Daphne had no idea what she was expecting, but she was not expecting the scene in front of her. It was an opened garden, a table and two chairs in the middle of it filled with food. There was a candle lit up, giving the garden an luminous glow. No one could see them from here, it was a private garden. She entered fully, blown away by the romantic setting
"Are you just going to stand there?" the voice boomed and Daphne flinched. She has been so lost in thoughts she forgot what she was here for. She looked to her side and he was standing in front of her. This was the first time she was getting a close look at him the first time she saw him, he was covered in blood. Daphne took a good look at him and she was immediately awe struck, never has she seen a man so handsome as him. He wore a pair of black pants, with a black shirt over it. She looked over at him and she was mesmerized.
His majesty is a tall man, towering over her smaller frame. His black hair is short and brushed to the back giving his face a calm glow. Daphne couldn't deny how beautiful his olive skin was, she never thought much about how he looked but she didn't expect him to be so handsome. His eyes were a deep blue, his nose pointed with small round lips and jaws sharper than a blade. Her heart beat softly in her chest and Daphne was confused, why was her heart beating just for looking at him?
The King felt the same way as he looked at her, she is the most beautiful woman he has ever laid his eyes on. Her innocent beauty and milky skin radiate beautifully in the night. The calm breeze blew her hair softly, the baby hair sticking to her face and he couldn't deny how badly he wanted to brush it to the back. They were both so lost in each other, it took the guard to lock the door shut to bring them out of their thoughts. Daphne smiled shyly, what is wrong with her? Why was she staring at him so instantly? And why did her cheeks feel hot? He looked at her, smiling at how shy she became.
"Come," he said, and Daphne followed behind him as they headed to the table. He was no gentleman, but for some reason, he wanted to be hergentleman. He pushed the chair out for her and Daphne was surprised at the gesture. But, she took her seat.
"Thank you," she mumbled and he smiled, and sat in front of her. He gave her a long look, he could tell she was uncomfortable, the princess doesn't seem to be the type that loves tight clothing's, the corset is a bit too tight, and her sleeves are too short for the cold. He knows her servants must have dressed her up. He stood up, going behind her and Daphne was confused as he gently packed her hair to one side.
"If the princess feels uncomfortable in corsets, then she shouldn't wear them," he said, untying the rope. Daphne cheeks heat up the more, how did he know she was uncomfortable? And she wanted to refuse the girls but they were so excited dressing her up she couldn't complain much. But she knows she is never wearing them again.
He removed the corset, throwing them away and she watched as he gathered the firewood near her, lighting it up. Daphne breathed out as she felt more warm. But she was more shocked at his actions, she refused to believe he was the same man who tore down her kingdom and killed her father. He cleaned his hand on a small cloth and sat back on the chair and he looked at her. She was more relaxed now. Daphne looked at the food on the table, they all looked delicious.
"Hope you brought your appetite along," he said, pouring the wine in the glass cup. Daphne never drank wine before or even alcohol. She always wanted some but as a lady, she wasn't allowed to have any intoxicating drinks. She has no idea how it tastes, she was excited to try some.
"This is a special wine made for me from the brewery in the kingdom. I have no idea what ingredients they used, but this wine has been fermented for about 7 months," he said, passing a glass to her. She collected the glass, taking a sniff of the wine and he smiled at her. At first, it seemed like she was nervous and excited to drink the wine, but now she is sniffing it like a pro. She confuses him, just when he thinks she would do something, she surprises him by doing another thing.
"Have a taste," he said and Daphne nodded her head. Taking a sip of the wine and her eyes widened as her taste buds danced in pure bliss.
"It has such a rich taste," she said, taking a bigger sip. The wine tasted a bit sour but had a sweet taste. Daphne was confused, she couldn't put her hand on it, it tasted sweet and sour at the same time, going down her throat smoothly. He chuckled, her reaction was sweeter than he expected.
"It is a lovely wine," he said, taking a sip. The wine is made especially for him, he never shared it with his brother even though he knows Antonio always finds a way to take a bottle from his study. Antonio might think he is not aware of the petty theft, but he is, he only chose to ignore it. Daphne dropped the glass, looking at him
"Why did his majesty choose to have dinner with me and also share with me such expensive looking wine?" she asked and he was surprised at her boldness. She didn't cower before him, or shake in nervousness like his other brides did. Surely, she is different.
