1 month later

Days flew by in a blink of an eye, without any unusual happening. Anna was almost recovered from the injury. Despite the fact garack highly recommended her to rest a little more, she declined. Izana didn't say anything to support the chief pharmacist on the matter. He would rather have the queen working instead of doing nothing. However, a husband in him was not fond of that idea but regardless a king won in the end.

Tonight, after completing the long and a little bit of exhausting day, Anna stood by the door of their quarters.

To this day, she still remembered that night. After that heart stopping kiss, she must have slept with a never ending smile on her face. She didn't know how long they stayed together in each other's arms listening to their heartbeats in the silence of the night.

However, unfortunately, after that they didn't get much time to spend together. But their relationship was slowly blossoming into something so beautiful.

Entering the room, for a second, she was almost in a daze. She had to almost check it was the same room.

Papers, papers, everywhere.

The whole room was tugged in a blanket of chilly night breeze that flowed through the opened window.

Lord, what was wrong with him?

She quickly closed the window and gathered the scattered papers.

"Izana..."

And now, she was calling his name for a while.

"Hm?" He murmured, his body shifted a little on the mattress of the sofa. He couldn't help but to wonder how long it had been that he heard someone calling his name with such care and affection? He couldn't remember accurately. Maybe back when his mother used to call him when he was still a child.

His eyes slowly opened and he looked at her through the curtains of his slick blond hair that cascaded about his face. Waking up, to his wonder, he realised how late it was in the night. And paying careful attention to his wife, he became aware of the expression she wore as she held the sheaf of papers in her hands. She looked quite angry with undying worry that displayed in her eyes.

"Is something wrong, anna?"

He nonchalantly asked, like nothing happened. He would not look stressed or weak by any means in front of anyone. Not even front of her. He had already shown his vulnerable side to her.

Her fury was just raised even more at his calm attitude. Could he just stop pretending everything is normal ? She didn't like it at all. She preferred more if he told her about his problems.

"Nothing happened, your majesty." She began forcing a smile, her voice stern, "If you consider falling asleep while working continuously in your room. Then I guess everything is fine."

She moved away from the sofa; And placed the sheaf of papers which she collected on the study table in the room.

For him, it was nothing new. Sometimes,he had a habit of working in his free time. But today maybe he had overdone it. Something like this never happened before.

Well, after that attack his work was kind of doubled. He was also being too careful of everything. And last thing he wanted was people in the council doubting him and asking questions about his leadership. He couldn't let that happen.

"Come here." He simply ordered, looking into her eyes.

"I am not interested in hearing your excuses, your majesty." she bluntly stated.

Now, he could tell she was really pissed. And she had reason to get angry. If he couldn't remember it, she had been reminding him not to overwork himself for the last few days. But, if only he could listen to her.

However, at the same time, he was secretly enjoying this. Because, before this he had lost this feeling. The feeling of someone getting worried about him, caring so much about him. Just after she was allowed to work, she had been personally taking care of everything from his meals to each and every necessity. Her gestures towards him were so gentle.

"What are you smiling about? she then asked, seeing a small smile that graced his lips, "Do you think it's funny?" she snapped.

She had no idea what he was even thinking.

"No one in the whole clarines has the audacity to talk like that to the king." He remarked, a little amusingly.

Well, it had always been like this between them. There had been a time when she didn't care if he was king or not. She just said anything she wanted. But now, he was sure making her look like a fool.

"I sincerely apologize for my rudeness, your majesty. But that was supposed to be meant for my husband."

If he was playing smart, she could play smarter. She would not be tricked by his words.

"Even if you want to work for the whole night. I won't say a word. Do as you please. " She could just tell he wanted to work more. He must have fallen asleep because of tiredness.

Turning her back against him, she prepared to leave towards the dressing room for changing her royal attire into a simple nightgown.

"Anna..."

The way he called her name. With such tenderness and underlying love, she could feel her will evaporating in the instant. She couldn't help herself.

She just watched as he walked towards her until he stood in front of her.

He knew her too well. How much she showed she was stubborn and persistent, she was the kindest and sweetest person to the people she cared about.

"First promise me, you won't -" she started.

"I am not obligated to." but he cut her off before she could finish it. He couldn't make the promises he wouldn't be able to keep.

"Why do you have to be like this?"

"I guess you know the answer really well."

Right, a king always won before the husband. She should be understandable. Atleast, that was what he expected from her.

"Just get to the bed early." She flatly said, before kissing his cheek. And the next moment tilted her head in the opposite direction, hiding her flushed face. She would try to be bold in the moment, but she was still getting used to this.

"I will." Was all he said, before she turned her head and met his eyes again.

Then he again smiled, this time a little smugly, and surprisingly bringing his lips to hers. It was a small peck but enough to make her stomach filled with warm bliss. Her heart pounded uncontrollably every time at every touch.

There were no sweet words or declaration of love between them. There was an understanding, and both of them preferred it that way.


Next morning - Queen's Office

"This is the additional guest list of the people who will be acquainted with the main guests." An officer in charge gave a file to the queen.

