some royal matters to discuss with him."

"Sure,"

Arabelle's compliance brought him a bit of satisfaction. Her obedience was one of the things Draco often opposed. Draco was stubborn and never conceded.

Harry took another unsteady breath. Thoughts of Draco's relationship with Cedric and Draco's naked body had been haunting him for days. During this time, Harry had avoided spending time alone with Draco, knowing it would only intensify his turmoil.

"Your Majesty summoned me?" Draco asked as he entered Harry's study.

Hearing that firm yet gentle voice made Harry suddenly feel nervous. He couldn't bear to look at Draco, knowing that he was aware of how stunning his wife's body was beneath the expensive clothes he always wore.

With a composed expression, Harry turned around to face Draco, who was watching him as usual. "I need to talk to you about something," He said.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" Draco responded, offering a faint smile to diffuse the unexpected awkwardness.

"I want to arrange a wedding."

Draco's heart skipped a beat, and his face paled uncontrollably. Could his father's prediction from a few days ago really be coming true? Could it be that Arabelle was pregnant with Harry's child, prompting Harry to marry her?

No! Draco didn't want Arabelle to take his place.

"Draco, what's wrong?" Harry asked, narrowing his eyes at Draco's sudden pallor.

Had Draco guessed that the marriage Harry was referring to involved Cedric? Was Draco afraid that Cedric, who might be his lover, would soon belong to someone else?

"I'm... I'm fine," Draco said, trying to force a smile.

Draco's expression only deepened Harry's disgust. Could Draco and Cedric truly be involved? If so, how had Harry remained oblivious all this time?

"You don't look well at all. Leave, Draco. We'll discuss this later," Harry said coldly, turning away.

With evident concern, Draco bowed and quickly exited the room, leaving Harry seething with anger. His jaw tightened as he clenched his fists, the bluish-green veins standing out starkly against his skin.

Unexpectedly, Harry hurled the chair beside him at his wedding portrait, which had previously hung beautifully on the wall. The expensive painting, crafted by the most skilled artist in Shinia, fell to the floor in disarray. The wooden frame was also damaged.

As if his anger hadn't abated, Harry kicked the wooden desk he had been using for the past few days, preferring it over the discussion room he usually shared with Draco.

"Bastard. Why am I so upset?!" Harry exclaimed, his emotions spilling over.

He couldn't fathom why he was wreaking havoc in his own study, but he knew one thing for certain: he despised the look on Draco's face when he was about to discuss Cedric's wedding plans. He knew Draco to be resolute, graceful, intelligent, and polite—someone who didn't crave others' affection. Harry was convinced that a person like that would never open his heart to anyone else.

However, what he saw today had cast doubt on all his previous beliefs about Draco.

Harry had been married to Draco for five years, and during that time, he had never shown him affection or love. Now, Harry began to wonder if, during those five years, Draco might have been involved with other men.

"Dammit!" Harry swore in frustration at the thought that another man might have experienced the intimacy and affection of his wife before he had the chance.

His gaze shifted to Draco through the window of his private study. The blonde seemed to be hurrying about, his face etched with extreme worry. Undoubtedly, he was going to inform Cedric about Harry's plans.

A bitter laugh escaped Harry's lips. "What spell have you cast on me, Draco?”

Draco hurried through the hall, ignoring the startled looks from the servants he passed. His sole focus was to find the person responsible for his current distress.

"Glenice, prepare my riding clothes and have another servant ready a horse for me," He ordered urgently as he entered his room.

Glenice, who had been organizing Draco's books in a small cupboard, was taken aback by his sudden entrance. "Yes, Your Majesty," She replied, quickly retrieving the riding clothes—light yet adorned with gold thread, making the fabric highly valued by tailors.

She wanted to ask why the queen was in such a rush but knew better than to interrupt. 

With hurried steps, Glenice left Draco's room and instructed a passing servant to prepare a horse. She swiftly executed Draco's orders to assist him in getting ready, but she had misjudged the situation.

Glenice turned back to assist Draco, only to find him already dressed in his snug-fitting equestrian clothes, hastily preparing to leave.

"Your Majesty, sorry to intrude, but why are you in such a rush?" Glenice asked with concern, trying to keep pace with Draco.

"I have important business," He replied tersely, not meeting her gaze.

Glenice suppressed her curiosity at his brief response and continued to follow him as he headed toward the palace's back door, where his horse awaited.

With practiced ease, Draco mounted the horse. Just as he was about to spur the horse into motion, he paused.

"I'll be home late tonight. If anyone asks, tell them I'm visiting the market," He instructed, glancing at Glenice and the manservant who had prepared the horse.

Both Glenice and the manservant nodded in acknowledgment, complying with Draco's directive.

Without hesitation, Draco spurred the horse with such force that it squealed in surprise, quickly breaking into a fast gallop. He gripped the reins tightly, his jaw set in determination as he brooded over Harry's impending wedding.

What should have been a long journey now seemed fleeting, perhaps because Draco was preoccupied with various scenarios about his future. He pulled the reins sharply, causing the horse to lower its head in pain. Draco, accustomed to this, maintained his seat without fear of falling.

Once the horse had calmed, Draco dismounted. Before approaching the house, he tied the horse to a large tree nearby.

Emotions running high, Draco strode toward the small house.

Momentarily shedding the graceful and demure demeanor befitting his title of queen, Draco forcefully pushed open the wooden door. His eyes bore into the figure of a middle-aged woman who remained unperturbed by his entrance.

"You claimed to be my mother's loyal servant! You swore to serve her and her offspring with your life! But what is this?! You're jeopardizing my position!" His voice thundered, his neck veins prominently standing out.

The middle-aged woman continued to read her book with undisturbed concentration, her calm in the face of Draco's tirade only serving to infuriate him further. He was unaccustomed to being ignored.

In a rough gesture, Draco snatched the book from her hands and flung it aside. He then gripped her frail shoulders tightly, devoid of any politeness.

"Speak! I've never sought affection from anyone since I was born! Now, all I have is the love of my people, and you dare to jeopardize that! Don't you have a heart?!" Draco shouted at the woman, who continued to regard him silently. "Answer me! Am I not entitled to love from anyone?!" He demanded again, his voice filled with anguish.

Meeting Draco's tearful gaze, the woman gently reached out to caress his soft cheek, offering a tender gesture of affection without uttering a word in response to his question.

At that moment, Draco's emotional barriers crumbled. Tears cascaded down his grey eyes, accompanied by heart-wrenching sobs that escaped his lips.

"You deserve love. You are the beloved Queen, cherished by all. Nothing can alter that," She murmured soothingly, attempting to wipe away the tears staining Draco's beautiful face.

His cries intensified, releasing the pent-up emotions he had suppressed for so long. Yet, the caring presence of the maid, whom he had regarded as a surrogate mother, succeeded in easing his defenses.

"His Majesty is discussing marriage. He intends to wed Arabelle. What will become of me then? I do not wish to be forgotten like my mother," Draco confessed amidst his tears.

The middle-aged woman appeared taken aback by Draco's revelation, though she refrained from interjecting, not wishing to interrupt him.

"Arabelle... it seems she may be pregnant. That's why His Majesty is considering marriage. He cannot allow his heir to be born without a clear status," Draco asserted, his bitter laughter echoing with palpable anguish.

"Arabelle cannot conceive. She is barren," The woman countered.

"Nothing is impossible. It's possible that Arabelle could recover and conceive. You claim that the poison renders her unable to bear children indefinitely, but given the circumstances, His Majesty is preparing to wed her. What am I supposed to do? Tell me!" Draco begged, tears continuing to stream down his cheeks as his hands gently shook her shoulders.

The woman regarded Draco with a sorrowful expression, fully aware of the immense struggle he faced in feigning emotions to earn the affection and attention of his people.

Draco always tried to make everyone happy, but he forgot to make himself happy.

"Have you heard the news about Arabelle's pregnancy?" She asked, to which Draco weakly shook his head. "Then there's no certainty that Arabelle is indeed pregnant," The woman added with a reassuring smile as she gently cupped Draco's face.

"B-but... His Majesty is discussing marriage. What if it's to Arabelle? What should I do?" Draco asked with a hint of despair in his voice.

The woman's hand tenderly cradled Draco's head as she lowered it onto her lap, her wrinkled fingers moving to stroke his hair gently. "If they marry, you have nothing to fear. I can assure you that Arabelle will never bear children. Your position will remain secure. A naive mistress like Arabelle will never pose a threat to your position."

"But what if Arabelle manages to win over the affection of my people? What if her innocence captures their attention, just as she captured my husband's?" Draco questioned with a sense of apprehension.

"In that case... you must fight for it. You must claim what is rightfully yours, for it is your destiny, Draco." The woman stated with conviction.

Harry's jaw tightened as emotions surged within him. Clad in a night robe adorned with intricately knitted gold threads, he cast a menacing glare at his wife's maid.

The intensity of his gaze sent shivers down the spine of Glenice. She had simply followed Draco's orders to inform Harry of her queen's whereabouts, never anticipating such a furious reaction from the king.

Harry's demeanor was markedly different today. Previously indifferent to Draco's activities unless pertaining to important matters, he now seemed deeply concerned.

"Your Majesty, Prince Cedric has not returned from the village settlement," reported one of the guards, further fueling Harry's anger.

His emerald eyes, once cold and aloof, now burned with a fierce intensity, as if he wished to obliterate everything in his path.

"Damn it!" Harry's curse reverberated with force.

Unconcerned with the presence of his subordinates, he displayed a newfound disregard for public decorum, his reputation as the Master of Death on the Battlefield already tarnished.

"Prepare my horse immediately!" He commanded, his guards swiftly departing the queen's chambers in response, leaving Harry and Glenice alone. "You must ascertain if Draco ventured out alone. If not, do not expect your life to be spared until dawn!" Harry threatened through clenched teeth, instilling fear in Glenice as her body quivered with trepidation.

Exiting Draco's chambers, the king strode briskly through the corridor, his steps heavy with frustration. Upon reaching the main thoroughfare outside his wife's quarters, Harry surveyed the guards stationed along the corridor with a penetrating gaze.

"Ensure the maid does not leave His Majesty's chambers," Harry ordered, met with fearful nods from the guards.

The guards' compliant response only fueled his growing ire. Had they lost their ability to articulate? Typically, they would simply nod in deference to the king's commands.

"Did you hear me?!" Harry demanded, his voice rising in frustration.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The guards chorused in acknowledgment.

Disregarding the guards, Harry hastened toward the main gate, where his horse awaited. Consumed by anger, he paid little heed to his surroundings, oblivious to a young woman hurrying after him, her evening gown ill-suited for public wear.

Harry was poised to mount his horse when a pair of hands halted his movement. Unwittingly, he emitted a low growl of annoyance. It was a well-known fact that Harry disliked interruptions, particularly during emergencies.

"Why did you leave me alone, Harry?" The girl asked, her tone tinged with petulance, seemingly oblivious to Harry's irritation.

This time, the petulant tone emanating from the woman's lips failed to evoke any endearment in Harry's ears. Abruptly, Harry released the woman's hands that had been restraining him.

Turning around, his gaze fell upon another sight that further fueled his tumultuous emotions. Standing before him was his mistress, clad in an evening gown that had slipped slightly, revealing a provocative glimpse of her cleavage.

"Return to your chambers, Arabelle. I have pressing matters to attend to," Harry instructed as he hastily adjusted Arabelle's sagging gown.

"At this hour?" Arabelle inquired forlornly, prompting a solemn nod from Harry.

Since embarking on her affair with Harry, Arabelle had grown accustomed to nestling in the man's comforting embrace at night. The thought of sleeping without Harry's arms encircling her waist was unfathomable to her.

"When you return, will you join me in bed?" Arabelle asked, her gaze beseeching Harry with hope.

"Yes. For now, return to your chambers and await my return. I must leave," Harry replied briskly, pivoting to remount his horse.

Arabelle watched Harry's departure with a growing unease that gnawed at her heart. What urgent matter could compel him to leave without so much as a word or a parting embrace? The absence of his customary affection left her feeling unsettled, planting seeds of doubt in her mind.

Was Harry entangled with another lover? Had he grown weary of her? No, it couldn't be! Arabelle refused to entertain such thoughts. She resolved to seek counsel from Draco, trusting that he would help unravel this mystery.

"Lady, it's time to return to the palace. You'll catch a cold out here," advised a maid, draping a robe over Arabelle's shoulders.

"Okay," Arabelle replied weakly, mustering a faint smile as she made her way back to her chambers.

Meanwhile, Harry rode swiftly through the night, heedless of the biting cold that pierced his chest through the thin fabric of his robe. His mind buzzed with tumultuous emotions, stoking the fire within him. He knew Draco wouldn't be at the market at this hour. The forest loomed large in his thoughts, a clandestine haven for lovers seeking secrecy. Fuck!

Along with each gallop of his horse, his thoughts raced to Draco and Cedric. When had their forbidden relationship begun? Did they not remember Harry's abhorrence for betrayal? If only he could gather evidence of their illicit affair, he would not hesitate to pass judgment.

He urged his horse to greater speed until he stumbled upon the familiar figure of the young man who had consumed his thoughts for hours. Relief washed over him until he noticed Draco adjusting his attire.

Adjusting clothes in the depths of the forest? Bastard! Draco couldn't possibly be bathing in the woods at this hour, could he? Did he just indulge in an affair with Cedric?

Rage ignited in Harry's eyes as he charged toward Draco.

"DRACO!"

The furious call startled Draco, who had been occupied with fixing his garments. Startled, he glanced up, his expression registering surprise at the unexpected sight of his husband, resplendent atop his horse beneath the tranquil moonlight.

Draco hesitated for a moment as Harry dismounted and seized his arm roughly.

"Your Majesty?!" Draco exclaimed in astonishment as Harry's grip tightened menacingly.

This time, his admiration for Harry's physical appearance was overshadowed by fear. He could sense the intensity of Harry's emotions burning in his usually cold eyes.

"Where have you been?!" Harry demanded, his face flushed with anger.

Draco's throat tightened with fear. In their five years of marriage, he had never seen Harry act so aggressively towards him. Typically, their disagreements led to Harry ignoring Draco for a few days before they reconciled.

But this time felt different. Was it a sign that Draco's influence in Shinia was waning?

"I... I came from the market, Your Majesty," Draco stammered, his voice trembling from both fear and the pain of Harry's grip on his arm.

"Tell me the truth! Where were you?!" Harry demanded, clearly dissatisfied with the response.

"I truly went to the market, Your Majesty."

"Liar!"

Before Draco could react, Harry's hands closed tightly around his neck. Panic surged through him as he struggled to breathe under Harry's suffocating grip.

In a swift motion, Harry lifted Draco off the ground, his eyes dark with rage as he continued to choke the blonde.

"Yo—Your... Ma—jesty..." Draco gasped, desperately trying to pry Harry's hands from his throat while keeping his feet planted on the ground.

Harry's accusation left Draco reeling, unsure of what had provoked such an outburst. He struggled to comprehend why Harry had chosen to unleash his anger on him. Draco couldn't fathom what he had done to deserve such treatment.

Suppressing the urge to cry, Draco fought to maintain his composure. As queen of Shinia, he had vowed never to show weakness, but now it seemed inevitable that he would break that oath.

"It... hu-rts..." Draco managed to groan, his voice trembling with pain.

Realizing his actions, Harry abruptly released his grip on Draco's neck, causing the young man to collapse to the ground, gasping for air and clutching his injured neck.

Breathing heavily, Draco struggled to regain his composure. However, he soon noticed a lingering pain in his neck. Shit. It seemed that the wound on his neck, which had previously healed, was reopening and beginning to bleed once more.

Meanwhile, Harry was filled with remorse, his hands shaking as he rubbed his face in disbelief at what he had almost done.

Unable to let Draco recover, Harry reached out to roughly pull him to his feet once again.

"Once we're back at the palace, I'll have to clean you up. You can't afford to bring any stains into the throne of Shinia," Harry declared mercilessly before he roughly pulled Draco along, compelling the blonde to trail behind him.

Not wishing to provoke Harry's ire further, Draco remained silent and obediently followed in the man's wake, though his vision blurred slightly from the pain that was beginning to overwhelm him.

Seating Draco in front of him on the horse, Harry positioned the blonde to face his chest, shielding him from the harsh night wind that would buffet them during their ride.

Disregarding Draco's own horse, which remained behind, Harry spurred his mount into a swift gallop toward the castle. With his emotions still roiling within him, Harry opted to enter the palace through a rear gate reserved for members of the royal family.

Once inside the gate, he dismounted and lowered Draco to the ground, then grasped his wife's hand roughly, paying little heed to the startled gazes of some of the palace maids. He cared not for the disapproval that surely simmered beneath their stares.

Draco could do nothing but acquiesce and tread in Harry's footsteps, a faint furrow marring his brow as Harry led him toward the king’s bath chambers, a place Draco had never entered before.

Upon reaching the bathhouse, Harry shed his thin robes, revealing his muscular physique adorned with masculine sinews, though Draco had little time to react to the sight as Harry forcibly pulled him into the bathtub.

Caught off guard by the chill of the water, Draco instinctively halted his steps and attempted to wrench his hand from Harry's grip, eliciting a piercing stare from the man.

"I refuse," Draco asserted adamantly, shaking his head vehemently.

"You must. I'll cleanse you thoroughly, ensuring there are no traces of another man on your body," Harry retorted, his jaw clenched tightly.

"What other man?! What are you saying?!" Draco protested, struggling to break free from his grasp.

"Should I refer to him as your lover?" Harry inquired icily, prompting a frustrated scowl from Draco.

"I'm not—"

"Silence!" Harry's shout caused Draco to freeze in fear, apprehensive of another violent outburst.

Once again defying expectations, Harry extended his arms to lift Draco and carried him toward the center of the bath, where the water threatened to soak Draco's injured neck.

In a desperate bid to resist, Draco kicked at the water with abrupt movements, his hands striking Harry's chest in frustration. Exasperated by Draco's resistance, Harry maneuvered him to the edge of the bath, compelling Draco to encircle his waist with his long legs.

Draco relentlessly struck Harry's chest, his struggles intensifying. "Release me! You're insane!" He screamed, his voice strained and hoarse.

Despite Draco's vehement protests and struggles, Harry paid no heed as his hands deftly tore Draco's clothes apart. The ripping sound echoed ominously, sending shivers down Draco's spine. Fear gripped him tightly as he watched Harry's dark gaze fixated on his exposed chest.

As Harry's hands moved to undo Draco's pants, panic surged through Draco. Determined to thwart Harry's attempt, Draco pressed his body firmly against Harry's chest, crossing his long legs around Harry's waist to prevent him from proceeding.

Unwilling to yield, Draco clung tightly to Harry, refusing to comply with his demands. In response, Harry's breath grew ragged with rising desire, his animalistic urges taking control.

"Draco, let go!" Harry commanded, his voice thick with lust.

Ignoring Harry's order, Draco shook his head, holding onto him. He tightened his grip further, causing Harry's eyes to darken with desire.

"Looks like you want to be cleaned in another way.” seizing the opportunity, Harry leaned in, pressing his lips against Draco's shoulder, reveling in its smoothness akin to the finest cotton of Shinia.

The sensation sent Harry into a frenzy of longing. He bit into Draco's shoulder and sucked hard on the bite. Simultaneously, one of his hands roughly caressed Draco's thigh.

Draco understood that Harry's actions were typical of a married couple, yet he couldn't shake off the fear gripping him. Why didn't he feel the slightest excitement as depicted in romance novels? Why did fear consume him instead?

"Your Majesty?"

Both Harry and Draco recognized the voice. They lifted their heads to find Cedric standing before them, his expression unreadable but tinged with disappointment directed at Draco.

Draco's heart skipped a beat as he saw Cedric's disappointed gaze. He had promised himself to open his heart to Cedric's love.

"What brings you here?" Harry asked coldly, pulling Draco's head to hide in the crook of his neck and circling possessively around his waist as if shielding his wife's body from view.

"I came to report on the state of the settlement I visited. My apologies for the late hour and any disturbance, Your Majesty. I'll return tomorrow morning. Good night." Cedric replied stoically before turning and departing.

Harry felt a momentary surge of relief upon hearing Cedric's report. Perhaps Draco hadn't met with Cedric today after all? However, his relief was short-lived as Draco's sobbing suddenly pierced the air, snapping Harry back to reality.

"H-hurts… Hurts…” He sobbed.

Harry's heart pounded erratically as he watched his wife continue to moan the word “Hurts," despite the potions given by the healer he had summoned.

"What did you give him? Why is he still in pain?" Harry snapped at the middle-aged female healer, whose face had turned pale.

"I gave him the prescribed medicine, Your Ma—"

"Then why is he still in pain?" Harry thundered, causing the healer, who had served the royal family for a decade, to flinch.

"The medicine may take some time to work, Your Majesty. We need to be patient."

"How long?" Harry demanded, glaring at her.

"By tomorrow morning at the latest, Your Majesty."

Harry's jaw clenched. Could he endure Draco's continuous groaning until then?

Why was he feeling so concerned? No, it wasn't concern—it was guilt. Yes, he felt guilty for having hurt Draco, not worried.

"If by tomorrow morning he is still in pain, I will send your daughter to a brothel!" Harry said cruelly, making the poor woman bow her head deeply. "Leave!" He ordered, irritated by her frightened expression.

The healer departed Draco's room in great fear, fully aware that the king never made idle threats, especially concerning royal matters.

Harry remained, standing at a distance and staring at Draco intently. He stood quite far from the bed Draco currently occupied, clenching his fists as he watched Draco's pale lips moan in pain.

If there were a title for "Mad Husband" in the entire Shinia Kingdom, Harry would undoubtedly receive it. Without hesitation, he had physically hurt his wife, disregarding the teachings of his etiquette instructors, who had always emphasized that a man should never harm his wife. But today, he had ignored those lessons.

"Bastard," Harry muttered as Cedric's face crossed his mind.

If Cedric had sent a guard to inform Harry of any trouble in the neighborhood, Harry wouldn't have lost control and chased after Draco, who was said to be visiting the market. He knew very well that the market and the settlement Cedric visited were in different directions, making it impossible for them to meet. Yet, for some reason, he always seemed to see things darkly.

Taking a deep breath and roughly rubbing his face, he glanced again at Draco's pained expression. The whimpering tugged at his heart, and without realizing it, he stepped toward his wife.

He carefully lowered himself onto Draco's bedside. His gaze softened as he noticed beads of sweat forming on Draco's forehead. Gently, he wiped the sweat away with his thumb. His eyes then fell on the bite marks and kisses that stood out starkly against Draco's pale shoulders.

For some reason, a sense of satisfaction filled him as he observed the marks he had left on Draco's flawless skin. With a slight smile, he tenderly touched the marks on Draco's shoulder with his index finger.

"Harry!"

The sudden sound of the door being thrown open and a woman's voice snapped him back to reality. He quickly stood up and turned to face the source of the commotion. Arabelle flung herself into Harry's arms, hugging him tightly. She stood on tiptoe to rest her chin on Harry's broad shoulder.

"Why didn't you come to my room? Didn't you promise to return after you finished your work?" Arabelle asked plaintively, still clinging to him.

"Sorry. Tonight, I have to take care of Draco," Harry said softly, holding Arabelle tightly. His gentle words caused Arabelle to look up in confusion.

"Huh? Aren't there plenty of guards outside?" She asked, puzzled.

Of course, to protect him from that crazy Cedric, he thought.

"Arabelle, why so many questions?" Harry asked with a smile, gently stroking her head.

"I'm just curious," Arabelle replied with a sheepish smile.

A silence fell between them as Harry became lost in his thoughts. He didn't want to upset Arabelle by refusing to spend the night in her room, but considering Draco was lying ill due to his actions, he couldn't bring himself to leave. Moreover, he was also worried that Cedric might visit Draco.

"Sorry, I can't go to your room tonight," Harry said, causing Arabelle to sigh in disappointment.

"So... where will you sleep tonight?" She asked, looking at him sadly.

"Here,"

"In His Majesty's room?"

"Yes,"

"Together in bed?" Arabelle asked, her eyes glazing over and her voice trembling.

A surge of jealousy burned in Arabelle's heart as she imagined the man she loved spending the night in someone else's room and sharing a bed with them. If Harry weren't a king, she might have insisted he stay with her.

Unable to hold back, tears streamed down Arabelle's face. A small sob escaped her lips, polished with lipstick on this cold night. Her back shook violently as she envisioned Harry sleeping and hugging Draco.

"Hey, why are you crying?" Harry asked worriedly, cupping Arabelle's tear-streaked face.

"Am I selfish for not wanting you to be with His Majesty? You are the man I love. I can't bear the thought of you sleeping with His Majesty. I can't," Arabelle said through her tears.

Harry sighed softly. Slowly, he wiped away Arabelle's tears with his thumbs. "Shh... don't cry. We won't sleep together, and we never will. I'm all yours, and so are you," He reassured her without thinking.

All he wanted was to calm Arabelle's sobbing so she wouldn't disturb Draco's sleep.

"Who guarantees that you won't sleep toge—"

Not wanting Arabelle to continue, he pulled her into his arms and gently stroked her back. Arabelle's crying grew louder, making Harry feel a bit dizzy. He glanced at Draco, who seemed calm in his sleep, the healer's medicine apparently taking effect.

"Don't cry. We can sleep together here," Harry said, trying to soothe her.

The sudden thirst forced Draco to open his eyes. Gradually, his vision adjusted to the light, and he saw the couple sleeping together on the long, soft chair he often used for relaxation.

Draco observed them, entwined for warmth without a blanket, appearing content and in love. The sight brought a wry smile to his lips. Even his husband found happiness with someone else; when would Draco experience the same?

Taking a deep breath, Draco reminded himself not to be selfish. It was okay if he never received romantic love. What mattered was the love of his people, which he believed would help him achieve his goals.

Slowly, he rose from his bed. Before taking two steps to leave the room, he checked his temperature.

"I'm sick again," Draco muttered, disapproving of the slight warmth he felt. He needed to see Glenice to have her prepare a herbal drink for him.

Without sparing another thought for the couple still lost in their dreams, Draco took long steps out of his room. Upon entering the corridor, he frowned, puzzled by Glenice's absence. Usually, she was already there early in the morning, ready to assist him.

But this morning, Glenice was nowhere to be found.

"Where's Glenice?" Draco asked a nearby guard.

"Glenice is currently in prison, Your Majesty."

"Prison?" Draco's eyes widened in shock. "Why is she in prison? Was she transferred?" He asked, his forehead creased in confusion.

"No, Your Majesty. Glenice is incarcerated on His Majesty's orders."

His confusion quickly turned to anger and irritation. Why had Harry imprisoned Glenice without informing him? Glenice was hi's personal maid; his husband should have consulted him before punishing her.

Wasting no time, he made his way to the prison, located beneath the grand palace. His face hardened as he imagined Glenice in a cramped, cold, and dark cell.

"Your Majesty," The prison guard greeted as the queen entered the dungeon's main door.

"Show me where Glenice is being held," Draco commanded coldly.

"Yes, Your Majesty," The guard responded respectfully, stepping ahead to lead Draco to Glenice's cell.

He followed the steps of the prison guard, who had a muscular build similar to the executioners tasked with beheading royal traitors. He occasionally glanced at the frustrated expressions of the prisoners.

Who wouldn't be frustrated in such cramped, stuffy, and dark conditions? The dungeon was sparsely lit by torches, insufficiently spaced to brighten every corner.

He felt a twinge of pity for the dejected criminals but reminded himself that they were receiving the punishment they deserved. His initial sympathy quickly evaporated.

The guard stopped in front of a door that appeared distinct from the others.

Draco pushed open the door and was greeted by a section of the prison that looked more habitable than the one he had just passed through. This part of the prison seemed somewhat more humane.

He lifted his head resolutely and continued walking until his eyes found the woman he was searching for. She was sitting with her face buried between her legs.

"Glenice..." Draco called, prompting the woman to raise her head. Glenice looked at Draco in surprise, which quickly turned to joy.

She stood and hurried towards the iron door separating her from her beloved queen. "Your Majesty, are you alright?”

Draco frowned slightly in displeasure at her question. "Why are you asking that? Can't you see I'm fine? I should be the one asking you that," He said, clenching his hands tightly, feeling the sting of failing to protect his maid from Harry.

"My apologies, Your Majesty. I'll be fine as long as you are," Glenice replied, smiling despite her situation.

Draco bit his lower lip at her words. "Why... why did His Majesty do this to you?" He asked, his voice hoarse.

"It's all my fault, Your Majesty. If only I hadn't forgotten to mention that you were returning from the market, His Majesty wouldn't be this angry," Glenice lied.

"You should have resisted," Draco insisted.

"I can't go against His Majesty's orders..."

"But you are my maid!" Draco half-shouted, causing Glenice to flinch. "What if I forget to look for you and His Majesty punishes you? Don't you think about my feelings?" He asked in a low voice. "I'll get you out of here. Please, don't act like you're fine. Don't ever do that." His words left Glenice speechless.

Without waiting for her reply, Draco turned and walked quickly out of the prison. He needed to confront Harry and demand Glenice's release. If Harry hadn't given the order, freeing Glenice would have been straightforward.

As he walked, he caught sight of Cedric emerging from the royal soldiers' training ground. His heart raced when their eyes met, but the nervousness quickly faded when he noticed the disappointed look in Cedric's eyes. Cedric broke eye contact and continued walking without the usual warm smiles or greetings he typically offered Draco.

Draco sighed deeply. First, he needed to persuade Harry to release Glenice. Only then could he secretly meet with Cedric to explain everything to his lover.

His lover? For the first time in his life, Draco had a lover, yet it felt strangely normal. The thought made his head feel even heavier.

He pushed open his bedroom door slowly, hoping that Harry and his mistress had left. However, his hope was dashed when he saw Harry holding Arabelle, kissing her passionately in Draco's room. It wasn't the first time he had witnessed this, but a sense of distaste welled up within him.

Perhaps it was because Draco still remembered how harshly Harry had treated him earlier, while he could be so gentle with Arabelle.

His small sigh caught their attention, causing both to gasp, especially Arabelle. She turned her face to Draco, unable to hide her shock.

"Your Majesty!" Arabelle shrieked in surprise but made no move to leave Harry's lap.

"Arabelle, could you step out for a moment? I need to discuss something important with His Majesty," Draco said calmly, forcing a thin smile.

"Oh, yes, of course!" Arabelle replied quickly, rising from Harry's lap and leaving the room. Once Arabelle had left, Draco approached Harry.

"I want Your Majesty to free Glenice," He stated matter-of-factly, causing Harry to raise an eyebrow.

"Why do you want me to release her?”

"Because she didn't do anything wrong!" Draco responded quickly, his voice rising unconsciously.

"You truly love your maid," Harry remarked as he stood and approached Draco.

"I love everyone who loves me, without exception," Draco replied.

Harry's gaze became unreadable as he processed those words.

I love everyone who loves me. Draco's words echoed in Harry's mind. Cedric loved Draco. Does that mean Draco loved Cedric too? He clenched his jaw at the thought. Whenever he thought of Draco, Cedric inevitably came to mind, leaving him feeling conflicted.

"All right, I'll free Glenice, but on one condition: for the next ten days, you don't leave your room," Harry said, staring intently at Draco.

Draco met Harry's gaze firmly, though his mind raced. What was the meaning behind Harry's order? Was he trying to confine Draco and let Arabelle take over his duties?

The thought infuriated Draco. He didn't want to be replaced, but he also didn't want to lose someone he cared about.

"Yes, I'll stay in my room, as long as Your Majesty frees Glenice," He agreed.

Draco was engrossed in reading a war strategy book that Glenice had brought to him a few hours earlier.

Today marked the fourth day he had confined himself to his room, not stepping foot outside. He didn't mind and wasn't the least bit bored, as his still-recovering body required ample rest and couldn't handle strenuous tasks.

"Glenice, is His Majesty still in court at this time?" Draco asked without looking up from the fourth book he had read that day.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"It seems that Shinia has many issues to address today," Draco nodded thoughtfully.

With that brief conversation ended, Draco returned to his book. However, his concentration waned as thoughts of Cedric intruded. It had been four days since the incident in the bath chamber, and he felt their relationship was becoming strained.

In the past, he might not have cared, but now that they were lovers, guilt gnawed at him. He needed to explain everything to Cedric as soon as possible. But given that he was confined to his room, meeting Cedric to explain everything was impossible.

"Glenice, please bring me a blank piece of paper," Draco requested.

Glenice nodded obediently before stepping away to fetch a blank piece of paper for Draco. "Here, Your Majesty." She said, handing him the paper.

"Thank you," Draco replied, a slight smile gracing his delicate features.

His slender hands reached for his white quill, and his mind swiftly began to craft the perfect words for the letter he intended to send to Cedric.

With a lingering smile, he dipped the quill into the ink and began to write on the paper Glenice had provided.

To my Cedric,

Trust is the foundation of a loving relationship, and I deeply regret if my actions a few days ago have caused you to doubt me.

I wish I could meet you in person to explain everything, but I am unable to do so at the moment. I hope you will read this letter and understand the situation.

What occurred at His Majesty's bath chamber was completely unexpected. Nothing happened between us, either before or after you arrived. His Majesty was merely trying to help me clean up. Despite my refusals, he insisted, leading to the unpleasant incident you witnessed.

