What happened to Claude and me on that night spread like a wildfire to the whole kingdom. I don’t even know how to make it calm.
That was pretty embarrassing.
Even though days had already passed, I could still feel His Majesty’s lips on mine. I groaned and leaned on my seat. The etiquette class had finished. I couldn’t even escape from my work because I was heavily guarded. They knew about my attitude as a General. I don’t like this kind of class.
Good thing I had nothing to do for the rest of the day. I decided to go to the training ground exclusively for members of the royal family but I turned to Philippians and Silver, the assigned Knights as my guards.
“Summon His Majesty, Claude. Tell him that I need him as a sparring partner,” I ordered.
They looked surprised. “Your Majesty, don’t you want us to be your sparring partners?” Silver asked.
I arched my eyebrow. “No. I want Claude as my sparring partner.”
“But Your Majesty, you can’t spar today. Remember that the tailor will arrive today for your wedding dress,” said Philippians.
I frowned. “That is today?” They nodded. I hissed and gave the sword to Silver. “Damn it,” I mumbled. “Have they arrived?”
“In less than an hour, Your Majesty.”
“I even changed my clothes for sparring…” I huffed, glaring at them. “Next time, remind me ahead of time about my schedule, especially you, Philippians.”
“My apologies, Your Majesty.”
He was the temporary secretary for mine until I got married and had Jack as my permanent secretary. I sighed and tapped his shoulder as I passed by him.
I was asked to wear a thin dress so they could get my size. I even had to spread my arms as the dressmaker was taking my measurements. I turned my head to the door when someone entered.
Or more precisely, it was Claude.
“You were looking for me? For sparring?” he asked. “Philippians told me,” he said and stopped beside me.
I nodded my head. “Yes. But unfortunately, I can’t spar.” I made an eye gesture to my position right now and the tailor was taking measurements to my waist.
Claude curled up a grin. “It seems you are trying to forget our wedding, Your Majesty.”
I shot him a glare. “Shut up. Blame Philippians for not reminding me ahead of time.” I scoffed.
He chuckled and took the catalog. “What a peevish attitude!” He sounded himself a disappointment but there was amusement in his expression. “Have you picked your wedding dress then?”
“It is done, Your Majesty.”
I turned at the tailor after he informed me and nodded my head. I got down from the small podium and approached His Majesty to snatch the catalog away from him.
“Of course,” I said and glanced at the chosen design I picked. Then I looked at Claude when he was trying to see it. I closed the catalog and arched my eyebrow. “It’s a surprise, Your Majesty. Do not take a look.”
Claude frowned. “That is so unfair. I have let you pick my tuxedo for the wedding yet I can’t see yours?” he asked in disappointment.
I chuckled and tapped his shoulder. “Aww… Is His Majesty sulking? Worry not, I did not choose an ugly design. You can even ask the tailor that he loves the design I chose. Right?” I turned to the tailor to get a confirmation.
“Yes, you are right, Your Majesty.” He bowed his head before he turned at Claude. “You have my assurance, Your Majesty. You will be surprised with Her Majesty’s wedding dress.”
“See?” I grinned.
Claude sighed in defeat. “Fine, fine. You shall take my measurements then.” He removed his coat only to reveal his shirt. Then he set it aside to the couch.
I sat on the couch next to his coat and watched him as he faced the mirror. Sighing, I have noticed ever since that night he let me stroll around with him and the gossip started to circulate the kingdom, Claude and I’s relationship seemed a bit different. There was no wall covered between us but there was something else.
“Spread your arms, Your Majesty,” I teased him which earned him shaking his head.
“Would you like Jack?” Claude asked.
I furrowed my eyebrows. “For what?”
“I don’t know. It seems like Philippians don’t meet your satisfaction when it comes to reminding you of your schedule.”
I nodded. “Sure. I know that Philippians is a knight but yeah, I can’t let him handle the schedule again.” I shrugged my shoulders.
Claude chuckled, turning his head at me. “Yeah, he is a knight. He is not befitting to be your secretary. I shall summon Jack later.”
“Do it tomorrow.”
“Not later? So he would know your schedule for tomorrow,” he added.
I smacked my lips and agreed with him. “Alright,” I said. “I’ll go outside for a while, Your Majesty.” I curtsied before him and left the quarters.
I stopped Philippians and Silver not to follow me because I would just look for a better view to watch the intense training for the chosen representatives in the brigade for the next war.
I saw General Cairo making rounds with the soldiers. I even saw the members of the Eagle Mist under his command. I envied General Cairo all of a sudden.
I sighed deeply while settling myself to sit in the corridor, facing the training grounds.
They were supposed to be my brigade. I was supposed to be the one who must lead them and kill Magnius Lothim. With the decree the Grand Alpha King has managed to implement, there was no way now where I could lead them. I would be forever imprisoned to be the future Luna Queen.
I took a sigh again and felt someone sitting beside me. With his alluring familiar scent of mint and after rain, I already knew who it was.
“You badly want to be the General there.”
It wasn’t a question. Claude stated it very clearly.
“Very,” I said, fluttering my eyes as I felt a stinging sensation in the corners of my eyes.
“Have no fear. I will do everything I can to make you lead the brigade,” he said softly.
“Right.” That almost made me smile because of how thoughtful Claude was. I knew he couldn’t do anything to change his father’s decree so I wouldn’t want to expect anything from him.
I felt tingles when Claude took my hand and intertwined it with his. I slowly caught my breath when I felt his lips on the back of my palm, sensually kissing it. I slowly turned my head to look at him and saw something sparkling in his eyes while his lips were still on the back of my palm.
Then he slowly lowered my hand and reached for my cheek. I slowly closed my eyes, feeling the tingling sensation crawled to my whole being.
“Rachelle.”
“Hmm?”
“How badly did you want to lead the brigade?”
I peeled my eyes open and gaped to look at him. “Huh?” I distanced myself so I could look at his face with a better view. “Pardon?” My heart hammered in my chest.
Claude smiled. “You heard me, Rachelle. If you answer it, I am willing to do everything I can so you can lead them instead of General Cairo.”
“R-Really?” I blinked, happy to hear what Claude said. I gently gripped his hand. “I… I want to lead them because I felt like I am capable of being the one who must lead the brigade. And I know I am the only one who can unleash the true nature of the Eagle Mist. Is that enough reason?” I asked, hopeful that Claude will accept my reason for his question.
Claude chuckled and nodded. “Yes. I already have plans on how to make you lead the brigade.”
“H-How?” Anticipation hit me as I waited for Claude to say another word. I even took a deep breath, waiting for him to say next.
Claude took my hands and gently tightened his hold to mine. Then he stared at my eyes like there was something he badly wanted to tell. His eyes swirled with different emotions.
“We must get married.”