CHAPTER 161: FIRST DAY AS QUEEN [PART 1]

[Music: Turning Page By Sleeping At Last]

Happiness.

It was pure happiness the entire time. Yesterday was the best day I have ever had. From the successful coronation and an unforgettable night with my husband. My body still buzzed from all the sweetness he showered me with.

Months ago, I couldn’t have imagined this daydream. I’d have even doubted it.

What transpired proved that I needed to be stronger in the moments of despair, which is why I vowed that the moment I become queen, I’d stop dwelling on things that would bring me down. I’d be stronger.

I was born into a home without love, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t feel it. Drevon’s love and selflessness proved that for me. He didn’t grow in love, but he established that he could be better and change his future.

We can change our future, as long as we hold on to things that matter the most. I may be frozen or cold inside, but there’s warmth that could melt away the ice, and my heart can beat truly because, in the end, we’re not incapable of love.

I smiled when I felt a kiss on my forehead, and I opened my eyes. "Good morning, husband," I murmured.

"No longer, my liege?"

"I’m exhausted, screaming my liege

, the entire night."

"Hmm..." he muttered before his look turned to worry. "How are you feeling?"

"Good."

He leveled his eyes at my neck, rubbing his hand against that spot. "Any coldness?"

"No," I replied stiffly.

I haven’t had blood since I woke up.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, if I feel any coldness in my neck. You’ll be the first to know."

He nodded. "Does your body ache?"

"Just my waist," I replied, adjusting a bit, feeling a little ache.

He murmured a curse and lay back down. I pushed up and rested on his chest.

"I’m fine," I assured him. "And I enjoyed every bit of it. But I was frightened a bit thinking you’d shift."

"Eloise," he sighed. "If I had done what I did last night when you were still fully human, you’d have been..." he clenched his teeth. "Hurt."

I smacked him against the chest.

"Why did you do that?" he asked in a breathy chuckle.

"No reason," I said, turning to sit. "So what now? No more fucking? Because you’re scared of hurting me."

"That is not what I said. I’m talking about being more gentle."

"Gentle?" I huffed, rising from the bed, and grabbed a robe.

Our chamber was extended, and to get to everything now was like having a long walk, but it helped in accommodating more things. The view where the giant columns were, with the open air space, was like sitting out to take in fresh air and see the gardens.

Since I was now officially in Drevon’s chambers, all of my things were fitted in, too. It was more of us than his now.

"Eloise."

"You’re the sweetest man I know, and you’ve been nothing but impossibly gentle. You do not hurt me in any way."

I drank from the goblet when I felt Drevon’s arms around me and his breath on my neck, kissing his mark.

"I don’t want to hurt you, Eloise."

"I don’t think you can ever. You worry too much, husband." I faced him and went on my tiptoes to kiss him.

He smiled tenderly, pulling some curls behind my ear. "But I can never be too careful, can I?"

Gosh! This beast!

"Today’s my first day of court. I’m nervous," I said to deviate this conversation.

I understood his fears, but there was certainly nothing to worry about given how much I liked it when he was a little rough.

As if sensing my thought, he raised an eyebrow.

"Court!" I blurted.

"Actually..."

"What?"

"You will attend court, but there’s something you have to do first. It’s one of the necessary traditions."

"What traditions?"

He rested his hand on the table behind me. "First, you will greet the Dowager, not as a Dowager but a Mother. Given the position you hold now, which was once her’s, she’s now your Mother."

"Why should I? She didn’t even attend the coronation, Drevon."

"Yes, she didn’t." His hands moved to my waist, giving a gentle stroke. "As much as I want to tell you not to do this or get her involved, there are things you should know from her that entail being queen. She’s the longest ruling queen in many years, and there are some things you can grab from her. These can be useful."

"I’m not just going to greet her, am I?"

"No. She has to pass on teachings to you."

I sighed. Great, this is very important then. As much as I don’t want to see the Dowager’s face again, this was something I couldn’t escape.

I bit my bottom lip. "Will she teach me? The human she so despises with every fiber of her being?"

"She has no choice in the matter. That is what disturbs her the most; she can escape the coronation, but she cannot escape what you are to the empire now."

I don’t even know the first thing about being queen; the Dowager will be needed to know everything I could about this. I already made a vow to myself, and I’m not backing down now.

~•~

"The last time I remember...you collapsed after seeing the Dowager," Talia said on the way to her wing.

I was accompanied not only by her but by Osha, Ravyn, and a few knights as escorts.

"Trust me, Talia, there have been many encounters; it gets easier."

"Easier? If she had her way, she could have killed you that day!"

"The Dowager can’t do anything to the queen anymore," Ravyn clarified. "This meeting was anticipated from the beginning. The teachings must be passed down from the eldest Balthar."

Talia scoffed.

We came to a halt, and the doors opened. "Let’s get it done with," I said, stepping through alone, and it slammed shut behind me.

I tucked my hands in my sleeves and gave a low bow of respect as explained. "I, the Queen Consort of Valkanor, greet you, Mother."