I understand your disappointment, and I am truly sorry for that. I apologize from the bottom of my heart, as your lover and not just as your friend. Please forgive me. I dislike our current estrangement, and I am not accustomed to being ignored by you.

With love,
Your lover

Draco gazed tenderly at the once blank piece of paper now adorned with his elegant handwriting. "Glenice, please bring me a small ribbon and my fragrance," He requested, his eyes still fixed on the letter.

Glenice nodded and swiftly fulfilled Draco's request.

"Thank you," Draco said, offering a sweet smile as Glenice handed him the ribbon and his signature fragrance.

He carefully applied a few drops of the delicate fragrance onto the letter. Once satisfied, he rolled up the paper and tied it with a cream-colored ribbon.

"Glenice, please deliver this to Prince Cedric. He is likely at the training ground. Ensure no one knows about this letter, especially His Majesty, Arabelle, or their personal servants.” Draco instructed, handing the scroll to his maid.

Though puzzled by her queen’s unusual request to send a secret letter, especially to Prince Cedric, Glenice accepted the letter and dutifully carried out his orders. She tucked the scroll into the pocket of her plain maid's dress and, with the most relaxed steps possible, made her way towards the soldiers' training ground.

Glenice walked as casually as possible until she spotted a girl in a garish, childish dress heading her way.

Instinctively, Glenice cursed inwardly. She really despised that girl, despite the queen's friendship with her. Glenice couldn't understand how her queen could be friends with someone who had clearly stolen his husband.

"Greetings, Lady Ansbach.” Glenice said halfheartedly, showing respect for the king's mistress.

The naive Arabelle beamed with happiness, feeling respected in the palace. It was rare for a servant to greet Arabelle as they passed by. Perhaps it was because she came from an ordinary family and was the king's mistress, a woman who brought disgrace to the history of Shinia.

"Good afternoon, Glenice. Are you alone? Where's His Majesty?" Arabelle asked, her happy smile beaming.

"His Majesty is in his room, Lady." Glenice replied curtly.

"Oh? Can I visit his room? I'm very bored. It's been a few days since we did anything together," Arabelle said eagerly, making the maid silently sigh in irritation.

"My apologies, but you can't visit His Majesty. He is currently working and does not wish to be disturbed." Glenice lied, causing the happy glow to vanish from Arabelle's face.

"Okay... I wouldn't want to disturb His Majesty..." Arabelle mumbled, puffing her cheeks.

"Then, excuse me—"

"Harry!"

Glenice was about to leave when Arabelle's shrill voice shouting the Shinia king's name in an impolite manner made her gasp in horror. Her horror intensified as she saw Arabelle running towards Harry and throwing herself into the king’s arms.

"Is the king's mind still intact? How can he be so fond of Arabelle?" Glenice murmured quietly, shuddering in horror.

Her interrupted journey resumed as she continued walking, her eyes now fixed on the man who was to receive her queen's letter. Prince Cedric sat watching the guards train hard under his supervision, but Glenice sensed he was deep in thought. Could this have something to do with the letter her queen had entrusted to her?

"Greetings, Prince Cedric," Glenice said politely, bowing respectfully.

Cedric snapped out of his reverie at her greeting. He looked at Glenice, surprised to see his lover's maid.

"His Majesty wished to send you a letter, but he asked me to deliver it discreetly," Glenice said, still bowing.

Her words made Cedric's heart skip a beat. He quickly scanned the bustling training ground.

"Follow me," Cedric ordered as he stood up and led the way, with Glenice following close behind.

The maid nodded and followed Cedric as they made their way to his private room.

"How is Draco doing?" Cedric asked quickly once they were inside.

"His Majesty is fine, Your Highness," Glenice replied.

"Why hasn't he left his room these past few days?" Cedric asked, his curiosity evident.

"I'm not sure, Your Highness. It seems His Majesty is occupied with work," Glenice answered.

"Thank God," Cedric sighed in relief.

After their brief exchange, Glenice retrieved the scroll she had tucked into her dress pocket.

"This is a letter from His Majesty to you, Prince Cedric." She said politely, offering the ribbon-tied scroll to Cedric.

"Thank you, you may return to Draco," Cedric said with a smile, reaching out to accept the scroll from his lover.

"I'll take my leave," Glenice said with a final bow before exiting the room.

Cedric nodded in acknowledgment, his focus now solely on the letter from Draco.

Quickly, he secured the door to his private chamber before settling into a chair. His heart quickened as he caught the familiar scent of his lover emanating from the letter, a scent that enveloped him in comfort and longing.

With care, he untied the cream-colored ribbon, tucking it away in his pocket as a keepsake—the first ribbon from Draco's letter.

For my Cedric.

Chapter Text

Draco closed the fifteenth book he had read today. Ever since Draco sent his apology letter to Cedric, from when the sun was still shining brightly in the sky to the moon that accompanied the night, Cedric had not replied to his letter.

Now, Draco couldn't sleep peacefully. His brain was moving on its own, making crazy scenarios that might cause Cedric not to reply to his letters, and what made Draco's heart most restless was the scenario about Cedric. He might have been disappointed and lost trust in Draco until he decided to end their relationship.

Actually, Draco wasn't too sad if Cedric ended their relationship, because indeed, Draco didn't have such deep love for Cedric; there was only affection. But somehow, the thought of Draco breaking up with Cedric when their relationship hadn't even been a month made Draco sad.

Draco had thought his relationship with Cedric would run in a short period, so Cedric could invite Draco to do things that are usually done by lovers, such as exchanging ideas, exchanging gifts, taking walks together.

However, if God had destined their relationship to end, what could Draco do? Draco took a deep breath before the blonde's hand moved to push the book currently in his lap to the side of his bed that had been filled with several books.

Gently, Draco laid his back that felt very stiff on the soft bed. He was just about to reach for the blanket to cover him, but the noise from his bedroom window made him flinch. Draco strained his ears to make sure it wasn't the noise made by small animals.

Draco's sense of alertness rose sharply. The blonde’s hand moved to reach for a dagger which he always kept under his cotton pillow as a form of self-defense. He was already preparing to stab the dagger at random when he heard footsteps approaching him; if only a familiar voice didn't fill his ears.

"Draco, are you asleep?"

The carefully asked question managed to make Draco quickly return his sharp dagger to his pillow. He turned around a little, and he could find Cedric standing nearby.

"What are you doing here?!" Draco asked, half-screaming, and shifted his position from sleeping on his side to sitting.

"To meet my lover, of course." Cedric chuckled and happily sat himself down on Draco's bed.

Draco snorted. "Why do you have to be such a thief? And why do you have to come in from the window in the middle of the night like this?" Draco asked, looking at Cedric as the man was busy arranging some of the food the man had brought to Draco's bed.

"I can't walk in from your door during the day and spend a lot of time with you. Everyone will be suspicious, and I don't want you to have a bad image among the people of Shinia." Cedric smiled gently and took the time to glance at Draco.

Draco's heart warmed slightly when he heard those words. The man really kept his word, giving Draco a secret love affair. "Thanks for thinking of me," Draco said sincerely.

"You don't need to thank me because I think of you all the time," said Cedric, and it managed to make Draco chuckle.

"Haven't you had dinner yet?" Draco asked curiously when he saw the various kinds of food already neatly arranged on his bed.

"Not yet,"

"Why? It's so late now. You should eat," Draco advised, making Cedric smile meaningfully.

"I want to spend dinner with my lover," Cedric replied, and the words warmed Draco's heart.

A smile graced his face. If he remembered, this was the first time Draco was invited to have dinner in his bed, something Draco would probably never have done if he did not accept the offer to be Cedric's lover.

"You can eat this, right?" asked Cedric as he served a variety of meat-based dishes.

Draco looked at the various kinds of meat. For some reason, Draco's appetite increased when he saw the slight smoke rising from the different foods, not to mention the aroma coming from the food managed to tickle his stomach.

"Maybe... One mouthful wouldn't be a problem," Draco said dubiously.

Cedric laughed at the answer. After that brief conversation, Cedric busied himself to eat all the food he had prepared. At this moment, Cedric felt like he was about to die because the man's stomach hadn't been filled with anything since this afternoon, to be precise, since Draco sent him a letter.

Cedric was too happy with the letter. He just sat quietly in his private room and stared at Draco's letter with joy. Now and then, Cedric would kiss the surface of the letter that smelled the same as Draco's. In fact, without realizing it, Cedric fell asleep in his private room at the warrior training ground holding the queen’s letter.

This was a crazy effect. How could Harry have never felt anything like this when he was with Draco? Cedric did not understand.

"You can try with this," Cedric said when he saw Draco looking confused as to which food to throw into his stomach.

Draco blinked a few times when he saw Cedric's hand hold the silver spoon of roast beef, pointed right in front of Draco's face.

"Come on, open your mouth."

Draco flinched when he heard Cedric's words. Instinctively, Draco pulled his head away from the silver spoon, and he stared in surprise at Cedric as the man gave him a confused look.

"What is it?" asked Cedric when he saw Draco's surprised expression.

"That... I can eat by myself. You don't have to bother like this," Draco refused as he tried to push the brunette’s hand away.

An annoyed frown crossed Cedric's forehead as he accepted Draco's refusal. Didn't Draco know that Cedric wanted to be first in everything in Draco's life? So that when the young man decides to get out of this illicit relationship, Cedric's shadows will continue to haunt him and bring him back into his arms.

"I don't feel bothered at all. You are my lover. This is what it should be," said Cedric without wanting to take the hand holding the spoon away from Draco's face.

"But—"

"Sssh... Now open your mouth and eat, come on..." Cedric interrupted, which managed to make Draco's thin lips pursed.

Draco opened his mouth and let Cedric put the beef on the silver spoon into his mouth. After Cedric pulled the spoon, Draco's mouth moved to chew the meat, which tasted very soft and delicious, but unfortunately, his anger at Cedric made the young man's face curl in annoyance.

"Good boy," Cedric praised, making Draco snort and cast his unfriendly gaze on him. The man chuckled, and then his hands moved again to scoop up the meat that seemed to be processed into warm soup. "Well... now, let's open your mouth again," said Cedric while pointing his silver spoon, now filled with soup and some meat.

"No. I only ate one bite." Draco refused while staring in horror at Cedric and the silver spoon.

"Why do you only eat one mouthful? Don't you realize that the food I brought was very much? I couldn't finish it myself, and I had to need another mouth to help me finish all this food." Cedric reasoned.

"Then why did you bring this much food? Can't you guess that I've had dinner?" asked Draco.

"Too bad. I guess you haven't eaten, so I brought a lot of food here," said Cedric with a sweet smile, but for some reason, that smile looked so annoying in Draco's eyes. "Come on, open your mouth, come on, darling..." Cedric teased as he moved the spoon in front of Draco's mouth in an irregular motion.

Cedric's stupid act made Draco couldn't help but smile. The man was so cute, he couldn't help it, Draco opened his mouth and accepted the food, but this time, he accepted it without the slightest bit of irritation.

And what happened next? Cedric kept bribing Draco until all the food that the man brought was gone. The man brought two spoons, but he insisted on feeding Draco with his own spoon.

"If tomorrow my dress doesn't fit anymore, you're the prime suspect," Draco threatened as he watched Cedric begin to reorganize his food containers into a small basket not far from his reach.

"Eating a little won't make your body grow bigger, Draco dear," Cedric joked.

Draco snorted and continued to pay attention to Cedric's handsome face. The prince looked so stunning under the dim light from the candles installed in Draco's room. The gust of wind that entered through Draco's open bedroom window managed to make a few strands of the man's brown hair move smoothly following the flow of the wind.

He was handsome, kind, funny, and hardworking. He should have been the best candidate as Draco's ideal husband if Draco had not been forced to follow the rules of life that his father had set for him.

"Are you leaving?" Draco asked sadly when he saw Cedric get up from his seat

If only time could be stopped, Draco wanted to be with Cedric. He always made Draco feel free to express himself without fearing being seen as tarnishing his own reputation.

"Yeah, I can't sleep here with you. Our relationship isn't that far yet." Cedric gave a gentle smile.

Draco kept silent and stared straight at Cedric's eyes. For some reason, Draco's heart skipped a beat. He was terrified that one day, Harry would find out about his crazy relationship with Cedric; really, Draco couldn't imagine what kind of commotion would be created in the entire land of Shinia.

"Mmm... then, good night," Draco said awkwardly as he moved to lie back down on his bed.

Draco was just about to pull the blanket over his cold body, but Cedric's hand grabbed Draco. Without saying anything, the man pulled the blanket over Draco's body.

A gentle smile graced the man's face as he pulled the blanket up to Draco's shoulders. His strong hand then reached out to caress the top of Draco's head affectionately.

"Good night too. Sweet dreams." 

Today was the same as the previous days after Draco and Cedric's dinner happened, the man always took the time to visit Draco's room at night, and it seemed the man was getting better at climbing Draco's bedroom window and jumping from the window. That doesn't sound amazing, considering Cedric was a warrior who was greatly feared on the battlefield.

"How is our child doing?" Cedric asked Draco, who was busying himself knitting something near the brightly lit candle.

Draco frowned. The young man stopped what he was doing and shifted his gaze from the cloth in his hand to Cedric sleeping on his stomach on the floor of Draco's room.

"Our child?" Draco was confused.

Cedric nodded. "Yeah, that little brown bird. It's the same color as my hair, and it looks strong even though it's going through a tough time, just like you, so that little bird is our child," Cedric explained, which managed to make Draco laugh.

"I don't think I'll ever understand how your brain works," Draco said as he shook his head gently.

"Then you just need to learn to understand," said Cedric with a grin.

Without intending to answer Cedric's words, Draco got up from his seat and stepped towards a small box at the end of his room, a small box that his little bird had occupied for the past few days.

Carefully, Draco lifted the tiny bird, which looked still not fully healthy. The little bird had indeed been singing often, but the bird had not been able to flap its wings.

"This is your son," Draco said to Cedric, making the man get up from his sleeping position and immediately sit up straight.

"Oh, my poor son. Mommy doesn't love you, huh? Sorry, daddy is too busy working," Cedric said as he opened his palms wide when Draco gave the tiny bird to him.

Draco just shook his head and decided to go back to finishing his nearly finished knitting. After spending a lot of time with Cedric, Draco realized that he was even crazier than Draco had thought.

"What? You want to live with mommy and daddy?" Cedric asked the tiny bird that he was currently lifting close to his ear.

Cedric was silent for a moment with an occasionally focused gaze. The man nodded his head as if he was talking to the little bird that seemed to be sleeping.

"Sorry, but that can't be done, dear. Mommy and daddy are not officially married. We have to get married first. After that, we can all live together," said Cedric in a disappointed tone that sounded too contrived.

After that sentence, Cedric continued to chatter a little bit with the bird, who seemed unperturbed by Cedric's chatter that sounded like the chatter of a madman. Like the little bird, Draco was not bothered by Cedric's conversation because Draco knew Cedric must be very bored.

Draco refocused on his knitting on plain white cloth. A sweet smile spread across his face when he was done with his knitting. "Cedric! I made this for you!" Draco smiled wide as he handed the prince a plain white cloth whose edges were knitted with Cedric's name.

"It's so beautiful, Draco. Thank you so much," said Cedric in awe when he saw the strands of his name strung so beautifully on the white cloth. The simple fabric looked like a famous knitter had just knitted it.

"Oh! I knit your name in gold, so you remember that this handkerchief was my gift," Draco continued excitedly as he brought the white handkerchief closer to the candlelight so Cedric could clearly see the color of the thread Draco was using on it.

A happy smile spread across Cedric's face, the man's thumb moved to caress the knitted name gently. "Look at your mommy. He's so amazing," Cedric told the tiny bird that was still asleep in the palm of his hand.

Draco laughed lightly. "I also made one for me. It's brown, the same color as your hair," Draco said as he showed another handkerchief that had his name knitted.

"Don't forget our son. He's also—"

"Draco? You still awake?"

Draco's heart skipped a beat when he heard his husband's voice right behind his bedroom door. He stared at Cedric in shock, who was also looking at him in shock. Both of them were no different than a pair of thieves caught stealing.

"Get out, Cedric!" Draco whispered frantically as he picked up the tiny bird in Cedric's palm.

"Okay. Don't panic, Draco.”

"Draco?!"

Draco's eyes widened when he heard his husband's voice again. Without thinking, Draco moved to push Cedric's back so that the man could step his feet towards Draco's window. Without saying anything, Draco immediately pushed Cedric's back hard so that the man had to jump out of the window.

Then, Draco took his long legs to approach his bedroom door. Before his hand moved to open the door, the blonde took the time to catch his breath and adjust himself to look calm and not panic.

He gulped harshly when he opened the door and found his husband looking at him with a slightly annoyed look, a look that managed to bring Draco back to the unpleasant events that had occurred a few days ago.

"Your Majesty..." Draco muttered.

"Why did it take you so long to open the door? Are you with someone inside?" sneered Harry while glaring at his wife.

"I'm not with anyone in there, Your Majesty. My apologies if I took so long to open the door. I was continuing my knitting. Besides, I was also talking to my little bird," Draco replied as he stared straight at Harry's emerald eyes with full confidence so that the man didn't feel awkward.

After Draco's brief explanation, Harry gave Draco a probing look. A look that managed to make Draco feel nervous. Due to his nervousness, Draco's hand moved to tuck some of his hair behind his ear.

"Uh, what are Your Majesty doing here? Arabelle must be looking for Your Majesty," Draco said to break the silence between them.

"Oh. I want to tell you something," Harry cleared his throat slowly and averted his gaze from Draco's neck that seemed so tempting to him to mark the smooth skin again.

"Why did Your Majesty convey it to me? Usually also from the maid," Draco said subconsciously, which succeeded to make Harry raise one of his eyebrows.

"You don't like my presence?" asked Harry in a tone that sounded colder than before.

Draco flinched, eyes blinked a few times when the blonde realized that he had lost control of himself again. "My apologies, Your Majesty, I mean—"

"I'm your husband and your king, Draco, like it or not, you have to like my presence near you," Harry interrupted, managed to make Draco cover his mouth. Draco's nervous expression had now changed to a calm face.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I'm sorry if my words sounded improper in Your Majesty's ears," Draco said coldly while looking straight at Harry.

Harry caught the change in Draco's facial expression, and he didn't like the change in Draco's expression, which looked cold and indifferent, different from the look on his face that he had shown to Cedric, a happy face.

"Tomorrow, you have to go to court, and I will announce something important there. Wear a beautiful dress. Tomorrow, I will pick you up. I have already told those crazy elders that you are sick these few days; like it or not, you must be willing to walk with me to the courtroom," said Harry.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Draco walked towards the window of his room, which Cedric usually used to get in and out of his room. He stared blankly at the blue sky that seemed to glow this morning. Draco could see several royal officials starting to bust around the courtroom from where he was standing now.

Draco didn't know whether he should be happy or not with Harry's words last night. The man was about to announce something important in court. Unfortunately, at this time, Draco's brain couldn't be brought to think clearly, considering that a few days ago, that man had talked to Draco about marriage.

And at this time, the man said he was going to pick up Draco, and they would walk together towards the courtroom, something the man had never done, except when Draco was made queen, and that had been a long time ago.

Harry said that he was picking up Draco because he had told the elders that Draco had been sick for the past few days, but who knows if Harry was doing this as a mere formality. After all, maybe, this was the last time he would remember to bring Draco to court with the status of a wife.

Draco clenched his jaw tightly, his hands also moving to grip tightly the pillars that adorned the window. Now, things were no longer going the way Draco had expected. Everything looked messed up.

Draco would never be able to win Harry's love, which meant Draco would never possibly be able to give birth to a boy for that man. Viewed from any side, Draco's position as a queen would not be safe if Harry married Arabelle as the woman might be able to get pregnant again.

Then, should Draco use Ced—

"Draco."

The sound of his husband calling his name managed to make Draco snap out of his brain wrestling. His hands, which were tightly squeezing the pillars that decorated the windows of his room, slowly but surely, softened again. Draco turned his face, and he saw that his husband was walking towards him with the same cold gaze.

Draco pulled a gentle smile before the blonde turned around and walked over to Harry.

Whatever the reason, Harry felt fed up with the dress Draco was currently wearing. The dress did look gorgeous, charming, and looked very expensive, but the gown that wrapped tightly around Draco's proportioned body and the clothing that opened wide at the back managed to make Harry want to pull the dress off his wife's body and burn the dress right in the eye.

"Your Majesty," Draco called when he saw Harry staring at him with a look full of anger. The man must have felt angry at Draco's appearance, who was probably more extraordinary than his young wife-to-be.

"Come on. I don't have much time," said Harry casually as he held out his arm to Draco.

"Yes," Draco nodded obediently as he slipped his slender hand into the king’s arm.

Without intending to start a conversation, the husband and wife immediately walked in silence towards the courtroom. As was usually the case, everyone they passed would stare at them in amazement, amazed at their queen’s beauty, tenderness, and generosity. Amazed at the handsomeness and strength of the king. Even though they knew very well that an unknown woman has entered the king and the queen's relationship, they still pin Draco and Harry as the most perfect couple.

Once a while, Draco would give his gentle smile to people who looked at him with admiration, in contrast to Harry, who kept his eyes straight and didn't want to turn his face for the people who admired him.

The moment Harry and Draco stepped into the courtroom, everyone who had been present in the room immediately rose from their positions and bowed their heads.

Draco stared at all the people in the room, and a slightly confused frown adorned his forehead when he saw that many people who should not have participated in the court proceedings had now filled the room. It seemed Harry wanted to announce his marriage so extravagantly.

Inadvertently, Draco looked at Cedric, who was standing and stole a glance at him with a small smile. Cedric's smile managed to lift a little of the anxiety that now filled Draco's heart. He returned the small smile with a very small one because he didn't want to make Harry find himself in contact with Cedric, or else the king would darken his eyes and kill his cousin in front of the palace officials.

"Stand beside me," ordered Harry as the man managed to drop his body on his oversized chair.

Draco could only nod his head and stomped towards Harry's right side. It was rare for him to ask Draco to stand by his side. Usually, he would let Draco sit anywhere as long as he was still nearby. Could it be that Harry was doing this because he wanted to fill the space on his left for Arabelle?

Although his brain was now spinning rapidly to think about the bad possibilities that might befall him, Draco's face still showed a gentle expression. However, he doesn't want to spoil people's view of him.

"I know, today is not the day for a meeting between all important members of the kingdom, but I can't help but the extraordinary news I've been holding on to myself for the past few days," said Harry firmly, and all the attention of everyone there move towards their king. "I want to announce great news regarding the marriage."

Unknowingly, Draco held his breath as he heard the words slip smoothly from his husband's lips. Yeah, that man shouldn't feel burdened in the slightest because, in the end, he can bring his mistress to the altar of marriage.

There, Draco found Cedric still smiling, and for some reason, Draco was offended by that smile, maybe because Draco thought that smile was indirectly mocking his situation, although, in truth, Cedric didn't know what was going on here.

"A marriage between Prince Cedric Diggory and Princess Cho Chang from the Oshin Kingdom."

Draco's heart was beating fast when he heard those words. Without realizing it, he looked at Harry, the king still staring straight at all the people in the courtroom.

Cedric’s getting married. How could that be?

Draco immediately fleed his gaze to Cedric. The brunette’s face looked stiff, the smile that graced his face did not look as cheerful as before. It seemed the man also didn't know if he would be married.

"Today's meeting ends here. I don't want to disturb your time any longer," said Harry shortly before the man got up from his chair and stepped to descend the altar with his cold face full of hostility.

Seeing his husband gone, Draco also took steps to get out of the courtroom. Unintentionally, Draco stared at Cedric's face. There was no happiness, only disappointment.

And when Cedric met eyes with Draco, he gave a genuinely heart-wrenching look. Draco couldn't let him marry someone he didn't love. Draco couldn't allow his brother-in-law's household to be like his, to feel like hell.

"I want to see His Majesty," Draco said to a guard who was standing guard right in front of Harry's door.

Hearing Draco's words, the guard with a face that was set to remain straight then nodded his head obediently and made way for Draco so that the queen could enter his husband's room.

Slowly but surely, Draco pushed the door to his husband's room, and behind the door, Draco found his husband, who seemed to be getting ready with the help of several servants.

Draco walked closer to Harry. He knew the man had seen his arrival from the corner of his eyes that looked cold all the time.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say," Draco stated.

Harry didn't seem bothered by Draco's arrival in his room when the sun hadn't even shined yet. For a moment, the atmosphere in the room turned silent. Harry didn't seem to care about his wife's arrival. Some of the servants in the room then behaved awkwardly until Draco dared to clear his throat.

"Your Majesty," Draco called again.

This time Harry turned his gaze to Draco's face. He stared at Draco blankly, but alas, that gaze did not succeed in making Draco flinch. "Get out." Harry said to some of the maids who had been busy helping him get dressed.

The three young maids immediately nodded their heads obediently when they heard Harry's order. The maids took the time to bow respectfully to Harry and Draco before they left the room.

"Let me guess why you came so early to see me. Was it because of Cedric's wedding announcement?" Harry quipped as he again fled his gaze from Draco's calm face to the large mirror in front of him.

"Yes, that’s right, Your Majesty," Draco said calmly, and it made Harry feel sick.

"My decision is irreversible. Cedric must marry the princess of the Oshin Kingdom."

"You can't decide according to your want, Your Majesty, especially when it comes to someone's future," Draco said disapprovingly when he heard the string of those nonchalant words.

"Who said that I can't decide what I want?" Harry asked as he cast his piercing gaze filled with hostility at Draco.

"You are a king of a great empire. You can't act as you please like this, Your Majesty."

"Then tell me, how should I act, Your Majesty Draco?" Harry asked intimidatingly, which managed to make Draco squeeze both sides of his dress tightly. He was afraid that Harry would be rude to him again.

Even though Draco was now starting to be overcome by fear, the young man's determination was still strong. He must try to make Harry cancel his decision. Draco doesn't want to let Cedric and the princess both suffer in their married life in the future.

"You should have asked Prince Cedric if he's ready to get married or not," Draco said as he stared straight at Harry's eyes.

The words Draco had just said succeeded to make Harry laugh blandly for a split second before he returned his intimidating glare to his wife, who for some reason became increasingly unknown to him.

With a hardened face, Harry stepped firmly in front of Draco. The blonde still stood stiffly as he stared at Harry without the slightest bit of fear. Harry pulled a crooked smile when he saw his wife's determination.

"If I asked him if he was ready to get married or not, he would say he is not ready. He will never be ready to leave this kingdom and leave the person he loves," said Harry with his index finger already moving to tuck a few strands of Draco's hair.

As much as possible, Draco kept staring at Harry without the slightest fear. He knew Harry must be offending him right now.

"Then marry him to the person he loves," Draco responded coolly.

Harry's dark eyes seemed to be filled with a haze of emotion. Without a second thought, Harry's strong hand immediately moved to grip Draco's jaw tightly.

Despite being treated so roughly, Draco stared intently at Harry for a moment before his seductive lips moved to pull a mocking smile.

"It seems that day by day, Your Majesty has forgotten the basic etiquette of a noble family. I know that Your Majesty is a tyrant, but is Your Majesty's pride not flicked when you hurt your own wife?" Draco asked with an increasingly mocking tone, darkening Harry's eyes and tightening his grip on Draco's jaw even more.

"I also just realized after five years of our marriage, you are nothing more than a man who is obsessed with being adored by the people, you never even think about your husband's situation, and now, you have turned into a man who always manages to make your husband's anger increase."

"Why should I spend my precious time thinking about my husband's condition? When my husband already has a mistress who is always with him every second."

Spontaneously, the firm grip that had been adorning Draco's jaw suddenly slipped away. As the firm grip loosened, Draco's slender hands moved to grip his own jaw, which might have broken if Harry had kept his hold on it.

"You want to blame me because I love Arabelle? Do you want to say that all this time you wanted attention from me? What kind of joke is this?" said Harry while laughing blandly.

"I never blamed you because you love Arabelle. That's your right as a human. You are free to love anyone, and I never said I wanted your attention. I don't want to waste my precious time on pointless things."

Harry's eyes moved to stare at Draco's white jaw, which seemed to have turned red from the man's grip. Harry knew very well, the traces of his grip would leave a mark on that pure white jaw if it weren't treated quickly.

For a split second, Harry blamed himself for yet again unable to contain the burst of emotions that exploded inside him as he spoke to Draco. Harry didn't know why these past few days, he couldn't control his feelings well when he was arguing with Draco even though Harry had been able to neutralize his feelings for the past five years and there had never been a big fight between him and Draco.

"Why are you so hard to understand?" Harry glared at Draco.

"If I were easy to understand, I wouldn't be where I am right now."

Draco watched his surroundings intently, his eyes confirming that neither the royal guards nor the maids were where he was standing at the moment. Draco tightened the hood over his head before the young man stepped towards a door to a room he shouldn't have entered when the moon was shining brightly in the dark sky.

Draco opened the door hastily and closed it hastily as well. The young man turned his body, and he found his lover sitting while staring at the sky. His lover acted as if he didn't notice Draco's arrival.

Draco then lowered the hood he had been using to cover his face. The blonde took significant steps towards his gloomy-looking lover.

"Cedric..." Draco called when the blonde was near the prince.

Cedric heard the stern voice say his name, but the man who was currently in a bad mood had no interest in shifting his gaze from the sky towards the beautiful young man.

Draco was furious with himself when he saw Cedric ignoring him so blatantly. Without thinking, Draco's hands moved to shake the man's shoulders.

"Cedric!" Draco said, his voice growing louder.

Inevitably, Cedric shifted his gaze from the sky decorated by the moon to the owner of the slender hands that were now shaking his shoulders firmly. Cedric cast his disinterested look at the young man as he glared at him with an annoyed look.

Seeing the young man's face made Cedric's mood even worse. Gently, Cedric moved his shoulder to signify that he didn't like it when Draco grabbed his shoulder.

"What happened to you? Tell me, what did I do wrong to make you ignore me like this?" Draco asked while looking straight at Cedric's eyes that now staring at him blankly.

"You didn't do anything wrong, Your Majesty. I just want to be alone for a few days," replied Cedric dryly.

Draco frowned in frustration at the answer. For some reason, Cedric was like the main character in every romance novel Draco had read, convoluted and hard to understand.

"Then why did you ignore me for so long? You even rejected my letter and refused the fruit that Glenice sent to you. What's your problem, anyway?"

Cedric chuckled before the man moved his shoulder roughly so that Draco's hands that had been gripping his shoulders just slipped away. The man got up from his seat and intended to walk out of his room without saying anything.

"Cedric! I'm not done yet!" Draco shouted.

Draco's hand moved to hold Cedric's hand, but, not even ten seconds, Cedric again jerked his hand. Cedric's actions succeeded in making Draco's anger peak. Before, the young man had also been emotional because of Harry's words, and now, Cedric's behavior worsened his feelings.

"Why are you acting childish like this, huh?! Why are you acting like you're my only priority, so I have to persuade you all the time?! Don't you realize that I have more important work than to persuade you here!" Draco shouted, and it succeeded to make Cedric stop in his tracks.

Draco's words managed to make Cedric's disappointment even more tempestuous. The man turned around and glared at Draco in disappointment.

"I should have realized that from a long time ago, I would never be your top priority. Our relationship is only an illicit relationship. I was already too crazy when I thought that someday the two of us could walk together without having to wait for the night to come." said Cedric sadly.

The string of words that just left Cedric's lips made Draco realize how wrong he had just said. The emotions that had been bubbling up inside him immediately blurted out when he saw the look of disappointment in Cedric's eyes.

"I'm sorry... I... I didn't mean to make a mess like this. I'm just confused, and I don't know how to deal with you."

"It's okay, I understand," said Cedric as he pulled out a sad smile, a smile that made Draco feel even more guilty

There was silence in the room for a moment. Both Cedric and Draco just stared at each other until Draco decided to take advantage of the situation so he could resolve the misunderstanding that was currently engulfing their relationship.

"I didn't know if His Majesty had already prepared a wedding for you. He didn't say anything to me. This was the first time His Majesty didn't tell me of his decision before he made the announcement, and at that time... He asked me to wear a beautiful dress, I... I didn't mean to act as if I was happy with the decision." Draco said, his voice starting to tremble.

Draco felt like crying when he saw Cedric's eyes looking at him with profound disappointment. He didn't know whether it was because he had started to fall in love with the prince that he couldn't hold back the frustration or because Draco had never received disappointed looks from anyone in his life before.

"I... I've also tried to cancel this marriage... I... I don't want to lose you."

A drop of tear that had been desperately held back by Draco finally slid down from his eyes. Seeing Cedric standing where he was and staring at Draco with a disappointed look made Draco cry.

Suddenly, Draco felt that he had lost the strength to stand up. The blonde fell down onto the cold floor of Cedric's room. He uses both hands to support his body weight so that his body doesn't fall entirely on the floor.

Draco looked up, and he started crying again when he saw Cedric's face. "I don't want to lose you. I don't want to lose all the warmth you gave me. I've done everything I can to cancel this wedding, but I... I can't cancel it. I'm useless." Draco sobbed with tears now streaming down his pale cheeks.

Cedric clenched his fists tightly when he saw the person he loved with all his heart look so fragile in front of him. There was no image of a strong queen who always smiled gently.

The young man wept bitterly in front of him, but Cedric could not do much. Disappointment had taken over the man entirely. His senses pushed him to leave Draco and their illicit relationship because that was the best way.

"Don't leave me... I don't want to be alone anymore..." Draco sobbed.