She had gone over the final guest list many times, confirming if she didn't miss anyone by any chance.

"Are you sure it's been checked twice for confirmation?" she asked the officer, as she finished observing the file.

"Yes, your majesty." He bowed in courtesy, taking the file from her.

"Good." She praised, sinking into her chair, breathing peacefully.

Just in the morning Izana asked her, or perhaps he told her, ordered her.

"What do you think of having a night bouquet in the castle? "he asked, drinking his tea calmly.

"A n-night bouquet?"She stuttered, almost stopping herself not to drop the cup from her hand. To her knowledge, he hated functions like this. He never even arranged any royal balls or night bouquets in the castle during the time he was a prince.

"Start the preparations." He then commanded with that sly smile on his face.

There were so many things needed to get done on such a short notice. Preparations of rooms for the royal guests, decoration of the castle, preparation of food for the night, selection of new clothes, arrangement of music and thousands of other things that came with it.

Only problem was she was an experienced person at this. It was a big opportunity and at the same time a big responsibility. So she couldn't let anything mess up. She promised herself to work hard for the next few days to the day of the night bouquet.

Apart from everything, she was glad that shirayuki was coming back to the castle along with ryuu and obi. She was sure zen would be incredibly happy to see her.


The day of the night bouquet arrived faster than Anna thought. She was on the verge of panicking when some arrangements didn't look to be made on time. But everything went smoothly in the end by the time of night.

Hues of different-different flowers decorated the castle in the rich beauty. With each passing wave of wind, the fragrance of flowers flowed in the surrounding, making the atmosphere so pleasant, so captivating.

Corridors and halls of the castle were filled with various guests from noble houses of clairens. Long and extravagant skirts of the noble ladies sweeped the floor as they walked, followed by warm and exciting feminine voices.

Anna was still checking on the last minute preparations. She couldn't let any mistakes be made on her part. In the hall, where she stood, many people were present enjoying the night. Drinks were served and a soothing music was playing in the background.

She was dressed in a beautiful blue gown embroidered with golden laces and light colored robes. Her hair was pulled into an intricate bun adorned with scarlet roses.

Just when she turned from the servant after receiving some reports, she heard a voice coming at her.

"You are always so busy." Yerin was standing in front of her. She was dressed elegantly in a baby pink gown with trimmings of ribbons.

"Did I tell you look so cute and beautiful tonight?" Anna wondered, trying to ease the girl's anger.

"Don't try to flatter me now." Yerin responded to her dismay. The girl was rather clever.

"I really apologize for not giving you any time. But it was a genuine compliment, my dear." She tried to convince her.

"I thought I told you not to trouble her majesty." Lord haruka suddenly appeared from behind, all dressed in majestic royal clothes.

"I am not." The girl protested pouting a little, her cheeks went pink matching the color of her dress. Anna let out a chuckle at her cuteness. For a while, they had some healthy arguments.

After sometime, somewhere at the end of the hall, Anna got a glimpse of Obi and Shirayuki, who were looking in her direction. Their eyes locked, and instantly shirayuki smiled and then bowed from her spot.

Anna too smiled brightly and waved her hand returning the warm gesture.

"She's doing great work in lyrias." Lord haruka suddenly spoke, surprising her.

Well, it was satisfying to hear. Because she knew the fact way too clear. Shirayuki needed to work her hard. She needed to prove herself worthy of standing beside a prince. If not, everyone must have assumed she was nothing but someone who just managed to seduce the prince.

"I see. It's good to hear. I hope she keeps doing her best."

She hoped best for the pharmacist while lord haruka nodded at her statement.

"By the way, I'll keep yerin company."

She said, knowing he must have to greet other lords which came to the bouquet tonight.

"I'll be going then." With that he left his daughter in queen's care. He was glad, at the same time grateful for help.

An hour later, along with yerin, anna was sitting around the table in one of the regal rooms in the castle. They were savouring some delicious food.

Needless to say, but there was something going on in anna's mind. She had been stressed by the thought of assassins being after shirayuki for quite a while now. And finally she had decided to do something about it. On her order, she told one of her maids to gather a little information.

After a while, the maid entered the room, informing, "His majesty was seen with lady shirayuki and his highness zen earlier."

She knew he must have been discussing shirayuki's work in lyrias.

"And the rest?" She asked further.

"Lady kiki is with her family from seiran house. Meanwhile, the knights Mitsuhide and Obi are roaming in the castle enjoying the night."

"I see. Thank you." she said, being grateful for her help. "You can go now."

The maid bowed and left the room cluelessly. She had no idea why the queen was suddenly asking the whereabouts of everyone.

"Umm, yerin?"

Anna called the little girl who had been eating pastries for a while. She was enjoying the night more than anyone else it seemed.

"Are you willing to help me a little?" She urged.

"Hmm?" The innocent girl had no clue what Anna was about to ask her. But she nodded anyway.


I hope all of you are doing fine. Let me know what you think of the chapter.

Stay safe and stay healthy.