Chapter 8.

Kael's POV

“And what are the traders at the Radical territory saying?” I asked, while the elders looked at each other like they were making a quick election on who should respond to me.

“Err… they're planning to refuse trading with anyone else until the next full moon is over.” Elder Kendrick said.

“That's in ten days.” I responded.

“Yes, and the North can't do without them, especially for the period of the full moon.” He added.

“And what are their demands again?” I asked.

“That the Queen retract her statement, and also apologize for speaking to Lord…” He held his tongue the moment I released an involuntary growl.

“You're so lucky you didn't completely mention his name before me.” I said, and they all bowed.

“They even requested his reinstatement.” Dacian added, causing my bowels to boil with anger.

“Let it be known, and this is my command!” I growled as they all raised their heads to look at my feet. “If the Radical traders decide to play foul or funny, I will kill every single one of them.”

“And I will kill whatever lord I commanded out of my court, and I will make sure that their business is given over to another faction if I'm pissed.”

“They will sell at the normal prices, and will sell to everyone that wants to buy, unless they're completely out.” I ordered.

“Yes, your majesty.” They echoed, and I took a sigh. Not long after several issues were sorted, my faction requested to see me.

“What do they want?” I asked Dacian who would most likely already know.

“They just met with the Queen. The usual brunch and lunch visit after the first night together.” Dacian said, and I hissed calmly.

I knew I was in for a lot of nagging, and goodness knows what Hyacinth has said to them already.

“Let them in.” I ordered, wanting to be rid of everyone around me.

The faction was ushered in, and they all took their rightful places. Their faces were a mix of several emotions. Some looked disgusted, others were elated, some were even oddly happy.

“Your Highness,” Aunt Lois, the one everyone thinks is my mother, stepped forward, “I have something to say.”

I nodded at her, giving her confirmation to speak.

“Can we reject this marriage?” She asked, and most of the faction murmured in agreement. The part of the faction that looked happy had already dispelled whatever joy they felt into sudden hatred.

What has she done again?!

“You'd have to take that up with my father.” I simply responded. “The circumstances around this marriage are complicated, and you would have to wait until she's pregnant.”

“And how sure are we that she can get pregnant? How many times have you laid with her? Do we have a way of ascertaining that…”

“My sexual life is none of your business, respectfully.” I insisted calmly.

“Same thing she said.” Someone from the crowd muttered.

“And it's barely been two days since she arrived. I'd ask that you give her some time.” I said.

They grumbled, and dragged their feet, but they all left a few minutes later.

“It almost sounded like you were advocating for her at some point.” Dacian teased, as was his usual manner.

“I was advocating for myself.” I mumbled, resting into the regent's throne. “I need time for myself, not her.”

“I can't imagine sleeping with a human. I'd die from the sheer disgust and hatred for myself.”

“Well, the only reason they've been on your neck when you only got married yesterday is because you didn't visit the Queen's room last night.”

Of course, I am the King's heir, everyone wants to know if I'm sleeping with her.

“So, you're suggesting I kill the momentum of such discussions by staying at her place for one night?” I asked, and he nodded.

“Not a night. Half an hour.” I bargained.

“Half the night.” Dacian bargained.

“An hour.”

“Six hours.”

“An hour and half.”

“Let's end it at two hours.” He said, and I nodded in agreement.

“Let the omegas bring over the food to her wing.” I ordered, and he bowed gently.

On getting to Hyacinth's wing, I opened the door, and she was standing at the edge of her bed. For the first time since she got here, her heartbeat was fast. I couldn't tell if it was from fear, or she had just finished a marathon, given that she was also sweating profusely.

Everyone else bowed except her.

“Sit.” I commanded, but she already sat down before I could completely give the order.

“Why are you here?” She asked, wiping the sweat off her face with a handkerchief.

“To have dinner with you. It's mostly political.” I responded, and I realized her heart rate went lower, and was actually calmer than when I walked in.

“Thank goodness.” She heaved a sigh of relief.

“What? Did you think I came to have sex with you?!” I scoffed, and her eyes widened. She raised the left side of her lower lip, and also her nostril in contempt.

“I'd like to think that you're not a fan of activities such as that.” She responded.

“Not a fan when it has to be you.” I clapped back.

“Touchè.” Hyacinth nodded, clapping her hands gently as she wiped off sweat again. Her eyes were red, and there were marks on her hands that signified that she was having a good sleep when I came in.

There was unexpectedly silence for the greater part of dinner. She just kept picking at her food, and glancing at me every now and then. She was uncomfortable, and I enjoyed it.

“When do I get to meet your parents? Or don't I? Am I just a baby factory?” Hyacinth caught me off guard with her questions. I took a cup of water, and shrugged before answering her.

“Maybe when he requests to see you. Maybe not. Yes.” I answered all three questions at the same time.

“That's good to know.” She responded, seeming unbothered.

She suddenly started eating her food like she had just been waiting for that particular moment the whole time. Her switch surprised me, and I was left wondering what kind of human this was.

“The next full moon is in five days, and it'll last for five additional days. So , it'd be better that you stayed indoors.” I said, unsure why I was letting out such information.

“If I didn't know you, I'd have said you cared about me.” Hyacinth scoffed

“I'd hate for someone else to have the pleasure.” I said, smirking at her.

“Honestly, I'd just like to die.” She responded, and once again, I was shocked.

Why was she acting like she wanted the world to crash all over her?

“But then, what would be the fun in dying when I can stay alive to watch you squirm in pain every time you see me?” She chuckled, switching back to her old self.

I looked at her for a moment longer than I meant to. Then I picked up my glass and said nothing.