The palace hallways of Armathia Kingdom were finally quiet.
The grand celebration that had filled the kingdom with music and laughter all day had slowly faded into the calm silence of midnight. Only the soft glow of golden lanterns illuminated the long royal corridors now.
Kingston Vale walked through the hallway with an unusually bright smile on his face.
No.
More like a foolish grin.
Even the palace guards discreetly looked away, pretending not to notice how obviously happy their crown prince looked.
Kingston did not care.
How could he?
Tonight had gone far better than he ever imagined.
Not only had he finally married the woman he loved…
But he had also received the blessing of the most terrifying man on the continent.
His brother-in-law.
A soft laugh escaped Kingston as he remembered Louis' annoyed expression earlier.
"Tell her good things about me."
The mighty Louis Kingston had actually said that with a straight face.
Kingston nearly laughed again.
"So cute," he muttered under his breath.
Then he immediately looked around cautiously.
If Louis heard him calling him cute, he would probably not survive the night.
In one hand, Kingston carried a tray of light snacks and warm tea he had stolen personally from the royal kitchen after leaving Louis' chambers.
The palace maids had looked completely shocked seeing the crown prince sneaking desserts himself at midnight.
But Kingston ignored their expressions.
Right now, his only concern was the woman waiting for him.
His wife.
The thought alone still felt unreal.
When he finally reached their chambers, his heart softened instantly.
The grand doors opened quietly.
Warm candlelight flickered gently inside the beautifully decorated room. Rose petals still scattered across the floor from the wedding preparations earlier.
And there she was.
Roseline Astoria sat near the edge of the large bed, dressed in her elegant night robe.
Waiting for him.
Or at least…
Trying to.
Because the poor woman had clearly lost the battle against sleep.
Her head tilted slightly to the side, eyes closed peacefully as she fought to remain awake.
Kingston's entire expression melted.
"She waited for me…"
Carefully, he placed the tray beside the dressing mirror to avoid making noise.
But the slight sound still stirred her awake.
Roseline blinked slowly before looking toward him.
"You're back…"
Her sleepy voice nearly destroyed the remaining strength in Kingston's heart.
"Yes," he said softly while walking toward her.
Roseline rubbed her eyes slightly before narrowing them at him.
"You disappeared mysteriously on our wedding night."
Kingston chuckled quietly.
"You make it sound scandalous."
"It is scandalous," she muttered. "Your bride was abandoned."
"My apologies, Your Highness."
He bowed dramatically.
Roseline tried to remain annoyed.
She failed almost immediately.
A small smile betrayed her lips.
Kingston sat beside her carefully.
"You should have slept instead of waiting."
"And miss interrogating you?" she asked suspiciously. "Never."
Kingston laughed softly again.
His chest felt strangely warm.
This.
This peace.
This comfort.
He wanted it forever.
Roseline studied him carefully.
"You seem happy."
"I am happy."
"More than normal."
Kingston looked away briefly, trying to suppress another grin.
Unfortunately, Roseline noticed instantly.
Her eyes narrowed further.
"…What happened?"
"Nothing."
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
"You are smiling too much."
"That's because I married you."
Roseline paused.
Then her cheeks slowly turned pink.
"…You say embarrassing things so casually."
Kingston looked genuinely proud of himself.
"Good."
Roseline shook her head helplessly.
Then her expression softened slightly.
"Where did you go?"
The question lingered quietly between them.
Kingston's smile faded into something gentler.
For a moment, he remembered Louis' vulnerable expression earlier.
"I'll be waiting for her."
Kingston exhaled softly.
"I'll tell you tomorrow."
Roseline frowned immediately.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"Why not now?"
"Because…" Kingston hesitated before smiling faintly. "It's something important."
Roseline stared at him suspiciously.
"You're worrying me."
"Don't worry."
Easy for him to say.
Roseline still remembered the masked king from earlier.
Those sharp silver eyes.
That overwhelming presence.
And strangely…
The sadness hidden beneath them.
Her brows furrowed unconsciously.
Kingston noticed.
"What are you thinking about?"
