The Rightful Queen

Thirty-six

I was on cloud nine. I was excited about our dinner together and I couldn't help but wonder about that favourite spot he talked to me about.

After I finished getting ready, I walked out of my chamber into the living room. I made sure to wear the lilac dress I told him about. The long lace sleeves were decorated with silver beads and they stopped right under my elbows.

"I see everything is going according to plan," Laith's voice made me stop in my tracks. I hadn't even seen him. He was on the balcony.

"Everything is going well," I affirmed.

"Tell me, Nuriya," Neither did I like his tone nor did I like how he approached me. "Do you love Zain?" His tone was quiet yet threatening. I unconsciously took a few steps back as he walked closer to me.

"I love him as much as I should to manipulate him," I said, trying to sound convincing as much as possible.

"Then why did you risk saving him?" he asked, cornering me against the door.

"Because if he dies, I won't be able to become a queen." I had already thought about that before.

"But you wouldn't mind digging your knife in his heart, right?" he wondered. I could feel his breath against my face. My knees threatened to buckle.

"I would do it," I lied. I would jump in front of a knife to save him. I would kill Laith to save Zain if I had to.

A knock on the door saved me from Laith's trap and I immediately rushed towards the door to open it. All my worries left my body once I saw Zain. He looked absolutely breathtaking.

"Hello, gorgeous." He didn't give me the chance to curtsy because he walked closer to me, wrapped his arm around the small of my back, and kissed my forehead. "Unless it's an official event, don't curtsy. I'm not a king when I'm with you, I'm simply a man in love." His words made my heart tighten in my chest and I found myself wrapping my arms around him.

"You'll always be my king," the words came out of my mouth before I had the chance to think about them. I didn't even know if Laith was behind us or not. But if he was there, Zain wouldn't have acted freely like that.

"Let's go," he smiled at me and the two of us walked together.

"Are we having dinner in the gardens?" I wondered as we stepped outside the palace.

"Yes, but not in front of anyone," he replied. I was curious. Zain was full of surprises and whenever I was with him, I was sure that I would have fun no matter what.

After walking for a little while, we reached a brown wooden door. I saw that place before, but I had never thought about entering. If I remembered well, this place wasn't there when I was young. It was a huge square-shaped structure with no ceiling, made of red bricks and the walls were decorated with plants and flowers. When we walked inside, it was like we got inside a small garden inside a huge one.

"This was my mother's favourite place. She would always come here to relax. I wish she could have met you. I'm certain she would have adored you." My heart swelled at his words. "Since you can't meet her, I thought I could take you to her favourite place."

"I would love to be at her favourite place," I told him. I wasn't lying. I wished I could have met the woman who raised that amazing man before me. Certainly, he was nothing like his father. His father was a murderer, while Zain was the sweetest man I had ever met.

His mother's garden was gorgeous. There was a huge tree inside and a swing dangling from it. Purple, white and pink flowers were everywhere, scattered beautifully. A table was set in the middle of the garden and once we reached it, Zain pulled my chair and I sat down. I looked around me and I found no guards around, which was enough to make worry penetrate my heart.

"The guards are outside, Nuriya," he read my mind and I blushed.

"I just want to make sure that you're safe," I told him with complete honesty.

"Stop worrying. I'm all right. Let's just enjoy the night," he said and I nodded. "I originally wanted to take you to many places when we were at Carbilia, but... I wasn't in a right state of mind, so I guess I have to make it up to you here."

"I'm sure we can go to Carbilia again anytime you want," I told him. "And you don't have to make it up to me. I'm not upset," I assured him. "You made it up to me the moment you decided to take your horse and chase me. I found that absolutely romantic."

"I don't think I am romantic." He shrugged and I giggled.

"I have never been courted before and you're the first man who has ever taken me on dates, but I can assure you, nobody can treat a woman better than you treat me," I told him. Surprise appeared on his face.

"Wait, so you have never had a man courting you before?" I slowly shook my head. "And I happen to be your first kiss?" I nodded with flushed cheeks. "Just to be sure, but you have never said 'I love you' to anybody before me?" Again, I nodded.

"Does that... change anything? You know since I'm inexperienced in relationships," I wondered.

"It makes things so much better. I am absolutely honoured to know that I'm the first man in your life." he seemed ecstatic with the idea.

"What about you?" I couldn't help but ask.

"What do you mean?"

"Have you ever loved anybody before me?" I badly wanted the answer to be 'no'.

"I have never loved anyone before you, but I have kissed a girl before," he admitted. I had no right to be jealous. This was his life before me, so I had no right to feel that way, yet I was so jealous. "It was probably three years ago," he added. Did he notice my facial expressions?

"Your love life before me isn't my business, but you're certainly not allowed to kiss any other woman but me now," I told him with a smirk.

"Which man would want to kiss another woman when he has you as his woman?" I grinned like an idiot upon hearing that. "Shall we eat?" I was glad that he changed the subject. I couldn't handle any more blushing.

As we were eating, I asked him to talk to me about his mum. I wanted to get to know her in any way. I loved how his eyes lit up when he was talking about her and I hated how his tone changed when he told me that he lost her when he was nineteen. She fell sick and died in her sleep after ten days of being sick.

"I'm sure she's proud of you. She's probably looking over at us now and her heart is jumping with joy at how great her son has turned out to be," I tried to relieve his pain.

After we finished eating, I got up from my place and went straight to the swing. Zain followed me and he started to give me gentle pushes.

"Since your birthday is in less than a month, do you have any special plans?" he surprised me by saying that.

"How did you know about my birthday? I never told you," I said.

"I'm a king, remember? I can know a lot of things, but I actually found out about that from your father," he pointed out, making me smile.

"I don't have anything in mind." I shrugged, looking back at him.

"Would you like it if I threw you a ball?" he wondered. Ever since my parents' death, I hadn't celebrated my birthday.

"I don't celebrate my birthday. My father isn't fond of throwing balls. The last time I celebrated my birthday was when my mama was alive, which was more than ten years ago. But if you want to do that, I don't mind," I smiled at him.

"I'm going to give you the best ball. I'll make this night unforgettable for you," he said. Gently, he wrapped his arm around my waist from behind when the swing approached him and I stayed still in his arms as I looked into his vibrant blue and smiled a little when he leaned down towards me. I closed my eyes once his lips touched mine and I melted into his embrace. I could never get enough of his kisses.

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Published on September 1st, 2022

Sara