Chapter 3

Alessia's POV

Just what Stefano and I talked about. But I was more interested in Mythion. He told me about the trades in Mythion. Even in winter, their life is not difficult in Mythion because it is still abundant with food and crops that only grow in the snow.

This is not the same as in the normal world where it is necessary to store food if it is rainy or winter because the crops are not abundant. Suffering for a long time, such is the winter. This world is different, far away from what I expected.

We finally arrived at Sennone. The city of Mythion where Natalia's palace is also located. I can already see the airships of Mythion. Also waiting below are strange horses and carriages.

The first thing I noticed was the sky-blue horses. Their hair looked like sparkling crystals. I couldn't take my eyes off the horses I had just seen in my entire life. They are even more beautiful than unicorns!

"They are winter stallions," Elijah said suddenly and I didn't realize he was right behind me.

I was unable to respond. Just now it was sulking and just ran away from me. Now it will come to me as if nothing happened. Sometimes, this Elijah becomes insane. He should fix this behavior of his. He can't just walk out and go back as if nothing happened.

I know I shouldn't make it any bigger. But I don't want to condone his behavior. I know that he can do whatever he wants, and there is no question about him. But if no one opens his eyes Elijah will be like this for the rest of his life. He might be a king but that trait is unbearable for me and others.

"Stefano, help me get down." I blankly looked at Stefano who was surprised. It quickly looked at Elijah and turned pale. I know that he is nervous because Elijah is quick to get jealous and whatever comes into his mind immediately even if there is no reason.

"Ales, his majesty will accompany you down." Elijah was quick to point out that even though it was cold here, he was sweating.

"Assist me." I was cold towards him and ignored Elijah.

"Sweet—"

"I'll just go by myself," I promised quickly and walked to get down. "Sushi, come on," I called Sushi and I looked at Sudanni who was now also looking around.

I was about to go down using the stairs but something touched my elbow so I stopped walking. Even though I didn't turn around, I knew who approached me.

I quickly snapped my arm and I knew that Elijah was surprised by what I did. I know what I'm doing is wrong, especially since he's the king. It was a great insult to the king, but I felt too bad right now to pass Elijah. It's a small thing, but it makes me sulky.

I went down without help from Elijah. Some people met who were wearing thick coats but they seemed to be used to the cold. While I was just pretending to be fine, even though I wanted to curse the place because it was so cold.

Why do people wish to have snow? Winter season is not fun at all! For a person like me who grew up in a tropical country, this is torture! I will not be surprised if I find myself frozen to death later on.

"My lady, this is your carriage." A man with white hair told me.

He showed me a carriage of blue color and the soft seats in it were embroidered. It's a very comfortable carriage and there are three of them. The rest are normal carriage.

I walked towards the carriage and the man helped me to enter. Sushi followed without being stopped by the man. I sat comfortably in the soft chair. I leaned back and looked out the window.

It wasn't snowing but it was still very cold around. How can this place be still prosperous, when winter land is supposed to be limited with resources? I have no idea what they grow here for the food.

I felt the carriage shake, a sign that someone other than me had entered. I didn't even have to look back to see who was riding because it was none other than Elijah.

I felt that it was beside me but I didn't look at it. I didn't try to push it away or change it in front of me because I knew that wouldn't happen.

"Sweetheart... I'm sorry." He promised me and held me close.

I almost rolled my eyes. I am not even sure if he knows what he's sorry for. Most of the time, men just apologize even if they don't know what they did wrong just to keep women quiet. But what's the point of saying sorry if he doesn't know what he did wrong?

"What is your sorry for?" I answered with a sarcastic tone. I can't believe that I can do it either. Before, as far as I remember, I couldn't even answer Elijah or even criticize him when he was wrong. Maybe this is how they said that we are already comfortable enough and the walls were broken.

"Because I disappointed you again." He answered me.

It was a generic answer and I can tell that he doesn't know what he did. I know that it's normal for men to do something wrong that they don't know or are criticized for being wrong. They thought it was okay when actually, it wasn't.

"How did you disappoint me then?" I asked him again and felt that we were moving towards the palace of Mythion.

Elijah suddenly hugged me. "I'm sorry. I don't know what I've done, but I'm saying sorry for it." He promised in a baritone voice that I felt the hairs on my body stand on end. His voice alone can kill my soul.

I sighed. This is one of Elijah's good qualities, he's transparent and honest when it comes to these things. If he can't figure out what he did wrong, he will tell the truth. He will not pretend to know what he did wrong.

"Why are you apologizing, if you don't know if you've done anything wrong?" I frowned when I asked him and I turned to him this time. He looks like a love-sick puppy, so unfitting for the king of Valeria who's sturdy and cold.

His eyes sparkled as if the universe was contained there. His arms around me gave me a warm feeling.

"Because you won't be mad at me if I didn't do something...that can make you mad. You're not unreasonable. I can't even remember you being mad at me for a petty thing." He answered me. He thinks too highly of me. It's like he's saying that I'm not doing anything stupid.

"You're wrong Elijah. Maybe before, I don't get mad over petty things...I may be considerate of all of those times. But as these feelings grow, I am getting unreasonable. Just by you getting out of the room without a proper goodbye hurts me." And just now I feel guilty because the day will come when I will leave you without saying goodbye. I answered him and saw how his eyes darkened.

