Meeting With the King

**Natalie POV**

Hot, it was so hot! I tried to kick myself free, but I was twisted in a cocoon of limbs and blankets. The sun streamed in through a window opposite the bed. Its morning glare caused my eyes to squint. Trevor had tangled himself around me, snoring peacefully. He was still knocked out from last night's events.
Silently, I let myself soak in all of his features. He really did have a model's face. I had to stop my fingers from tracing a path from his cheeks down his chest. His scar peeked out at me from under the blanket, proving Trevor was a fighter.

In his sleep, Trevor shoved the blanket over his head. After successfully blocking the sun from his face, his calloused hands wrapped back around me. His mouth rested above my ear. "I truly do love you, Tidal Wave boy."
Wetness pooled on my inner thighs remembering how he brought me to orgasm with his only sinful hands and mouth. I found myself daydreaming about kissing a path from the scar down his taut stomach and to his hardening cock. I wanted to let my lips explore his rigid length and repay him for last night. A flush put color to my cheeks, remembering how large he had felt in my hands. And he had wanted to put that inside me; make me his…
Shouting from the room next to me instantaneously dried me up. Little voices screamed at each other. The walls vibrated as random items crashed into them. Soon a much darker voice hushed the children. Aileen didn't yell, but the kids were now silent. Nothing else hit the wall connecting our rooms, but a flash of aura emitted from the other room.
Shion burst through the door connecting our rooms. The door literally flew off the hinges. The boy puckered his lips and batted his eyelashes at his Mother. Aileen wore the same bloodied dress as last night, along with a growing frown for her son's careless act.
Shion spotted me and attempted to lunge at me. Aileen grabbed him by the collar of his plain nightshirt. In desperation, Shion shot me with his best puppy impression. Was this really the most feared demon lord's son?
"Girlfriend, help me! Mommy is gonna make me spend a day cleaning with the maids again!" Shion reached for me despite his Mother pulling him back. "I didn't mean to! I swear. I just wanted to tell you that I love you so bad that the door fell!"
I covered my mouth. The boy was adorable, and damn did he know it! Laughing at a kid's antics would hinder whatever lesson the princess decided to teach him.
Aileen flicked her son's head. "I said I needed to wake her up. You said you wished to see her off before she meets with your grandfather, not proclaim your love. And I certainly did not permit the destruction of yet another door."
*Keep a straight face. A blank slate and blend in…do not laugh!*
"I'll get ready." Simple and respectful. I still had no idea if Aileen was an ally or a sadistic bitch.
.
.
.
I pulled at the collar of my borrowed heavy dress. The royal blue hue and large jewels caught the eyes of many random workers. The material weighed on me in more ways than one. The flowing skirts begged for the wearer to glide with purpose. The golden trims at my neckline radiated elegance and power. The heeled sapphire shoes forced me to stand taller. An outfit like this demanded confidence and attention. Neither I was used to displaying openly.
Some wealthy merchant's daughters scoffed at my obvious awkward walk. Snooty daddy's girls…The moment King Ulrich was done speaking with me, I planned on putting on a plain light blue dress.
The guard escorting me knocked twice before opening the door for me. Inside was well lit by a large oval window. The sunlight shined directly on a large oak desk littered with papers, books, quills, and ink. Leaning on the expensive wood was King Ulrich. He was scribbling away with deep creases on his forehead.
Not even a flick up from the parchment he was so engrossed in. I entered and sat on a chair on the opposite side of the desk awaiting the King to acknowledge me. Behind me, the door closed, and I heard the distinct klink of locking.
Seven minutes. I counted all the way up to seven minutes, and I had only started counting out of boredom and nervousness. How long was the old man going to make me wait? He must have known how unsettling the situation would be to me.
"Highness, if this about the fruit knife-"
The quill stopped. The King's icy gaze locked with mine. A smile twitched at his pale lips. "Human nature calls for us to fill in the gaps. We don't like silence. It also makes us speak truths we normally wouldn't. Seems it works on the girl who never speaks as well." His fingers set to twirling his quill. "So what is this about a fruit knife?"
My face threatened to pale at my idiocy. Mother would be giving me a lecture from Lucifer himself if she found out about my screw-up. Being with Trevor so long must have loosened a screw in my head.