One of Draco’s hands stretched out as if he was about to reach Cedric. Tears kept falling from his eyes, which made Cedric's heart break even more. He couldn't just sit back and care about his ego.

"My Cedric... You're mine, right?" Draco said in his already hoarse voice. One of his hands remains extended to reach the brunette.

Cedric clenched his jaw. It couldn’t be like this. With quick steps, Cedric approached Draco and dropped himself onto the floor as well. His strong hands moved to grab Draco's body, which had been shaking violently from his sobs. Cedric pulled the body into his arms, and he hugged him tightly.

"Yes, I am forever yours, Your Majesty."

Draco's slender hands wrapped tightly around Cedric's body when he heard the statement. In Cedric's arms, Draco found his little happiness again.

"Don't ever leave me," Draco sobbed as he buried his face in the crook of Cedric's neck.

Now, the disappointment in Cedric's heart evaporated and was replaced by guilt. Cedric should have realized, Draco couldn't possibly want his marriage to happen. Here, Harry should be the one to blame, not Draco.

"I will never leave you. Never."

Draco trod carefully as he walked through an area full of mud. The young man's slender hands moved to lift the soft green dress that wrapped his body.

Currently, Draco was accompanied by his maid, Glencie, who faithfully provides an umbrella for Draco so that the young man's skin was not burned by the sun, which looked very hot this afternoon. Every now and then, Glencie would wince when she saw a splash of mud hit the hem of Draco's dress.

Honestly, Glencie didn't want to allow her queen to traverse the muddy streets like this when they could use a more comfortable carriage, but, as usual, Draco never allowed himself to be accompanied by anyone but Glencie when he visited this place.

Draco breathed a sigh of relief when he finally made his way through the muddy road that managed to stain Draco's shoes and the hem of his dress. But that's okay, all of that meant nothing to Draco when his eyes caught the mound of earth not far from where he was standing right now.

"Mother, I'm here." Draco muttered with a happy smile when he saw the mound of tall grass that had been his mother's last resting place for the past twenty-four years.

With light steps, Draco walked towards the mound filled with shrubs and rising grass. Anyone who has seen the mound must know that no one has ever noticed the mound. In fact, seeing this pitiful condition, no one will believe that inside the mound resides the woman who gave birth to the current queen of Shinia.

Draco crouched right near the mound, his hands moving to pull out the tall grass and weeds that had littered his mother's grave. Meanwhile, Glencie could only stand beside Draco while giving her queen an umbrella so the sun wouldn't burn his white ivory skin. Glencie wanted to help her queen. However, the queen always forbids her when she starts reaching out to pull out the weeds on his mother's grave.

"Mother, I'm sorry. These past few days, the palace situation has been quite chaotic. It's difficult for me to get out of the palace and visit you." Draco argued with his hands moving swiftly to clean his mother's grave from the thickets and tall grass.

"But, today, I'm a little grateful to Harry's mistress, she managed to keep Harry in his room all day, so I had the opportunity to meet you." Draco chirped as he flashed the widest, detached smile he had.

Silently, Glencie tightly gripped the handle of the umbrella in her left hand. She knew very well that her queen was never happy when he was in the palace. The smile he gave to all the people was different from his smile to his mother's grave.

"Mother, right now, are you in heaven or hell? Ah, surely in heaven, as long as you live, you always suffer, God will never have the heart to let you suffer again after your death," Draco said sadly as he watered his mother's grave using the water he had brought with him. He didn't notice it, the mound that had looked neglected was now cleared of shrubs and tall grass.

"What do you think if I die later? Will I go to heaven or hell?" Draco asked, ending with a chuckle. "Must be hell," Draco replied his own question with a smile.

The blonde shifted his gaze from the grave to his maid. "Give me the flowers," Draco said to Glencie as he held out one hand to his maid.

Quickly, Glencie handed a bouquet of white lilies to Draco's outstretched hand. Draco accepted the flower and placed it right next to his mother's headstone, and he gave a satisfied smile when he saw that his mother's grave was clean and neat.

"I'm leaving, mother. I hope I don't make the same mistake you did, and I hope I can take you to where you came from." Draco said just before the blonde decided to get up from his position.

Draco was just about to turn around and get ready to leave the tomb. However, Draco was startled when he saw an older man who had the same color as his hair looking at Draco with a small smile.

Draco kneaded his dress when he saw the older man who managed to make Draco's good mood immediately deteriorate.

"Back then, I was wondering, which strange person has until now cleaned the grave of a woman who her people have forgotten? Now I know, it turns out, that strange person is my own son," Lucius said as he stepped closer to Draco.

As much as possible, Draco kept his gaze fixed on the man who had contributed to bringing Draco into this crazy world.

"You are very devoted, Draco. Would you do the same if I died?" Lucius asked while tilting his head slightly.

"No, Your Grace." Draco answered firmly and quickly. At this time, Draco didn't want to deal with his father because his father always managed to make Draco wonder whether the steps he had taken were the right ones or not.

"Useless." Lucius said lightly before the old man chuckled, "Tsk! I don't need your visit because, without your visit, my grave will also always be filled with people who admire me and admire my son."

Draco's jaw tightened. He didn't want to start a fight with his father right in front of his mother's grave, but Draco couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't stand being used as a tool for his father's satisfaction.

"Can't you stop using me? Don't you realize that I hate you?" Draco spat, his anger increasing.

"I'm not taking advantage of you, my Draco. I'm only leading you to a better life for you and me. If only I hadn't married you off to that Great Potter, do you think you could get so much attention from the people as you are today? Whether you like it or not, you have to thank me because I have paved the way for you so that you can get the love of many people. Until now, did you understand, my son?" Lucius crooked a smile.

Draco bit his lower lip hard. His father's words were true, and for the umpteenth time, Draco began to doubt the decisions he had made without his father's direction all this time.

For the umpteenth time, Draco again felt small in front of his very authoritarian father.

Seeing Draco looking worried, happiness immediately welled up in Lucius’ heart. Honestly, he had been afraid to see the changes in Draco over the last few months. His only son seemed to be trying to get out of his grip. But fortunately, he came at the right time, and he managed to shake his son’s foundation again.

Lucius stepped towards Draco and stopped right next to him. "Hurry up with Potter’s child. I don't care if he did it out of love or just out of lust. You need a child to secure your position and take your mother to her rightful place."

Draco gave the best smile he had at Cedric who currently seemed to be holding the beautiful woman who had just been confirmed to be his fiancée. Draco could freely give his lover his best smile, of course, because Draco's husband wasn't by his side anymore.

Instead of accompanying Draco to attend his cousin's engagement ceremony, Harry chose to shut himself up and vent his crazy animal lust on Arabelle.

Although Harry argued that he had a lot of work to do without being told by anyone, Draco knew that his husband was ravishing his mistress right now. Let's say Draco was a rude person because he could hear grunts and moans from Arabelle's room. After all, the door to her room was not closed tightly.

However, Draco understood his husband's actions. In the past few days, Arabelle had visited her friends in the village where she used to live and Draco, who had been poisoned with vulgar novels, knew very well that Harry would feel tortured for not touching Arabelle. So, it's only natural that at this time, that man was utterly pounding Arabelle.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." said Cedric and his fiancee in unison as they stopped in their tracks right in front of Draco.

Draco returned the greeting with a dazzling smile that managed to loosen the knees of the male guests in the majestic room. "No need to be so shy, Princess Cho Chang, you will be my sister-in-law. You don't need to look down that deep," Draco said, ending with an amused chuckle when he saw the woman's blushing face, embarrassed by his words.

"My apologies, Your Majesty. I just don't want to disappoint you with my attitude," said Cho Chang, the eldest daughter of the Oshin Kingdom, a princess who was also the pride of the kingdom with the main commodity of sweet apples.

"You really are very beautiful, princess. Your face makes anyone feel at home, right Prince Cedric?" Draco asked in a friendly tone as he shifted his gaze from the woman’s face to Cedric's handsome face.

"Of course! I am very lucky to have someone as beautiful as her as my wife, Your Majesty." said Cedric proudly as he pressed Cho Chang’s body to his side.

Draco smiled meaningfully. After a long fight, finally, his lover was willing to act like a man who was crazy about his own fiancée.

It’s not without reason Draco asked Cedric to do that. Draco asked him to act like that so that no one would suspect anything about their relationship. Famous for being warm, Cedric would immediately attract public attention if he treated his fiancée with a cold attitude, and Harry who was already suspicious of them would surely be able to reveal the relationship between Draco and Cedric without taking long.

"Then we'll excuse ourselves, Your Majesty. We have to greet the other guests," said Cedric politely as he pulled a gentle smile.

Draco answered Cedric's words with a graceful nod of his head. Shortly after Cedric left with his fiancée, Draco immediately moved his long legs to the palace balcony only the royal family could step into.

Sigh. He closed his eyes and let the night breeze gently brush his beautiful face. He let the wind carry away all the worries that had been filling his head for the past few days.

With both eyes still tightly closed, Draco's left hand moved to funnel the red wine in the glass into his mouth. Draco drank the wine slowly. He tried to savor the extraordinary taste that every drop of red wine carried through his throat.

Draco pulled a gentle smile as he tasted the extraordinary taste of the red wine. Red wine was indeed a good escape for Draco when the young man was feeling depressed. If only the palace didn't hold Cedric and Cho Chang’s engagement ceremony today, Draco would have drunk three bottles in his room secretly and let himself fall asleep drunk.

Draco enjoyed his wine so much that he felt a pair of strong hands move around his slender waist. When the brawny hands managed to wrap around his waist, the head of the owner of the hands moved to hide in the crook of Draco's pale neck.

"You left your fiancée alone on your engagement day. Don't you know that sounds really mean, Prince Cedric?" Draco asked casually.

His hands moved to release Cedric's hands wrapped around his waist as much as possible. Draco released those hands gently because didn't want Cedric to feel offended.

"If only my lover were inside, I probably wouldn't have left my fiancée," replied Cedric as he took a deep breath of the scent wafting from the top of Draco's hair. Now, he was right behind Draco, his hands no longer embracing his lover's narrow waist.

"You stare at other people when you're with your fiancée? Heh, that sounds even meaner." Draco teased with a chuckle.

Draco's chuckle managed to make Cedric laugh too. The man pulled himself from behind Draco's body and stepped to stand beside him.

"How long have we been like this?" Draco asked without taking his eyes off the beautiful night sky.

"Maybe until Harry dies on the battlefield. At that point, I'll marry you straight away," said Cedric without a second thought which managed to make a frown adorn Draco's forehead.

"I can't, Cedric. If His Majesty dies, I must continue the royal throne. I don't want people to think that I used His Majesty's death to marry you." Draco responded shortly before the blonde took another sip of his wine.

"So, you want a relationship like this forever? Don't you want to show the world that now you have a lover?" asked Cedric disappointedly.

Cedric's question managed to make Draco sigh tiredly. The blonde fled his gaze from the night sky to Cedric's eyes which were already filled with disappointed binary.

"No. But I'm sure our relationship won't last long. If one of us is tired of this relationship, I hope we can let each other go." Draco pulled a small smile.

"What are you saying, Draco? I will never get tired of this relationship. Even if we do everything secretly, I will never get tired." said Cedric, with his voice starting to increase. "I love you very much. Don't you realize how I feel too?!" Cedric asked again as he grabbed one of Draco's hand and aimed it at his rapidly beating heart.

"Anything in excess is not good, Cedric. If it's like this, it's no longer love but an obsession." Draco spoke, and he pulled his hand from Cedric's grip.

"What's the matter with you, Draco!? Wasn't it just a few days ago, you were the one crying, begging me not to leave you!?" Cedric began to get frustrated.

"I did ask you not to leave me, but there is no guarantee if I ask you to always be in my life. We are not meant to be, Cedric. Everything we have done so far is just an outlet, and all this is fake. Everything will disappear. Please, understand the situation, Cedric. One day, you have to forget me and build a small family together with someone who loves you."

"You don't love me?" Cedric's question that just flowed out managed to silence Draco's mouth. "You don't love me, Draco?!"

"I like you, Cedric." Draco said with a faint smile before he took his eyes off Cedric's face.

Cedric looked frustratedly at Draco who had now shifted his gaze from his face to the night sky. With a grunt, Cedric's hands moved to grab Draco's shoulders roughly to make him look back at him.

Prank!

The tall glass in Draco's hand fell off because of Cedric's very rough movement. Before Draco could move away from Cedric, who looked already dark in his eyes, the man grabbed Draco's waist, and he tried to kiss Draco's plump lips.

Draco widened his eyes when he saw Cedric's violent actions that he had never seen before. Draco was not a weak man, and he tried to resist. He turned his face here and there so that Cedric could not land his lips on Draco's.

"CEDRIC!"

The echoing scream filled with anger succeeded in making Draco, who had been trying to free himself from Cedric's grip, immediately flee his gaze towards the owner of the voice.

Draco's heart skipped a beat when he saw his husband walking towards him, and Cedric's face hardened and flushed with emotion. Draco tried more and more to free himself from Cedric's grip, but the angry Cedric didn't seem to care about anything anymore.

A powerful punch flew right at the side of Cedric's face. Harry's strong punch managed to make Cedric's body fall onto the cold balcony floor, and unfortunately, Cedric's palm accidentally hit the glass shard belonging to Draco's wine glass earlier.

Harry threw a powerful kick at his brother's stomach. The kick was so powerful that Cedric vomited blood from his mouth.

"Goddamn it! It's your engagement day, but what crazy thing have you done, bastard!?" Harry cursed as he kept himself from screaming. Harry was still self-conscious enough to think about the dignity of his brother and his wife.

As if there was no satisfaction, Harry continued to kick his brother's body with his own feet, and his handsome face also did not escape the target of Harry's anger. Of course, Harry's actions made the guests at the balcony filled with fear and curiosity.

Motionless for a long time, Draco then dared himself to approach Harry and hold the man's arm. If this quarrel continues again, the atmosphere of the palace will definitely not be able to return to conducive.

"Your Majesty..." Draco called timidly when he saw Harry still kicking Cedric.

Draco's voice succeeded to make Harry realize that Cedric wasn't the only culprit in this mess. Harry stared intently at Draco, whose face was now turning pale with fear. The king’s jaw tightened when he saw his wife's lipgloss overlapping. Harry's hand moved to grip Draco's wrist tightly.

"I just found out that the queen who is so adored by the people has a wild side like this."

Draco's body stiffened at Harry's words which somehow incised a pain in Draco's heart.

"A sinful queen like you should be punished!"

Chapter Text

With stumbling steps, he followed Harry's wide stride. Because of how fast the other was walking, the blonde's legs stumbled now and then, but Harry seemed to ignore him. The man continued to clutch Draco's hand tightly to keep up with his wide stride.

This should have been predicted by Draco. His husband would eventually find out about the affair he had been having with his husband's cousin for the past few weeks. Harry's hand moved violently to open his room door, then violently closed it again. When he heard the loud sound of the door closing, Draco's fear increased.

He hadn't even had time to comprehend what Harry was about to do to him when he pushed Draco's body against the wall of his room. One of the man's strong hands quickly gripped Draco's neck.

"Tell me. Have you had sex with that bastard Cedric?!"

In an instant, Draco's head moved to shake vigorously. His hands had compelled him to grasp Harry's choking hand.

"Answer me, Draco!!" Harry's scream echoed as he was dissatisfied with the answer.

"N-no..." Draco stuttered as Harry's choking managed to keep him short of air.

"Liar! Do you think I don't know if you ever walked into Cedric's room at night and only came out the next morning? You think I'm so stupid that I don't know the drama of the affair my wife and brother were doing in my own palace?!"

Those words took Draco by surprise. He didn't expect Harry to find out earlier.

"Surprised, huh?" Harry sneered. "I let you cheat on me because I know you need love too. But sadly, you've gone too far. Make out with your brother-in-law on his engagement day! You really have no shame, Draco." stated Harry sharply, enjoying Draco's frightened face.

He abruptly released his grip on Draco's neck, and at the same time, Draco's body fell on the floor of Harry's room. The king laughed as he watched Draco suck in the air greedily. The hands that he used to support his weight seemed to tremble in fear.

Then, Harry's laughter stopped when he saw Draco about to crawl away from him. He quickly squatted down and yanked his long hair roughly, and the blonde lifted his face that filled with tears.

"Don't even think about running away." He spat.

He enjoyed Draco's muffled sobs and the endless tears that flowed from his eyes until he stared at his lips, lips that his brother had just tormented. Ah, just thinking about it made Harry's anger outburst again.

As if dissatisfied with the tears that were already streaming down Draco's face, Harry grabbed his arm and forced him to follow him. Without the slightest sense of sympathy, he threw Draco onto the bed in his room. Draco was shocked when he felt his chest and stomach collide strongly with the bed.

Even though Draco's body was shuddering by now, he was still thinking of a way to escape. He was just about to roll over to the other side of the bed when Harry's hands unexpectedly pressed against his back until a howl full of pain echoed through the room.

"Don't you understand yet? I told you! Don't even think about running!" declared Harry snappily. He tugged at his robes, and he positioned himself right on top of Draco's body.

"Let me go!" Draco hollered.

Maybe after five years of their marriage, today was the day Draco became his husband's completely. Yet, it never occurred to Draco that his first night would be such a scary night and might leave a little trauma for him.

"You're daydreaming if you think I will let you go." jaws tightened in anger, Harry moved to tug at the clothes that a loud ripping sound filled the room. Draco's cries echoed when he could feel Harry goggling at his nude back with hunger. "How many men have seen your body?" He leaned closer to Draco's back.

"N-none..." Draco replied, trembling. He could feel the warm breath against his back, and Harry's hands moved effortlessly to strangle his neck.

"I don't like liars."

The words managed to make Draco's cry louder. During his life, he had never shown his back or body to any man. He was a dignified nobleman, and he would never allow his body to become public consumption if his husband wasn't by his side.

"You! Only you saw it! Are you satisfied?!" Draco shouted under his breath. His scream tended to make Harry release his stranglehold, and the other laughed at his wife's unreasonable screams.

"Are you saying that you had sex with Cedric fully clothed? Oh, Draco, you really are wild." joked Harry plainly. His hands were now moving to caress Draco's back.

For the umpteenth time, Draco couldn't help but cry, cry and cry. Whatever the words that came out of his mouth, Harry didn't seem to believe the words anymore. He squeezed the soft duvet as he felt his husband's lips against his back, his hot tongue moving to form abstract patterns.

Seeing Draco hold his breath, a crooked smile graced Harry's lips. With his mouth still guerrilla against Draco's back, the man's hands slipped through Draco's torn clothes. Emerald eyes were filled with a haze of desire, and the action led to making Draco's body stiffen, and he started crying again. 

"S-stop..." Draco pleaded in between sobs when a pair of lips smacked his neck brutally. Without the slightest compassion, the other staunchly pierced his teeth against the smooth skin of Draco's neck.

This was all different from what Draco knew. There was no pleasure here, only pain, pain that managed to make him feel excruciating suffocation. For a split second, Draco's sobs were stifled as something entered a part of him. His eyes balled perfectly as he watched Harry move his fingers back and forth inside Draco.

He couldn't bear it if he had to go through this, for God's sake! With all the strength that remained within him, Draco grabbed Harry's dark strands without the slightest hesitation until the man's head was perfectly lifted.

PLAK!

The sound of a slap echoed through the room. Instantly, Harry felt his ears ringing in pain from Draco's slap against his cheek. The man was ready to vent again the emotions that were bubbling up inside him if only a scream didn't come out of Draco's mouth.

"Was my mistake so big that you did this to me!?" Draco shouted in the midst of his sobs.

Harry's body instantly froze as he listened to Draco's cry, which somehow scratched Harry's ego. He stared at Draco's face that was so far from 'fine'. His wife's soft mane, usually neatly groomed, was now soaking pathetically. The tears that never stopped streaming from the corners of his eyes managed to awaken Harry from the lecherous act he had just done.

"I'm always trying to be who you all want to be! I'm always trying! But nothing seems to be enough!" Draco shouted, making Harry turn his face away from the heart-wrenching sight. Draco's cries got louder when he saw Harry's response. With both hands already shaking violently, Draco hit Harry's chest hard over and over again.

"I just want to find my own happiness, is that wrong!? I let you be with Arabelle, but why are you doing this to me?! Why?!" Draco gripped Harry's shirt that was still neatly attached to the other's body, in contrast to Draco's dress that looked so messed up right now.

"But not with Cedric." Harry hissed without looking at Draco.

It was as if something had shattered inside Draco when he heard the answer. Frustration was building up inside his head, his sobs getting louder and his hands ramming Harry with multiple punches. Not only on the man's chest, but Draco also moved to hit Harry's face, unfortunately, did not show the slightest regret.

"I hate you, Harry! I hate you! Why did God let me marry a man like you?! What sin has my mother committed that I have to undergo this marriage?!" Draco shouted in frustration, moving to deliver a brutal blow to Harry. He covered his face with both hands, and he let out a painful roar again.

Harry clenched his fists before closing his eyes and pulling his wife's trembling body into his arms.

"Let me go, bastard!" Draco cursed between his sobs as he moved away frantically.

Harry deafened his senses of hearing when he heard the cursing Draco had directed at him. In their five years of marriage, Harry had never once heard Draco curse; even in the slightest precarious condition, his wife could only smile.

"Let go of me! Are you deaf!?" Draco shouted in frustration. His hands moved again, and grabbed Harry's hair, and hit the man's arm brutally, but all seemed futile as the other's embrace grew stronger. Draco never stopped until he got to the point where he felt so tired.

The pounding on Harry's body had stopped, but the pitiful cries still filled his eardrums.

"I'm sorry, Draco," said Harry quietly with one of his hands already moving to tuck Draco's messy hair that covered his face. "I'm sorry, Draco, I'm sorry." Harry continued as he buried his face right in the crook of Draco's neck and tightened his grip.

Tired, Draco didn't seem to intend to get rid of his husband's head. "You're evil. Are you aware of that?" His voice sounded so weak.

Harry pulled his head away, and he looked at Draco's hands, still covering his face. Gently, Harry pulled the hands away, and his heart squeezed when he saw his wife's face that looked so disheveled.

"Yeah, I know... I'm sorry, Draco." Hesitantly, Harry tried to wipe the traces of tears that ran down Draco's cheeks.

"Do you think you deserve forgiveness?"

Harry's body froze when he heard the question. "I—"

"Leave me alone." Draco interrupted quickly as he turned his face away from the other's gaze, but Harry didn't budge, and he remained where he was, on top of Draco. "Please, leave me alone, Your Majesty."

Harry clenched his fists before he moved from above Draco. As soon as his body was no longer on top of him, Draco instantly moved to turn his back. And Harry stared sadly at the scene before him.

"Good night Draco, I'll take care of you," Harry mumbled before he strolled to a soft chair not far from the bed.

But Draco didn't answer, and he was too busy to shed tears and ponder the bad luck that always makes him never be able to feel happy.

When he was too tired to cry, that's when he just closed his eyes and headed to a dream world that felt many times more beautiful than the reality he was currently living in.

...

His eyes felt like they were being forced to open when he felt a bright light hit his eyelids. Glenice, who was opening the curtain of his bedroom window, became the first sight Draco saw. His bedroom curtains. It looks like, last night, Harry brought him here, to where he should be.

"Good mor—"

"Help me get ready, Glenice." Draco interrupted as he rose from his sleeping position and frowned in confusion when he no longer found the torn dress that had covered his body last night. Now, he was wearing clothes that he had never even seen in his dressing room.

"Let me help, Your Majesty," said Glenice politely as she reached to help Draco to get up. She led Draco to the dressing table, decorated with a container filled with water. Again, Draco frowned in confusion.

"I need a shower, Glenice." Draco protested.

"My apologize, Your Majesty, but His Majesty ordered me not to let you take a bath. His Majesty didn't want you to get sick."

Draco squinted in disbelief, and he wanted to voice his protest again, but he was too lazy to argue. Seeing Draco, who was no longer opening his mouth, Glenice painstakingly cleaned her queen's pale face. While Glenice was busy cleaning his face, Draco's mind returned to what had happened to him last night.

"What about last night's party?" Draco asked quietly. The movement of Glenice's hand instantly stopped at the question. Still, quickly, the woman in a maid outfit realized her reaction.

"Just after midnight, His Majesty stopped the party, Your Majesty."

"What is the reason?" Draco asked curiously.

"His Majesty said that the party could not continue due to Prince Cedric's health condition and Your Majesty's mental condition. His Majesty also said that the incident between His Majesty and Prince Cedric was due to their different perceptions about the war that would be fought next."

Such illogical reasons.

"Then?"

"His majesty said that Your Majesty supported Prince Cedric, and it managed to anger His Majesty that—"

"Your Majesty!"

Glenice's story was cut short when a piercing voice filled Draco's previously quiet room. Draco, of course, turned his face to the owner of the voice, who seemed to be looking at him with teary eyes.

"What's wrong, Arabelle?" Draco asked softly, seeing the girl in the purple dress looking gaudy, running towards him.

Arabelle dropped down right in front of Draco's feet. She knelt, and tears fell from her eyes. Draco remained calm, and the young man reached out his hand to touch Arabelle's shoulder.

Honestly, Draco didn't have much energy to respond to Arabelle's problems which would surely sound useless. Regardless, with the nickname of the Best Queen in Shinia History, Draco was forced to maintain his attitude.

"Help me, Your Majesty! Please find that woman!" said Arabelle between her tears.

"Woman?" Draco asked calmly.

"She is... Harry's new mistress."

Draco's back stiffened. His husband brought another woman back into their marriage? Has that guy really lost his mind?! It felt like he had apologized to Draco only last night, but... look! What had Draco just heard from Arabelle?

"No way. You are the woman he loves, and you will not be seconded by His Ma—"

"I'm not lying, Your Majesty! I saw him take the woman from his room last night! And... and... Harry never stopped kissing the top of her head."

Don't tell him the person Arabelle meant was Draco? And his heart started racing so fast.

"I... I can't be like this, Your Majesty! I don't want another person between us. Please, help me, Your Majesty."

Slender fingers moved to scan the entire title of the book in front of him. As he slowly stepped through the bookshelves, he considered what book he would take to his room and read for today.

He kept walking until his eyes finally met a book that caught his attention a little. A book of war tactics with a blood-red cover looked outdated compared to the other books, then stopped in his tracks and intended to pull out the book, but at the same time, he felt something tugging at the book as well. The tug was strong enough that he spontaneously let go of the book.

"Draco?"

His heart raced once he saw someone's figure behind the bookshelf. "Prince Cedric..." Draco muttered. His lover looked pathetic, with blue marks still visible, even though the unfortunate incident happened a week ago.

"Are you okay?" Cedric asked a little doubtfully.

"Yeah... I'm fine, Prince. Are you all right?" Draco asked back as he noticed the blue marks on his handsome face.

"I'm good. I'm used to this," replied Cedric, trying to laugh it off.

He intended to lighten the mood with his laughter, but Cedric felt the atmosphere between him and Draco growing increasingly tense. Cedric laughed, and Draco just looked at him with a pitiful look, the beautiful smile that usually graced the blonde's face had now disappeared.

"His Majesty already knows everything. Now, there's no longer any reason for us to continue this relationship," Draco said after Cedric stopped laughing.

A frown briefly graced Cedric's forehead. The brunette looked at Draco with a slightly frustrated look, but when he found the twinkle of determination in Draco's eyes, he sighed and pulled a crooked smile on his tormented face.

"Yes, it seems our relationship should stop here," He nodded understandingly. The Cedric in front of him looked different from the Cedric who always rebelled when Draco rejected his feelings.

"Thank you for understanding," Draco uttered softly.

"I should be the one thanking you for allowing me to have the most beautiful person among the people in this kingdom," said Cedric with a gentle smile.

Draco bit his numb tongue. He didn't know what else to say to the man who was now looking at him sadly. "You really want to leave me? We'll still be friends, right?" Draco asked quietly.

His heart skipped a beat when he saw Cedric's hand move toward his face. His body seemed to stiffen slightly when he felt his ex-lover's hand move to stroke the side of his face.

"You know I can't leave you, Draco. We'll stay friends forever. I'll always be by your side if you need me," Cedric pulled a sad smile.

After saying those words, Cedric drew his hand away from Draco's face that had always haunted his dreams. He straightened his back and clenched his fists tightly.

"Hope you can find your love, Your Majesty."

Draco wasn't stupid, and he knew Cedric was hurt when he said those words. "You too. Princess Cho Chang is a kind woman, and I hope you all live happily."

There was a bit of tightness in Cedric's chest when he saw Draco acting normal with their separation. Has Cedric not given enough love to him during their time? Why did they even separate? Cedric felt that he would never be able to have Draco completely, not even for a second.

"Then, I'll take my leave, Your Majesty," Cedric bowed.

Draco could only nod his head stiffly. He knew his relationship with Cedric wouldn't be as close as it used to be after this. He stared at Cedric's departure with an indescribable look.

There was a slight tightness in his chest because the man who had filled his days had now left him, and he had already gotten used to the attention that came from the brunette. Nonetheless, what could he do? This was all a consequence of Cedric's crazy actions.

He took a deep breath, trying to get rid of all the tightness that had been filling his chest. This was supposed to happen, and he didn't regret anything.

Now, Draco could refocus on his main objective. Ah, no. His father's main goal was mandated to him as the only child of that heartless man.

"Good afternoon, Your Majesty."

Draco flinched when he heard the maid's voice calling out to him. The blonde turned to look at the maid, who for some time had been standing nearby with a slightly horrified look.

"Yes?" Draco asked in his usual gentle tone.

"His Majesty is waiting for You Majesty in his study room and asks Your Majesty to come as soon as possible," said the maid with her head still faithfully bowed.

"All right, I'll be there," Draco replied with a faint smile, although actually, he felt a little confused as to why Harry had summoned him after he had ignored him for a whole week.

Not wanting to make his husband wait any longer, Draco took his feet towards his husband's study room. Along the way, Draco always gave a sweet smile to the servants who greeted him.

A week ago, the events didn't change the servants' perception of Draco. Everything was still the same, and Draco felt very grateful, especially to Harry, who chose not to tell about Draco and Cedric's affair to all the guests present at the time.

"Please come in, Your Majesty. His Majesty has been waiting for your arrival," said a guard.

"Thank you,"

His heart skipped a beat as he stepped into Harry's room. He knew his husband must have noticed his arrival, but he kept himself busy with the papers on his desk. Gently, Draco closed the door, didn't want to disturb him. Harry still didn't say anything, blatantly ignored him, and Draco decided to stand right in front of the man's desk.

Even though his legs felt sore from standing still, that didn't necessarily make Draco open his mouth and call out to his husband. After all, the aches in Draco's legs will never compare to his husband's royal duties. He bit his lower lip when he could see the orange sky through the window. That meant Draco had been standing stiff from noon until late afternoon, and his legs were starting to shake too.

"Sit down," ordered Harry without taking his eyes off the papers.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Draco obediently strode his shaky legs towards a chair, and he breathed a sigh of relief when he could sit on the chair.

"I hope you will forgive me, Draco. It happened beyond my sense," Harry spoke, opening a conversation between them.

"I will always forgive Your Majesty," Draco responded with a faint smile.

Harry felt a little uneasy when he heard Draco's words. His wife was completely different, which made it difficult for Harry to guess how the blonde was thinking.

"I never forbid you to have an affair."

Draco's back stiffened, and he never expected those words to come out of his husband's mouth.

"Because I also cheated on you, then you can have an affair too. I know you also need attention from a man who loves you. I don't want to be a selfish husband."

Unknowingly, Draco bit his lower lip, his hands already squeezing the sides of the dark blue pants he was wearing. His chest constricted when he heard another sentence from Harry, and he quickly looked away.

"If one day you have an affair again, don't ever have physical contact. I don't want you to be dirty by anyone. After all, you are a queen. I don't want an illegitimate child in this marriage," said Harry, looking sadly at Draco. "And..." Harry deliberately hung up on his sentence, he waited for Draco to look at him, and sure enough, his wife reluctantly moved to look at him. "If one day you have an affair, please don't ever let me know who that man is."

Those words managed to make a delicate frown adorn Draco's forehead, the blonde cast a confused look at Harry. Seeing Draco's confused look, Harry sighed harshly, and palmed his own face, then took another deep breath, he too was confused by what he had just said.

"I am a man of high temperament. I would probably kill that man because he has made you have to divide your attention from royal duties," said Harry, tending to regain some of his sanity that might have been floating in the air.

Draco nodded his head slowly, but deep down, he had made up his mind not to have an affair because he didn't want to make the same mistake twice. No conversation filled the room for a moment. Draco was busy thinking about reorganizing his life which had run off track, while Harry was busy staring at his wife.

"I also want to talk about Arabelle," Harry continued, snapping Draco out of his thoughts.

"Yes?" Draco tilted his head subconsciously, and Harry's heart was beating so fast when he saw Draco's adorable behavior. The blonde only tilted his head slightly, but it felt like Harry wanted to pull him into his arms and forbid him to do the same to other men out there.

The king cleared his throat as he felt his brain start to go insane. This was not the first time Harry's brain has shifted a little, right after the incident where he almost has his way with Draco. He always peeked at the blonde's activities from afar, not infrequently. Harry felt his heart pounded violently when he saw how Draco treated people gently.

