It was the beginning of spring and the morning air was filled with the fragrance of newly blossomed flowers. Faint mist shrouding the atmosphere was clearing, welcoming the daylight.

As Zen walked through the silent castle corridors to His majesty's office, he was looking rather irritated than high spirited. Just an hour ago he was sleeping soundly on his bed when all of sudden his brother barged into his room, of course, without any notice.

"Good morning, little brother." Izana's voice came out of nowhere, which made Zen instantly rise up with a startle.

His brother just stood there, smiling as he parted the curtains hanging from the bed, revealing himself.

Zen had been in his pajamas with sleep hovering in his eyes. He was so shocked that he couldn't muster anything to say for a few seconds. Having no clue why his brother would show up suddenly; overcoming the initial shock, he stammered, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Izana nonchalantly said as he picked up the book by the bedside table and sat on the edge of the bed, "I heard you all returned last night, so I figured I should come to meet you."

"You didn't have to come early in the morning. I was going to give you my report later." Zen informed, at the same time carefully paying attention to his brother's actions. He was not appeased with the answer he received, it seemed.

"That's true. Your constant running around to all nearby lands has been a great help." Izana admitted. It was indeed the truth, and Izana genuinely gave him the credit he deserved for his work. There was no doubt, Zen was wholeheartedly doing the work and had improved profusely.

It was a moment later, Izana spoke what he had actually come here for,"What do you think about heading to North again?"

Zen's eyes widened at the news. Still absorbing the information, he hastily thought of getting off the bed quickly. And with that Izana left his room.

Now with Mitsuhide and Kiki behind him, Zen entered the King's office.

As Izana started to examine the reports, all of them seemed intrigued to hear what his majesty had to say. He went on how their work had been beneficial and praised them after reading all reports.

At last, to their surprise he said, "I understand you have some work left in the castle, but let's postpone them for now."

The moment they heard that, three of them became very attentive.

"Zen, Mitsuhide, KiKi."he continued, looking into their eyes, "For now, I need you to head to Sereg's base. Report anything you find there."

Light filtered through the glass windows, slanting into the room and waking her up. Anna was greeted by the empty bed, no warm pairs of arms engulfing her or gentle voice calling her name. It was then she realized what happened last night.

Was Izana really ignoring her? Even if there was something urgent or necessary work, he would not have left without waking her up.

After she bathed and prepared for the ready, maids brought her breakfast. For the first time in months, she sat alone. It felt odd after being accustomed to eating with him everyday. They didn't talk much while eating but moments spent in each other's company in a comfortable silence were precious.

At first, she didn't think he was angry at her by any means. But as the day progressed she couldn't shake the feeling and had second thoughts. In the back of her mind, she knew she was being irrational, highly irrational at that.

It was all Zakura's fault. Could she blame him though? The answer was no. It was His Majesty being so conceited. Even if he was indeed ignoring her then he was just having fun playing his little games and teasing her. Yet she couldn't help but ponder all morning and was unable to focus on the work.

Later in the afternoon, she found herself in the castle kitchens. After thinking incisively she decided to cook something. For him. As they say the way to man's heart was through his stomach.

The Kitchen staff was quite happy to see the Queen again. They welcomed her with joyful looks.

Unlike the previous time she didn't want the help of other cooks as she wanted to make something by her own effort.

"Have you ever made cookies before, your majesty?" It was the first question Kitchen head asked her. As it wasn't harder than making pancakes like she did last time.

Unfortunately, she had not. Her reply was, "I am willing to learn. If you could teach me."

Cookies were popular among royal court and servants. Occasionally, Knights and noblemen gave cookies molded in beautiful patterns, intricate shape of flowers, designs or crest of their family to maidens.

Seeing the Queen requesting and eager to learn, the Kitchen head couldn't help it, "You just have to say, your majesty. Of course we'll teach you!"

As he prepared for his journey, Zen thought of visiting Anna before leaving the Wistal. Since he would be away for a month. Or maybe more than that. It wasn't clear how long this trip would take. Investigating the whole situation and getting at the root of it would definitely take much needed time.

Back in the office he had asked Izana if she knew he was going to Sereg. He already had the vague idea that his brother wouldn't be sharing everything with his wife. State of their relationship was still a mystery to him. He knew his brother cared for her but that was it. And the prospect of his brother actually being in love was foreign to him.