My teeth nibbled my bottom lip contemplating an answer. "Highness, I was-"
"I do not care about whatever lie you are about to spout off. I was simply making a point." He scribbled a few more words. "The silence tells more than any question man can ask… You agree, correct?"
"Yes, Highness, I agree." Keep the answers cut short. I didn't desire a repeat of my time with Aileen. My guard had to stay up.
"Did you know that women are complex creatures who do not care to be compared to such philosophies? Particularly when arguing with their King and Savior?"
He used his personal philosophy on some girl? Unsure of how I was supposed to respond. I inclined my head.
"Nor do they appreciate comparisons to hungry bears, spies, or their gender. Saying Woman can set women off. A small bag of stuff is packed up, and they leave the luxuries of a fecking castle to storm to a son-in-law's mansion."
Now I bite hard on my cheeks as well. The distinctive tangy taste of blood filled my mouth. Stifle the laugh and do not comment on the King's evident quarrel. Two could play his own game. I waited for him to continue.
"Which is why I have called you here. My lovely wife has been angered by me, and I would like to prove to her my misunderstanding."
Apologize. Wait, did he use a fancy way to say, 'I gave my wife the silent treatment after calling her a spy and or bear? To stop her, I tried to command her by saying, 'woman!'
For a King, he could be pretty clueless. Hell, he was still showing me his emotionless face, but there was no doubting the shine forcing its way into his eyes. He loved his Queen.
My gaze fell to his rolled-up sleeves. More important than any adornments to his outfit was the mark running up his bare arm. A demon's mark. Twitches took control over all muscles in my hand, where Diana's used to rest. So many times, demons made deals with anyone for power and control, like Diana and Demon Lord Shiuku. Demons and humans alike are forced into horrible deals. They have no choice but to bear the mark for allegiance; because of this, true loves cannot mark each other. No one could wear two marks.
I truly loathed Diana's mark, but after so many years, I missed having a connection to another person. What would it feel like wearing a mark of one showing the world your love rather than possession? Or having someone bear mine.
The King flexed his arm with a sly grin on his face. I wanted to ask him about what deal was made between Sekai and him. My hand squeezed at my thigh. As if speaking with Trevor's newly adoptive family was hard enough for me to control my blabbering; with something I was passionate about, no chance. I would talk the King's ear off like an idiot.
"Anyway, I would like to send some cookies to her as bribery to get her back by my side. We could make great use of her strength and healing abilities with our current unfortunate...situation here." He huffed out, slightly annoyed.
Just say you miss her, old man!
"It would be beneficial to the country the sooner we can get her back. Make the cookies, and I will have them sent back to the House of Vernen."
I sat there biting back a smile. The man was stubborn and had no idea how funny seeing an awkward king was. I had my suspicions he would not appreciate my laughter.
"Dismissed."
He waved his hand and repeated, "dismissed Ms. Natalie."
Hearing my name snapped me out of my impending laughing fit. I became a blank slate once more. Uncomfortably, I stood up from my seat. I bowed deeply to the King. "Highness."
In measured strides, trying to quiet the clicking of these damned heels on the floor, I made my way to the exit. As I approached the door, the King cleared his throat. I turned back to him, confused.
"A quick lesson for you. Hold your head high; the dress is suited for royalty. You will be alone in the kitchens, but who knows, someone might pop in to check on you." Did King Ulrich wink at me?
I said nothing and put a hand to the knob, ready to bake for the Queen's appeasement.
"You are a lovely young lady. Be proud of yourself, and do not embarrass my name."
Opening the door, I took a long gulp of air before tilting my head back to him. Hopefully, the King needed the cookies enough to save me from the dungeons after this. "Did you learn a lesson with your wife taking her trip?"
Crud on a stick. I really was getting too comfortable with the Lutz family. The snapping of his quill proved him to be upset.
"Don't poke a fecking bear when it's angry with your favorite large stick." He grimaced in memory of something unpleasant, then returned to his work. "Now leave, girl."
Orders delivered, I made for the kitchens once again. I had to get going on this task.
With him being drugged, the assassin's attack, and my assumed death, I had to talk to Trevor soon.