Not infrequently, too, Harry's brain went crazy when he saw Draco sleeping at night in his thin dress. Yes, Harry was even willing to sneak into his wife's room every night to make sure he was sleeping soundly and not traumatized by Harry's harsh treatment, but... when he got to his wife's room, he was always tempted to touch his beautiful body again.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong with Arabelle?"

Harry flinched slightly but shrewdly, and he managed to keep his expression solemn and dignified. "She thinks I'm cheating just because I spend a lot of time working."

Draco wasn't surprised when he heard the answer because Arabelle had already told Draco her worries. "Oh, so?" Draco asked flatly.

Harry took a shaky breath. He was always like this. Why did it seem so very difficult to get his wife to talk more about something unrelated to royal affairs?

"You know that in four weeks, it's Arabelle's birthday," Harry said in a severe tone. He was quite aware that Draco might be sick of seeing the face of a sex criminal like Harry's, so Harry decided he should speed up their conversation.

"Yes. Should I throw another garden party for her?"

"I don't want a garden party, Draco," Harry replied, and Draco frowned. "I want to celebrate a big party," He added slowly.

Draco's frown deepened, and he didn't understand the other's way of thinking. Hadn't he promised to treat Arabelle as an ordinary country girl in public? Had he gone mad by celebrating a big party for a country girl?

"And... I plan to give her a peerage."

Then Draco's body stiffened. Silently, he bit the inside of his cheek to suppress the emotions that could somehow fill him in just a split second.

"Isn't that against the rules, Your Majesty? Arabelle is only a young woman who comes from commoners. She also has never contributed to the progress of the kingdom. The elders and royal officials will not agree to this,"

"I know. But I just don't want to keep Arabelle thinking I'm cheating on her. I want to prove that she's still the one to me,"

"By giving her a peerage?!" Draco shouted.

Harry narrowed his eyes and looked at Draco with a frown. He knew that his wife was very sensitive about royal affairs, but Harry did not know that he would speak in an elevated voice towards him.

"Yes, of course. Why do you seem troubled by that?" He asked disapprovingly.

"Everyone in this kingdom will have a problem with that, Your Majesty. Your plan has crossed the line. Your plan will only cause social jealousy. Don't you think there will be rebellious people because of your plan?"

"Of course, I thought of that. Hence, I have created a false identity. I will introduce Arabelle as the daughter of the long-lost East Land Baron and Baroness."

"You are crazy, Your Majesty," Draco shook his head in disbelief. "I will never give my signature for this." Draco continued again with a sharp tone. He didn't care about his husband's flat expression.

Quickly, Draco got up from his seat and intended to leave Harry's room, but Harry's words managed to hold him back and made emotions explode inside him.

"I don't need your signature, Draco. In this kingdom, I'm the ruler. You are only a queen who reigns in this kingdom because you married me. If you don't marry me, will you be able to get all the abundance you have now?"

It felt like an invisible knife was stabbing Draco's chest. The young man felt excruciating suffocation from the string of words his husband had just issued. It's concluded. Now, the people around Draco would only talk about the queen's position, the queen's position, and the queen's position.

"If you don't marry me, it's possible that by now you are married to a small noble, and that man might have dumped you because of your very high selfishness—"

Enough! Draco turned around, and he threw his glare at Harry.

"Don't you ever call me selfish! If I were selfish, I would never let you bring Arabelle into this palace! I would have killed your mistress from the first time she stepped foot in this palace!"

Harry slammed hard on his wooden table, emotion welling up inside him. "Draco! Watch your words! You're a queen, and you're a noble! Is it proper for you to go against the words of the king and your husband?!" Harry roared.

Draco didn't feel the slightest bit intimidated by Harry's screams and his expression that suggested he would strangle and kill Draco any minute. Draco clenched his jaw. He was just like Harry, ignited with intense emotion.

"If this weren't my destiny, I wouldn't want to be a noble either! Moreover, to be a queen of a bastard king like you! I'm sick of all this!"

Harry's body stilled and stared at Draco's lips—usually used to say polite words—again let out a curse at him. This wasn't the first time he had cursed Harry, but still, Harry didn't want to accept the fact that he had just been indirectly humiliated by his wife.

There was silence in Harry's study for a moment. Draco's sharp gaze slowly turned into a frustrated look, the young man desperately trying to hold back his tears.

"You think I want to live a life like this, Your Majesty?" Draco asked in a voice that sounded so tight. "You know what? I'm tired."

...

Harry sucked on the tobacco currently tucked between his fingers roughly. He's not the type of man who liked to smoke tobacco, considering tobacco was taboo for highly educated nobles. Yet, he thought he needed it at this time.

Thinking of his mistress who still accused him of having an affair, and thinking of his wife who was becoming more and more unknown to him by the day, made Harry's head throb. When he was about to advance to the forefront of the battle, Harry had never felt his head hurt this much.

He closed his eyes and tried to calm the throbbing that was tormenting his head, at least, until a pair of arms wrapped around his body. Without needing to ask, he already knew very well who the owner of the pair of hands belonged to. There was only one person in this palace who dared to embrace him.

"If you're still accusing me of having an affair, you better not have to visit me," said Harry in a tone that was relatively cold for a person who had managed to grab his attention for the past few years. The girl didn't speak, but she tightened her embrace and pressed her cheek against Harry's sturdy back.

"I'm an ordinary woman, Harry. I don't want to see my man with someone else. Of course, the rumors circulating the past few days have scared me. I don't want to lose you. You're all I have right now." The girl, Arabelle, spoke shakily. "If you're still annoyed with me, I'll stop visiting you. I'll come if you call me. I'll come if you need warmth," She added and drew her arms away.

Arabelle's words managed to make Harry frown in displeasure, and he instantly turned his body to look at her face for a moment after the two small hands that belonged to his mistress were released.

"Don't you realize that your words are as if to say that all this time, you are a comfort woman for me?!" Harry glared. Arabelle turned her gaze in another direction. The woman didn't have the courage big enough to dare to look into Harry's eyes, staring at her with an annoyed look.

"That's the truth. You call me a mistress. It makes no difference to me as you call me a comforter. I'm just what you need when you're thirsty for touch."

And Harry's jaw tightened.

"I'm tired like this, Harry." continued Arabelle sadly, and Harry's eyes widened. Quickly, he pushed to grip the sides of Arabelle's fragile arms. The grip was painful, but Arabelle kept herself from crying as best she could.

"Are you crazy?! After you've been filling my head for the past few days, now you're acting like you want to end this relationship. Answer me, Arabelle! Are you crazy?!"

Instead of answering Harry's words, now, Arabelle was already sobbing. The girl lowered her head and shed all her tears. The cry succeeded in making Harry realize the rudeness he had just done to her.

Quickly, Harry released his grip on both sides of Arabelle's arms, and at that moment, Arabelle's cries grew louder. Harry ruffled his raven hair in frustration and stared at the woman he loved as she cried. He grabbed Arabelle's waist and carried the girl into his warm embrace, and moved to caress Arabelle's back gently, and gave a soft kiss on the top of her head.

"I'm sorry. What must I do to make you believe me?"

Draco crumpled roughly a letter his father had just sent through his trusted servant who worked at Shinia's palace. Draco's face reddened with anger as he read his father's letter.

Dear Draco,

Your husband has visited the Baron and Baroness of the Eastern Land. They have agreed to announce your husband's mistress as the long-lost noble of the Eastern Land.

Your husband is even willing to spend a lot of money for his mistress to get a noble title. After that woman gets the peerage, you think, she'll just keep quiet when you set her up? Please don't be naive, my son. Sooner or later, she will shift your position. The person who the king has loved will surely replace the person who only the people love.

Therefore, hurry up to conceive the successor to Shinia's throne. It's the only way you won't be kicked out of your position and won't be forgotten by your people. I know you're shy, that's why I gave you a little gift. Oh, and also men will always find it difficult to let go of a person who’s good at satisfying them.

Sincerely,
Your father

The letter wasn't long, but it worked to make Draco's anger flare up again. He shouldn't have read the letter, especially right now. Draco's mind was filled with the crazy plans his husband had told him a few days ago. Yet, because he was bored, he read the letter his father sent, and sure enough, it felt like Draco wanted to vent his anger on all the glassware in his room.

Harshly, Draco crumpled the letter and threw it in any direction. The young man then scooped up his face with a somewhat rough motion. Now, he has no one else to lean on. Cedric, who had thought he could secure his position, now means nothing.

The only way out was to conceive Harry's child or kill Arabelle. But Draco couldn't possibly kill Arabelle. Since he had made the girl barren, it seemed too outrageous for Draco to kill the naive woman.

While he was struggling with his senses, by accident, Draco stared at the glass bottle given by his father's trusted servant along with the damn letter, and he moved to reach for the bottle. Without needing to ask again, Draco knew very well what was inside the bottle. Given that his father desperately wanted him to have children, the bottle must have been filled with aphrodisiac.

He had never thought of something this crazy in his life. Even in order to have a child, Draco had to use dirty tricks like this on a man that had never even crossed his mind.

"Mother... how can you love such an asshole father?" Draco muttered as he stared at the contents of the bottle, a reddish liquid like fresh red wine that had just been picked and served as a drink for the elite.

He took a deep breath as he stowed the bottle behind a thick book in his bookshelf. Draco knew, this time, he had to follow his father's words again.

"Alright, let this be the last time."

"Did you hear correctly? His Majesty called me?" Harry asked, frowning when he saw a palace guard assigned to guard Draco's room standing right in front of him.

"Yes, Your Majesty. His Majesty did call you to his room," The queen's room attendant said without daring to raise his head.

"All right. You can go," said Harry with a bit of confusion. As soon as the guard left his private room, Harry rose from his seat and ignored the piles of papers he still had to examine.

Even though it was night, the moon was already shining brightly in the sky. Nevertheless, Harry was still busying himself with piles of report papers from various administrative areas of the Shinia kingdom. Harry should have checked the piles of reports to completion but heard what the guards said earlier. His intention to check the piles of paper just evaporated.

With firm steps, Harry strode towards Draco's room which was not too far from Harry's private room. Along the way, Harry was still pondering why Draco had summoned him to this room in the middle of the night.

How urgent of a royal matter until he called Harry at night like this? Harry quickened his pace when he saw Draco's bedroom door, which looked so striking compared to the doors in the hallway. Ignoring politeness, Harry grudgingly pushed aside the door and...

His body froze when he saw Draco sitting by the window. The young man looked very beautiful with his fresh face and long tousled hair, but that wasn't what made Harry's heart race, but something else. Harry closed the door and stepped slowly towards the blonde. At every step, his heart never stopped praising the beauty of God's creation in front of him.

"Draco," Harry's voice chimed hoarsely.

Draco, who had been daydreaming about his fate, suddenly gasped, and he looked at his husband a little surprised. But quickly, he smiled and rose from his seat.

"My apologies if I disturbed Your Majesty and Arabelle's break," Draco gave Harry a soft smile. At that moment, Harry was astonished. And he fell again for a thousand times to his wife's charm.

"You didn't interrupt our break. Incidentally, I was doing some royal work."

"Ah... then, I've disturbed Your Majesty's work time. Then, I apologize,"

"No. You're not disturbing anything," reassured Harry quickly, and Draco pulled up an adorable smile.

"Then, let's sit, Your Majesty."

As soon as Harry sat down on one of the couches, Draco moved to pour wine into the two tall glasses on the table in the middle of them. After pouring the wine, Draco took the seat opposite Harry.

"I apologize that I behaved impolitely by calling Your Majesty to my room at times like this. But... I just made up my mind to accept Your Majesty's plan a while ago, and I don't want to delay this news." Draco stated, pulling a smile, but his focus was on his glass. He didn't lift his face and showed his sad smile to his husband.

"You... you agree if Arabelle gets the peerage?" Harry asked carefully because he knew Draco was very sensitive about matters related to the government of Shinia. Harry's question made Draco bite his lower lip before lifting his head and smiling.

"Of course. When I think about it, Arabelle has become an important part of Your Majesty's life, and she deserves to be awarded the title of nobility."

Harry frowned in confusion, but he chose to ignore them. His gaze moved quickly when his ears caught the sound of a bird chirping. "You keep the bird in your room?" He asked when he saw an iron cage not far behind Draco.

Without saying anything, Draco got up from his position and stepped toward the metal cage where the tiny bird was. Harry swallowed hard when he felt something suffocating him as he watched his wife walk in the nightgown, looking very thin and dreamy. Even in the dim candlelight, he could even see the blonde's underwear, for God's sake!

He swallowed hard again when he saw Draco had now turned around with a tiny bird in his hands. The young man didn't seem to notice that his evening gown had sagged a bit, and he could clearly see how ethereal his bare chest and pale shoulder were.

"This is a tiny bird I found in Delion's forest. Your Majesty said that this little bird almost died, but look, he survived," Draco smiled and sat back down in the chair.

"That bird is indeed close to death if you don't save it," Harry commented hoarsely.

Whatever the reason, he felt his throat dry when he saw his wife wearing a nightgown. Quickly, Harry reached for the glass his wife had already filled with wine. In a matter of seconds, Harry managed to gulp down half of the wine. Draco knew Harry had downed his drink, but the blonde remained unconcerned. He kept his head down and gently stroked the bird in the palm of his hand.

"Draco..." The hoarse voice drove Draco to give a faint smile.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" Draco lifted his head and pulled the sweetest smile he had.

He didn't answer Draco's words, and the king stared intently at Draco's face as if he was teasing him openly. Seriously, how could Harry have just realized that his wife had such a seductive side?

"Come closer,"

Inwardly, Draco cheered triumphantly. He didn't know that things would be this easy. This way, Draco could get through the night quickly. With the smoothest possible movement, Draco stepped towards Harry who was seen drinking wine from the glass.

Draco dropped his feet on the cold floor of his room, and he lowered his legs right beside the chair Harry was sitting on. The blonde then placed the bird in the palm of his hand on his lap. Gently, Draco leaned his head against the handrail of the wooden chair Harry was sitting on.

Then, Harry directed his palm to tenderly stroke the top of Draco's head. He did it as gently as possible, and the gentleness managed to lull Draco. A little rough, Harry tugged Draco's hair so that he couldn't help it and lifted his head and looked at Harry, whose eyes were now shrouded in a mist of desire.

"Tell me you're mine," Harry spoke in his authoritarian tone. The queen smiled when he heard Harry's words. His slender hands moved to reach Harry's face and caressed the sides of the man's jaw softly.

"I am yours."

And Harry's eyes darkened when Draco's beautiful, seductive lips said those words. Carelessly, he pressed his lips to Draco's lips. The king crushed and tortured Draco's lips in a greedy gesture as if he had never had another chance in his life to taste those sweet lips.

Draco's heart skipped a beat as he could feel Harry crushing his lips, rough and greedy, just like the adult scenes he had read in the erotic romance novels Glenice had given him.

The wild kiss lasted for quite a while until Harry parted his lips and allowed Draco to suck in the oxygen. Harry flashed a satisfied smile when he saw how helpless Draco was under his touch, and his thumb moved to caress Draco's swollen lips, now parting seductively.

"Tell me, Draco, what do you want,"

"You, Your Majesty," Draco replied undauntedly.

"Say it properly, Draco." Harry pressed Draco's lower lip with his thumb.

"I want you, Harry."

Emerald eyes immediately flew to Draco's silver ones, staring at him with sad eyes. If he remembered, this was the first time Draco had said his name without fear when they were together.

Seeing Harry's silence, Draco grabbed Harry's hand and gently stroked the back of Harry's hand before he landed a kiss on the back of his hand, but Draco's eyes were still staring straight at Harry.

Ah... Draco was getting wilder because of those vulgar novels.

"I want you, Harry." Draco breathed, raspy and seductive.

Damn it! Harry got up from his seat and lifted Draco's proportionate body. The man didn't care about the bird on Draco's lap that fell violently onto the cold floor of the room.

Harry dropped Draco onto the bed with a still quite rough movement. The man then pressed against him and Draco welcomed his husband willingly. Draco's slender hands were now hanging on the man's neck and gently ruffled the man's jet black hair that turned out to be very soft, not as rough as Draco had thought.

"Has anyone done anything like this to you, Draco?" Harry asked as he put his face in the crook of Draco's neck and inhaled his intoxicating scent.

"Yes, there's someone,"

Suddenly, Harry pulled his head from the crook of Draco's neck, and he gave a glare. Was Draco not afraid of Harry strangling his neck again?

"You didn't ask what's his name?" Draco asked, lean hands moving to brush the sides of Harry's firm jaw.

"Who?" Harry growled, and Draco pulled a crooked smile. Without a word, he grabbed Harry's head and brought his lips to the other's ear.

"His name is Harry James Potter. He's a very extraordinary king," Draco teased.

"You!" Harry growled in annoyance, but Draco responded with a light laugh. "You almost made me go back to my room to get a sword and kill that guy," Harry slid his head back into his wife's neck.

Lightly, Harry gave a wet kiss on Draco's pale neck that felt as soft as silk. He also confirmed that his kisses would leave an imprint on Draco's neck until tomorrow because he wanted to proclaim to anyone that he could finally get his wife.

By the time his lips left many traces on Draco's neck, his hands had already moved into Draco's gown and stroked his thighs gently. Draco squirmed when he felt that sensual touch. His body quivered gently as he felt Harry's fingers playing on his intimate area and closed his eyes as he felt those fingers enter him and give him pleasure.

"Do you like it?" Harry asked as he noticed Draco's expression.

Draco didn't reply because he was too busy to focus on the pleasure. The neglected Harry growled in annoyance. Purposely, he stopped the movement of his fingers as Draco was about to climb to his satisfaction.

"Harry..." Draco whined, feeling frustrated at not getting the pleasure he was so close to.

"Do you like it?" Harry looked into the other's eyes, clouding in a haze of lust.

"Yes. I like it," Draco muttered quietly. His face was red as a tomato ready to be plucked. Harry smirked in satisfaction. Without a response, Harry moved his fingers again and gave Draco the pleasures he had previously missed.

The blonde crossed his legs and arched his back so beautifully when the waves of pleasure hit him. His eyes were closed, and the back of his hand moved to keep his mouth from letting out a sound. Harry felt himself hardened even more at his wife's expression. Swiftly, Harry took off his clothes and threw them on the floor, and he also took off his wife's gown.

His eyes darkened when he realized Draco was wearing nothing under his gown. Like being possessed by a demon, Harry aimed his mouth at the other's beautiful pink buds, licking it and sucking it hard that the owner had to try desperately to hold back his moans.

"Say my name, Draco," demanded Harry hoarsely, realizing that Draco was about to reach his peak again.

"Oh... Harry..." Draco moaned. His name was probably the most beautiful melody he had ever heard. Not wanting to take any more time, he got up and positioned himself right between Draco's open-wide thighs.

"Will it hurt?" He chimed, and Harry pulled a soft smile. Then he reached out to gently stroke Draco's groin, again managed to make Draco's skin tingle again.

"I'll take it slow just for you, darling."

...

He looked gently at the beautiful face of his wife who was in his warm embrace. His hand moved to caress the top of his wife's head gently. He didn't know why his wife did that. Regardless, Harry couldn't deny that he was very happy right now.

"Ngh..."

A smile crossed Harry's face when he heard a small moan from his wife's lips. That moan was followed by his eyelids slowly opening.

"Good morning, Draco," greeted Harry as he saw his wife funnily blinking his eyes.

“O-oh, good morning too, Your Maje—”

"Harry. Call me Harry," Harry cut in softly.

"G-good morning too... H-harry..." Draco gulped, and his eyes shifted to look at Harry's handsome face.

The face did not show the slightest line of fatigue. In fact, they had indulged their animal desires until the sound of a rooster's crowing was heard. Then, Harry kissed Draco's lips, and his sudden action made Draco's eyes widen perfectly. His husband was a real maniac.

At first, it was just an ordinary gentle kiss, but Harry—who couldn't contain the burst of desire within him—turned the soft kiss into a heated one that ignited Draco's desire. Harry's hands did not stay still. The hands had already moved under the blanket that was wrapping their nudeness and wriggled over his wife's beautiful body.

Draco was intoxicated by Harry's actions, and he even moaned over Harry's hot touch. Until he felt he was starting to run out of breath, his hands moved to hit Harry's chest lightly.

Reluctantly, Harry stopped his kisses on Draco's lips. The king chuckled a little as he saw Draco breathing rapidly, just like a fish placed on the land.

"Would you like to take a bath together?" asked Harry suddenly, fingers already moving to brush aside the strands that covered his wife's beautiful face.

"No, there's no need, Your Majesty. You'd better go back to Arabelle's room, and I can take a shower alone. Arabelle must have been looking for you since last night," Draco refused calmly.

Harry clenched his jaw. The atmosphere between him and Draco suddenly cooled. Draco didn't know what was wrong with the sentence he just said.

Abruptly, Harry got up from his sleeping position. He didn't seem to care about his body that was currently not protected by any cloth. Inevitably, Draco's face turned red hot, and he averted his eyes from the sight. His dirty mind took him back to the hot night he'd just spent with Harry a few hours ago. Until Draco felt his body suddenly rise from his bed, his eyes widened perfectly when he was lifted in Harry's arms.

"Did you know that I don't like to be argued, Draco?" Harry asked coldly as he stared at Draco's blushing, and Draco didn't answer his husband's question. He just pursed his lips and averted his gaze.

In silence, Harry began to walk towards one of the doors in Draco's room that connected to his bathroom. During the walk, Draco kept his face away and wouldn't look at Harry. Draco, with all his might, crossed his legs so his erection wouldn't become a free spectacle for Harry and also crossed his arms over his chest.

Apart from being annoyed with his husband, Draco was still embarrassed to show his body openly. He still wouldn't look at Harry until the man stepped into Draco's bathing pool. The man decided to stay by the pool. He leaned his back against the wall and positioned Draco in front of him, leaning on his chest.

Draco's heart raced, feeling how warm Harry's chest was now pressed against his back. Besides, Draco who already had a dirty brain, knew clearly what hard object was currently propping his ass.

"We're going to take a shower, right?" Draco lifted his face so he could see Harry behind him.

"Depends," Harry replied calmly, shrugging.

He was just about to protest, but Harry pulled his body closer. Deliberately, the man spread Draco's legs apart so he could be in Draco's midst. He's completely immoral.

A hand shifted to pick up a liquid nearby. The liquid was very fragrant. The smell was exactly the same as the scent of the blonde currently leaning on his chest. Then, Harry poured the liquid carefully over Draco's head as well as his body.

Draco's hairs went down, and he could feel those hands rubbing his back slowly that felt a little sensual for some reason. Resigned, Draco could only rest his back against Harry's chest. He closed his eyes and parted his mouth sensually, and he let out a small sigh.

"Your Majesty, are you in there?"

Draco froze as he heard Glenice's voice from outside his bathhouse door. Swiftly, he pushed Harry's hand away that was toying on his chest. But unfortunately, when Draco was about to move away, he tightened his embrace even more.

"Yes, I'm here. What's wrong?" Draco asked hoarsely.

"Do I need to help Your Majesty take a bath?"

Suddenly, Draco's eyes widened. Not because of Glenice's question, but because of his husband's hand that was now working its way inside Draco's entrance. He looked up in annoyance and found his husband seemed to be enjoying the situation so much.

"Stop it!" Draco hissed and grabbed his hand. Harry was still Harry. A tough man who never wanted to be controlled and never wanted to be argued. He always does what he likes.

"Your Majesty, are you all right?"

Draco closed his lips tightly as he felt himself almost back to savoring the pleasures. One of his hands moved to grip Harry's arm in warning.

"Your Majesty, Arabelle is waiting for you."

Damn it! Draco didn't seem to care anymore about Glenice's question. He was too busy to enjoy the pleasures of the world from the touch.

Feeling like he was about to reach his peak, Draco pinched Harry's hand. He's now gripping Harry's hands, and his body was shaking violently as the pleasure hits him again. The blonde lifted his head and moaned in pleasure silently.

"Your Majesty, should I come in?" asked Glenice, a little worried.

Harry smiled lopsidedly, seeing Draco still closing his eyes and enjoying the remnants of the pleasure.

"Your Majesty?" Glenice called again.

Harry caressed the top of Draco's head gently. It seemed his wife didn't care anymore. "You don't have to come in. I'll help my wife."

He took a sip of the green tea in his ceramic cup, as he always did, and looked at his husband's mistress who currently looked so uneasy in front of him.

"Harry looks like he really cheated on me!" cried Arabelle as soon as Draco had placed his glass on the table. "Last night, he didn't sleep with me. Did Your Majesty know, he said that he didn't want to lose me? I'm really disappointed with his attitude," She added.

Draco could only remain silent and listen to all the complaints Arabelle had thrown at him. Of course, Draco's silence was present because he didn't know how to tell Arabelle that Harry wasn't having an affair—the king's just going back to his legal partner, not playing with a new woman he met on the street.

"Your Majesty, what should I do? Only Harry is the only person in this palace who managed to keep me alive until now. If he doesn't care about me anymore because he already has a new mistress maybe I will die at the hands of the servants in this palace," said Arabelle worriedly.

"You still have me. If one day Harry doesn't care about you anymore, I will protect you from those people," Draco smiled.

She sighed harshly. Harry's mistress seemed dissatisfied with Draco's answer. Realizing Arabelle's anger, Draco's hand moved to gently stroke the back of her hand.

"Everything will be fine, Arabelle. Everything will return to the way it was," Draco said, and he gave Arabelle a meaningful smile.

"Yes... everything will return to the way it was..." Arabelle mumbled softly, gripping Draco's hand.

He stared at Arabelle's worried face for a few seconds until his eyes involuntarily moved to look at Cedric who was walking along with some of his subordinates. It seemed the brunette was about to go to the training grounds.

When Cedric accidentally looked at him, Draco nodded his head and smiled gently at the other. The brunette also did the same, smiling freely, like nothing crazy had happened between them before.

"Ah yes, Your Majesty... Actually, I invited Your Majesty to have tea together because I wanted to say something," said Arabelle, pulling her hand gently from Draco's.

"What do you want to say?" Draco asked, noticing Arabelle's face was too much makeup for someone who had no important position in the kingdom.

"I want to go back to where I live in the village for a while," said Arabelle nervously.

Again? A frown crossed Draco's forehead.

"Why?" Draco asked, staring intently at Arabelle's nervous face.

"I... I want to spend my birthday with my friends who are there. I want to bake gingerbread with them and... I want to blow out the candles with them."

"Why do you want to go back to your village? Was the garden party I held for you still lacking?" Draco asked with a look of disappointment that couldn't be avoided on his pretty face. His disappointed look made Arabelle's nervousness grow more intense.

The king's mistress shook her head vigorously.

"No, it's not like that, Your Majesty. I really like the garden party Your Majesty always prepares for my birthday," reassured Arabelle quickly. "It's just, for this time, I want to spend my birthday with my friends. Right now, my relationship with Harry is a bit strained. I can't imagine how cold my birthday night will be if Harry leaves me again and meets his other mistress,"

Draco bit his lower lip. How could he tell the girl that she's lucky to have won Harry's heart? In fact, Draco's husband was about to give her a peerage on her birthday.

"Besides, it's possible. This will be the last time I return to the village in the kingdom's horse carriage. I don't know when Harry will kick me out of this palace, so... shouldn't I enjoy all the facilities he has given me?" Arabelle continued again while forcing herself to smile.

"If that makes you happy, you can go," Draco agreed softly.

"Thank you. Thank you very much, Your Majesty," said Arabelle with teary eyes.

He nodded his head in response. Then, they talked about things that were not important to Draco but important to Arabelle. They would laugh, though Draco only chuckled in response to Arabelle's words.

Until finally, Arabelle said goodbye because the girl wanted to pack up. She left Draco who's still faithfully drinking his green tea and looking at the sky of the Shinia Kingdom that was starting to turn black.

He was enjoying himself so much that the maid's arrival bothered him a little. At first, he had intended to ignore the maid, and he could sense a bit of the maid's odd behavior, but as much as possible, Draco didn't pay attention to the maid's weird behavior.

He continued to stare at the darkening sky until he saw a strange maid who had just finished cleaning his table, dropping a roll of paper. The roll of paper made Draco look back at the maid, and he grabbed the scroll the maid had fallen, then read it quickly as well.

"The preparations will begin,"

After reading the short sentence, Draco crumpled the paper and put it into his cup, still filled with green tea. Smiling widely, Draco stirred the paper already in his glass until it turned into a shapeless mush.

"Your Majesty,"

Draco looked up when he heard Glenice calling out to him. "Yes?"

"Soon, you have to meet His Majesty. Does Your Majesty want to take a shower first?" Glenice asked, and confused by why Draco looked so happy right now.

"I want to take a shower first. Please prepare my bath." Draco rose from his seat.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Ah, don't forget to add some fresh roses to my bath too. I want mine to smell better than usual."

Empty.

That's what Draco felt when he opened his eyes. The presence of his husband who's holding his waist possessively from behind, did not succeed in making the blonde's heart warm. Blankly, Draco directed his hand to gently caress Harry's hand that was wrapped around his waist.

Perhaps, Draco had been blinded by his main purpose until his heart froze and he could not feel the love given by his husband, or maybe, Draco had not expected love from a husband who had neglected him for five years.

"Do you like it?"

Draco's naked body shivered as Harry's warm breath hit the crook of his pale neck, now covered with traces of Harry's hot kisses.

"Yes. Warm..." Draco said sincerely, intertwined his fingers with Harry's. Smiling, Draco's thumb moved gently to caress the back of Harry's hand. Harry landed his soft kiss on the skin of his wife's long neck.

"Do you want to go out with me today?" Harry asked, lips still kissing Draco's neck gently.

"Where?" Draco asked, closing his eyes and trying to enjoy his husband's treatment.

"Reviewing the land I will give to Arabelle,"

Though, Draco didn't flinch. His lips were locked tightly, but his thumb was still gently stroking the back of Harry's hand until a small smile graced his face.

"Yes, I will," Draco muttered. If only Harry weren't hiding his face in the crook of his neck, surely he would not know what the young man had just said.

"Okay, then I'll go back to the study room and prepare. During that time, you can get ready," Harry pulled himself away from Draco.

After saying those lines, Harry hurriedly rose from his position. The man deftly put on his simple aristocratic attire, an attire that nobles normally shouldn't wear when they were about to leave their room, but Harry broke it again, and it was all for Arabelle.

"I'll call Glenice to help you get ready. I'll be right back, Draco." Harry said before the man walked away, leaving Draco still sleeping with his back to Harry.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Draco mumbled once he heard the door closed, a sign that the man had left.

Unable to contain any longer, a single tear fell from Draco's eye. For the umpteenth time, he's crying with his face devoid of any emotion, with his mouth tightly shut. Tears continued to fall from Draco's eyes until his ears caught the footsteps coming towards him. It must be Glenice. Swiftly, Draco wiped his cheeks.

"Your Majesty, are you awake?" asked Glenice softly.

Glenice's question made Draco take a deep breath before Draco moved to turn his body and look at Glenice who was standing not far from the bed Draco was currently filling.

"What do you think?" Draco smiled gently. His gentle smile that always looked stunning, managed to make Glenice smile without realizing it.

Stepping lightly, Glenice moved closer to Draco. As she walked closer to him, Draco could find red streaks on his maid's cheeks. Obviously, his maid had already guessed what happened to him last night.

"Are you happy to see me finally with His Majesty?" Draco asked softly.

Glenice flinched in surprise and widened her eyes, but seeing Draco give her a gentle smile, the fear that had previously filled her heart immediately evaporated.

"Honestly... I'm very happy, Your Majesty. Maybe this sounds rude to a lowly servant like me... but I really want to raise Your Majesty and His Majesty's children in the future... I... I want to devote my life fully to all of Your Majesty's descendants," Glenice stammered nervously, but his maid still always gave him a happy smile.

Draco smiled, but it seemed that his maid didn't realize that his smile was a smile that didn't represent the slightest bit of happiness. Gently, Draco took Glenice's hand and held it.

"May goodness always be with you, Glenice."

A fine frown graced Glenice's forehead, but she held herself back from asking her queen what he meant. Glenice could only smile happily and nod her head faintly.

"I'll take a bath myself. You can be here to prepare my clothes," Draco squeezed her hand.

Bewitched by that tenderness, Glenice immediately nodded her head. After that, Draco released his grip. He wrapped Harry's blanket around his body that now decorated with traces of Harry's kisses. He took steps towards the door inside Harry's room, the door that connected his room to the private bath.

When he entered his husband's bath area, he dropped the blanket from his body and stepped towards his husband's bath.

Arabelle's scent.

The pungent smell instantly filled Draco's senses as he entered the pool that somehow felt very cold on this sunny morning. The young man leaned his body against the side of the pool. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the smell of Arabelle that he never liked but his husband’s very fond of it.

Tears fell again presumptuously from the corner of his eyes. If only his husband didn't love Arabelle so much, Draco would have separated them long ago, but alas, the two humans seem to love each other with all their hearts. It seemed Draco had been evil enough to make his husband's mistress unable to conceive.

After all, Draco didn't want to taint the happiness of others. It was pointless for him to get rid of Arabelle because that would be tantamount to destroying the happiness of two different people.

And... Draco was also unsure if he could be with Harry forever. At least, Arabelle could accompany Harry in his old age.

Chapter Text

As long as he entered the carriage, Harry could not take his eyes off the figure of a beautiful young man who was predicted to be an incarnation of a goddess throughout the plains of the Shinia, and even other kingdoms admired his beauty. There was a slight sense of relief, pride, and joy in his mind when he realized that the said person was his own spouse. Draco was like a goddess who fell to earth to refresh all the earth's inhabitants. He was beautiful, firm but gentle, responsible, and open-minded, the type of someone that might not be found in any kingdom.