"You can meet her before leaving if you want."Izana had said after he asked.

"You didn't tell her." he accidentally said out loud as Izana didn't answer his question directly.

"Should I be?"

"No. I just thought that you..." he drifted off and stopped himself before he could end up saying something he would regret later.

"Thought what?" Izana urged on, having a clue what Zen might be thinking of, "Stop getting any wild ideas in your head."

It was clear to Zen that Izana didn't want him to know about the nature of his relationship with his wife. Not that he wanted to intervene to know, he was just curious. As much he thought it didn't look like a political marriage to him. But he had no way of knowing.

After searching and asking for the whereabouts of the Queen, it led him to the kitchens. He was more confused than surprised to find Anna in the kitchens, let alone cooking. He couldn't discern what was happening.

When he told her he was heading to Sereg, she definitely looked surprised.

"You're leaving now?" she asked with a questionable look on her face.

"Yes," as he answered, he caught the immediate change in her expression. She must have figured out it was somehow related to the ongoing matter of many marriage proposals to Kiki. But didn't know what had actually happened to transpire this sudden trip.

"I see. I hope you return safely."

He smiled in response and then added, "By the way, once I come back I would love to eat whatever you're making, your majesty."

She gave him a reassuring smile, "Sure."

By the early evening, all cookies were successfully made. After thanking the Kitchen staff, Anna left for her office. Placing the cookie jar on her desk, she then headed towards another room along with her maid. There was a tea gathering with some ladies which she needed to attend.

It was by dusk when she returned back to her office. She was relieved that the meeting went smoothly.

As she looked around her office she was baffled. The cookie jar was nowhere to be seen. Didn't she leave at her desk?

Her other maid who was in the office answered, "Young lady Yerin was here and...", She hesitated and trailed off.

"And?"

"She took the jar. I couldn't refuse, your majesty. She was insistent. I apologize!"

"It's alright." Anna told her, easing her worries, "I guess we have to look for her then. It's not like she can eat all of it."

After searching almost all the castle, they couldn't find her. At last, with the help of some castle workers who saw her, they found the chambers where Yerin went.

A servant went inside first, informing the people that the Queen wanted to inspect the quarters.

When Anna stepped inside she found Lord Haruka and Sir Zakura standing to greet her. It looked like they had been sipping tea and eating sweets enjoying the late evening.

"What happened, your majesty?" Haruka asked, bewildered.

She took a deep breath, wondering if she would sound out of her mind and chose her next words carefully, "Yerin took something from my office. Perhaps she came here?"

Both of their expressions changed quickly. Yerin indeed came here earlier and even brought some sweets with her.

"I'm afraid that —"

"Oh. There it is!" she pointed behind them on the table as she got a glimpse of it.

Silence. There were no words exchanged for a couple of seconds, only awkward silence.

Unfortunately, the jar was pretty much empty.

"We apologize, your majesty. But we couldn't fight the temptation. Those cookies tasted rather different and delicious than usual." Zakura was the one to speak first.

"If you'd like, we can find who made them and tell them to cook similar ones." Haruka was quick to offer. It seemed he was also the culprit and felt a bit guilty of eating.

Her maids were witnessing the spectacle, quietly giggling in the back.

Zakura couldn't help saying, "Are we missing something here?"

Both maids cast a sidelong glance towards their Queen and then one of them slipped, "Her Majesty herself made them specifically for His majesty."

Anna internally facepalmed. Such a loud mouth. There was no need to announce it to everyone. She had already been uncomfortable, now her face blushed redder. She was truly embarrassed.

"I'll take my leave. Please excuse me." she bowed politely, her dress sweeping the floor as she left in a swift motion.

Her maids followed behind.

An hour later, both Haruka and Zakura were standing in front of Izana, who had no indication why they were here. He was standing by the window of his office, hair elegantly tied into a ponytail as he was immersed in reading some paper in his hand.

"What happened?" he questioned, looking at them from the corner of his eyes.

"These cookies were a gift for you, your majesty." Zakura gestured at the jar he placed earlier at the table, "But accidentally Lord Haruka ate them."

It was the most absurd thing Haruka had ever heard.

"I didn't know it was for his majesty." he clearly stated in his defense, further adding, "And Sir Zakura speaks like he didn't take a single bite."

