Zaynah ✓

xxxiii

~ Z a y n a h ~

My wish didn't come true.

It was already winter, but I couldn't achieve freedom yet.

I was stuck with my captor even during my favorite season.

I bent down and touched the melted snow that was embedded in a beautiful rose.

His garden has to be my favorite place in this whole kingdom because that seems like the only place where he left me alone.

The ground was covered with thick white snow, and I knelt and gathered some in my hands.

I giggled after touching the cold and soft snow.

How different were things now compared to my last winter...

I smiled fondly while taking a walk down my memory lane. How cheerfully I celebrated the winter season along with my family and people. I had organized a blanket-distributing event for needy people last year at this time.

My smile dropped to form a frown.

What made things turn out like this?

Where did I go wrong?

From a powerful ruler to a nominal queen.

"What are you thinking about?"

I gasped and stood back on my feet. He was already beside me, but I hadn't noticed it at first.

"Nothing," I could see white fog going from my mouth as I spoke.

It was getting too cold all of a sudden.

He smiled back at me with squinty eyes. His eyes always seemed to disappear whenever he was happy.

I guess I've been here for a long time and that must be why I began to notice every little feature of him and to top it, he was the only person I saw on a daily basis because the workers never raised their eyes to look at me and I hardly met with my parents for my own good. Knowing that they were safe and healthy was enough to put me at ease.

"Let's go," he caught my hand, "or else you'll catch a cold."

How sweet.

I sighed sadly and followed him as he dragged me back to the palace.

"You have a surprise," he pulled me towards the kitchen.

What?

He halted in front of the dining table.

"What's this?" I asked him when my eyes fell on the tray that was placed on the table. On it, chocolate biscuits were arranged in a specific manner.

I knew what it was. I just wanted to know why he'd show me this.

"I made them." He smiled at me proudly.

I couldn't help but chuckle at that.

The big bad king was proud to bake some cookies. Who would've thought?

"Ah, really?" I asked with some level of enthusiasm to boost his ego.

"Yes." His expression didn't falter at all.

His cheeks didn't hurt after smiling for so long?

This pride I saw in him was last seen on our wedding day. That didn't age well.

"Go on, try it." He nodded his head for me to eat the baked goodies.

I mentally shrugged and picked one cookie and took a bite.

It was good, actually.

"It's delicious." I appreciated his baking, having nothing to lose for doing that.

If he thought that this gesture would make me love him, then boy, how wrong he was.

I liked his effort, and thus, I complimented him.

"Really?" his eyes lit up with a certain childlike glee.

"Yes," I forwarded the biscuit to his mouth, and he took a bite as well, stuffing his mouth.

If he weren't so terrible, then I would've called that adorable.

"Let's go to our room," he pulled me yet again.

I froze.

Did he take my sweet gesture in the wrong way?

I couldn't do anything as he pulled me into his room.

Instead of taking me to bed, he walked me towards the balcony.

I was confused.

The evening had arrived and owing to the season, it was dark already, but the stars illuminated the sky beautifully.

My jaw almost dropped at the breathtaking sight.

"A pretty sight, isn't it?"

In a daze, I just nodded, not being able to take my eyes off the scenery.

A hand wrapped around my shoulder in a side hug, "Do you know what's special about this night?"

That grabbed my attention since Desmond was so unpredictable, and I had to be on guard.

"What?"

"A shooting star shower can be seen almost now."

I doubted his words, but I nodded anyway.

"How do you know that?"

"Well, my magical powers, of course." He grinned cockily.

"I completely believe that."

I heard him laugh, "As you should."

Suddenly, my eyes widened when it happened.

"Oh my," I covered my mouth with my palm.

He was right.

Shining shooting stars were showering before us. Beautifully and gracefully falling.

Being immersed in the moment, I didn't listen to a thing he kept on saying. Instead, I made a wish.

By the time I opened my eyes, they were gone, but I smiled anyway.

At least, that was a good moment to remember.

"What did you wish for?" He leaned his head on my shoulder and gazed away.

I turned towards him, "It's a secret."

"That's disappointing," he lifted his head and faced me.

I leaned in and whispered in his ear, "You'll know when the time comes."

A slow smile graced his face, "I can't wait."

Bet you can't.

"Do you know what's another surprise I want to give you?"

"No," I tried to stay composed.

He then suddenly hugged me as if I would vanish right there if he didn't do so.

"I'm leaving tomorrow."