"Petty or not, we tend to be unreasonable when we love someone deeply. Somehow, I found it cute when you get angry for something like this." And he released a low chuckle that reverberated into my soul.

Genuine happiness is reflected in his eyes, but every time the truth reminds me that I am leaving him soon, it hunts me and makes me guilty for giving this temporary happiness, laced with counterfeit promise.

"I love you..." I promised him. I feel like this is the last time I can say these words. We may have no chance in the future to say these words. "I love you, Elijah."

Elijah suddenly turned to me and kissed me firmly. I felt his cold lips touch mine. He nipped and I slowly opened my mouth and his warm tongue entered. We exchanged passion, the cold surrounding felt like a fire is starting to burn our skin.

I felt his left hand go under my top. Somewhere behind. I feel Elijah's cold hand on my back. His hands are usually not like this. He has warm hands, but in this weather, it's impossible to have warm hands.

He laid me down on the soft couch and my hair sprawled like a spider web. His kisses moved down to my jaws while his hand is already on my stomach, touching my sensitivity and leaving traces of burns from his passion.

His hand was going up as if he was aiming at something when the carriage stopped suddenly so Elijah got up and he also quickly got me up and fixed my clothes that were out of order.

It happened so fast that it seemed like it only took five seconds for him to fix me. I was blushing with embarrassment. I don't know which of my feelings now I will prioritize. I feel like my lips are swollen. It wasn't the first time that Elijah and I had been passionate, but I couldn't help but feel ashamed.

We made out in this carriage! The last time was in the alley, now is in the carriage. Why are miracles happening in places that shouldn't be happening?

But I can't answer those questions because I don't know. One moment we're fighting, and the next thing we're kissing and touching. How come we are fighting, and we ended up making out in a conspicuous situation?

"You look fine, a bit flushed but fine," Elijah told me so I looked at him.

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" I don't know if he eases my feelings or just adds to them.

"It's to let you know that you are still beautiful." He whispered to me and suddenly the door opened so I sat up straight looking at the open door.

"Your majesty and Lady Alessia are here," Stefano said and now he is bowing formally.

Elijah went down first and he supported me when I went down. I immediately felt the soft snow under my shoes. I feel the cold climate again so I can't help but shiver.

Elijah immediately put his arm around me so that I could feel the warmth from his body. He was not wearing very thick clothes. It's not like I'm wrapped up.

There are many soldiers lined up in front of the entrance. At the end I see a woman standing there wearing a white winter fur cap and wearing a crown. Her light hair flowed down her shoulders to her waist.

Queen Natalia Eleanor de Mythion. The ruler of Mythion and the woman that I should be wary of, according to Stefano.

Stefano and Sudanni are behind us. Sushi was by my side I just ignored the cold. He was still small and the soldiers there did not pay him any attention.

We walked closer to Natalia. I can't explain how I feel. I was scared and nervous because I didn't know what was waiting for me. Back then, she didn't pay much attention to me because she knew I was a boy. But now the situation is different because I am sure that he already knows that I am a girl. I will never forget how he insulted Ate Roselle. Ate couldn't even do anything even though she was being insulted. Now, will I also suffer what Ate suffered?

Just now I feel like I'm struggling. Natalia is a queen and I can't talk to her just because she has a bad attitude. I couldn't even do that with Elijah before, only now because we're in a relationship. But with a creature that I have no relationship with and a lowly one that is higher than me, I don't know how to deal with them.

I bowed down when Natalia was in front of us.

"Congratulations, Queen Natalia." I kept my gaze down and didn't dare to meet her eyes so I didn't know what Natalia's reaction would be.

"Little Ales? So we were a girl after all." His voice was soft but I could feel the blade wanting to cut me.

"I'm sorry your majesty. I didn't mean to deceive you." I answered him low and my eyes were looking directly at the floor.

"Queen Natalia, being her as a girl or a boy is none of your business. Don't frighten her, we are your guest and she is not your slave." Elijah's groin made me almost turn away from him but I didn't. I don't want to see Natalia look at me.

I heard Natalia's hearty laugh. I don't know but I feel his laugh is full of pretense.

"My bad. It's not my intention to offend her, King Elijah. I just wondered why your precious boy turns out into a girl. It's something that I am very interested in—but I know you don't want me to pry." Her voice is laced with humor but at the same time, with malice. "Little Ales, I hope you can pardon your queen."

You are not my queen. I wanted to shout that but I didn't. It would be stupid if I did that. Offending royal blood is not the wisest thing to do, even though I am under the protection of Elijah.

"I am just a lowly physician. I don't deserve it. I should be the one who will ask for your forgiveness, your highness." I promised him right away while still looking at the floor.

"Isn't it rude to ask for forgiveness while not looking at me?" I gritted my teeth as I heard her response. I couldn't do anything but look up and meet Natalia's cold gaze. She's smiling, but her eyes are filled with madness. "There, I can now see you fully. After all, I once admired your face—"

"Natalia." A word came from Elijah but suddenly the surroundings froze which surprised us all. It's like a poison that spreads to the wall. Ice spikes grew and they looked murderous.

It was like cold water was poured over Natalia because she was surprised and turned pale when she looked at Elijah. But he immediately recovered and laughed but it was raw and raw.

"I'm sorry...Please do come in, honored guest." She uttered but all I can say is, our stay in Mythion will not be easy.