Where was this blasted basket of flowers?

Lyne crossed to the table resting by the newly painted wall and picked up a basket of rose flowers that she made to place beside the dresser. After placing it there, she stepped back a bit to inspect her work in their room.

From a boring choice of pieces of furniture and colours to a lovely and exciting arrangement of flowers, decorations, and fabrics that she had spent hours handmaking. No doubt, Zeidan will surely love it when he comes back. Or maybe he wouldn't. 

Of course, she should have known. A pang shot through her chest at the thought. Remembering how she had eaten breakfast alone after Luana pulled him away, she wondered if she had been tricked into repeating her past life back in her Father's kingdom. She slouched and sat on the edge of the bed, beads of sweat lacing her forehead. 

But this isn't how a queen should react to her husband's absence. She should get used to it. He's the king and so he has a lot to take care of, she convinced herself. She doesn't have to stay with him every moment before she has to believe he cared for her. As she predicted, their lives will definitely be promising.

There was scarcely a moment when she would look at Zeidan and her heart won't thump with the reminder of how good-looking he is and how he always affected her in an exciting way.

But ever since the wedding, he has never attempted to touch her. Was he scared of doing so? Or had she pushed him away the first time he tried to and he had on his monster face? She wondered if she could still maintain her composure, should Zeidan change in her presence again. 

She blew a long, frustrating sigh. It was entirely impossible to endure. It might take a while to adjust his way of life too. 

"Lovely room." She was startled by a familiar warm voice that seeped through her ears and she turned back to see Chloe smiling down at her. She was still in her fighting gear.

Looking down at her dirty and simple dress, she laughed nervously.

"I don't know if I'm supposed to be seen this way, as the Queen." She folded the skirt of her dress as if trying to conceal the paint smeared on her dress and the dirt she got from cleaning the room.

"I'm sorry, what?" Chloe raised a brow.

Of course not. What an absurd word to say.

Lyne looked down, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"No. What I'm saying is that getting married here in Vampire city doesn't guarantee you a Queenship position."

"What?" Astonishment rang in her voice.

She drew in a deep breath and asked Chloe to come closer using hand gestures and the woman didn't think twice.

"Lyne, I know how surprising it may be but you are not and cannot be considered the Queen yet. But that isn't the issue because the way I see it, you're fit for the role." 

"But according to your rules, he can't marry more than two wives."

"You mean he can't choose two Queens? Of course, marrying more than one wife isn't forbidden for the King. He only has to make one the Queen."

Silence dawned on the both of them for a while before Chloe spoke up again. It felt as though a rock has just been thrown at her chest as she heard this.

"Don't feel bad. I'm certain the King will choose you."

"Why is Luana still here by the way?" She prompted and the other woman shifted as if the question had hit a wound.

"I don't know. I guess she has some things to sort out here."

"Oh, right," Lyne answered, her voice low and disappointed. She has no chance against this woman who seems to be efficient in playing the role of a Queen.

"So, how do you feel staying here?" 

Lyne looked up at her and forced a wry smile.

"Good."

"That's just it? Good?" 

"What else can I say? I do miss home a little bit but then the only thing I missed is the moments when I watch my siblings shift." She giggled. "Other than that I feel okay..."

"How do you feel about the King?" She threw in a million questions that even Lyne has been avoiding asking herself.

"Um...my feelings?" She scoffed and raked her hands through her messy hair.

"Zeidan is cute. I give him that."

The two women nodded in agreement.

"He...he has the looks and he is nice. He also knows how to make me feel accepted and happy."

"Isn't that the most important thing to consider when choosing who we love?" Chloe asked again, sending Lyne's head spiraling. 

This is getting awkward. She thought.

"Love? That's too far. I really can't say..." She paused, choosing her words carefully.

"I...maybe I can say I like him and I know I won't regret marrying him. But can I say that I..." She made hand gestures but Chloe only stared at her, face expressionless.

"That I...I love him?"

She nodded and tried convincing herself but it was hard to answer that she doesn't. Maybe now isn't the answer and maybe they both don't need love to live together.

"He makes me happy and I'm grateful for that. Which is all I think I need." She sighed as she resigned to the blankness in her head. 

"Yeah. It's all I need."

Chloe rose to her feet, her face holding the seriousness of a warrior and one who is only about the business at hand.

"Whatever it is your mind tells you, just don't yank it off. I hope he continues making you happy." 

"Thank you, Chloe." She smiled and watched the woman exit the room majestically. 

"Good talk." She called after the woman before letting out a tired sigh.

She looked around the room and in one moment, everything defined her feelings. Happiness, freedom, and the most important thing change.

Walking into the building made of white bricks and aluminum sheets, Luana made sure her arm was locked in Zeidan's as they strode in. Everyone bowed and saluted them both and Luana did not hesitate to casually wave at them, a huge smile displayed on her face.

Getting to the door that has a tag; Chief commander, Vampire Army, they stopped.

"Very well, my knight in shining armor."

Zeidan chuckled, his eyes roaming the woman beside him.

"What are you doing?" 

"You're supposed to be a gentleman and open the door for me." She flung her hair to the back, smiling up at him.

Zeidan sighed and did as he was told before giving a sarcastic bow. "After you ,my lady."

She looked at him long enough and bit back her laughter as she walked into the office.

They saw a five feet slender man wearing tiny rimmed glasses with sandy colored hair, sitting behind the desk, papers scattered before him.

"Chief Arthur?" Zeidan called and the man's face turned pale as his gaze fell on the terror queen.