"Can't I have dinner with my wife?" he asked and Daphne raised her brows.
"His majesty is yet to claim me as his wife," she said, serving herself the mashed potato. Normally, everyone would wait for him to serve himself, but she didn't care to wait. He found it surprising he wasn't angry at her brash actions.
"Do you want to be my queen?" he asked. Daphne smiled.
"His majesty never asked me this question before he tore down my kingdom and killed my father," she replied and he won't lie, he loves her courage. She was accusing him, her eyes glaring daggers into his. Princess Daphne is surely not a calm princess to deal with, is that why her father hides her away?
"Your father is a stubborn man, all would have been avoided if he gave you to me in peace," he said, holding no regrets.
"Is taking brides from all kingdoms his majesty's favorite thing to do? I can't help but ponder why," she said, taking a bite of the mashed potato. Thankfully, it was warm.
"Maybe it is," he replied, serving himself. Daphne was curious, she wanted to know his name and why he chose her as his bride, but she didn't want to overstep her boundaries.
"You look curious, you can ask me your questions," he said. Daphne shifted in her seat, would he answer her questions?
"What is your name, your majesty?" she asked and he looked at her. His name, his other wives have been curious about his name but he never told them because he didn't feel the need to. But he didn't want to hide his name from her. If she wanted to know his name, she could.
"Alexandro," he said and they both looked at each other blankly. Soon, she busted into a loud laugh holding her stomach. He was confused, was his name funny to her? She was laughing so loudly, her body raking with laughter as her hair bounced on her shoulders. He smiled at her, he didn't care she was mocking his name, she had a beautiful laughter, it warmed his ears.
"I'm sorry, your majesty. I just didn't expect that name," she said after laughing to her heart content.
"What were you expecting?" he asked and Daphne breathed out, a smile on her face. She has no idea what she was expecting, but not Alexandro.
"I have no idea," she said and he smiled.
"I never told anyone my name, count yourself lucky," he said, taking a sip of his wine. Daphne smiled, Alexandro is a pretty name, too pretty considering his reputation. They continued eating in silence and he loved how quiet and peaceful it was. She wasn't trying to talk to him, she loved the peace just like he did. His other wives would have been talking non stop, trying to be in his favors. But they were only there for his sexual desires, he is a man after all and they are all here to warm his bed.
As they continued eating in silence, there was a knock at the door. They both looked up, wondering who it was. Alexandro made sure this was a private night between him and his new bride, who dared to interrupt them?
"Your majesty," a female voice called and Daphne wondered if it was a maid or one of his wives. But judging from the knock and seductive voice, it was definitely one of his wives.
"I'm coming in," she called out, opening the door. Daphne looked in shock as one of the queens came in. she recognized her from seating at the top of the table. She wore a revealing red lace robe with nothing barely underneath it. She left nothing to the imagination, all her skin was out and Daphne wondered how she walked down here dressed in nothing. The guards and servants passing would have seen her. How shameless.
Queen Madeline's eyes widened in shock at what was in front of her. Since there was a new princess in their midst, she needed to keep the spot of his majesty's favorite woman. She is his third queen and his majesty always requested mostly for her when he needed someone to warm his bed. She needed to keep her title as the new princess was here but she didn't expect them to be having dinner with wine on their table.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, anger slipping through his tone. Madeline shook in her spot as her mouth opened and closed.
"Guards!" he yelled and they quickly ran to him.
"Your majesty," they said, bowing their heads.
"Take Queen Madeline to her chambers, she is under house arrest for 7 days with no contact," he said and her mouth wide opened.
"Your majesty," she said, trying to talk to him.
"Make it 3 more days if she fights with you," he snapped and they bowed their heads, dragging her away. Daphne breathed out, she would never degrade herself by wearing such revealing clothing's to seduce a man, no matter who he is. She takes pride in the power she holds as a woman. Men need women, they can't do without them. She would rather leave him to chase her than doing something so foolish. Daphne has definitely lost all respect for her and nothing would make her see her differently.
"I apologize for the interruptions," he said and Daphne smiled, waving her hand. She couldn't care less but he was amazed at how unbothered she was. Usually, the other queen would have been fuming, requesting for her to be punished for interrupting them. Is she really not trying to win his heart? He would give her some weeks. She would chase him just like the other women. Oh but how wrong he was.