If only Harry had taken the time from the start to build an intense relationship with Draco, surely by now, they would have had many adorable sons and daughters.

"We're here," Draco informed as their carriage stopped right in a village that didn't look too crowded. For some reason, Harry's heart ached a little when he saw Draco seemed so relaxed and happy when he visited the land that Harry would give to Arabelle. Harry shouldn't have felt this pain.

"Your Majesty..." Draco called worriedly when he saw Harry unmoved in his place. The worried call snapped Harry out of his thoughts. In front of him, he could see the worried look on the other’s face clearly.

"Ah, yes. Let's go," Harry got out of the carriage first. As soon as his feet trod to the ground, he reached out his hand for Draco. Like a gentleman in general, Harry helped his wife down from the carriage.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Draco smiled and placed his hand on top of Harry's palm.

After getting off the carriage, both Harry and Draco were immediately greeted by residents of all ages who inhabited the small village. A happy smile spread across their faces, and the villagers must not have expected that the greatest king and queen ever recorded in the history of the Shinia set their feet on a small and inaccessible rural land. The happy smiles on the villagers' faces invited Draco to pull a smile right away. He even waved his hand as he stared at the children who seemed to be admiring them.

"Greetings to Your Majesty Harry and Your Majesty Draco. May God always bless Shinia,"

They turned his attention to the source of the voice. Draco found a husband and wife dressed a little more extravagantly and neatly than the residents currently gathering to see Draco and Harry. He could guess, it looked like the husband and wife were the Baron and Baroness who Harry gave the mandate to cultivate this small, beautiful village.

"This is like a miracle for us, we never imagined that our king and queen would take the time to visit our humble village," said the Baron.

"What do you mean, Lord? This village and its people are so beautiful," Draco praised with a warm smile.

"We are very flattered if Your Majesty likes our village,"

Since the Baron and his wife were assigned to this village, there had never been a royal official who had taken the time to visit the village. Although several royal officials have occasionally neutralized this village, none of them have ever taken the time to spend the night in this place. Let alone for the night, they never praise the beauty of this place.

"We'll be staying here for a few days. Do you guys have lodging here?" Harry asked with a straight face that gave everyone chills.

The Baron and his wife looked surprised when they heard Harry's question. They looked at each other with confused faces. They didn't expect a great king like Harry to stay in their village for a few days.

"We apologize, but we don't have proper lodging for Your Ma—"

"It's okay. Most importantly, we can sleep well," Draco interrupted quickly and squeezed Harry's hand. After saying those words, he cast a pleading look at Harry who was still loyal with his cold face.

"If my wife doesn't mind, then neither do I." said Harry flatly. The sentences he had just said made a happy smile grow on Draco's beautiful face. The Baron and Baroness also smiled with relief when they heard the king’s agreement.

"Then let us show the place. Your Majesty must be tired, considering the journey from Shinia to this village takes a very long time."

Both Harry and Draco immediately nodded their heads. A moment later, Harry and Draco moved to follow in the footsteps of a middle-aged couple currently leading the way.

In contrast to Harry who remained flat-faced, Draco kept smiling and waving his hand at the villagers who looked so eagerly waiting for him. Both Harry and Draco stopped when a boy suddenly fell and kneeled right in front of Draco. He widened his eyes when he saw the boy's face covered in sweat.

"What did you do?!" Harry growled lowly because the little boy had intentionally or unintentionally made Harry and Draco waste their precious time. Tch! Did he not know if Harry really wanted to rest at this time?

"Your Majesty," Draco chided and patted Harry's arm lightly. He fled his gaze to the little boy who caught his breath after running over to them. "Why are you kneel—"

"Please, be my bride at my future wedding, Your Majesty."

The queen flinched when he heard the words. It kept him from finishing his question.

"I've picked the most expensive flower that my village sold for you, Your Majesty," The boy continued while holding out a flower arrangement that looked a little wilted. "Please, be my bride, Your Majesty."

A smile rose on Draco's face when he saw the boy's cute behavior. He also tried to pull his hand from Harry's grip. He intended to align himself with the little boy, but unfortunately, Harry didn't want to let go of his hand.

"Your Majesty..." Draco muttered, moving his hands a little roughly. Harry's jaw tightened hard and now cast an annoyed look at the figure of a boy who couldn't even lift a sword properly. He released his grip on Draco's slender hand without saying anything.

Draco breathed a sigh of relief when his hands were finally free from Harry's. Smiling gently, he moved to kneel on the ground to be at the same height as the boy. "Thank you. The flowers are very beautiful," Draco said sincerely as he grabbed the flower arrangement.

Without hesitation, Draco inhaled the sweet scent still emitting from the flower. All the residents were stunned and amazed by Draco since their queen was really the real embodiment of a goddess, just like the news circulating in their village.

"Are you going to marry me?" asked the boy cutely.

"I’m sorry, but I'm already married," Draco replied with a hint of guilt as the smile on the boy’s face faded.

"Who?" asked the boy, light brown eyes ready to shed a tear.

"With His Majesty," Draco looked at Harry who didn't seem interested in their conversation.

"With him?" The boy followed Draco's gaze. Draco nodded firmly to answer the boy's question. "He looks evil!" The boy squeaked, managing to make a crisp laugh escape Draco's lips. His laugh was able to hypnotize anyone, even Harry's intention to cast his angry face at the child immediately evaporated.

"He looks evil, but he's kind and never lets me down," lied Draco, gently wiping the beads of sweat on the boy's forehead.

"So, Your Majesty loves him?"

His hand movements stopped at the boy's innocent question before a faint smile appeared on his face. "Do you want me to hug you?" Draco asked suddenly and gently held both sides of the boy's arms.

"Yes!" The child cried, then threw himself into Draco's arms. He hugged the boy's body tightly. His heart ached slightly when he heard the question. However, Draco was Draco. He would never share his sadness with anyone, and he just wanted to make those around him happy because Draco would always know that he was destined to be unhappy.

Harry glanced at the bed in the inn room prepared for him and Draco. Secretly, Draco looked at the other. He knew his husband didn't like the small bed. Even he was sure that Harry himself would not be able to sleep there.

"Are they joking? I know this village is poor, but can't they give you a bigger bed than this? Are they telling us to sleep on the floor?" Harry clenched his jaw.

"Perhaps this is the best room they have, Your Majesty." Draco said, ending with a chuckle. Harry's fingers moved to massage his temple suddenly felt heavy when he heard Draco's words. Seen from anywhere, this room could not be called the best room.

"Even though they poured a lot of money from the royal treasury for the development of this village, they couldn't even build a proper lodging place. Looks like someone is eating those funds again," Harry grumbled, stepping closer to the bed.

Annoyed, he laid his body, feeling so tired on the uncomfortable bed. It felt like he was lying on hay. Luckily, he had gotten used to sleeping on hay, but that didn't seem to be able to stop him from grumbling. The long legs, currently hanging freely because of the small bed, had made him keep on swearing.

Draco smirked silently when he saw the look on Harry's face that didn't show the slightest bit of comfort. Draco felt heartless when he saw that look. Just imagine, they had just gone through a long journey to get to this village, but instead, they found facilities that were inadequate like this. He sighed tiredly. It looked like he should talk to the owner of this inn for a while. Maybe they have a bigger bed.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked.

"I want to see the innkeeper—"

"No need. This bed is enough for the two of us," Harry interrupted.

"But you look uncomfortable, Your Majesty."

"Who said I wasn't comfortable?" Harry asked fiercely and rose from his position.

Before Draco could voice his answer, Harry voluntarily grabbed Draco's hand to follow in his footsteps. Again, Draco was confused when he saw Harry lying on the bed. The king pulled Draco up onto his broad chest.

"Am I too rough?" Harry asked as he watched Draco bit his lower lip hard to hold back the moan that had wanted to escape those lips.

"Of course not, Your Majesty." Draco said, annoyed and rolled his eyes.

"Ah... You're strong too."

Draco frowned when he sensed something strange behind his husband's words when he was about to turn his face to look at the other, but his husband did something beyond his comprehension. Harry pressed Draco against his chest so that Draco found it challenging to breathe.

"Let go of me, Your Majesty!" Draco pounded Harry's. At first, Harry laughed exasperatedly at Draco's action, but his laughter couldn't last any longer because he could feel the pain in his chest from Draco's powerful punch.

"Stop it, stop it. I let you go, Draco." said Harry when the man finally loosened his grip on Draco's body which was currently above him, but the man still held Draco's waist to keep him on top of him.

Harry's words succeed to make Draco stop his punch on Harry's chest. At first, it was quiet in the restroom until Draco's ears accidentally caught a tired sigh from Harry's mouth, which make him chuckle. Draco was amused that he had managed to overwhelm the other male.

"Why are you laughing?" Harry asked with a small frown.

"You just tired," Draco sneered as he snuggled against Harry's broad chest.

"Oh? Should I remind you of our hot activities the other day, the times when you said 'Enough, Your Majesty, I'm tired. Ah... Harry, you're so stro—'”

Harry was not satisfied mocking Draco, but his mouth suddenly closed tightly because Draco's slender hands had covered his mouth. Of course, Draco's action made Harry widen his eyes in surprise. Even Arabelle, who often acted casually, had never done this to him.

"Stop it, Your Majesty. You make me look like an immoral person!" Draco exclaimed with his flushed face, already looking up ideally to meet Harry's handsome face. Draco's flushed face, for some reason, invited a particular joy in Harry's heart. With a smile already plastered on his face, one of Harry's hands pulled away from Draco's hands over his mouth.

Harry's emerald eyes stared intently at Draco's silver ones, which for the thousandth time pulled Harry down into his beautiful wife's charm. Slowly, Harry brought his lips to Draco's earlobe.

"You are an immoral young man, dear. You are a wild young man." stated Harry in his hoarse voice. Draco closed his eyes when he could feel the heat from Harry's breath against his earlobe. Unknowingly, one of Draco's hands squeezed Harry's clothes gently.

The response given by Draco made Harry even more excited to tease the other male, until when Harry felt Draco's breath starting to catch on, Harry pulled a crooked smile.

"Gotcha!" Harry blurted out triumphantly. Before Draco could understand what Harry's words meant, the amusement that suddenly invaded Draco's slender stomach made his doe eyes widen perfectly.

"Harry!!" Draco subconsciously shouted Harry's name as he felt an immense tingling sensation as Harry's long fingers tickled his stomach.

Both Harry and Draco laughed out loud. Draco laughed at the tingling feeling in his stomach, while Harry laughed at Draco's crisp laugh. Sounds weird, maybe, but for some reason, Harry felt like laughing too when he heard Draco's brittle laughter.

"Stop it! You can kill me!" Draco shouted amid his laughter. His hands had also moved to hold Harry's fingers, but apparently, that meant nothing.

Harry didn't seem to care. He kept tickling Draco's stomach even when he saw a tear dripping from the corner of the blonde’s eyes. Both Harry and Draco's bodies stiffened when they heard a snapping sound that sounded so real. The husband and wife, who had been vying for laughter with each other, were now throwing their serious gazes at each other.

"Is it an intruder?" Draco asked Harry silently.

"I don't know. Shh, we're going down slowly," Harry answered quietly. Draco nodded his head, and he pulled his body against Harry's chest. In order to get up off Harry, Draco held his weight on the sides of the small bed. But alas, it seemed Draco made a big mistake.

Spontaneously, Harry pulled Draco back closer to him when he felt the bed that had only been holding their weight for a few minutes had now successfully collapsed. Draco was not much different from Harry. Of course, the blonde was stunned by the crazy thing they had just experienced. Draco closed his eyes tightly as he listened to the sound of Harry's back colliding with the floor and wood of the bed.

"Are you okay?" Draco asked as he lifted his head to look at Harry. The king looked so shocked by what had just happened.

Worried that his husband's nerves would be damaged because of the crazy thing they had just experienced, one of Draco's hands reached out to gently pat Harry's cheek until he finally looked at Draco.

"Did the bed for the king and queen just fall over? The bed for the king and queen?! This is truly amazing!" said Harry in disbelief with his shocked face, staring at Draco who was desperately trying to hold back his laughter.

"Isn't that good? We can remember this night until we part," Draco said easily. Harry's brow furrowed at those words. He didn't know if his wife was joking or being serious, but honestly, Harry didn't like what his wife had just said.

"What nonsense did you just say, Draco? You want to separate from me?"

The warm atmosphere that had invaded the small room suddenly evaporated. Draco stared at Harry's emerald orbs that looking at him with a demanding one.

"Wouldn't in the end, everyone separated?" Draco asked, a smile on his lips.

Harry's jaw tightened tightly when he heard those words. Unknowingly, the man's claim to ownership was thrashing about, his strong hands moving swiftly to pull Draco's body closer to his. He didn't know why his heart felt so heavy when he listened to Draco's words. Harry was never like this, not even to Arabelle. But Draco? They had only been close a few days, but why did Harry's heart break when he heard that the young man was going to leave him?

"Don't say nonsense like that. You sound like you're not a queen of a famous kingdom," Harry huffed, and Draco just smiled as he nodded his head. The blonde snuggled closer in Harry's arms. He searched for the warmth that tried to melt his frozen heart.

"Your Majesty..." Draco called softly as he sensed that his husband was no longer filled with anger.

"Yes?"

He looked up and found the other staring at him intently. Then, his fingers reached out to brush one of his husband's thick eyebrows. "Can we have a house here? I really like this place," Draco said as he stared into Harry's emerald eyes. He didn't budge, and it made Draco's brain conclude that his husband wouldn't grant his wish. "If you don't like it, that's fine—"

"Anything for you, Draco."

Harry walked at such a slow pace, and he was desperately trying to match Draco's. Honestly, Harry was a little irritated right now. They should have been sleeping together on the floor of their inn if only the little boy who had proposed to Draco a while ago hadn't come to their room.

The little boy—the future usurper of Harry's wife with his annoying face made Draco's heart melt to attend a particular party held for Draco and Harry. Sure, Draco was moved when he heard the little boy's explanation that their village prepared a special party for the king and queen in such a short time.

“Your Majesy, do you want to try catching fish?" Draco asked nonchalantly as he spotted a small fishing pond filled with many lanterns.

"No," Harry replied with a stern face. The answer made Draco scowl in annoyance.

Every time the king met a crowd, he would always put on a stern face, a face that said he didn't care. Even though he always talked about many things when he was alone with Draco, especially when he was with Arabelle, he didn't hesitate to show all of his emotions.

"What about archery?" Draco asked again.

"You already know my answer, Draco." said Harry, making Draco involuntarily purse his lips in annoyance.

"If you don't want to do anything here, you better head back to the inn. You seem so tired after knocking down a bed." Draco said, annoyed with his lips still pursed slightly. Harry laughed when he saw Draco's antics. Did he just sulk at Harry?

Thinking that made Harry involuntarily pull an amused smile. Suddenly, he grabbed Draco's soft hand. The unplanned touch sent a subtle stun through Draco's body. The blonde flinched in surprise when he felt Harry's palm wrap around his.

"Alright. Tonight, I will comply with all Your Majesty Draco's wishes," said Harry, making a happy smile grow on Draco's face. Without realizing it, he also grabbed Harry's hand.

Draco instantly walked quickly towards the archery stand not far from where they were standing. Harry couldn't do anything but follow Draco's eager footsteps. As Harry recalled, Arabelle had never even been this excited when they visited the night market.

"Can we play?" Draco asked as he and Harry stood in front of the archery stand.

It seemed like the excitement currently filling Draco didn't make him realize that all the people in that place were looking at him with surprised looks. Their mouths were perfectly rounded. Draco frowned when he saw that no one responded to his question. Was his voice not loud enough? Secretly, Draco glanced at Harry who had now returned to his stern mode.

"Is my wife's question unclear?" Harry cast a sharp glare at the stand owner, seeming still shocked at Draco and Harry's arrival.

The owner of the stand looked embarrassed when he heard Harry's question. With shaking hands, he passed his simple bow to Harry, which of course, was grabbed by Harry with a little rough gesture.

"Forgive me for my impudence, Your Majesty." said the owner, looking timidly at Harry, and currently picking up three arrows nearby. Harry didn't answer the stand owner's words, but his hands were already moving to draw strongly the three arrows that were now on the bow, which Harry believed would be broken any minute.

With a single pull, the three arrows shot toward the different numbers displayed on the stand. Everyone stared at Harry in surprise, including Draco. Draco wasn't surprised by his husband's extraordinary abilities, but he was surprised by Harry's actions. One little mistake, the arrow belonging would have hit the neck of the stand owner who was now standing with a pale face.

"Where's my wife's gift?" asked Harry calmly, and put away the bow.

"Y-yes... I’ll... get it, Your Majesty." replied the owner in a trembling voice as he took three different trinkets and wrapped them with shaking hands. "This... for Your Majesty Draco," The owner lowered his head in fear as he shuffled the gift packages at Draco.

Draco grimaced as he accepted the gift package. Inevitably, Draco gripped the hand that felt cold. Not only holding it, but he also rubbed his thumb on the back of it. "Thank you and sorry if we scared you," Draco soothed. "Here's a little for you," He moved to take something out of Harry's shirt pocket.

He knew his current behavior was considered impolite since he took his husband's money out of his pocket without saying anything, but who cared? Right now, he just needed to comfort the stand owner, looking so shocked by what had just happened.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. You shouldn't have to pay like this," said the owner as Draco slipped a small gold bar into his hand.

"I do have to pay since I visited your place," Draco explained softly. Then, Draco and Harry finally walked away from the archery stand. The blonde took a shaky breath and sensed that people seemed happier without Draco and Harry around.

"What is it?" Harry glanced at Draco, hugging the gift he had just received.

"Nothing, Your Majesty."

Harry stared intently at Draco when he sensed the other was hiding something. He knew Draco was unhappy. Shouldn't he be happy right now? Finally, he wanted to let his ego down to play the boring game his wife asked him to, but why did he look dissatisfied with what Harry had just done?

Harry scanned his surroundings, and he finally understood why Draco was unhappy. Not knowing where the urge was coming from, Harry directed his hands to pull Draco's shoulders so that their body pressed together.

"Here, we are just an ordinary married couple. You don't have to put on a pale face as if you will be sentenced to death if you talk to us," Harry looked at all his people. Everyone was, of course, stunned, including Draco. "Stop being afraid of us. We are just like you. We are not invisible beings,"

The people stiffened when they saw Harry's face until a faint smile crossed that dull face. A smile blossomed to make everyone amazed by his increasing handsomeness. The previously tense situation evaporated instantly as Harry's smile appeared. Draco smiled as he saw Harry finally willing to be one with his people. He then gripped Harry's arm tightly. His tight grip managed to make Harry look at him with a smile on his face.

"Do you want to go fishing, Draco?" Harry asked lightly, one of his hands already moving to caress Draco's hair gently. The blonde closed his eyes for a few seconds.

"Of course, Harry."

Draco laughed heartily when he saw his husband's distressed face as someone carved the letter H in thick ink on the back of his hand. Because of Draco's invitation, the man finally agreed to sit at one of the booths in the village.

"It's done, Your Majesty." The older man smiled after engraving the back of his king's hand that he had made exactly the same as the one on the back of his queen's hand.

"This..." Draco held out the back of his hand, engraved with the letter H in advance.

Harry's frowning face somehow managed to stir Draco to tease him. Without hesitation, Draco suddenly smacked the back of Harry's hand with the back of his own hand. Harry gasped, but the man immediately chuckled when he saw the happy look on Draco’s face.

"Thank you," Harry said sincerely to the old man standing next to him before the man rose from his seat and took Draco's hand. Happily, Draco walked along with Harry. "Where are we going now?" Harry asked, glancing at Draco who had not stopped smiling at everyone he met. It seemed the blonde was so happy when he saw his people no longer keeping their distance and behaving formally with them.

"We'd better go back to meet the Baron and Baroness. Looks like the climax of the show will soon begin," Draco said and looked up at the night sky dotted with many shining stars.

"Then let's go back," Harry spun around casually whilst dragging Draco with him. Draco almost staggered down if he didn't spontaneously hug Harry's arm.

"I almost fell," Draco argued and threw his hostile look at Harry who didn't seem to care about his plight.

"Oh, sorry." said Harry curtly as he took wide strides. He didn't want himself and Draco to miss the event's climax because he could have an excuse to leave the welcoming party quickly after the climax was over.

"Did you enjoy the welcoming party, Your Majesty?" The village Baron asked Harry.

"This party is quite lively for the size of the party that was prepared in such a short time," said Harry while trying to keep his voice casual, even though he at this moment wanted to get rid of anyone in front of him. He just wanted to sleep with Draco in his arms right now.

"We really enjoyed this party, Lord. Thank you very much for preparing such a festive party," Draco smiled beautifully.

The Baron and his wife felt relieved. "Then, Your Majesty, let's go halfway together." said the Baron.

Draco nodded his head excitedly before following the couple. He took the time to smile a little at Harry. Realizing the other’s boring look, Draco gently stroked Harry's arm until the owner of the arm turned his gaze to him.

"Are you bored? I promise, after this event is over, we will go home."

Harry swallowed hard. Draco's beautiful face looked so radiant under the lamplight in the area. His sweet smile never disappeared for a second, his soft voice that halted Harry's world, and his little touches made his heart beat faster.

"Come on. You want to hurry home, right?" Draco urged, and the king blinked. "Are you sick?" Draco asked with a slight frown when he saw Harry's strange behavior. It felt like he wasn't as stiff as he was a while ago.

Curios, Draco directed the back of his hand towards Harry's forehead, but before the hand could touch his forehead, Harry immediately pulled his head back.

"What is—" Before Draco could voice his confusion, Harry arbitrarily tugged his hand so that he would follow in his footsteps. Although his wife was limping a little behind him, the king took wide strides.

Damn it! He cursed to himself, face heated up slightly. Harry didn't know what made his face feel hot like this. Was it because of Draco's touch? No way, they had done something more intimate than that light touch, so what?  Draco pursed his lips at Harry's reckless behavior. He wanted to jerk his hand away. But, Draco didn't want the happy situation surrounding him to be ruined because Harry might be angry.

Putting aside his annoyance, Draco was still smiling happily as he sat down on a wooden chair in the middle of the dry ground that had been turned into a dance floor. Draco gave a look of admiration at all the guests. A happy smile never left his face, whether he was too focused on the sight in front of him, but it seemed he didn't realize that his husband had been staring at him.

"Do you want to join them?" Harry asked suddenly.

Harry's question jolted Draco irresistibly. He gave Harry a confused look. The gaze managed to make Harry realize his stupid question. He shouldn't have asked such a thing! Your Draco who lives with a lot of treasures definitely wouldn't want to dance without his sandals on—

"Does Your Majesty allow it?" Draco asked with the look of confusion still clearly etched on his pretty face.

"Yes, of course."

"Your Majesty wouldn't mind dancing with them? Without shoes on?" Draco asked, apparently still not believing his husband's answer.

"Of course. As long as you stop calling me Your Majesty,” Harry grumbled. “I'd be happier if you called me by my name. Why can't you consistently call me by my name?"

"Are you sure?" Draco asked again. He didn't know where an angel suddenly came to Harry until the man, without shame, directed his hands to cup his a little cold face, maybe because of the night air at that time.

"I'm sure, totally sure. If you want us to dance with them, come on, say my name, Draco."

Draco's heart skipped a beat. His hearing suddenly seemed to be malfunctioning. He couldn't hear the crowd around him. However, he could hear the sound of his heart beating so fast, so loud, that he was afraid that he would die in front of his husband.

"Draco..." Harry's soft yet firm voice caused Draco's heart beat even more abnormally. God, Draco had to stop all this before he actually died.

"Harry, didn't you see how the Baron looked at his wife? Aren't they so romantic, even though they are so old?" Draco said passionately, looking at the back of his hand that was still decorated with the letter H.

Harry, currently sleeping on his side while resting his head on his palm, looked at Draco's face, looking radiant even though Harry knew that the blonde must have felt tired because he had not had enough rest. Gently, Harry moved to brush away some of Draco's hair covering his pretty face. As if getting used to Harry's touch, Draco just kept quiet and didn't do anything. Only God and himself knew that his heart was beating fast again at this moment.

"Are you cold?" asked Harry softly.

"No. Are you cold?" Draco asked back, tilting his head to look at Harry's eyes.

"I've been like this so many times. In fact, I've always slept on the battlefield without a roof or blanket," said Harry with, hand moving to gently stroke Draco's long hair.

"Oh, really? I thought you had your own tent and slept there all night."

"Yes, I do have my own tent, and I should sleep there, but usually, when we fight, I never sleep there. I sleep outside with my soldiers."

"Why?" Draco asked curiously. His curious expression made Harry gulp. It seemed only God knows how Harry was currently struggling to suppress his animal desires profoundly so that he doesn't make his wife more tired.

"Because I want them to know that on the battlefield, we are all the same caste, we are all the same soldiers who are fighting for Shinia's victory."

"How noble are your thoughts, Your Majesty Harry." Draco said with a witty smile.

"Are you mocking your husband, Your Majesty Draco?" Harry challenged, raising his eyebrows.

"Of course, even Arabelle has been like that, so why can't I?" Draco challenged again but with a smile still on his face. Harry's intention to tease Draco suddenly evaporated when he heard Arabelle's name being mentioned. He sighed quietly before he decided to drop his head on the same cotton pillow as Draco's.

Without saying anything, Harry pulled the other’s body against his. Draco welcomed Harry's actions willingly, and he even directed his hands to hug Harry's body that was filled with stiff muscles, proof of his king's struggle all this time.

"Have you ever thought about having a ideal family?" Harry asked, staring at the logs that supported the inn's roof.

"Of course I have," Draco replied. His head was busy moving to find the most comfortable place near Harry's body.

"What about your ideal family?"

"My ideal family... I just want a man who really loves me, who can feel my sadness without seeing my tears. It doesn't matter if he is a commoner. I want to live happily with him and with our children in the future," Draco smiled faintly, dreaming about his family portrait.

"Have you ever regretted marrying me?"

Draco lifted his head, and he found Harry staring at him intently. "Yes." He answered without hesitation.

It seemed Harry wanted to scream in anger. He wanted to throw all the stuff that was decorating this inn room, but then Harry realized, why was he angry? He should have felt relieved that his wife had not lied to him, but why did something seem to be stuck in his heart?

"Married to you made me realize that I would never have the family I wanted," Draco continued sadly, and Harry clenched his fists. "But, right now, I don't think much of it. Even though I can't have my ideal family, I'm quite happy with the love people have given me and your little cares."

"Why did you agree to our marriage at that time? You know very well if we have never met, what if I turn out to be far from your expectations, what if I turn out to be an alcoholic man with a terrible look?"

"What are you saying? Of course, I've seen your face from the painting my father gave me. You're handsome enough to be my husband," Draco chuckled. "Besides, even though you're known as a hot-tempered king, I'm pretty sure you're not that angry, and I was right. You still have a soft side that you probably rarely show to the people around you and I often see it when you're together with Arabelle," Draco added, carefree.

"Could you stop bringing up Arabelle's name?" Harry husked. He seemed uncomfortable when both ears heard the name of his mistress being called when he was making out with others, even though that person was his own wife.

"Why? You don't like me mentioning her?"

"It’s not like that."

"Then?"

"Don't you find it strange when we're like this, you bring up someone else’s name?"

"Haven't we been like this many times? Did you just hit your head, Your Majesty?" Draco asked, casting his strange look on Harry.

The king sighed. Why did his heart get more troubled when he heard Draco's question? It was like something was stuck there, but sadly, Harry didn't know what it was.

"Can you tell me about your mother?" Draco changed the subject.

"Perhaps you mean the previous queen?" Harry corrected. His face suddenly hardened. It seemed he didn't want to talk about his mother. Draco was still Draco, and he was already too curious. He would do anything to get what he wanted.

"Were you not on good terms with the previous queen?" Draco asked carefully, hand reaching out to gently stroke Harry's jaw.

Harry was silent for a moment, but the hopeful look Draco gave him and the gentle caress of his hand succeeded to break Harry's defenses down. He took a deep breath, his expression not as harsh as before, but he still let Draco's hand stroke face.

"Yes. I hate her." Harry hissed.

"Why?"

"She doesn't seem like a noblewoman. I don't understand how she could leave me when we needed her. Instead of protecting her flesh and blood from the cruelty and deceit of the palace, she was spending time with other men."

"The previous queen... had an affair?" Draco asked, unable to hide his surprise. He didn't really know much about Harry's mother because she was rumored to have died from being poisoned by the previous king's concubine when Draco was only two years old. Besides, Draco had lived in Shinia palace for five years, but Draco never heard the servants mention the queen's name before.

"Yeah, she also seems to have an illegitimate child from her affair,"

Draco’s surprise grew even more at Harry's words. He stared intently at Harry, and he could find deep sadness behind the man's blank face.

"Have you ever searched about the queen's illegitimate child before? I mean, didn't the previous queen's lover want their child to be a part of Shinia? After all, they are still related by blood to the royals. They could be a candidate—"

"Never mind. Let's go to sleep, aren't you tired?" Harry cut off quickly while covering half his face with his arm.

Draco shut his mouth. He was well aware that Harry didn't want to open his bitter memories back. With a sigh, he had to suppress his curiosity. He stared at Harry who seemed to have been drawn into the dream world, and it made Draco sigh again. For whatever reason, Draco somehow felt he couldn't close his eyes and enter the dream world, even though he felt his body so tired.

Was it all because Draco was still curious about the former queen? Somehow, thinking about it made him feel restless like something was stuck, but he didn't know what was bothering him. Draco was getting more and more agitated. He turned his body left and right, then he stared at Harry's chest to determine whether he was breathing or not and stared at the wooden furniture that adorned the room.

"What is it?" Harry huskrd. It seemed that the man had been awakened from his sleep by the noise Draco had created.

"It's nothing," Draco lied, closing his eyes for Harry to believe the lie he had just told. Harry knew very well that right now, his wife was lying. If he were really okay, he definitely wouldn't be rolling around for the past few minutes.

Then, Harry pulled Draco so that the slender body was on top of his. Sure enough, his action made Draco flinch from his pretend sleep plan.

"Sleep, Draco," Harry said, reaching out to caress Draco's back gently and patting his plump buttocks. He really treated Draco like a child. Draco bit his lip, and then he leaned closer to Harry. He tried to find warmth that might lighten his heart again. He gasped when Harry kissed the top of his head. "Go to sleep, honey."

"This is a beautiful place. The nobles would surely believe if Arabelle was born in this place," Draco said, looking at the expanse of the lavender garden. He took a deep breath of fresh air in the garden.

Freedom. Draco could feel it. A faint smile graced his pretty face. In a moment, Draco just needed to hold on a little longer. After that, he could let it all go.

"Why are you being so nice to Arabelle?" asked Harry, and Draco opened his eyes.

Why was Draco so nice to Arabelle? He didn't know either. However, the word ‘nice’ didn't seem to fit in that sentence, considering Draco had made the naive woman unable to conceive.

He treated all his people the same. He would be gentle and kind. Arabelle was no exception. But considering that Arabelle was his husband's mistress, the woman who had the potential to displace Draco from his throne made him inevitably have to do dirty things. It was Draco's own hand that had slipped the potion into the mistress's food every day of her first year at the palace.

Then, if Draco had done such a heinous thing to Arabelle, why would he still be friendly to that girl? Of course, Arabelle didn't see Draco as a threat. Besides, Draco didn't want to be greedy. He only wanted the throne, and he never wanted Harry's heart. Let his husband get the love from someone else, as long as the queen's crown remains on Draco's head.

"Draco?" Harry called out when he got no answer. Draco flinched and quickly looked at Harry and gave a smile.

"Shouldn't I be fair to all of my people? I can't sentence Arabelle to death just because she won your love, can I?" Draco replied, making Harry look at him intensely. Harry realized he would never understand Draco. His wife seemed to have a tough side to reach, a side that was so dangerous.

"Has it never crossed your mind to love me?"

Unable to contain it, Draco rounded his eyes in surprise.

"After the hot and exciting activities we had together, have you ever thought about falling in love with me?" Harry asked, tilting his head at the other’s surprised look. Uncontrollably, Draco's cheeks turned red. He quickly averted his gaze from Harry. The man really couldn't filter his words out in an open place like this.

"Never, Your Majesty." Draco answered without looking at Harry and somehow bring Draco to the hot incident he had with Harry a few hours ago with the clothes still intact on their respective bodies.

"Never?" Harry repeated, slightly surprised.

"Yes, not even once." Draco nodded, voice sounded a little firmer than before.

"Don't people want love from their partner?" Harry frowned.

"Yes, people who don't find their partner have someone else." Draco smiled faintly. Harry's throat felt tight at the respond. He admitted that his relationship with Draco had progressed quite a bit over the past few days, despite Harry having to swallow the bitter pill, the fact that Draco seems normal when it comes to the relationship between Harry and Arabelle.

"If I let Arabelle go, will you still learn to love me?"

Draco's heart seemed to be beating twice as fast when he heard Harry's question. The time in the garden felt like freezing. He stared at Harry's eyes that radiated determination. "Do you want to give up someone who loves you for someone who can't necessarily love you?" He sighed. "Maybe you think that learning to love someone is an easy matter, but not for someone whose heart had been frozen. No amount of attention will succeed in melting the ice."

