Kingdom of Betrayal

"Everything is sorted, Your Grace"

I turn away from the daisies in the garden to face Hayden "Good. Were there any issues?"

"From Ronder's neighboring kingdom's? No. They were more than eager to send over livestock for royal gold"

I raise an eyebrow "But?"

He runs a hand over his buzz cut and sighs "The men on the council is not very fond of you making decisions without their input"

"Well, they didn't show up when I summoned them so I needed to take action without their help" I point out

He nods "Fair enough but they don't see it like that, Your Grace. All they see is a woman who made her own decisions and for them that's threatening"

He's right.

They don't care that I basically saved the people of Ronder from poverty, all they care about is that I did it on my own.

I glance around the castle garden to make sure no one is around before asking "And the other issue?"

He clears his throat "The new law has been amended. Any man who does not pay the agreed price for the woman they use at the brothel, they shall be imprisoned"

I nod but I can see something's on his mind "What's the matter?"

"I just think that law may raise hell" he says with a frown

I nod in agreement "It may. But I'm hoping it wouldn't" I sigh and run a hand through my hair "I just want everyone to be okay"

His lips twitch "Of course you do"

I raise an eyebrow "What's that supposed to mean?"

He shakes his head while his tongue darts out to wet his lips and I find myself staring at his mouth "You're way too kind for your good, my queen"

I smile "So they've said"

He hums "Don't ever let anyone take that spark away from you" he pauses as his eyes roam over my face "I won't let anyone take it from you"

My heart flutters and I find myself taking a step closer to him, I thought he may take a step back like he always does but instead he stays rooted. I stare up at him and swallow when he reaches a hand out to my face but immediately drops it when he hears footsteps before putting space between us. I'm still in a bit of daze because of his smell in my nose but I'm snapped out of it when I hear the guard say "The council is here, my queen and they request your presence"

Well that was sooner than I expected.