SMITTEN

Lycano's forehead scrunched up as soon as he heard his father's notion. He brushed his medium length wavy hair back as he tilted his head to face him again.

"How did you know about my affections for the female human? And why are you making me pursue her? She is already the royal wife of the King," he asked with a hint of disappointment in his tone.

Lyana's upturned face went downwards as she listened to the conversation of the father and son.

However, Lord Lyon's face lifted up in a smile. "Since when have you become dull-witted? The lady was a weakness to the King."

Lycano's face lighted as if a heavy cloud was lifted off his vision.

Why has he forgotten about his desire to be the King? Was he waived by his emotions for the female human?

Lycano completely forgot that he wanted the throne for himself. 

He just went lie low for years as the attempt of the rising of the Lycus Clan ceased to function a decade ago.

King Leandro was an unmatchable opponent. He must calculate well so that their plan will succeed.

Lord Lyon leaned forward and clasped his hands together.

"This is what I want you to do. Stick to the lady and don't act rashly. Gain her trust. Then use her to bait the King."

He nodded his head as he agreed with his father. Indeed, Lady Aisha is a liability to the King. 

But can he really do what he was suggesting? He has already tried to snatch her away from the King but he couldn't do it.

She was hurting and he couldn't bear to see it.

And now, even though he was wounded by Lady Aisha's decision, he still doesn't want her to be harmed.

He inhaled a lungful of air as he put his head on his palms thinking about what to do.

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"Good morning, my lady," Leandro greeted his new wife.

He gazed at her with his eyes full of adoration and warmth.

Lady Aisha immediately stood up and glanced around.

"I'm pretty sure this is my room," her eyes narrowed in confusion.

Leandro chuckled, a thing that he didn't do so often, and explained to her. 

"I know. I want to see you first thing in the morning, that's why I went here."

Leandro thought that if he extended his time last night, he would be exhausted and would not be extremely desirous of her anymore.

But the moment that he opened his eyes, he started craving for her. Even greater than his usual breakfast every morning.

She was like an addictive wine that he had drunk for the first time.

He didn't hesitate to go to her Chamber just to see her.

"Oh my gosh, me too," she beamed as she put her slender arms around him and kissed him on both his cheeks. 

"Good morning, your Majesty," she added while gazing at him with her glittering autumn eyes. 

Leandro's eyes went wide open. He thought he was being too expressive with his emotions already. He didn't usually act that way before.

But she was more explicit. And he likes it. 

"Can we really not stay in one room? I mean, duh, we're already married," Lady Aisha said in a matter of fact tone.

Leandro scratched his head as he tilted so he could sit properly.

"Was that your tradition in your land?" He asked curiously.

"Yes!" Lady Aisha immediately answered. She even jumped from her bed as she put both her hands on her thighs.

"Husbands and wives spent the whole time together during their honeymoon. Some even went on vacation out of the country and just bond and have fun. Can we do that, please?"

She put both her palms together as if she was begging for it. 

Leandro's lips curved up in a sad smile. 'It's a nice place to live,' he thought. But he didn't dare voice it out since there were servants around them.

A royal like him must still attend to his daily duties, no matter what the event there is. And the wives must stay in their chambers until the scheduled time of the next King's visit.

It has been the norm and it must stay that way. Or they will accuse her of changing the rituals of Gaea which would not be beneficial for her.

Then she added, "I really haven't toured Gaea, you know. There are a lot of places I want to see. We could ride a Dracus -" 

She babbled on. But Leandro wasn't listening. He tried his best not to. Or he would be swayed. Deep inside of him, he longed to do what she was saying.

"Let us have breakfast first before we continue our conversation," he gave her a warm smile.

"Okay," Lady Aisha said immediately as she stood up and put on her slippers.

But then she must have realized that she was wearing a see through nightgown and she had no underwear underneath.

In a flash of lightning, she covered herself with her extremities. 

A brisk chuckle escaped from Leandro's lips again as he said, "I have seen everything already, my lady."

"Still," Lady Aisha almost scowled at him. But she immediately realized that he was still the King.

"Please look away, your Majesty," she bowed down her head to him as her hand immediately bolted to her dresser while calling on her female servants.

Leandro couldn't help but smile as he felt like he was very fortunate to not just meet her but to be married to her.

There may be roadblocks ahead. But for the first time in his life, he was happy.

It didn't take Lady Aisha a long time before she was finally dressed.

The Chamber door opened and she came out with a simple gown made for every day wear in the Castle.

But she looked like she was attending a ball. She was naturally attractive to behold.

"Let's go, your Majesty?" both her eyebrows shot up, as if she was waiting for him to take the lead but he wasn't able to because of his paralyzed state.

He quickly nodded his head as he came back to reality. 

'How could a woman be that beautiful in the morning?' He scratched his head as he walked ahead.

He didn't even put any adornment and maquillage on like the other women do.

He has seen other ladies in the early mornings and their faces were different from when they have their masks on.That is why they always take time before they meet him in the morning.

'Or was I that smitten with her?'

He was thinking about it when suddenly, she crept in beside him and grabbed on his arm. 

His eyes bulged out, making him tilt his head to her immediately. 

He wanted to get angry at her for no one could dare touch the King without his permission especially in public places. 

He sensed the royal guards who were with them pulling out their swords. 

But his hand immediately shoot up as a sign that they must refrain from doing anything.

He also became alarmed and thought that she was going to harm him with a small knife or any small weapon.

But when he gazed at her lovely glowing face, his apprehension melted away.

"Can we walk in the hallways like this? I mean it's just us and the servants," she was beaming at him with her pearly set of white teeth.

His lips curled up as he gently pulled her arms away.

"We can do more than that in my next visit, my lady," he pressed on her hand and gazed at her intently, making her cheeks go naturally red.

Rosalia, her personal servant intercepted in as she said, "Let's go back to our line, my lady. Your breakfast is waiting."

Lady Aisha immediately nodded her head and went back to the traditional line required for royal wives.

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We are all equal in the fact that we are all different. We are all the same in the fact that we will never be the same. We are united by the reality that all colours and all cultures are distinct & individual. We are harmonious in the reality that we are all held to this earth by the same gravity. We don't share blood, but we share the air that keeps us alive.. - C. Joybell C