It was actually Zakura who ate most of it. Yet the man had the audacity to blame it all on the other man. Haruka definitely wasn't pleased.

"It was because Marquis offered me first. If I had known, I would have never touched them."

Izana couldn't understand why they were taking the matter so seriously. He received gifts every other day. Even with his disinterest in helping any lords, it didn't stop them to impress him.

"It appears both of you don't have any important work besides bickering
over some cookies." he didn't spare them a single glance and focused on the letter he was reading.

"Ah, seems like your majesty does not know. It was Her Majesty who made them." Zakura revealed dramatically and didn't forget to press on, "Especially for you."

His head tilted in their direction, blinking as if he heard wrong. He had stunned look on his face which turned into something else for a split second.

He composed himself quickly, "I see. You can both leave now."

He nearly thought Zakura was playing an elaborate prank on him after what he did yesterday. (Though in the morning, he reasoned with him that he wanted to see for himself how much he heard about Queen was true. That's why he sparred with her.)

And Haruka would scold him and never partake in such a prank even if Zakura boldy dared to do it. The man looked like he didn't want to stay here any longer.

Night fell, displaying the full moon in the sky surrounded by sparsely sparkling stars.

As she walked to the dining room, wind picked up billowing her locks which fell from the bun, and at the same time caressing pale skin in the moonlight.

She had been informed His Majesty will be having dinner together with her. She assumed his work was done by the same time as hers.

He talked normally to her as they sat together to eat. By no means he was actually mad at her. Anna realized she couldn't make more fool herself.

Various dishes were served. Exquisite aroma of food flooded the surrounding. With mutual silence, they began eating.

It was halfway through the meal when Izana brought it up, "I heard you cooked something today."

At his statement, Anna paused mid-bite. After completely eating and swallowing the food down her throat she opened her mouth to speak.

"You did? News sure travels fast in the castle." She said, maintaining a neutral face. Now she had known he wasn't actually mad and it was all her imagination. She was far from admitting the truth. "Well...I thought of cooking, because I felt like it."

"Is that so?" he quirked a brow, not surprised at her attempt to cover it up. He wouldn't let it slide, "Not especially for me?"

All of sudden, the quietness of the surrounding felt agonizing to her. She must say something back. Or tease him instead. But she had discovered it was out of her league. She could end up embarrassing herself in the process.

"Isn't the weather nice today?" she said, acting like previous conversation hadn't occurred. She knew she was babbling utter nonsense. "I hope you enjoyed your day."

Avoiding the eye contact, she chose to
stare at the dinner plate instead. It didn't mean she could tackle the subject forever. Once inside the walls of their chambers, she could never hide. At the present moment, she could feel his amused gaze on her, threatening to break when they would be alone.

As they finished the dinner, the walk to their chambers was filled with tense air. Her heart was thumping wildly that she feared anyone could hear within sight.

Within a few minutes they came to halt as they reached their destination. After they entered, Izana closed the door behind them

"Take a calm breath. I'm not going anywhere." he whispered in her ear.

"Stop teasing. It's your fault. "

"My fault? I haven't done anything yet." he spoke, playing innocent. She could feel a smile slowly spreading across his face.

"You..." she exhaled in defeat. Not wanting to meet his eyes, her head descended on his shoulder. She couldn't help but recall the nights spent before when he would say embarrassing things during intimate moments.

His one hand encircled her waist firmly, while the other lifted her chin up.

She stared up at him, holding on his shoulders perfectly still. His shrewd but amiable blue eyes were locked into hers luminous gray, they held an enamored look which spoke of warmth he harbored.

Both of them leaned forward, their lips met in the middle. As they kissed, desire burned, turning into ardent passion.

Despite the fact how many times they had touched before, each time it felt new, thrilling, exciting.

She was pushed roughly yet with precision onto the mattress, bed creaked. His hands roamed her body, feeling the familiar curves.

Clothes were unfastened. Hair were unbounded down the shoulders.

Her hands woven into his hair, eyes closed as his name escaped her lips.

The night moved around them in heated breaths, sensitive touches and pleasurable sounds.

My another attempt at writing mature scene at the same time it's not fully matured or explicit.

Alternative title to the chapter : Who ate my cookies?😔

I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. Do let me know your thoughts.