"…That masked man."
Kingston nearly choked.
"Louis?"
Roseline blinked.
"So that's his name."
Kingston immediately realized his mistake.
Too late.
Roseline leaned closer slightly.
"You know him personally?"
"A little."
"A little?" she repeated skeptically. "He looked ready to murder you earlier during the greeting."
Kingston coughed awkwardly.
"Well…"
Roseline crossed her arms.
"And he kept staring at me the entire ceremony like some strange hawk."
Kingston pressed his lips together to stop himself from laughing.
If only she knew.
"He creeped me out," Roseline continued. "One moment he looked cold enough to freeze the room, then the next he suddenly apologized after nearly crushing your hand."
Her expression became thoughtful.
"…He's strange."
Kingston smiled softly.
"He's not as bad as he seems."
Roseline raised a brow.
"Oh?"
"He actually cares deeply."
She looked unconvinced.
"That terrifying man?"
"Yes."
"Hm."
Kingston shook his head helplessly.
If Louis heard this conversation, half the kingdom might disappear tomorrow.
Roseline's voice softened slightly.
"…Still."
Kingston looked at her.
"I don't know why," she admitted quietly, "but he looked lonely."
The words surprised him.
Roseline lowered her gaze.
"For someone surrounded by so many people… his eyes felt empty."
Kingston's smile faded slightly.
"You noticed that too…"
Roseline looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing."
Kingston quickly reached for the tray beside the mirror.
"You should eat first."
Roseline narrowed her eyes again.
"You're changing the subject."
"Correct."
"You're impossible."
"And you married me anyway."
Roseline failed to hide her smile this time.
The atmosphere gradually softened afterward.
They ate quietly together beneath the warm candlelight, speaking about smaller things—the chaos of the ceremony, exhausted nobles falling asleep during speeches, Lucas' strange expressions throughout the banquet.
At some point, Roseline laughed so hard she nearly spilled her tea.
And Kingston simply sat there staring at her like a man completely ruined.
Because truly…
How could anyone look at her and not fall hopelessly in love?
Later, when the candles burned lower and the palace became quieter still, Kingston gently pulled her closer against him.
Roseline stiffened slightly before relaxing slowly.
"You're shy now?" he teased softly.
"No."
"You are."
"I'm not."
Kingston smiled against her hair.
"Alright."
Silence settled peacefully afterward.
Comfortable.
Warm.
Safe.
The kind of silence that existed only between people who truly wanted to remain beside one another forever.
That night, deepened with the newly wedded couple wrapped in each other's warmth while the moonlight poured quietly through the palace windows.
And far away—
Within another wing of the palace—
Louis stood alone beside a large window in silence.
Watching the moon.
Watching the kingdom.
Watching over her one last time.
Before dawn finally arrived.
—
The next morning—
Roseline woke slowly to the soft warmth of sunlight touching her face. A little tired from kingston unbeatable stamina and relentless assault.
For a few peaceful seconds, she simply remained still beneath the blankets.
Then reality returned.
She was married.
A quiet smile touched her lips.
Beside her, Kingston was still asleep, one arm loosely around her waist as if afraid she might disappear.
Roseline carefully moved away without waking him.
But just as she stood near the balcony curtains, faint movement outside caught her attention.
The palace grounds below looked unusually active.
Servants moved quickly.
Guards shifted positions.
Horses prepared near the entrance gates.
Roseline frowned slightly.
"What's happening…?"
A passing maid bowed respectfully after noticing her awake.
"Your Highness."
Roseline looked toward her.
"Why is the palace busy so early?"
The maid hesitated.
Then answered carefully.
"King Louis departed at dawn."
Roseline froze slightly.
"…He left?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Something strange settled in her chest unexpectedly.
Disappointment.
A very small one.
But enough to surprise her.
Roseline looked toward the distant palace gates silently.
"He left without saying goodbye…"
She didn't understand why that bothered her.
After all—
They were strangers.
A strange masked king who stared at her too much.
A frightening man she barely knew.
So why…
Why did she suddenly feel like she missed something important?
@Queenzayn