Harry's body stiffened, staring straight at his wife's face, which for some reason looked so sad and... Harry didn't want to admit this, but his heart ached when he saw his wife's face.

The breeze disturbed Draco's hairdo, but the blonde didn't move to tuck the messy strands of his hair, and without asking, Harry had reached out to tuck the hairs in a prolonged motion with his eyes still faithfully staring at Draco.

"You're late, Harry." One soft sentence from Draco stopped Harry's hand from moving. With his eyes still staring at Harry's face, Draco brought his hand up to touch his husband's hand. He placed the palm of his hand on the other’s left chest. "Arabelle," Draco said hoarsely. "There's only Arabelle here." Draco finished, this time a little more firmly. He still gave Harry a gentle smile as if getting used to it.

"Arabelle may just be someone who is staying in my heart, but you are the real owner, Draco." Harry’s jaw tightened. He didn't like the calm and happy expression his wife gave him when he talked about Harry's mistress.

Draco shook his head slowly, and a bitter smile crossed his face, reaching out to cup Harry's face. Thumb was moving across Harry's jaw in a gentle motion. "Sorry, but I can't give you love as Arabelle did. Even so, I will still love you as my husband. I will fight to be the ideal queen for you, someone you can be proud of wherever you are."

"No! You don't understand, Draco!” Harry snapped, pulling his face away. “Oh, God! How can you talk so casually about our relationship?!"

"Actually, what do you want, Harry? Weren't you happy when I welcomed Arabelle with open arms?” Draco gritted his teeth. “Didn't you use to be happy if I only interfered in royal affairs? You made me like this, Harry."

"You should be asking yourself that, Draco! What do you want?! You never wanted me, and you wanted Cedric more! You cheated with him! You've tarnish—"

Before Harry could finish his sentence, a slap landed smoothly on his cheek. Draco's breath hitched. His eyes seemed to be shrouded in a mist of tears. It felt like he wanted to cry. He was fed up with all of this.

"I wouldn't be like this if all of you didn't force me."

Draco stared blankly at the neglected countryside he was passing. Through the windows of the carriage, he couldn't find a glimmer of happiness in the village. It was far from what his mother's servants had told him, and Draco knew for sure what had caused the village to lose its color.

Since the argument that Draco and Harry had a few hours ago, now, the husband and wife had both kept their mouths shut, even when they said goodbye to the Baron and Baroness, Harry didn't even smile to the couple for a second.

Draco was staring blankly at the countryside his carriage was passing by, and then at this moment, Harry looked at Draco with a restless look. The man's lips was already itching to talk to his wife. It seemed Harry was so guilty when he saw the lackluster look on his wife's face. The blonde was never like this, and even when the royal elders rejected his proposal, Draco still smiled.

"Draco..." Harry seemed to have lost his ability to speak. Right after he called Draco's name, the young man immediately turned his face to face him with a blank look that he hated so much.

"Yes?"

"Nothing,"

"Oh." Draco looked away again, the man really managed to spoil Draco's mood.

"Draco,"

A slight frown formed on Draco's features when he heard Harry call his name again. For God's sake, it hadn't even been a minute the man called him earlier, and now he was calling his name again?

"What is it, Your Majesty?" Draco asked, a little annoyed.

"It doesn’t matter."

Draco clenched his jaw at his husband's useless reply. With such an overwhelming feeling of irritation, Draco turned his gaze back to the village where his mother was born.

"Dra—"

"What is it, Harry?!" Draco snapped impatiently.

Harry flinched at Draco's words which could be categorized as disrespectful to the king. Usually, Harry would patronize his wife, but now, Harry was actually happy to see his wife acting more freely with him.

"Are you mad at me?" Harry asked, trying to maintain his authority.

"If you think a slap is a joke, then I'm not mad at you." Draco responded sarcastically before turning his gaze back to the village. Harry grimaced at those sarcastic remarks.

Suddenly, his intention to make up with Draco just evaporated. Heavily, Harry also turned his gaze towards a village that his wife had been staring at. Did that village of unknown status look any more wonderful than Harry? Had Draco's eyes been damaged—no, Harry, how could you not think about that?! Your wife was very fond of something that smells of royal affairs. He would definitely like the topic of your conversation about the village.

"That village has been abandoned for a long time," exclaimed Harry.

"I know." Draco muttered quietly. He wasn't interested in talking to him. Harry could only sigh silently when he received an unpleasant response. They had to spend their time on their way home in eerie silence. Frustrated, Harry settled himself in the carriage seat and closed his eyes, wishing he could be drawn into a dream world.

“Why did you let the village lie dormant?”

Harry peeked a little at the words. It seemed the blonde wanted to talk more about the village they were passing through, but alas, Harry was no longer interested in serving him. "I never let it go to waste. The main reason the area was abandoned was due to the decree of the previous queen as well as the unfavorable political conditions when it came to the area. Besides, the tomb of the previous queen is also there."

"Decree?" Draco looked curiously at his husband.

"Yes."

"You never told me," Draco protested, a frown forming on his face. Happily, Harry opened his eyes, and his wife's annoying face immediately greeted him. This was better than the lackluster face he had been enjoying.

"Since you never mentioned this village, I couldn't have suddenly told you the previous queen's decree about this village. We're not that close."

Yes, Draco knew very well that they weren't that close, then, now, and in the future, but why did it hurt a little when he heard those words from Harry's mouth?

"At least you gave me a little bit of information. You know very well that we've been married for five years, isn't five years enough for you to trust me?" Draco asked as he tried to suppress the pain hitting his chest.

"I trust you, Draco, I've always trusted you."

"Then tell me the contents of the decree," Draco demanded. Harry frowned as his hearing could clearly perceive the forceful tone tucked into Draco's sentence. So, his wife was back in his original self, huh? Draco only cared about royal affairs.

"The decree contains the last wish of the previous queen. She wants the village not to be claimed by any kingdom except the Shinia Kingdom, on the condition that the next queen of the Shinia gives birth to a successor to the throne."

Draco swallowed hard. This was the first time he had heard such a strange decree, and it was from the previous queen of Shinia. "Why can the queen issue such a decree? Doesn't she think about the dark future of the village if it is not claimed by any kingdom?"

"I don't know what the queen's motive is for issuing such a decree. Regarding the dark future of the village, it seems that the queen doesn't care, she was selfish and never thinks about her people. Because of that, the previous king had many mistresses."

"What if no successor is born from the next queen?"

Harry furrowed his brows in displeasure. “You can’t get pregnant?” He looked directly at Draco's stomach.

"Of course I can!" Draco said quickly as he wrapped his arms around his stomach so Harry wouldn't stare at it anymore.

"Am I infertile?" Harry asked, deep in thought. If he thought about it, his question might come true. It seemed it had been more than two years since Harry and Arabelle had been through such exciting nights. Still, Arabelle had never shown any signs of pregnancy, and even though, as Harry remembered, he had always been inside Arabelle when he reached his peak of pleasure.

"Impossible!" Draco half shrieked at the other’s nonsensical question.

"It's possible, Draco. At this rate, that means we won't have a su—"

"You're not infertile! You're healthy, Harry!"

"How do you know I'm not? Ara—"

"You are okay!" Draco cut off quickly, inviting a confused look from Harry.

"Why can you be so sure?" Harry asked, looking at Draco with a probing look. The blonde’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Harry's curious face, dominating with a hint of stiffness.

"I'm—"

"What, Draco?" Harry interrupted exasperation when he found Draco nervous and looking unsure of what to say.

"I-I feel it," Draco stammered, a little frustrated.

"Feel what?" asked Harry, one of his brows having dipped sharply.

Draco bit his lower lip in frustration. After this, Harry would definitely think of him as a pervert with no manners. His usually upright shoulders now seemed to weaken. Indeed, Draco felt his soul was currently floating freely in the air.

"According to the books I've read, healthy men have that that feels different and you have it," Draco lied. He didn't know why he had chosen this lie out of all the lies that had been neatly arranged in his head. Draco, who loved books about politics and war tactics, couldn't possibly waste his time reading books about health like that.

At first, Harry was a little confused when he heard Draco's strange answer, but seeing Draco's face starting to turn red, Harry realized what the other meant.

"That?" Harry repeated, pretending to be confused.

Draco's face grew even more frustrated, and to Harry's amusement, a laugh served the carriage instantly. "Why do you have to pretend you don't know?" Draco frowned.

His annoyed face invited Harry's mischievous nature. The king rose from his seat, and as he pleased, he flung his buttocks beside Draco. Draco flinched when he saw Harry's action. It didn't stop there. The husband, without saying anything, suddenly pulled Draco by the waist so that they were closer now.

"What are you doing?!" shrieked Draco, a little surprised. He could feel Harry's hands running down his waist and stomach. Does his husband want to ask for his share again? When they just fought? Seriously! Harry put on a seductive smile when he could see the blush on Draco's cheeks, and he must be thinking something dirty.

"Don't be naughty, Draco. You're interfering with our child's growth."

"What?"

"We've had sex so many times. Maybe here our child is growing, the next potential heir," Harry’s palms moved gently to stroke Draco's belly.

"What did you say? Are you currently working as a healer?" Draco gave Harry a strange look, but Harry deafened his hearing.

The king brought his face right in front of Draco's stomach, and he landed a soft kiss there. Harry's action bring Draco to hold his breath. Too nervous. Harry chuckled amusedly at Draco's nervousness, and then he lifted his face so he could see his wife's face that was red as a pomegranate.

"I really want the heir to the throne to grow up here, Draco."

After spending hours on the road, the carriage occupied by Harry and Draco finally began to enter the main gate area of the magnificent palace belonging to Shinia. Draco could clearly catch the screams of the guards who were about to request that the main gate made of white iron and melted gold be opened by the palace guards. Subconsciously, he took a deep breath.

When the carriage came to a complete halt, Harry, in his noble manners, chose to get off the carriage first and held out one of his hands to help Draco down. Draco smiled faintly as he placed his hand on Harry's slightly rough palm. He couldn't help himself from being shocked when he felt his hands being squeezed too tightly by Harry, and it seemed the man was doing it on reflex.

"Harry! I missed you so much!"

The whining voice made Draco neutralize his surprise. Arabelle's hands that were now wrapped around Harry's stomach had explained everything.

"Arabelle, let go of your arms, I want to get off the carriage." Draco said, feeling a little irritated because Harry's grip tightened.

"Oh?" Unashamedly, Arabelle tilted her head so she could see the figure of her queen.

"Let go of your arms." Draco repeated with a faint smile, but that smile was different from the domineering aura that suddenly burst out from within his body.

Realizing what she had just done, Arabelle pulled her hands that had been tightly embracing the body of the man she missed so much. With repeated movements, the young woman in a flashy pink dress bent her body and mumbled an apology that only he could possibly hear. Draco ignored Arabelle's strange behavior. She had spent more than a year in this palace, but she still didn't understand royal manners. Maybe this was a side effect of Arabelle's routine activities, visiting her friends in the village.

"Where have you been these days? Why didn't you tell me?" asked Arabelle, now wrapping her arms around one of Harry's free hands.

"Weren't you the one who didn't go back to the palace yourself? How could we notify you?" Harry asked back, and Arabelle pouted in annoyance.

"But I want to come too!"

"Your Majesty, I'm so tired, I want to go back to my room." Draco's words steal Harry's attention from Arabelle.

"Go back and rest," He smiled at Draco.

"My hand," Draco said, gazing at his hand that was still in Harry's grip.

Sure enough, Harry was surprised. He didn't expect that he was still holding his wife's hand, and he let go of Draco's hand gently. Seeing Harry who immediately turned away his face, Draco couldn't stand to stay in that place. It felt like he was a stranger.

He smiled faintly to disguise the uncomfortable feeling that overtook him before he actually left the place. He took the time to nod his head at Arabelle who for some reason smiled very broadly. It seemed she had been waiting for Draco's husband to return.

"Harry, did you miss me?" Arabelle whined suddenly. The spoiled whimper that escaped her red lips jolted Harry out of his nervousness.

"What do you think?" Harry teased, placing his hands on Arabelle's back and pulling her until she giggled because their body was now pressed together.

"Maybe no. Harry is with His Majesty, Harry will never miss me...” Her smile disappeared from her face. “No, it seems Harry never thought of me either,"

Harry furrowed his brows, and he wasn't comfortable with his mistress' mood swings that were too obvious, in contrast to Draco who was very good at hiding his feelings. "What nonsense are you talking about?" Harry softly tucked some of Arabelle's strands that had slipped from the flower-shaped pins over her soft hair.

Arabelle remained silent, and she turned her attention to the ornaments on Harry's robe knitted with gold thread. Her hands moved to play with the ornaments without hesitation.

"I'm always thinking of you, Arabelle." Harry lied as smoothly as possible. To deal with a woman like Arabelle does require gentleness.

"But you were smiling at His Majesty," Arabelle muttered without wanting to lift her face as the king was now looking at her with a strange look.

"Are you jealous?" Harry asked, and Arabelle lookup instantly.

"No. After thinking about it all this time, I've been too selfish for you. His Majesty should be a person who has full rights over you, but... I messed up everything," She held back her tears.

"What do you mean?"

"Finally, Your Majesty's relationship with His Majesty will grow closer, and I have to get out of here."

A glint of displeasure graced Harry's eyes. The king's jaw tightened, and he unconsciously grabbed Arabelle's waist, making the owner wince a little. "What is this, Arabelle?! Why are you always talking these past few days as if you're tired of this relationship?! Didn't you promise to always be with me until we grow old?!" Harry growled angrily.

"I just can't stand all of this, Your Majesty. This isn't destiny that has been set for—"

"Who cares about destiny!? You will forever be mine!"

"Then what about Draco?! You're just making me an outlet because you can't love Draco, right?!"

Unknowingly, Arabelle raised her voice when she said those words. Now, all the attention of the guards and maids was on them. As usual, they gave Arabelle disapproving looks, and the stares were even more horrifying now, perhaps because Arabelle unknowingly said Draco's name in such a disrespectful manner. Her heart was beating fast when she saw the gazes of the people around her, gazes that seemed to be forcibly pulling and leading her to be beheaded in public.

"Calm down,"

Arabelle blinked, and before she could say anything, Harry had already pulled her into his embrace.

"Keep your eyes off Lady Ansbach!" Harry's orders were absolute. It only took a second, the guards and maids immediately averted their eyes from their king and his mistress. Again, they put on a stiff and indifferent face as if they had heard nothing before.

Arabelle knew if Harry did that to give her a sense of comfort and security, but she felt even more afraid for some reason. Day after day, she felt uneasy living in the palace, especially without Harry by her side.

"Don't do it again or I can't save you from Draco’s devotees."

Needless to say, the day went by so fast. It seemed, just yesterday, Arabelle received horrible stares from many guards and maids. Still, now, she was sitting and smiling whilst looking at her face in the mirror. Praise from the maids who were helping her make-up added to her happiness on her birthday this time. Arabelle didn't expect her birthday to be held in the palace hall.

Usually, Arabelle would have her birthday in the garden. Hearing the word ‘palace hall’, Arabelle already imagined how magnificent the decorations for her birthday this time would be. She had to express her profound gratitude to Draco because the queen always prepared the event for her birthday. Oh, and Arabelle can't wait to receive birthday gifts from Draco and Harry.

"Lady, you look so beautiful tonight." praised a maid, busy doing Arabelle's hair.

"Really?!" Arabelle asked in disbelief, cupping her face.

"Why would I lie, Lady." said the maid that ended with a laugh, and Arabelle laughed too.

Without anyone needing to say anything, Arabelle was well aware that she had been blessed with a beautiful face and always looked adorable even though she was currently through her teenage years. But, Arabelle always felt small when she had to be next to Draco. Had Arabelle made a big mistake if she wanted Draco to dress modestly tonight?

She sighed roughly. She knew what was in her wish would never come true. Even if it came true, Draco would always succeed in attracting everyone's attention. But that's okay. As long as it's Draco she admired, Arabelle won't be so disappointed because that's how it should be.

A knock on the door interrupted them.

"We delivered jewelery to Lady Ansbach from His Majesty.”

Arabelle immediately shifted her gaze from the mirror to a maid who was now walking towards her with a beautiful wooden box in her hands. "Is that for me?!" asked Arabelle with sparkling eyes. Ah, did I say that Arabelle was a woman who likes shiny and expensive things?

"Of course, Lady."

Smiling broadly, Arabelle opened the beautiful wooden box hastily, and the mistress seemed impatient to receive a gift from the man who had decorated her gloomy days.

"Oh, Lord..."

Spontaneously, Arabelle covered her wide open mouth. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw what was inside the box. The maids were as surprised as Arabelle when they saw what jewelry their king had given to his mistress.

"Is this really for me?" Arabelle asked in disbelief. She stretched out her hand to reach for a beautiful tiara adorned with bright red and black gems.

The tiara looked so expensive and fabulous. Her fingers moved to rub the beautiful gemstones that were arranged so neatly on the tiara, and her surprised look had now been replaced with a happy one. During her stay in this magnificent palace, she never once thought it would be presumptuous to be able to wear a tiara on her head. Getting the mercy of Harry's legal wife alone was a blessing in itself for Arabelle. But today, Arabelle was stunned. She never imagined she would wear a tiara that looked so expensive on her birthday, even though Arabelle was just an ordinary girl who didn't have a drop of blue blood in her veins.

"This... doesn't this tiara have the same shape as the tiara His Majesty Draco wore on his first birthday celebration in this palace?"

The whisper of the maidservant sounded too clear to Arabelle's ears. The happy smile that previously brightened the girl's face gradually disappeared. The movement of her fingers on the tiara stopped for a moment. Arabelle should have realized this was the consequence she had to bear as a mistress.

Until then, she would never be the first.

"Looks like Harry sent the wrong gift. I have to see him," Arabelle stiffened a smile. She put back the tiara she had been holding. The girl bit her lower lip hard when she was still listening to the whispers of the servants, clearly insulting her.

"Lady, you can't go. You have to get ready, and soon the celebration will be—"

"I won't be long," Arabelle interrupted quickly.

"But—"

Before the maid could voice her disapproval, Arabelle had already lifted her pink dress high without heeding anything. The young woman came out of her room and ran along the hall. She ignored the stares of the maids who were clearly mocking her and again blasphemed herself as a woman who did not know manners.

If she had known that life in the palace would be this hard from the start, she would never have wanted to help Harry and let him have her body. If Arabelle had not obeyed Harry's orders for her to come with him to the palace, she would have been sitting in her dilapidated house right now, pouring out all her love for her child. Her concentration was broken when she saw Harry talking with one of the royal council members. From a distance, Arabelle could see the two men of different generations engaged in a serious conversation.

This afternoon, Harry looked so handsome. Draco must be so happy to have a husband as perfect as Harry. Disregarding all the rules, Arabelle ran around. She was about to meet Harry by surprising the man from behind. A mischievous smile had graced her face until she overheard Harry's conversation with the older man beside him.

"You can't act as you please like this, Your Majesty. Don't follow your heart! You are a king of a great empire, not just a man who is drunk with stupid feelings!"

"Can't you keep your mouth shut, huh? Had you not contributed much in the reign of the previous king, I might have beheaded you by now. Everyone has agreed with my proposal, both His Majesty, the Baron and Baroness of the Eastern Land as well as the members of the council. Don't you feel foolish for standing as the only person against my decision?" said Harry, glaring at the figure of an old man.

"This is all for the sake of the Shinia Kingdom, Your Majesty. You can't raise a woman from nowhere to become a noble!"

"The person you call a woman from nowhere is my woman. My woman!" Harry tightened his jaw.

"Even though the woman is yours, but we can't appoint her as a noble, Your Majesty! Please understand! She is just an ordinary village youth. By adopting her as a noble, you will not have another chance to throw her away!" The older man explained, slightly frustrated.

The older man knew very well that Harry's habit had been passed down by the man's father himself, but if you look closely, Harry had gone further than his father. Despite having many mistresses, Harry's father never thought of raising his women into royalty.

"Feelings can fade with time when your feelings for that woman disappear. Don't you think what the consequences will be for that woman and yourself? If you love her, don't even think about making her a noble, she won't be able to bear all the insults she will receive in the future."

"Stop! Your opinion still won't influence my decision!" Ignoring the older man, Harry took his steps wide to leave the garden. His departure invited a harsh sigh from the older man.

The older man rubbed his face lightly before he looked up. His eyes narrowed sharply when he saw the figure of Arabelle who had been not far behind him and Harry. Arabelle's heart was beating fast when her eyes collided with the older man's that was still looking so sharp. She unconsciously bit her lip.

Ignoring the fact that the woman he was staring at was his king’s mistress, the man took a step away from Arabelle without the slightest smile of respect. It was obvious that the older man didn't like Arabelle. His departure made Arabelle's heart hammered faster.

"I can’t be like this..." She mumbled.

Glenice placed the crown of a Shinia Royal Queen on Draco's head with a cautious gesture. Draco's maid chuckled in awe when she saw how perfect Draco was now. "You look so stunning, Your Majesty," praised Glenice, gazing at the reflection of Draco's beautiful face that seemed to emit an aura of extraordinary authority.

Draco pulled out a smile and nodded his head faintly before his rosy lips mumbled a thank you to Glenice. "Are all the guests in the banquet hall?" He rose from his seat.

"Not yet, Your Majesty, maybe because there's still a lot of time left," Glenice explained, giving Draco an adoring look. Her queen always looked fabulous!

"Then, I want to check the party preparations one last time. This is Arabelle's first festive party. I don't want any mistakes here."

Glenice’s face scrunched in uneasiness, but she couldn't do anything about it. She never knew what her queen was thinking. How could he be this kind to his husband's mistress? Was it true that the queen never had the slightest bit of love for his own husband?

"Since you guys have worked hard for this party, today you can rest in your rooms. I will personally check the preparations for the last time," Draco looked at all the maids. One by one, the maids who had helped Draco move out of the room left Draco and Glenice alone as the maid had been standing frozen right next to him.

"I think you're the one working the hardest, Glenice. Why don't you go?" Draco looked at Glenice awkwardly since she didn't move an inch from her position.

"I am your personal servant, Your Majesty. It is my duty to always accompany you."

"But you've worked hard today, I offered you a gift but you refused, don't you think about your queen's feelings?"

Glenice's eyes balled up for a split second before she dropped herself and knelt at Draco's feet. Her head hung low, and Draco let out a small sigh. "I will never leave you, Your Majesty. Even if you give me 1000 free days, I will still be by your side, being the servant who will fulfill all your needs. Don't force me to leave this wonderful job, Your Majesty."

"But in the end, I’m the one who will leave you."

The words that he had just said made Glenice look up and stare at him in surprise. Glenice's surprise brought a smile to Draco's face. The queen carefully bent his body. His soft hand moved to caress the side of Glenice's face gently.

"I will always remember you until the gates of death open for me. Therefore, let me do this one last time, let me prepare Arabelle's feast for the last time."

"Your Majesty..." Glenice called softly as Draco pulled his palm away.

"Everything will be fine. Trust me." He soothed, and Glenice's body froze.

For some reason, the words Draco had just spoken weighed heavily on her mind. Glenice remained where she was and watched Draco leave with many questions on her head. Draco sighed softly as he strode the corridors, which guards in special service attire heavily guarded, official garments only worn when there was a big party in the kingdom.

Draco couldn't stop smiling at all the guards and servants who greeted him with respect and admiration. As long as Draco stepped on his feet, he kept watching all the decorations he had prepared, Draco couldn't hide his happy smile when he not only made the palace hall look lively, but he also made every corner of this palace lively.

He didn't want to admit this. However, Arabelle's first birthday event in the palace hall was absolutely stunning. Draco didn't even receive such a festive decoration when his first birthday was celebrated in this palace. But never mind, this would probably be the last time. At least, Draco had made a good impression on Arabelle.

Draco frowned faintly when he could see his father's carriage had been beautifully parked in the courtyard. His surprise only grew intense when he saw his father get off the expensive carriage and cast his piercing gaze on Draco. Without needing to ask, Draco knew very well that his father was asking Draco to meet him.

With a heavy heart, Draco walked down the steps that connected the palace to the courtyard. Inwardly, Draco cursed his father, and maybe the older man couldn't wait to see him.

"Your Majesty, you can't do this to me!"

Draco lifted his face when he heard a familiar voice. A frown crossed his brows after he saw Arabelle standing in front of him, but Harry's mistress looked shorter than usual since she was standing on a step lower than the one Draco was climbing.

"What's wrong, Arabelle? Why are you crying? Shouldn't you be getting ready—"

"Stop all that attention, Your Majesty! I'm tired of all these lies!"

His body stiffened at Arabelle's scream that sounded so loud. For God's sake, Harry's mistress had indeed lost her mind. She shouted without the slightest burden on the stairs that the royal guests would pass.

"What did you say?" Draco asked frantically as he stepped down to reach Arabelle, but when Draco moved down one step, Arabelle also moved down one.

"I know I'm just a mistress, but that doesn't mean I'll always have your leftovers, Your Majesty!"

This time Arabelle's screams invited some of the guests to move closer to Draco and Arabelle. The arrival of the guests made Draco even more panicked. He didn't want the party he had prepared with all his heart to be ruined just like that because of Arabelle's bragging.

"We can talk about this, Arabelle. You don't have to shout like this. It's not good for the guests to see."

"This is what you want, isn't it Your Majesty?! You did me a favor to make everyone blaspheme against me more, so that everyone blames me for being Harry's mistress. Are you jealous of me getting Harry's love that you do everything you can to make them blas—"

Before Arabelle could finish her sentence, Draco had already taken an intermediate step towards her and slapped the woman on the cheek. The slap was so strong. The sound of Draco's palm meeting Arabelle's cheek made the guests flinch in surprise.

His breath hitched when he finally released a slap to Arabelle's face, but when he heard Arabelle's sobs, Draco seemed to be pulled back into reality. He saw how the people around them were giving Arabelle pitying looks and how the people were ignoring their queen.

"Arabelle, I didn't mean—"

"Arabelle!"

Draco's sentence was interrupted upon hearing his husband's voice calling out the woman’s name. He saw how his husband ran frantically towards them. He saw how Harry immediately grabbed Arabelle and gave her a protective hug.

"What are you doing, Draco?!" Harry snapped right in front of him, and Draco flinched in surprise. Out of nowhere, Draco could feel his eyes blurring, as if he blinked, clear crystals would fall from them.

"I'm just teaching her some manners." Draco defended himself, looking straight at Harry’s furious eyes. His voice shook, but he forced himself to stand up straight. Only he and God knew that at this moment, a feeling of tightness was filling the recesses of his heart.

Now, Draco could undoubtedly hear the various whispers from the guests, whispering about how much they pitied Arabelle and cursed Draco since he had acted too badly towards his husband's mistress, even though having a mistress was not something new among nobles.

"You slapped her, damn it!"

Draco blinked his tears. "I wouldn't have slapped her if she hadn't—"

"Oh? Do you not want Arabelle to get a noble title that you have to do something this despicable?! I should have realized from the start, you are just a selfish queen who cares about the kingdom. You never want to let your husband give the peerage to the person he loves!"

The whispers were getting clearer in both Draco's ears, and they were cursing him. They were cursing the queen they had been cheering for. Draco looked up and saw how the people were staring at him. Draco saw how his father was casting angry looks on him. He saw how the guests threw scornful glances at him. He saw how his servants were staring at him with frightened and shocked faces until his eyes accidentally collided with his ex-lover who also implied hidden emotions. Draco couldn't stay here. He didn't want to be hated and forgotten. He had been doing well so far, but why? Why did it end up like this?

"Draco!"

Ignored Harry's screams, Draco twisted his body and ran away. Everyone widened their eyes in shock. They had just seen their queen violate the noble's manners. He ignored the people who were booing him more and more. He ran with tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Draco! Damn it!"

After successfully running from the crowd that suffocated his chest, Draco immediately entered his room, and he locked the wooden door hastily. The sound of heartbreaking sobs invaded the room. He hit his forehead on the door with so much force over and over again. But unfortunately, that stupid act didn't have any impact. Draco even felt his head getting heavier until he shifted to touch the top of his head that was still adorned with a majestic crown.

"Damned crown!" Draco hissed furiously before he roughly tugged at the crown.

Having succeeded to pull the crown off with a grunt, Draco gripped it tightly, and another grievous sobbing sound erupted from his lips. His gaze blurred for a moment before he tightly gripped the crown that had been placed on his head for the past five years. The crown had been the reason for Draco to stay for the past five years, from his father who constantly pressured him, from his husband who ignored him, from his husband's mistress, from anyone.

"I just want to be a perfect queen. I just want my mother to have a proper resting place. Why is everything so difficult now. Why?!" Draco clutched the crown tightly against his heaving chest. "I've done everything well, but why does it have to be like this? What mistake did I make?"

One of his freed hands moved to strike his own chest with such a powerful blow. The tightness in his chest felt so real, and it hurt so much. Sobs and tears incessantly seized the silence in the room. His body jolted in shock when he heard a banging sound from behind his bedroom door. Draco stared fearfully at the door. The intensity of the blow was so strong that the door looked like it could collapse at any moment.

Fear, deep sadness, and frustration made Draco unable to think clearly. The young man rose from his position and ran to the balcony of his room. The only thing on his mind was how he got out of this room.

"Draco!"

His eyes widened in fear upon seeing the person who had embarrassed him in public manage to break down his door. Quickly, Draco moved to grab the nearby candlestick and aimed it right at him.

"Don't come near me!" Draco shouted in frustration. Many people were looking at him with pitying eyes. After all the gossip he had received, those people still gave him pitying looks. What was going on in their brains?

"Stop this, Draco. We can have a good talk. No crying or threats!" exclaimed Harry as he walked over to Draco.

His body quivered violently as he watched Harry approach him. Draco was afraid. He was scared that his husband's hand would drag him down and lock him in prison. He would make Draco slowly forgotten and erased from history. After everything Draco had done, was he destined to be treated like this by his people?

"Get out of my room if you don't want to see me burn here!" Draco shouted again as he brought the candle closer to his garments.

Everyone was shocked at Draco's crazy actions, Harry was no exception, but the man still insisted on approaching Draco. That stubbornness frustrated Draco even more. It seemed Draco had to end things here. At least, if he died right now, he would be remembered by history.

It's okay, Draco, you're strong enough to get to this point. It happened so fast the candles fell effortlessly from Draco's hand. The flame that previously looked small and meaningless had now turned into a fierce one.

"DRACO!!"

His eardrums were still functioning well, and he could hear two cousins shouting his name loudly. Draco was firm with his decision. He just stood there still and closed his eyes as the fire consumed the hem of his dress so fiercely. He had thought that today was the day he died. Wasn't it amazing if a queen dies on the exact same date as the king’s mistress was born? But alas, wishful thinking, Draco saw with both eyes how Harry was trying to extinguish the fire. The man took off his robe and let the expensive cloth burn.

He also saw how many nobles and servants just looked at the fearful sight. They seemed to really enjoy the crazy action of a queen who the people had hailed. It appeared, nothing had crossed their minds in the slightest to put out the fire that was devouring their queen.

"Have you lost your mind?! What did you just do!!?" Harry roared as he had extinguished the fire.

"That’s right! I've lost my mind! I want to die! That's what you wanted to hear, right?!" Draco replied in a voice no less potent than Harry's. The king narrowed his eyes when he could see the look of despair on Draco's face even though the room looked so dim from the lack of light from the candles.

Harry took a shaky breath. "You should rest,"

Draco snorted, and his husband gasped. Of course! In all his life, he had never seen Draco make a defiant gesture at him, but tonight, Draco had just snorted in front of him so boldly. "I do want to rest forever." Draco stated with a blank face. There was no emotion in his expression.

Before anything untoward happened, Draco spun around, and with the fastest movement possible, he ran towards the balcony. He had to die today. It didn't matter if the time was too short and Draco hadn't finished anything because, in the end, he would indeed leave this crazy world.

Harry flinched when he saw Draco running away from him. The man spontaneously followed along with his wife and reached out to grab Draco's stomach from behind. With ease, Harry lifted Draco's body so that the blonde would no longer run and do other stupid things.

"Let go of me, motherfucker! Let me go!" Draco shouted emotionally. He struggled in Harry's arms. His hands reached out to claw at Harry's hands that were wrapped around his stomach, and he could not stay still. His legs were also active to kick anything nearby.

Draco continued to rebel in Harry's arms so brutally, and it became an exhilarating spectacle for the royal guests who looked very thirsty for oblique news. Harry realized that he shouldn't have allowed their personal matters to become gossip that the upper class would talk about, so, without thinking, Harry hit Draco on the neck. Not too hard, but managed to make the young man lose all consciousness.

Draco's body that had been giving up rebellion suddenly weakened. Seeing this, Harry swiftly fixed Draco's position in his arms. Under the moonlight peeking through the windows, Harry found his wife's beautiful face looked so messed up.

It's a shame, and Harry can't be bothered when he finds out that he's the one who caused that face to no longer be decorated with happiness.

"Quickly call the royal physician to my room! You will be beheaded if the healer isn't there!" The firm words that came out of Harry's mouth made the servants shatter in fear. At his look, everyone trembled in fear, even the guests who had previously filled the corridor of Draco's room immediately scattered.

