"Aisha, learn to control yourself. You cannot move around like you used to do," Aisha scolded herself.

    She tried to lift her chin and squared her shoulders so that she could walk as naturally Gaean as possible.

    King Leandro has just fetched her in her Chamber so they could have breakfast together on her first morning as a royal wife.

    ''It would have been better if we could be free to act as a couple. And I thought it would happen after we got married,'' Aisha rolled her eyes as she felt dismay at their set-up.

    She peeked at the King as he strode a few feet away from her.

    His guards and servants and her female servants were all lined up behind their backs.

    She couldn''t help but press her lips as she gazed at his broad shoulders, his silver strands held up by his head adornment and his gallant attire from head to foot.

    He was formal in every way. One would not imagine that a sex god was underneath it.

    The sounds of their feet marching could be heard throughout the hallways that the servants stopped what they were doing to bow down to them.

    To Aisha''s surprise, they gave her a different kind of bow this time.

    ''Maybe it''s for the royal wives,'' Aisha thought as they continued to walk.

    Soon her nose has already wafted the smell of food. It means they were already nearing the dining hall.

    It smelled familiar to her, like it came from her former world. Like it was what she usually ordered at her favorite bake shop before she came to school.

    ''But that couldn''t be. Ever since I stepped foot in here, I haven''t tasted anything like that. I remembered asking for it then. But they said they don''t know how to do that,'' she contemplated before they went inside.

    To her surprise, it was actually what she was visualizing.

    On the royal table were freshly baked custard cakes with hot maple syrup, sweet cream butter, and rich buttermilk, all sitting on a wonderful base note of a nice lingering vanilla.

    "I knew you would like it, my lady. I specifically asked for this as our breakfast for this morning," King Leandro explained to her before he sat down at his usual chair.

    There was even background music while they were eating.

    Aisha was speechless. ''How could he have known about her cravings? And how could a sweet soul reside in that royal body?''

    She heaved out a longing sigh as she watched her husband sitting a few feet away from her.

    She wanted to cuddle him in her arms and give him a dozen pecks. But she knew she couldn''t.

    He made it clear a while ago.

    "Thank you, your Majesty. I appreciate it,"

    She bowed down and sat on her chair to taste it.

    Indeed, it''s flavor was almost identical with the one in her hometown!

    She continued to nibble on it with delight. She peeked at the King''s plate and saw that he was also eating the same thing.

    "Do you like it, your Majesty?" she asked, her eyes beaming with curiosity.

    "I do, I do. It''s just more plain and simple, unlike the cakes in Gaea. But it''s delightful," he answered her.

    "Oh, that I would agree. But you know that the bakeshop where I ordered it from was very famous. I even ordered it in advance. Because if I don''t, their baking trays would be as clean as a whistle," she replied back.

    "That''s because they haven''t been to Gaea," King Leandro reacted with one of his eyebrows shot up. He appeared to be very proud of his homeland.

    "I know, right. If they know this place, I''m sure they would flock here, too," Aisha chuckled merrily.

    But it seemed like the servants were not happy with their conversation as their faces grimaced with her joke.

    They were in that fun conversation state when a servant came rushing in.

    "Greetings, my lord," he bowed down to him.

    He seemed apprehensive as he stuttered and his body was slightly shaking.

    King Leandro asked him to come near him so he could state the purpose of his interference, which he immediately obliged.

    "What?" King Leandro immediately blurted out as soon as he heard the news.

    Aisha stopped from chewing her food and started at the King.

    His aquiline nose was steaming as he heard and his strong brawny hands were on his hips.

    She has not seen him that angry before. ''What could be the cause of this?''

    She tried to sip on her cup of tea in a nonchalant way as if she didn''t care about what was going on. But in fact, she was dying to know about it.

    "Forgive, my lady. But I need to do some tasks. Is it okay if I leave earlier?"

    Anxiety was written all over his face. His previously plum lips turned to a bland purplish hue as if he had just drunk a cup of vinegar.

    The messenger continued to wait for the King''s response while the kitchen servants stepped backward in response to the King''s reaction.

    "But you haven''t finished your food yet, your Majesty," Aisha responded as she saw that his plate was only half empty.

    Aisha knew the importance of not skipping meals because she had gastritis before.

    If it was an urgent case, he might not be able to eat anything until later.

    But the King had already made a decision.

    "I will be back as soon as I can. Please enjoy your meal, my lady," Leandro said before dashing off with the messenger.

    Now it was just Aisha and her cakes and the servants that morning.

    Aisha''s lips pouted as she gobbled down the last morsels of her food.

    "I hope this wasn''t the case all the time," she calmed herself.

    Fortunately, Rosalia was always on her side.

    After she was finished with her breakfast and came back to her Chamber, she quickly asked about last night.

    "Oh my gosh, it was so freaking awesome. I think I somehow enjoyed all of what life has to offer. But that''s a new level," she babbled on as she bit her lips, recalling the incident.

    "We know. We could hear you from the door, my lady," Rosalia giggled as she covered her mouth.

    "Oh, sh*t. Really? I thought I was just embarrassing myself with the court maids. Oh no, I don''t know how to face anyone anymore," Aisha covered her blushing cheeks.

    "It''s all right, my lady. At least we single ladies know that it is possible to be happy while in the act of doing it. We thought it was very unbearable. Our mothers said that we must just bite our lips and cry silently so the men would not get angry," Rosalia shared with her.

    Aisha couldn''t help but draw in a deep breath at the revelation of women''s first experience in Gaea.

    Of course, she could remember how painful it was at first. But it was replaced with heavenly joy afterwards. It''s a very unique experience.

    She just didn''t know if it was because of the King''s skills or because she also desired to please him as well.

    Or is it because he decided to open up his heart to her already.

    Aisha''s lips couldn''t help but smile. ''I hope it''s the reason.''

    "You are indeed lucky, my lady. Even if the King left early today, I know you are special to him. He even requested for your favorite food," Rosalia reminded her with a cheerful smile.

    Aisha nodded her head in agreement. "You''re right. I would just let this pass," Aisha resolved to herself even though deep inside, she was worried that what happened to her family would then repeat itself with them.

    "How about you, Rosalia? When are you planning to get married?" She just deviated the topic away from herself so she would not think a lot about it.

    With her question, Rosalia seemed to get awkward as she glanced sideways and scratched her head.

    "I don''t think that could happen, my lady. I don''t have many suitors. There were some, but they were old men who looked like my grandfather already," she chuckled uncomfortably.

    "Oh, no! Don''t do that. I''ll help you get one, too," she rubbed her chin as she knew someone who seemed to be interested in her but she was not sure just yet.

    ***********************"

    You can''t touch love, but you can feel the sweetness that it pours into everything.

    Anne Sullivan Macy