Cedric watched Harry leave with his jaw tightened tightly. All this time, Draco's ex-lover just stood there and watched how his cousin was trying to save Draco. It felt like Cedric wanted to slash his brother's neck. How could Harry act to save Draco when he himself had been the cause of Draco's loss of the thing he had been so protective of all this time?

Inwardly, Cedric had sworn he would free Draco from Harry’s grip. Although Cedric knew very well that he would never be able to have a relationship with Draco, at least, Cedric would let the young man be free to get the love he wanted, even if it was from another man. Harry walked the two of them in haste. His wife's pale face made his heart overwhelmed with anger. He kept saying various curses to himself. He wasn't too stupid to realize that this crazy thing happened because of him.

One of Harry's legs moved to break open his bedroom door with some force. The man cursed again when he saw that none of the maids dared to open his door. It seemed their fear of Harry had succeeded in making them forget their duty.

Hurriedly, Harry laid Draco down on his bed. Luckily, the royal healer was already there. Otherwise, Harry might have gone berserk and beheaded his innocent servants and guards. Harry's body stiffened when he saw the healer holding up Draco's dress. His eyes felt extremely hot when he saw the burn so big on the calf to the back of Draco’s leg.

Good grief! Hadn't he put out the fire earlier?! Then why the burn could be there?! No, no! It's all his fault! It's all Harry's fault! He had failed to take care of his wife. He had been unable to take care of Draco’s body and heart!

"Your Majesty, this—"

"I don't want to know! Heal the burn!"

"I'll try, Your Majesty. However, the burn..." The healer deliberately hung his sentence to see Harry's reaction, and he was surprised when Harry's eyes looked teary. Harry would drip clear crystals any seconds if he blinked.

The king was vulnerable upon seeing Draco helpless due to his stupid actions. It felt like Harry had hurt Draco countless times, but he kept doing the same thing repeatedly. Harry was disgusted with himself. He still remembered how his lips said he wanted Draco, but now? He again put more distance between himself and Draco. Draco's husband was an asshole. He didn't deserve to be Draco's husband. But a crazy fate had bound them.

Harry closed his eyes in frustration. He was sorry. He shouldn't have yelled at Draco, and he shouldn't have spoken harsh words to Draco, but he was just a normal human being with a threshold of patience.

Chapter Text

Harry rubbed his tired face roughly. It had been two nights since the tragedy occurred, yet his wife remained faithfully in the realm of dreams. Draco seemed to be enjoying his dream world so much as if he had no reason to wake up anymore, and honestly, that thought made Harry feel a strange fear in his heart.

Almost every moment, Harry would observe his wife's chest, whether it was still moving normally. Was he still breathing in oxygen? There were also times when Harry would bring his palm close to Draco's nose, ensuring whether he was still breathing.

"Draco, forgive me. Please wake up. I will fix everything," He said while staring at Draco's features, which was getting paler day by day.

His hand brushed aside a few strands of hair clinging sweetly to Draco's beautiful face. Although there was no hint of happiness on Draco's face, his beauty could not be denied; it was true... all this time, Harry had wasted the Goddess of the Kingdom of Shinia.

"We will build your dream family. I promise, Draco, I will make you happy."

That hand reached out again to grasp one of Draco's bony hand. He held the cold palm tightly. Gently, Harry placed a kiss on the back of Draco's hand. His grip on the hand grew stronger. He showered the back of that hand with tender kisses and a few tears that he couldn't hold back.

"We will start everything anew. That's why... please... open your eyes," Harry pleaded with a trembling voice. He knew very well that Draco wouldn't answer his words. The man was slowly losing his hope.

A little frustrated, he guided Draco's hand to his own cheek, carefully moving the hand so that it seemed to caress his skin. Harry closed his eyes when he felt his heart turning blue once again. Draco had truly succeeded in making him a weak man who easily shed tears. A man who should not have become a king.

"Your Majesty..."

When Harry heard that voice calling him with a melancholic tone, he quickly wiped away the tears that were filling his cheeks. He blinked a few times before lifting his head to look at the voice's owner.

"What is it, Arabelle?" He asked, gazing at Arabelle, who was approaching him.

"Is... His Majesty still not awake?" Arabelle asked cautiously, looking at her queen lying weakly on Harry's bed.

"If he wakes up, he won't be in this bed, Arabelle," Harry answered patiently as he stood up.

"Oh... right," Arabelle murmured, looking worriedly at Draco, who showed no signs of waking up from his sleep.

"Why did you come here?"

The question from the king once again made her body flinch, and she stood up stiffly. Suddenly, all the courage she had gathered throughout the night evaporated instantly. The intense aura of dominance from Harry froze her tongue. Arabelle's body flinched again when she felt a gentle pat from Harry on her shoulder. Inevitably, she shifted her gaze from Draco to Harry's tired face.

"I... I want... I... I..."

Harry patiently looked at Arabelle, waiting for his mistress to utter a clear sentence. He folded his arms in front his chest and focused on Arabelle.

"I... I want... I want..."

"What do you want?" Harry asked, looking coldly at Arabelle. He was slightly annoyed that his mistress couldn't utter a clear sentence.

Arabelle's heart raced wildly. She wanted to run away from Harry but realized she couldn't escape her responsibility. "I want to apologize, Your Majesty."

A furrow appeared on Harry's forehead when he heard Arabelle calling him “Your Majesty”. Usually, Arabelle never addressed him like that unless they were arguing. Harry continued to gaze at Arabelle's face, this time more intensely and sharply. He felt something amiss here.

"The commotion at my birthday party... actually, it wasn't His Majesty's fault. I'm the one who caused the commotion. I framed His Majesty."

"What do you mean?" Harry hissed at Arabelle, who had now shed tears.

Suddenly, she threw herself right in front of Harry, kneeling at his feet. She lowered her head until her forehead touched the floor, her long black tresses scattered around. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. Please grant me forgiveness. I... I just didn't want to gain a noble title—"

"A noble title? You already knew about that issue?" Harry asked, his jaw clenched.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. Forgive me. I accidentally overheard Your Majesty's conversation. Please forgive me," Arabelle sobbed. "The incident that night... His Majesty was not at fault at all... I was the one who framed His Majesty. I deserve to be slapped by His Majesty."

In that instant, Harry felt like the biggest fool of a husband. How could he have been swayed by what he had just seen? He had been married to Draco for five years and should have realized that Draco was skilled at controlling emotions. If he had slapped Arabelle, it meant that Arabelle had crossed her limits.

Damn it! Harry's hands clenched tightly. He was fully aware that this was all his fault. He had yelled at his own wife in public, tarnishing his reputation, making him cry, and driving him to contemplate ending his life.

There will never be heaven for you, Harry!

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I—"

"Why did you do all of this, Lady Ansbach?"

Instantly, Arabelle's sobbing ceased. Unable to contain herself, Arabelle lifted her face to look at Harry, but unfortunately, he seemed too disgusted to meet her gaze.

"I didn't want to become a nob—"

"But this is not the way!" Harry yelled loudly, unintentionally kicking one of Arabelle's arms, causing her body to collapse. Sobs once again escaped from her lips, this time without the adornment of lipstick. "Because of your foolish actions, Draco's reputation has been tarnished. He even almost killed himself. Didn't you use your common sense before doing that crazy thing, huh?!"

Harry's shouting made Arabelle cry even harder, the pain in her heart and arm exacerbating her tears. She could only watch as her tears fell on the floor, drop by drop. Arabelle was scared, very scared.

"Indeed, mistresses like you have no shred of common sense. You only think about worldly satisfaction."

The feeling of suffocation intensified in Arabelle's chest as she heard Harry's words. She knew very well that she was only a mistress to Harry. But something inside her wanted to scream so loudly that she wasn't the mistress Harry was referring to.

If only Arabelle had some money, she would never want to be the mistress of a king. By God, every day, her heart and mind were shaken.

"Now leave my presence. You will be confined to your own chamber for an indefinite period of time."

Arabelle felt a surge of frustration, wanting to scream when she heard the punishment Harry had imposed on her. But unfortunately, she would never be able to do that.

"Thank you... thank you very much, Your Majesty," Arabelle said amidst tears before rising from her position.

Before leaving the room, she took a moment to gaze at Harry's back. The king seemed so disgusted to look at her face. This time, she felt like a wide abyss separated her from Harry. Biting her lip to suppress her sobbing, Arabelle turned her body and walked away from the room.

After ensuring that Arabelle was gone, Harry intended to return to his original place by Draco's side. However, when he was about to turn around, Harry found the figure occupying his mind, now looking at him with an indescribable gaze.

Happiness and emotion raced to fill his inner being. He instantly forgot his anger that had surged high due to Arabelle's confession. Harry took wide steps towards Draco's side.

"Draco—! H-how do you feel?" He asked, unable to hide the happiness in every word.

Draco also wanted to answer that question. But he felt an excruciating pain in his throat that seemed to forbid him from speaking. The joyous gaze from Harry, something he rarely received, compelled him to voice his thoughts.

"Your screams... startled me..."

Suddenly, Harry's eyes widened upon hearing Draco's voice for the first time since he fell into a coma. Although fragmented, he was happy because those lips uttered a sentence. Draco was different. The young man had forgiven him and never held any grudges. Harry shouldn't have wasted it; Draco was too precious to be ignored.

"Are you... alright?" He asked with an overtly worried tone.

Draco responded with a nod and a smile, unlike Harry, who stood frozen in place. His lips were sealed shut; his hands clenched tightly as if an indescribable emotion pounded in his chest.

"Why are you still smiling at me so softly?"

That question wiped the smile off Draco's lips. He scanned his husband's disheveled face.

"Hey..." Draco called out in a voice that sounded so hoarse. With all his strength, he forced himself to raise his weak hand. "Come here... don't just stand there..." He continued, with his hand outstretched towards Harry.

Feelings of frustration, helplessness, anger, sadness, disappointment, and happiness struck Harry with full force. He remained immobile, but his eyes couldn't deceive Draco; the king was trying to hold back his tears.

It must be so nauseating to cry when you're the one at fault.

"Hey... don't you miss me?" Draco asked.

Harry's eyes widened in surprise at Draco's question. He couldn't hold back his tears. The man took wide steps towards Draco. He knelt by the side of the bed that had been his wife's favorite spot for the past two days. He grasped Draco's soft hand, holding it tightly and kissing it.

For some reason, Draco's heart ached as he felt his husband's tears falling on the back of his hand.

"You... you're crying..." Draco whispered, his lips visibly trembling.

"I'm sorry... forgive me... I always hurt you. Forgive me for never truly deserving to be your husband," Harry said, bringing Draco's hand right in front of his face.

"It's okay... everyone makes mistakes." Draco's words made Harry raise his face, looking at his tear-streaked face, and once again, it was all because of Harry.

"Why is it so easy for you to forgive me? You should vent all your anger and punish me. But why do you forgive me, Draco?" Harry asked, disbelief evident in his voice.

The question choked Draco, unsure of how to answer. He looked at Harry long enough before forcing a painful smile and shaking his head.

Draco cried, this time even harder.

Unable to bear Draco's heartbreaking cries, Harry rose from his position and embraced Draco's body. He lifted Draco's back, allowing the young man to pour out all the pent-up sadness.

Harry's stroked Draco's trembling back. He, too, was crying. Crying over his own foolish actions that had shattered Draco into pieces.

When Draco's cries became less agonizing, Harry carefully pulled away, distancing Draco from his embrace. His fingers trembled as he tried to wipe away the traces of tears on his wife's beautiful face.

"You have no idea... how close I came to madness, waiting for you to wake up, Draco." Harry said, ending with a bitter laugh. He tucked a few strands of Draco's hair behind his ear.

"Why?" Draco asked, not understanding. The memory of Harry's angry face when he slapped Arabelle was still fresh in his mind, so why... why was he still by his side now?

"Because I want to fix our relationship. I want to start everything anew, Draco. You deserve to be happy."

Draco observed Harry's serious-looking face, and occasionally a faint wrinkle adorned the handsome face.

"Does it hurt?" Harry asked, alternating his gaze between Draco's leg and face.

Draco offered a thin smile and shook his head before his lips parted to answer Harry's question, "You've asked the same thing repeatedly, Your Majesty. This kind of injury means nothing to me."

Harry sighed tiredly. His looked at Draco with a difficult-to-interpret gaze before he decided to move away from the bedside. In the silence, Draco watched his husband's back as he had been by his side for the past seven days. Harry always helped Draco, assisting him with bathing, changing clothes, eating, applying ointment to his feet, and other trivial matters. In an instant, the king transformed into a caregiver.

Draco looked at Harry, who approached him again with a white bandage rolled in his hand. The man returned to his position and carefully lifted Draco's leg onto his lap. With gentle movements, he wrapped Draco's wound.

Draco flinched when he saw Harry kissing his leg, more precisely, the wound that had been covered with a white bandage. "Your Majesty!" He exclaimed, slightly pulling back his leg. However, Harry's hand gripped Draco's thigh gently, preventing him from pulling his leg further away. Draco's eyes widened as he saw Harry kissing his leg more intensely. "Your Majesty, stop! It's not proper, you're a king—"

"And you are the wife of this King. How can you call my actions improper, Draco? I only want to adore my wife," Harry interjected while looking at Draco's face, but he didn't release his gentle grip on Draco's leg and thigh.

"But... it's not like that," Draco said, shifting his gaze away from Harry's face.

Harry smiled warmly before releasing his hold on Draco's leg and thigh. "Do you want to take a walk?"

The enticing offer tempted Draco to look back at Harry. "Where to?" He asked.

"The palace gardens, perhaps?" Harry suggested, rising from his position and taking steps towards Draco.

Instantly, the sparkle of happiness that had adorned Draco's eyes dimmed. He let out a small sigh and shook his head.

"I think I'll stay here. The healer said I should rest a lot," He politely declined, adjusting his position. Slowly, he turned away from Harry. He pulled up the blanket that barely covered his body.

The king stood still as he witnessed Draco's soft rejection. He was not someone who was deaf; he was well aware of the unpleasant rumors circulating within the palace about Draco. He wished he could silence the gossipmongers, but once again, he was acutely aware that his actions had fueled those rumors.

It was all Harry's fault. He sighed inwardly before moving closer to Draco's bedside and kneeling there. One of his hands softly stroked Draco's disheveled blond locks.

"Forgive me, if it wasn't for me, you would have—" Harry began, but Draco cut him off with a raspy voice.

"Enough, Harry. There's no need to regret anymore. It's all happened. Stop apologizing," Draco interjected.

The caressing hand came to an immediate halt. Harry withdrew his palm from Draco's hair and clenched his fist. With a disappointment, He rose from his kneeling position.

"I'll be gone for a while. If you need anything, you can ring the bell," Harry bid farewell, receiving only a murmured response from the other.

With an overwhelming burden in his heart, he walked out of Draco's room. He took determined steps towards his study. As he passed through the palace corridors, he unintentionally glanced at the tightly shut door of his mistress' chamber, just as it had been for the previous days.

Something was nagging at Harry's heart when he thought about Arabelle. Had he been too harsh with her, causing his mistress to distance herself completely? Indeed, the Arabelle known to Harry would never be able to go a day without seeing him, yet here they were... seven days had passed, and his mistress refused to steal any more of Harry's time?

Nevertheless, Harry also felt somewhat relieved because he knew that if Arabelle visited him, she would complain incessantly, preventing Harry from repairing his relationship with Draco.

"Good morning, Your Majesty."

A single sentence from his Royal Aide, who seemed to have been waiting for the king, greeted his arrival. Instantly, Harry's frowned with displeasure as he noticed the pile of papers on his desk.

"You finally arrived, Your Majesty. Many letters have been left unattended due to your ab—"

"I didn't come to work. I came to instruct you to send all the servants home until tonight," Harry quickly interrupted, startling his Royal Aide.

"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty?" the Royal Aide asked in confusion. How could he send the numerous servants, who lived in the palace during their service and mostly hailed from the village, back home? They only returned to their villages once a year for a 10-day break.

"I'm sure you're not deaf," Harry said sharply, his gaze piercing the Royal Aide again, causing him to startle.

"Apologies, Your Majesty. The order will be carried out," the Royal Aide replied, bowing his head.

"Now, go quickly and dismiss the staff," Harry said irritably.

With a slight sprint, the Royal Aide hurriedly left his office. After his Royal Aide's departure, Harry stared fixedly out the window of his study, eagerly anticipating the departure of the palace servants.

One by one, he watched as the servants in their dark red uniforms made their way toward the palace gates. He stood up, impatiently tapping his foot on the floor.

When Harry felt that all the servants had left the palace, he quickly turned his body and took steps to leave his office. A sense of euphoria filled Harry's heart as he saw the empty palace corridors, devoid of anyone, not even the guards who usually stood stiffly in their places.

Almost forgetting the fact that he was the king of a large kingdom, Harry ran lightly towards his wife's room. A small smile appeared on his face as his mind instinctively planned all the enjoyable things he could do with Draco.

He forcefully pushed open Draco's door, resulting in a loud collision between the wooden door and the wall, which disturbed the other as he was about to enter his dream world.

"Draco, wake up! We have to go for a walk today!" Harry exclaimed eagerly, stepping closer.

Draco scrunched his face as he noticed something different about Harry. He wasn't the same as the man he had seen just an hour ago. "No, I want to sleep, Your Majesty," Draco rejected, pulling the covers up high to hide his head.

Unexpectedly, Harry roughly pulled the thick blanket, causing Draco to startle awake and gaze at Harry with wide, beautiful eyes that showed no hint of innocence.

"Let's go for a walk in the palace gardens. A few days ago, the servants planted new flowers. Don't you want to see the new blooms?" Harry persisted, undeterred.

"No! Now, give me my blanket and let me sleep. You've disturbed my rest!" Draco exclaimed, his face turning red with the emotions he was forcefully suppressing.

Without remorse, Harry shook his head, carefully rolled up Draco's blanket, and placed the bundle on top of the wardrobe.

"Harry!" Draco whined, his voice echoing as he witnessed the childish act just carried out by the king himself.

Harry chuckled as he heard Draco's endearing tone reverberating in his ears. He turned his body and found Draco staring at him with a look that exuded an extraordinary aura of animosity. "Now, the choice is yours. Either come with me or come with me," Harry offered, stepping closer to Draco.

"I don't want to come. I want to sle—Harry!" Draco suddenly shouted loudly, calling out his husband's name as he felt himself being lifted up by him.

His husband, Harry, lifted Draco effortlessly without saying a word.

"Put me down! I want to sleep!" Draco growled, scratching Harry's arm.

Harry merely chuckled at Draco's words. Truly, Draco felt as if Harry's mind had switched. Could it be that he had gone mad from only gazing at Draco's face for the past seven days?

"Fascinated, huh?" Harry asked suddenly as he felt Draco staring intently at him.

Instantly, Draco's fair complexion turned red, adorned with a heat that felt so intense. He felt incredibly embarrassed and even averted his gaze.

When Draco shifted his gaze, he looked down the corridor, which appeared empty with no one in sight, not even the guards who usually stood there for 24 hours non-stop. Was there an important celebration happening today?

"Where are the guards and the servants who were here?" Draco asked curiously, avoiding eye contact with Harry, still feeling embarrassed.

"Oh, I sent them home," Harry answered so casually.

The response made Draco look at him with a peculiar gaze as if something had indeed happened in his mind. "Why did you send them home?"

"Because today, I want it to be just the two of us without those idle troublemakers," Harry replied.

Draco couldn't hide his happiness as he heard the joyful laughter from his husband. Instantly, the frustration and fear that had filled him vanished.

"Harry, don't run so fast! The palace garden isn't going anywhere!" Draco said amidst his small laughter, but it seemed that Harry had temporarily blocked out his sense of hearing. He continued to run with Draco cradled in his arms, causing his long blond hair to sway back and forth.

Seeing Harry deliberately ignoring him, Draco could only shake his head. He nestled his body closer to Harry, resting his head on his broad chest, andshe could hear the strong beating of his heart.

When Harry stopped in his tracks, Draco quickly lifted his face from Harry's chest. He scanned the palace garden, looking so different from the last time he had seen it. The once plain white flowers had been replaced by an array of colorful blooms, albeit still small.

Unable to contain himself, Draco's smile widened.

"Do you like it?" Harry's question startled Draco from his surprise and admiration. The young man tilted his face slightly to meet Harry's gaze, nodding enthusiastically with a smile.

Harry's heart warmed at the sight of his wife's reaction. He then brought his face closer to Draco’s. Originally, Harry had wanted to capture Draco's full lips, but unexpectedly, Draco tilted his face, causing their noses to bump against each other.

Harry laughed, but in an instant, his laughter turned into a joyful smile as he playfully pressed his nose against Draco's. The empty palace corridor was filled with the couple's laughter, seemingly intoxicated by love.

Smiling, Harry walked toward a wooden chair in the middle of the garden. This time, Harry didn't run. He gently lowered Draco onto the chair.

"So beautiful," Harry praised, tucking Draco's tousled hair behind his ear. Against his own will, Harry hated to admit it, but Draco looked incredibly sensual.

Draco's cheeks blushed at Harry's compliment, and his fingers brushing through his hair only intensified the rhythm of his heartbeat.

"You sit here, I'll make you even more beautiful," Harry said as he gently tapped the top of Draco's head before turning his body.

Draco watched as Harry walked away from him, bending down to pick a few flowers. It was as if he wasn't Harry Potter, King of Shinia and Draco's husband for the past five years.

As he waited for Harry to finish his task, he maneuvered his legs slightly. For a moment, Draco was transfixed, staring at the bandages on his feet. He despised having his body marked with scars as it would diminish his perfection, but for unknown reason, he liked his scars this time.

He smiled as he remembered how gently Harry had wrapped the wounds, leaving a few kisses there. Oh, dear... He felt his face grow warm as he thought about those immoral actions.

"Have I taken too long?"

The voice that had filled Draco's mind made him lift his face. He looked surprised when he saw the colorful flowers that Harry held in his hand.

"These are for you, my Draco," Harry said as he extended a tiny bud to him. The flower was small, but its colors were beautiful, matching Draco's eyes.

"Where did you get this? I've never seen it before," Draco said in admiration, reaching for the flower.

"It's a secret," Harry replied with a mischievous look on his face, and it made Draco pout in annoyance. He chuckled softly as he found Draco's behavior adorable. He walked lightly towards Draco’s back, reaching out to gently hold the other’s hair. "May I braid your hair?" Harry asked, taking a lock of Draco's hair and inhaling its intoxicating scent.

"Can you braid?" Draco asked in return, tilting his head slightly to be able to look at Harry's face.

"Of course."

"Where did you learn?"

The question silenced him. The warm atmosphere that had surrounded the couple evaporated instantly. Draco bit his lower lip slightly as he felt his question disrupt Harry's mood. Maybe he had learned it from Arabelle, considering the mistress was very skillful with such things.

"I often saw the former queen braiding the hair of the servant's children. She enjoyed doing it, maybe... she did the same for her illegitimate son, who happened to have long hair."

Draco's heart raced as he heard Harry's words. Additionally, Draco wasn't naive enough not to notice the overwhelming aura of sadness surrounding his husband at the moment.

"Harry..." Draco called cautiously, reaching out one hand to gently touch Harry's hand.

The gentle touch startled Harry from his inner turmoil. Ah... he had nearly lost control and ruined the warm atmosphere that had been created between him and Draco.

"Enough, Draco. Let's forget what I said earlier. We shouldn't spoil our happiness today," Harry said with a genuine smile.

Unfortunately, it seemed that Draco didn't believe Harry's words. His unwavering gaze, filled with tenderness, managed to irritate Harry. With a somewhat rude motion, Harry directed his hands to Draco's jaw, pulling it down so that he no longer lifted his face and looked at Harry sorrowfully, even though there was nothing to be sad about here.

"Now, let me braid your hair, Your Majesty Draco," Harry said, ending with a slight chuckle.

"Ah... I feel so honored, Your Majesty Harry. If I may ask, am I your first customer?"

"Of course, you are my first customer, and you will be my last, Your Majesty."

Draco chuckled lightly upon hearing Harry's words. He then closed his eyes, allowing Harry to braid his locks with careful movements. A thin smile graced Draco's lips as he felt the gentle breeze brushing against his skin.

Draco's naturally pink lips hummed a lullaby, the same lullaby his mother used to sing to him when he was very young. It was a song that always drove away his nightmares.

The soft voice soothed Harry's heart. Somehow, he felt incredibly calm, peaceful, and, of course, happy. It had never crossed his mind that he would sit together with Draco in the palace garden, his hands braiding the other's soft locks.

It felt like a dream.

Harry moved to tuck fresh flowers he had just picked into the strands of Draco's hair. When he had adorned Draco's braids with the fresh blossoms, he took a step back. With a grin, he lifted Draco's chin.

Draco lifted his face and looked into Harry's eyes, intensifying their gaze, as Harry placed a fresh flower behind Draco's ear. Harry gently caressed the top of Draco's head before trailing down to stroke his cheek.

"Harry... what do you think love is?" Draco asked suddenly.

"I don't know," Harry answered somewhat playfully, yet there was a certain firmness in his words.

Draco frowned, appearing unsatisfied with the answer. How could Harry say he didn't know what love was when he had declared his love for Arabelle just a few days ago?

"How can you not know? Didn't you say you love Arabelle?" Draco asked.

"I... I just feel comfortable with her. Arabelle... she makes me feel needed," Harry replied.

"Is that why you love her?" Draco guessed.

"I don't know. I never felt my heart race when I'm with her. It's all purely so she continues to depend on me," Harry said, looking straight into Draco's captivating eyes. "The previous queen... she did everything on her own, never relying on the king, so the king thought that the previous queen didn't want him. Their marriage was a mess, with too many additional players involved, and... I became victim of that chaos. That's why... I feel traumatized by people who refuse to depend on me."

"I'm the same, right? That's why you ignored me?" Draco interrupted.

Harry's tongue felt tied. He then intended to withdraw his hand from Draco, but Draco quickly held onto it, pressing it against his cheek. Like a kitten, Draco rubbed his cheek against the hand, wanting Harry to continue caressing him.

"It's okay. I understand. We both have complicated issues," Draco said, gazing deeply into Harry's eyes.

Draco narrowed his eyes before his lips curved into a happy smile. He clapped his hands lightly as he saw his husband walking towards him, the pockets of his robes filled with mangoes from the palace garden.

"You did it so wonderfully! I can't believe the mangoes stayed intact even though you just somersaulted from that branch," Draco exclaimed in awe.

"You make me embarrassed, Draco. It's just a small thing. This skill is no different from a noblewoman's ability to apply powder to her cheeks," Harry said.

"You're so arrogant," Draco teased, eliciting a burst of joyful laughter. Harry shrugged nonchalantly and sit right beside Draco.

"I want to tell you something about Arabelle," Harry said.

"What is it? Are you still planning to bestow her with a noble title?" Draco asked, turning his face to meet Harry's gaze.

Harry fell silent, but he stared at Draco deeply. His gaze seemed to be trying to unravel everything that was lingering in Draco's mind.

"About who Arabelle really is. I know you're aware of it too," Harry said gently.

Draco's heart raced. He tried his best to suppress the sudden panic and worry that welled up inside him. "S-since when?" He asked, swallowing hard.

"Since we returned from the eastern lands. I admit, I was foolish for never wanting to know about Arabelle because I thought she was just a mere companion who didn't need to be understood. But since your words on the train, I realized I shouldn't have overlooked Arabelle's background," Harry confessed.

Unconsciously, Draco bit his lower lip, feeling scared and nervous at the same time. If Harry knew something about Arabelle, it meant there was a possibility that he would also discover something about Draco.

"So... what are you going to do?" Draco asked.

"I planned to grant her a noble title and send her to the eastern lands. She could live abundantly there, but everything got messed up that night, and I have to find another way."

"So... that night..." Draco's words trailed off as Harry's hand caressed the top of his head. The gentle touch felt like magic, instantly dissipating the fear, worry, and nervousness that had consumed him earlier.

"Right now, we just need to rearrange our hearts and find our happiness. There will surely be a way for us amidst all this chaos," Harry said with a smile, gently patting Draco's head before withdrawing. "Here, it's your mango, Draco. Please accept it with joy," He said lightly as he placed the mango he had obtained onto Draco's lap.

Draco's body froze. He was scared, terrified. He was afraid that all the sacrifices he had made would vanish.

"Why aren't you eating it?" Harry asked, tilting his head slightly.

Draco swallowed hard. He was afraid that all his plans would crumble, but... he was more afraid that his plans would hurt Harry's heart. Now that Harry had let go of Arabelle, no one else could heal his heartache if he found out about Draco's plans.

Oh God! How did everything become so complicated?

"Draco, don't worry about it. I'll always be with you, so please... let's never have any misunderstandings between us again," Harry said, extending his hand to reach for the mango still on Draco's lap.

Draco bit his lower lip when he heard Harry's sincere words. Draco didn't want this. He never wanted Harry to look at him with gentle eyes. he never wanted Harry to speak sincerely to him.

It was too late, and it felt... He would never be able to live peacefully if he saw a flicker of disappointment on Harry's face because of his future actions.

Without saying anything, Harry peeled the mango and offered it to Draco. With a heavy movement, Draco took the mango. At first, he slowly devoured the flesh of the mango, but when his tongue tasted the sweetness of the fruit, he seemed to forget his inner turmoil.

"Take it slow, no one will steal the mango from you," Harry said lightly, gently tapping the top of Draco's head with one of his hands.

From the corner of his eye, Harry knew that his wife was genuinely enjoying the mango. Even though he ate it with slightly hurried movements, he still looked beautiful and graceful. Ah... why was life so unfair?

With a smile, Harry's hand slowly moved towards one of Draco's free hands that rested on the green grass. He gently caressed the back of Draco's hand before he hold it tightly.

Draco flinched when he felt his hand tightly held, but he remained silent and continued to eat. His relaxed response prompted Harry to venture further. Now, Harry's hand began to move towards Draco's waist.

Draco held his breath as he felt Harry gently caressing his waist. The gentle touches weakened his train of thought, and the sweet taste of the fruit he had just tasted slowly faded away. With his heart racing, he knew that he couldn't continue eating. So, he decided to finish savoring the sweetness of the fruit.

He placed the mango on the green grass they were sitting on, intending to wash his hands in the artificial river in the palace garden. However, instead of releasing him, Harry's grip on his waist tightened.

"Let go, Your Majesty. I want to clean my hands," Draco said, casting a protesting look at Harry, who seemed so happy with the protest.

"Let me do it."

"There's no water he—Your Majesty!" Draco exclaimed in surprise as he felt his index finger now inside Harry's mouth. His heartbeat raced as the other’s tongue caressing his slender fingers in succession.

Unconsciously, Draco bit his lower lip as he stared at Harry's face. For unclear reason... his husband's expression was now awakening the long-dormant wild side within him. Harry closed his eyes and sucked on Draco's finger, seemingly enjoying the act.

He tenderly kissed each of Draco's fingers once he had finished cleaning his wife's fingers. Draco's cheeks turned pink as Harry continued to hold his hand, but his gaze was clouded with mist.

"Now they're clean," Harry said with a hoarse voice.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Draco replied stiffly, focusing on the green grass. He felt his heart pounding in his chest.

Harry smiled wryly upon hearing Draco's stiff response. That stiff response reminded Harry of the early days of their marriage when Draco was awkward. But since Draco had become awkward, Harry had already fallen into his charm.

Harry gently held Draco's chin, tilting it slowly to make him meet his eyes. Harry smiled softly as he saw the restlessness on Draco's visage.

"What are you afraid of, Draco?" He asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Nothing," Draco replied softly, so softly that Harry wouldn't have heard the answer if he hadn't been by his side.

Of course, Harry didn't believe the answer. Instead of encouraging Draco to express all his concerns, Harry stared at his wife with an intense gaze full of adoration.

Draco swallowed hard when Harry's eyes locked onto his now slightly parted lips, which looked so inviting. His nervousness grew as Harry slowly brought his face closer, and the coolness of Harry's breath disrupted his rational thinking.

He shut his eyelids as he felt Harry intentionally blowing gently on his lips, igniting a deep desire that he had suppressed.

When the lips finally met Draco's, in that moment, he gripped the green grass tightly. He felt that this kiss was different. The other’s lips caressed his with a gentle, careful, and structured movement, unlike their previous passionate and animalistic kisses.

He opened his mouth and let out a small moan as Harry gripped his waist, pulling him closer. Then he cupped Harry's cheeks.

When Harry felt his wife was running out of oxygen, he released the kiss with a slightly disappointed feeling. Ah, he wanted more. He gently stroked Draco's as he was taking in oxygen greedily, but Draco looked so enticing to him.

"I love you, Draco."

Draco's attention, fixed on the green grass, immediately focused on Harry. He found unwavering determination in his husband's expression, and it made Draco feel scared. He was afraid, very afraid.

Allowing Harry to fall in love with him would only lead him into a dark abyss.

Letting Harry fall in love with him was never part of the plan.

"I'm sorry. I can't."

The beam of determination that had briefly illuminated Harry's features and heart instantly dimmed when he heard those whispered words. It made Draco feel guilty. He should have brought Arabelle with him. The woman would have been able to comfort Harry.

"It's okay, Draco. I will wait for you. Maybe you don't love me now, but I'm sure, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, next week, next year, or in our next life, you will love me," Harry said softly. "You will love me, Draco."

Draco's heart fluttered warmly. He didn't know why he reacted like this. Then he forced a smile to reassure his husband, who seemed so eager to hear his answer.

"Thank you, I—" Before Draco could finish his sentence, he felt an excruciating pain in his shoulder. He lost his balance, and his body fell helpless into Harry's embrace.

The incident happened so quickly.

A stray arrow had managed to embed itself in Draco's shoulder.

Harry's eyes widened perfectly as he saw Draco's body falling. His heart raced as he saw blood staining Draco's shoulder. Harry's instinct kicked in quickly, he forcefully pulled out the arrow from Draco's shoulder. The strong pull elicited a painful howl from the owner of the injured shoulder.

"It hurts! Harry, it hurts!" Draco cried.

"Please hang in there, Draco! You'll be fine! We'll be fine!" Harry's heart raced at Draco's scream, making his heartache.

He never wanted something like this to happen to Draco, to let him scream in pain, but the reality was Harry had repeatedly been the cause of those agonizing screams.

Chapter Text

Arabelle tightened her large cloak around her petite frame as she stood in front of the modest house, her hand repeatedly knocking on the wooden door. Was the owner of the house not inside? But it couldn't be, especially on a night like this.

Never one to give up, Arabelle continued to knock, her heart pleading for a miracle to happen. Today, Arabelle was grateful that Harry had sent home the servants and palace guards, though she didn't know his motive, she felt so happy to finally be out of the palace without needing permission from anyone, without having to fear being followed by anyone.

"Joseph…”

Finally, Arabelle called out the homeowner's name with her voice sounding slightly loud, though for some reason, she didn't like the sound of it. She wasn't destined to be a strong and authoritative woman.

"Joseph!" Arabelle called again. "Jo—”

"Shut up!"

Arabelle startled, immediately silencing herself when she saw Joseph, the owner of the small house, coming out with his face looking so puffy, as if he had just woken up.

"Sorry," Arabelle muttered when she noticed the unfriendly expression on Joseph's face.

The tall man, Joseph, sighed in annoyance as he saw Arabelle's appearance. She must have sneaked out of the palace, ugh! Joseph hated the fact that she had snuck out of the palace.

"What are you doing here?" Joseph asked, folding his arms in annoyance. His sharp eyes bore into Arabelle, who looked so frightened.

"I-i wanted to give this," Arabelle stammered, handing over a tightly wrapped black bundle, which looked heavy and full.

Without waiting long, Joseph snatched the bundle from Arabelle's hands. With quick movements, he roughly untied the bundle, a small smile forming on his face as the glint of gold coins greeted his eyes.

Arabelle bit her lower lip as she watched the change in Joseph's expression. Now, could Arabelle express her desire?

"I want to meet Letta," Arabelle said, her voice still trembling slightly.

Arabelle's words successfully diverted Joseph's focus from the glint of gold coins to her fearful face. Ah... it felt like just 5 years ago she would argue with him with a fierce expression, but now, just standing in front of him, she was trembling with fear.

With a bit of roughness, he finally shifted his body and opened the door of his small house a little wider so that Arabelle could enter. Arabelle's black eyes, filled with spirited binaries, managed to elicit a grumble of annoyance from Joseph.

"Don't be noisy, Violetta is sleeping," Joseph said as Arabelle walked past him.

Arabelle simply nodded faintly, her attention now solely focused on a luxurious box inside the house. Anyone entering the small house would never guess that all the furniture inside was of the finest quality, usually only owned by nobility.

Arabelle stepped slowly towards the wooden box. From a distance, she could see Violetta sleeping on a pillow wrapped in Draco's embroidered fabric. A wave of emotion filled Arabelle's chest, making her feel choked up and wanting to cry. In the wooden box, she found her sweet Violetta sleeping peacefully, the child looking so healthy without Arabelle by her side.

Arabelle's hand reached out to gently stroke Violetta's head, causing the child to stir before opening her eyes. The sweet child squinted her eyes, sharpening her vision to ensure that the woman staring at her wasn't just an illusion.

"Hi, sweetheart," Arabelle called, her voice trembling.

Violetta's eyes widened perfectly as she heard Arabelle's voice, a wide smile immediately lighting up the sweet child's face when she realized that Arabelle wasn't just an illusion or a dream that often accompanied her.

"Mama!" Violetta reached out her tiny hands to Arabelle, and Arabelle welcomed those hands with overwhelming feelings of joy and happiness.

Arabelle brought her precious Violetta, her only daughter, into a warm embrace. Arabelle held the small body tightly, desperately holding back the tears that threatened to fall freely from her eyes. Just like Arabelle, her child hugged Arabelle's neck tightly, burying her face in the curve of her mother’s neck that always smelled so sweet, unlike the necks of the women often brought by her father.

"Mama missed you so much, do you miss Mama too?"

"Letta missed Mama a lot too! Letta missed Mama this much!" Violetta quickly pulled her body back to create some distance between herself and her mother. With a radiant smile adorning her face, Violetta stretched out her arms wide, intending to show her mother just how much she missed her.

Arabelle laughed as she watched Violetta's adorable antics. It felt like only Violetta could make her laugh so freely like this, making her forget about the string of problems that always haunted her.

"Mama, when will Mama finish work? Letta wants to sleep with Mama again, Letta wants to hear Mama tell stories about a foolish woman and handsome king.”

"A week ago, Mama had stayed here for a few days, now it's time for Mama to go back to work, so Letta can have a beautiful dress like His Majesty Draco."

Violetta's eyes lit up with happiness when she heard her mother mention ‘His Majesty Draco'.

"Mama, is His Majesty Draco very beautiful? Is he also kind?"

"Yes, His Majesty is very beautiful and kind," Arabelle said, smiling.

"I want to be His Majesty Draco! I want to be a queen!”

Arabelle's heart thundered loudly at her daughter’s words. Arabelle shouldn't feel this way, after all, her Violetta was still so young, still naive, it shouldn't matter if her Violetta dreamed of being a Queen, but somehow... Arabelle's heart screamed, she wanted to crush her daughter's dreams completely.

"Can't, Letta. Only nobles can become queens," Arabelle explained, with a fake smile on her face.

A slight furrow appeared on Violetta's forehead as she heard her mother's explanation before her tiny lips uttered another startling sentence, a sentence that shouldn't be spoken by a 4-year-old child.

"Then, I will marry the king, and then I will become a queen. Right, Mama?" Violetta asked with a happy smile.

"You won't be able to become a queen, Violetta, it's not your destiny," Arabelle said, her voice sounding choked.

"Why not?" Violetta asked, staring into Arabelle's eyes with her own perfectly round.

"Because... you're not worthy—”

"Did you run away from the palace?"

Arabelle's attention, which had been solely focused on Violetta all this time, immediately shifted to the source of the voice that just asked her a question. Not far behind her, Arabelle saw Joseph, his gaze full of anger directed at her.

Arabelle was afraid, of course she was very afraid. Compared to Harry's anger, she was more afraid of Joseph's anger, her husband whom she had married 5 years ago. Unconsciously, Arabelle tightened her embrace around Violetta's small body, her hand moving to tuck Violetta's face into the curve of her neck.

"Yes, I ran aw—”

"Why did you run away, huh?!"

Arabelle jerked in surprise when Joseph suddenly cut her off, his eyes glaring with anger. "I-i missed Letta....”

Joseph's jaw clenched tightly. "You should know your place, whore! You're His Majesty's mistress! You should be on his bed every day, spreading your legs wide for him, instead of wandering around like this!"

Arabelle's heart felt like it was being sliced with a sharp knife. Truly, Arabelle never imagined she would reach this point, the point where all the love she once had from her husband had evaporated completely.

"Give Violetta to me! Now, you go back to the palace, satisfy His Majesty, and earn more money!”

Drop by drop, tears finally fell from Arabelle's eyes. She cried bitterly, but she tried her best to keep her mouth from letting out a sob.

She moved to hug Violetta tightly, feeling like she had failed to be a perfect mother for the little girl. She had indeed provided abundant material needs for Violetta, but sadly, it seemed that she would never give her daughter a portrait of a happy family, no matter how long it took.

Joseph felt so annoyed when he saw his wife crying again. He quickly stepped towards Arabelle, without any pity, he roughly pulled Violetta's body from Arabelle's arms. Arabelle tried to hold onto Violetta's tiny body to keep her in her arms, but she was aware that her action would only cause pain to her daughter's body, considering Joseph had no reason to release his grip on Violetta.

"Now get out, and return to His Majesty!" Joseph yelled, his angry gaze fixed on his wife.

Arabelle shook her head slowly, still standing in her place with tears continuously falling from her cheeks. "Why do you hate me so much, Joseph? I can't count how many times I've told you, what happened two years ago wasn't my choice. I was just working as usual un—”

"Until His Majesty came to meet you, then pulled you into the room, and had sex with you, huh?! Stop all this nonsense, Arabelle, I'm tired!" Joseph cut in quickly, causing Arabelle's tears to flow heavily.

"It was beyond my control, Joseph! At that time, His Majesty was also unaware!" Arabelle said, her voice rising. "Have you ever thought about how I felt that night? Have you ever thought about the frustration I had to face in the morning when I woke up next to a man who wasn't my husband?! Why are you like this to me, Joseph! Why?!" Arabelle screamed with all her might, even the pristine white neck of the woman was adorned with some prominent veins.

Arabelle screamed loudly, pulling her own black locks as her mind brought her back to the events of two years ago, events that ultimately led Arabelle into the distant royal palace, far from what many people had hoped for.

"You... you're my husband, Joseph! But after I honestly told you what happened that night, do you remember what you did? You left me, Joseph! You left me when I felt like I was such a filthy woman! You left me! You didn't embrace me and tell me that everything would be okay!" Arabelle screamed, seemingly ignoring the fact that her daughter was currently frightened.

Arabelle continued to wail in anguish, pulling her own locks, occasionally hitting her head repeatedly.

"And you know... what's the best part?" Arabelle asked, looking sadly at Joseph who was avoiding her gaze, and that only made her cries break out even more. "A few days after that incident, you came to me, you came back, and you gave me hope that we would be okay, that we would live like before, but I was wrong... I was too naive... you came and forced me to seduce His Majesty, you forced me to become his mistress, and you..." Arabelle's words halted as her head was forced to remember the crazy thing her husband did two years ago. "You're the damn one who apparently knew about that night's events and yet defiled the bed. You made me deceive His Majesty, you made him think I was a virgin. Damn you..." She continued with her voice sounding so weak. "My own husband asked me to be a whore for another man, and foolishly I-I agreed! I agreed to be a whore! My husband said he would still love me and everything would be okay, but nothing is okay! Nothing is okay, Joseph!”

"Enough of this, Arabelle!" Joseph thundered, but it seemed that no longer surprised Arabelle, she continued to stare at Joseph with tears constantly flowing. "You know I never forced you! I asked you to become a mistress because that was the only way for us to survive! And that night, I was indeed disappointed, and I felt like killing His Majesty when I saw you two together, but in reality, I couldn't. Yes! My own hands defiled the bed because we had to seize the opportunity, Arabelle!" Joseph shouted, pointing at Arabelle's pale face with his index finger. "That was the only way for us to give the best for Violetta! Now... never bring up that night's issue again! Didn't you want the best for your daughter, huh? Have you forgotten that you can't conceive again? Only Violetta! That's why you have to work to give the best for Violetta!”

Arabelle's sobs grew stronger as she heard Joseph's words. For Violetta, for the sake of Violetta, all of this made Arabelle falter. She was no different from any other mother; she wanted the best for her daughter, especially since she could never have another child of her own.

Arabelle felt a strong urge to curse Draco for making her unable to have her own flesh and blood again, but Arabelle realized that if she were in Draco's position, she would do the same. Arabelle couldn't blame Draco because he also did this for their own good. Besides, Arabelle had no plans to bear a king's child, as it would only complicate matters. Arabelle would find it even harder to meet Violetta, the sole reason she could breathe until this moment.

"I want to stop," Arabelle said firmly, even as her eyes met Joseph's angry face, tears still streaming down her cheeks.

"No! You can't stop, and you'll never stop! You must be His Majesty's mistress until you die! Stop being selfish, Arabelle! Only by being a mistress can you give the best life for your daughter! Do you want your daughter to live in poverty, huh?!"

"We already have enough money, I want to stop, I want to stay with Violetta. I don't want to go back to the palace anymore!"

"Have you lost your mind?!" Joseph screamed, furious.

"His Majesty has fallen in love with his wife, I don't want to hinder their relationship anymore, I've been a parasite enough these past years. I want to see the people who love me happy. I want to sto—”

Before she could finish her sentence, a strong slap flew from Joseph's muscular hand. The slap landed smoothly on her tear-stained cheek. Once again, her cries shattered as she felt the heat spreading across her cheek. She was in pain, not only on her cheek but also in her heart and in her sanity.

"You have to go back to the palace, you're starting to lose your sanity."

Without an ounce of mercy, Joseph roughly grabbed Arabelle's arm, pulling her to follow his steps. Of course, Arabelle resisted, she held onto her feet firmly so that Joseph couldn't succeed in pulling her, but it seemed all futile.

Joseph pushed Arabelle roughly when they reached the door, the shove was too strong for Arabelle who had been tired of crying, it made her body fall abruptly onto the ground in the yard of the house that she and Joseph had built together five years ago.

"Mama!”

Heart racing, she lifted her face, finding her daughter's face adorned with tears. Her daughter cried, and it cut her heart even deeper. Why did God let Arabelle endure such a miserable fate?

"Now go back to the palace and be the foolish woman, then satisfy His Majesty! Don't forget to wear thick makeup to cover all your bruises, damn it!" Joseph spat out. "If you don't want to go back to the palace, then you'll never see Violetta again as long as you breathe! I'll take Violetta away from you! She shouldn't have a mother who's such a whore!"

"N-no... don't take my Violetta away, she's my breath, don't separate us," Arabelle begged as she crawled towards Joseph's feet.

She gripped her husband's legs with trembling hands, crying onto his feet, pleading for forgiveness. Yet, Joseph remained unmoved, his hand moving to keep Violetta's face buried in the crook of his neck. Arabelle racked her brain, but it seemed she had lost her sanity. The woman planted a painful kiss on Joseph's unprotected ankle, tears flowing incessantly.

"I-i will go back to the palace, I will continue to be the mistress as you wish. But please... don't take away my Violetta, I will die if I lose her.”

"Terence Higgs has successfully staged a coup over the throne of the Delion Kingdom, Your Majesty. He has overthrown his father's rule and seized his pregnant concubine."

Harry heard every word coming from his right-hand man in the palace, but his mind and heart were still focused on his wife, who had yet to wake up from his sleep.

He was afraid.

For the first time in his life, he was afraid to see blood, his heart pounding as he saw his wife's body fall helplessly into his arms, blood relentlessly flowing from his shoulder.

Damn it. Why was he so weak?

"And it's rumored... Prince Cedric has joined Terence Higgs.”

Harry immediately shot his sharp gaze at the man standing right beside him with a long paper in his hand.

"Why did that kid join Terence Higgs? Doesn't he remember that Terence Higgs has indirectly betrayed the Shinia Kingdom? It seems like his mind has truly gone astray."

"I don't know, Your Majesty, but Prince Cedric has also requested the cancellation of his engagement with Princess Cho Chang. As a penalty for his actions, Prince Cedric has promised one of his territories to the Oshin Kingdom, and he also pledged to find another man for Princess Cho Chang."

"Cedric you bastard..." Harry hissed, his green eyes flashing with sparks of anger.

Harry's jaw clenched; he couldn't believe his cousin would grow into such a useless rebel. It felt like just yesterday when Harry embraced Cedric, who was crying over their damned queen's death at the hand of his father's concubine. But now? He seemed to be waving the flag of war against the Shinia Kingdom, against his own brother.

"What about the archers who injured His Majesty?"

"It's highly likely they came from Prince Cedric's faction, Your Majesty. I don't want to speak falsely about Prince Cedric, but considering how skilled those archers were in finding a place to escape, they must have known the ins and outs of the kingdom's territory."

"I had suspected as much," Harry muttered, rubbing his lower lip gently.

"You suspected it?"

"Draco. Because of Draco." The king’s hands clenched. His mind and heart immediately waged war when he realized that his own queen was the cause of this chaos.

With a flushed face from anger, Harry rose from his chair adorned with gold and several red gemstones. He took wide strides out of his private chamber. He couldn't believe Cedric still harbored such fervor to seize his own brother-in-law.

Harry's jaw tightened as he strode down the palace corridor. Right now, there was only one place he wanted to visit: his wife's chamber.

Although he was consumed by anger, he still retained some semblance of rationality. He opened Draco's chamber door very slowly, trying his best not to disturb the figure sleeping soundly on the bed inside.

He tiptoed over to Draco's bedside. His eyes couldn't tear away from his wife's sleeping figure, lying on his side. The fabric draped over his shoulder stirred something in Harry, making him feel uneasy.

He clenched his hands as he looked upon his peacefully sleeping wife. Draco was so beautiful, his beauty almost ethereal, reminiscent of Harry’s mother's beauty.

The long, soft locks, the neatly arranged eyebrows resembling a row of ants, the gracefully curved eyelashes – they all reminded Harry of his mother. They were too alike when sleeping like this, and Harry hated that fact, a fact that had prevented him from daring to sleep beside Draco for the past five years.

Harry knelt down before Draco's face, examining his wife's beautiful visage, the most magnificent masterpiece in all the lands of the Kingdom of Shinia. Harry's hand reached out to sweep away a few stray hairs that had fallen onto her lovely face. A sense of puzzlement washed over him as he noticed a faint furrow on Draco's forehead. With a gentle touch, Harry smoothed his forehead, hoping to erase the furrow, but it reappeared shortly after.

Now, not only Draco's forehead was creased, but his eyelids were also furrowed while he slept. Seeing this made Harry think that his wife must be having a nightmare. Was Draco still haunted by the events of three days ago? If that was the case, Harry doubted he could ever let Cedric live and breathe freely.

With a heavy sigh, Harry rose from his kneeling position, preparing to leave. Before he took a step away, he studied Draco's face once more. This time, he noticed a puzzled furrow on his own forehead as he observed Draco's serene expression. There were no more wrinkles on his beautiful face.

So, did Draco dislike Harry's presence? Even in his dreams, he seemed to sense his presence. Was Harry's negative aura really that strong?

Once again, Harry sighed heavily as his mind concocted more wild scenarios. He was no different from the romance novelists whose works Draco often collected.

Tsk! This was also Harry's fault; how could he choose to read Draco's collection of racy novels while he slept peacefully on his chest?

Shaking his head softly, Harry stepped away from Draco, but after just three steps, he halted. Turning back, he gazed at Draco's face once more, noticing a crease on his beautiful face.

For a few moments, Harry stood still before his green eyes darted swiftly towards the wide-open window in Draco's room, which was not covered by any curtains. The bright sunlight streamed in, illuminating Draco's face without any hesitation. It was an exotic sight, but Harry didn't like it because Draco appeared uncomfortable.

Swiftly, Harry moved towards the large window, his hands reaching out to pull the thick curtains on either side of it with a somewhat rough motion.

Finally, the light wouldn't bother Draco anymore.

“Why are you closing it?”

The soft voice made Harry's heart flutter warmly. He quickly turned around to find Draco already opening his eyes, his gaze looking at Harry slightly confused.

“Why did you wake up? You should still be resting,” Harry said gently as he walked closer to Draco.

“Why do you answer a question with another question?”

“You're also answering a question with another question,” Harry chuckled as he noticed the puzzled expression on Draco's face, apparently he wasn't fully awake yet.

Draco looked at Harry towering in front of him. He was staring at him intently, unsettling his usual calm demeanor. Ever since the incident where Harry said he would wait for him to love him back, Draco had been unable to breathe properly.

Draco closed his eyes, attempting to retreat back into the world of dreams, but unfortunately, his mind and heart were reluctant to compromise. Something inside him screamed not to ignore Harry, who was still faithfully standing before him.

"No need to force it, it seems you've been asleep for too long," Harry said, restraining himself from displaying a wide smile. His wife was evidently trying to force himself back into the world of dreams.

Draco remained steadfast, keeping his eyelids tightly shut, trying not to listen to his heart and mind. The king chuckled before kneeling before him once more, his hand reaching out to gently stroke his hair.

Draco's heartbeat raced, he had never been like this before, and why was he feeling like this?! Sleep, Draco, come on, you can sleep.

"I've already said it, there's no need to force yourself.”

Finally, Draco relented. He opened his eyes. The first thing his eyes beheld was Harry's face, gazing at him with tenderness.

He offered a small smile, his hand gently touching Harry's firm jawline. The soft touch succeeded in diverting the attention of the owner of the jaw.

"I'm okay, you don't need to blame yourself like that," Draco said softly, stroking Harry's jaw.

Harry gazed at Draco's beautiful face, pulling away from gently stroking his hair. He reached out to touch Draco's hand on his jaw.

"That day, I shouldn't have taken you for a walk, I shouldn't have sent the guards away, I shou—”

"Everything has happened, Your Majesty, there's no need to blame yourself. I'm fine now," Draco said with a smile.

"I love you, Draco," Harry said, met with a gentle nod from Draco.

Draco looked warmly at Harry, who seemed so entranced by his touch. He had even laid his head at the edge of Draco's bed. Draco's hand, which had been gently stroking his jaw, now moved to the top of his head.

Draco allowed Harry to pat his hips gently, unsure whether he was doing it out of desire or confusion about what to do.

"I will kill the bastard who harmed you."

"Do you... do you know who the archer was?"

"Yes..." Harry lifted his head as he gave the short answer, finding Draco's face once again marked with a furrow. "I never expected that all this time, he was someone close to me.”

The king urged his proud steed forward with great speed, the sound of the horse's hooves breaking the silence in the forest he was passing through. Just moments before he galloped his horse wildly, he found a letter on his desk, a letter adorned with bloodstains and his wife's fragrance. As he opened the letter, an incredible anger erupted in his body; he nevere xpected that his own brother would resort to such cheap tricks.

That bastard Cedric sent him a letter threatening to take Draco away from him. Oh, he shouldn't be this panicked when he knew Draco was starting to pay attention to him, but when he remembered that Cedric was the mastermind behind the events a few days ago, it seemed his anger couldn't be contained.

He wouldn't come to negotiate with Cedric; he just wanted to give his disrespectful brother a lesson he deserved. If only he had ignored his brother back then, maybe now he wouldn't have to ride his horse like a madman. Tsk! What those people said was true; regret always comes last.

Harry roughly pulled the reins of his horse until it reared up, his green eyes fixed on Cedric, who seemed to be enjoying his alone time. The man sat leaning against a large tree trunk, the wind blowing on his face, tempting him to close his eyes.

Perfect. Harry's business would be even easier to finish now.

With a darkened gaze, Harry hurled one of the daggers he carried at Cedric. Although Harry threw it randomly, the dagger managed to pierce Cedric's arm, blood starting to seep from the wound. Was Harry satisfied? Definitely not!

"Is this the welcome a bringer of victory gets from Shinia?" Cedric asked calmly, opening his eyes. Cedric's calm gaze clashed with Harry's.

"Now you're nothing but a traitor. Are you so frustrated because you can't have my wife that you resort to causing chaos like this?" Harry hissed, restraining himself from throwing the dagger at Cedric's chest again.

Cedric's brows creased before he tilted his head slightly, looking at Harry disdainfully. Harry wasn't foolish; although he spent less time with Cedric lately, he knew the man in front of him wasn't the Cedric he had known. It seemed like Cedric has been brainwashed.

"I'm not causing chaos, Your Majesty. I'm just trying to initiate a revolution," Cedric said casually, pulling out the dagger lodged in his arm. Cedric clenched his jaw and cursed when he felt his hand go numb; it seemed Harry had coated the dagger with something.

"Are you so stupid that you can't tell the difference between chaos and revolution? Your mind seems to be narrowing because my wife has discarded you like trash from his life," Harry said with a mocking smile.

Cedric's heart burned as he heard the word "my wife" come out of Harry's mouth. How could he proudly refer to the person he had humiliated as "my wife"? In public, it seemed that here, this man, his mind was narrowing further.

"Yes. That's why I'll reclaim your wife to restore my sanity."

"Damn you," Harry said, glaring sharply at Cedric as he tried to rise to his feet.

"Draco will never be happy with you. Did he ever say he loved you? No, right? You probably don't know how much he wants to leave you, but he's afraid... a widow, especially one not widowed by his husband's death, is a great disgrace in society," Cedric said, returning Harry's sharp gaze.

"You don't need to meddle in our marital affairs.”

"How could I not meddle? Have you forgotten that I was once the man who filled your wife's heart?"

"Damn you..."

A raw curse finally landed on Cedric's face, Cedric, who still hadn't found his footing, immediately fell when the blow hit his cheek. Harry's jaw tightened as he saw Cedric now sprawled on the grass, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Ah, damn it, Harry wasn't satisfied yet.

"You deserve that, bastard. After this, don't you dare bother me with those stupid letters, and... never, ever hurt my wife again," Harry said sharply, forcing Cedric to raise his head.

Harry cursed again when he saw Cedric flashing his mocking smile, it seemed that the man had truly lost his sanity.

"You'd better... take care of your wife, Harry. Everyone wants him, even Terence Higgs wants to see your wife dancing hot on his bed."

Harry clenched his fists, the man must be boasting. With anger still burning inside him, he turned on his heel and strode toward his horse. If he lingered here, he might make Cedric perish.

"Your Majesty, forgive me for the embarrassing actions I've taken recently. I will accept any punishment Your Majesty sees fit to give me, as long as..."

Draco glanced cautiously at the brightly dressed woman standing before him, her head bowed, not forgetting the hands that had been fidgeting with the sides of her wide dress.

"As long as you don't separate me from Harry, Your Majesty. I love him deeply. Harry... he's been the reason I've been able to endure all this time."

Any trace of pity that had momentarily enveloped Draco's heart vanished instantly.

"The man who's the reason you've been able to endure is my husband. You're just a mistress. Arabelle, do you feel entitled to say such things in front of me?”

Arabelle's heart raced. She lifted her face, finding Draco staring at her with a blank gaze, devoid of any tenderness or kindness in his gray eyes, instilling fear in her heart.

"I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty. I-i didn't mean to be disrespectful," She said, voice trembling.

He sighed heavily as he saw Arabelle on the verge of tears. Had he pushed the naive woman too far?

"Why did you ruin your own birthday celebration? Didn't you consider my feelings? I've arranged everything carefully, I even set aside my ego, I gave His Majesty permission to let you wear the tiara for one night. I even allowed His Majesty to grant you a noble title. But what did you do, Arabelle? You ruined everything," Draco said, frowning.

"I... forgive me... forgive—”

"I don't need your apologies, Arabelle. I just need an answer to my question. Why did you ruin your own birthday celebration? You're not the Arabelle I know," Draco said, narrowing his eyes.

"I-i did it on purpose because... because I didn't want to become a noblewoman... I—”

"Can't you be honest with me, Arabelle? Is it so difficult for you to speak the truth to the only person who supports you in this palace?"

Arabelle's heart raced even faster. She stared into Draco's eyes, which radiated immense disappointment.

"His Majesty may have been blind all this time, but I'm not, Arabelle. His Majesty may sleep soundly with you every night, but I can't. I have many responsibilities to fulfill for this kingdom, Arabelle."

She tightened her grip on her dress. The simpering smile on the king's mistress's face began to crack as she sensed the overwhelming disappointment emanating from the queen.

"You know what's going on here, and I know it too. I really know, Arabelle Ansbach.”

"I will go down to the battlefield."

Draco's fingers, which had been tracing abstract patterns on Harry's unprotected chest, immediately halted. He lifted his head, finding Harry stared at him with seriousness.

"Do you have to? You have many skilled generals for warfare, why do you intend to go down to the battlefield?" Draco asked, confusion evident on his lovely face.

"Would you want me not to go?" Harry asked, one hand moving to gently caress Draco's shoulder adorned with a few marks from Harry's lips.

"If I ask you to stay here, would you?" Draco inquired, his gray eyes casting a painful, melancholic gaze.

"Forgive me."

Draco smiled wistfully at the apology. He wished, just once, to be the selfish and naive man who believed that Harry would do anything for him, the person who believed that Harry would always listen to him. But it all seemed impossible.

"It's okay. Go, my prayers always with you, it's all for Shinia, right?" Draco asked with a gentle smile, once again hiding his true feelings.

Harry gazed into Draco's eyes, knowing that his wife was once again burying everything, burying his disappointment and desires.

He gently took Draco's delicate hand resting on his chest, holding it warmly. He brought it to his lips, which appeared reddened from the bites Draco had given him some time ago.

He gently kissed the back of his hand with overwhelming tenderness and affection. His eyes never left Draco's sad ones. He could smile, but Harry wasn't indifferent; he knew the feelings enveloping his wife's heart.

"Tomorrow night, we will move. Cedric and the Kingdom of Delion are getting closer to the border. I can't let them touch my kingdom, touch what's mine," Harry said, gently stroking the back of Draco's hand.

"I will miss you," Draco said, intertwining his soft palm with Harry's warm one.

"I will miss you dearly too, Draco. Time flies by too quickly when I'm with you, and it's not fair."

"Should I believe you? What if when you return, you bring another Arabelle,"

"There won't be another Arabelle. Right now, there's only Harry..." Harry intentionally paused, pointing to himself, then with a thin smile, he pointed his finger at Draco. "Only Harry and Draco,"

The sincerity of his words made Draco's heart flutter again. This was the moment he had been waiting for, but why did he feel uncertain? Should he stop all the crazy things his mind had concocted?

No. Draco wouldn't stop. He was fed up with being a puppet; he wanted freedom and to find his happiness.

"Oh, by the way... about Arabelle... when will you press charges against her husband? He hurt Arabelle again, and he's forcing her to stay with you," Draco said earnestly.

"For now, Arabelle really needs to be confined to the palace. She shouldn't act recklessly because her husband will definitely hurt her again."

"Do you still care about Arabelle?" Draco asked. Harry frowned at Draco's question, even though his wife had planned for Arabelle and her daughter in the future.

"You're the one who cares about Arabelle, Draco. You've known this for a long time, and that's why you've let her stay in the palace for so long, giving her so much attention."

Draco's breath caught. His husband was right. He had known Arabelle's background all along, and yet he remained silent, feeling that Arabelle's presence by Harry's side benefited him. With Arabelle around, Harry could be swayed and could delegate all the kingdom's responsibilities to Draco. With Arabelle around, Harry wouldn't feel disappointed if, someday, Draco betrayed him. Moreover, all this time, Draco had also given Arabelle extra attention, purely out of pity for the woman's crazy marriage.

"Hey... it's okay... no need to dwell on it," Harry said softly, pulling Draco into his warm embrace when he noticed his wife lost in thought.

"I'm sorry... all this time... I've kept it from you," Draco apologized, returning Harry's warm hug.

"It's alright... I'm also at fault. If I had investigated it from the beginning, everything wouldn't be as complicated as this. Don't ever blame yourself, Draco," Harry reassured, planting a gentle kiss on the top of Draco's head.

Comfortable. Draco didn't want to be hypocritical; this feeling was what he had been searching for all along. A sense of comfort that could lift the burden that he had been carrying alone all this time.

If only his father had never pressured Draco to aspire to be a queen, if only Draco hadn't left their bedroom on their wedding night, if only Harry hadn't always avoided Draco after Draco asked them never to sleep together... would Draco have been able to feel this comfort since long ago?

For the first time in his life, Draco wanted to be greedy; he desired Harry for himself, and because of that... He would address the last thing that needed addressing, and after that... hopefully... Draco could still feel this comfort.

Instinctively, Draco drew closer, pressing his slender body against Harry's muscular one. His delicate hands reached out to tighten the embrace around his spouse's sturdy frame.

"When I leave, all the affairs of the kingdom will be entrusted to you," Harry said, hand gently patting Draco's back.

For the first time in his life, Draco didn't feel joyous upon hearing those words.

"I've issued a decree. When I leave, you will be appointed as the Queen Mother, even though the heir to the throne has not yet been born, and perhaps... may never be born."

Draco's heart pounded so hard upon hearing his absurd statement. Quickly, he withdrew from Harry, standing upright to gaze into Harry’s eyes, which seemed teary.

"No! You will come back safely. Why would you say something foolish like this?! Why are you so cruel to me?!" Draco cried out, overwhelmed with emotion.

Anger, disappointment, and sadness wrestled within him, compelling him to rebel. He struggled with all his might to break free from Harry's embrace; he had to go to the royal elders and burn the insane decree issued by Harry.

"Let me go, you bastard! I have to burn that damn decree," Draco said, refusing to give up his rebellion.

A glimmer of hope and happiness that had briefly adorned his heart vanished instantly, consumed by the flames of anger and disappointment.

"I love you, Draco. Don't make it harder for me to leave you," Harry said, tightening his arms around Draco. He even buried his face in the top of Draco's head.

Draco continued to rebel, his actions becoming increasingly brutal, and his brutality succeeded in loosening Harry's embrace slightly. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he created distance between himself and Harry.

"If you love me, you shouldn't have issued that decree!" Draco yelled, his chest rising and falling irregularly due to his shouts. "If you love me... you... you should have the confidence to come back safely... but you... you...." Draco stopped his speech, which sounded so heart-wrenching, and covered his own face with both palms.

He wailed and cried again, actions that should not be performed by a queen like Draco. The king stared blankly at Draco before he moved to pull his wife back into his arms. This time, there was no rebellion.

His hand moved to gently stroke Draco's trembling back. "Forgive me, Draco…”