MUD

As night enveloped the castle, time seemed to dissolve into a haze of loneliness.

I had completely lost track of my impending meeting with the king.

After crying, I flopped onto my bed, desperately seeking respite in sleep.

But doubt gnawed at my thoughts after reading her parting message. It felt as though she was tugging at the strings of my emotions, trying to manipulate my heart into believing that Kian was the root of all my troubles. That Kian had come in between us.

A friend, after all, should never aim to hurt you.

A true friend would weigh their actions, considering the impact they could have on one another. Yet Emily seemed careless, her decisions reckless and unbound by the consequences.

What if the king had dismissed my pleas during that fateful encounter? I would have been cast into a dark prison cell, wrongfully accused of stealing. Meanwhile, Emily would continue her carefree existence within the castle walls, sneakily stealing glances at the king as she liked.

If she were aware that her emotions could lead to such destruction, she should have retreated from the castle long before — preserving our friendship and finding her path.

Deep down, she knew she had crossed a line which was why she had left.

Perhaps it was true; we were never meant to be friends, and I would eventually need to forge bonds with those who truly valued me.

As dawn broke, we dutifully went about our chores, mopping the floors beneath the relentless drips from the towering ceiling as chill mingled in the air.

While maneuvering the mop, a familiar scent enveloped me — the strong, masculine scent of my mate lingered just beyond my reach. He was nearby, and despite my hesitations, I dared to shift my gaze.

My heart raced as it landed on his deep green eyes watching me intently, descending the staircase in a regal ensemble of black fabric, hair meticulously styled back. He appeared to be on an important mission.

It hit me then that I had overlooked the note he penned for me, my mind muddled with thoughts of Emily's betrayal.

His gaze lingered, and I fought the urge to look away.

I only broke the gaze when he began to walk past me, his shoes echoing softly against the polished marble floor, greeted by the whispers of the other servants as he strode on.

Could he truly be angry with me for standing him up? With that unreadable expression on his face, it was impossible to tell.

I couldn't help but wonder where he was headed in this seemingly endless downpour. Thunder erupted in the distance, shaking the castle walls, as torrents of rain painted dark shadows across the interior, flickering lanterns casting an ethereal glow.

The evening approached, and I received an unexpected summons from the king. He had returned, the rain finally relenting, leaving wisps of gray in its wake. I made my way to the barn, where I was informed he awaited me.

As I neared him, an inward sigh escaped my lips. The horse stood tranquil, nibbling gently at the feed from the king's hands.

"You called for me, Your Majesty?" I bowed respectfully, my voice steady yet laced with apprehension.

His gaze shifted towards me, piercing yet inquisitive.

"Did you enjoy keeping me waiting last night?" he asked, his fingers running through the horse's mane as he approached me, the damp grass deepening under his boot, leaving glistening imprints behind.

"I had personal matters that required my attention, Your Majesty," I replied, my heart thudding in my chest.

"And how are you managing those matters?" His gaze was scrutinizing, taking in the way I shivered in the brisk air.

To my astonishment, his coat was suddenly draped around my shoulders, its warmth wrapping around me like a comforting embrace.

"I believe I'm managing quite well, Your Majesty," I stammered, struggling to project confidence.

"You don't seem to be doing as well as you claim," he muttered softly, tilting his head, his curiosity piqued.

"Shall we head out now?" He declared, abruptly grasping my hand in his, effortlessly guiding me before I could voice my intentions of attending to my duties.

His grip was firm, the contrast between his large fingers and mine striking, as his coat now rested against me like a shield.

We stepped outside, the cool evening air wrapping us in its embrace as darkness descended. Strangely, a feeling of contentment blossomed within me as we walked side by side, enveloped by the tranquil beauty of the meadows.

The wildflowers swayed gently beneath the silvery gaze of the moon and the twinkling stars above.

"So, does the issue plaguing you involve your friend?" he questioned, breaking the tranquil silence as we ventured farther from the castle.

I hesitated at first, my heart weighed down by the swirling thoughts in my mind, but eventually, I found the courage to open up to him. "Yes, Your Majesty," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

With an air of authority, he spoke, "I'd personally advise against dwelling too much on those who do not have your best interests at heart." I watched as his expression shifted, and despite the weight in my chest, I dared to lift my gaze slightly to meet his piercing eyes.

"Did you know what happened?" I inquired, uncertainty lacing my words.

Kian's lips parted, a glint of mischief lighting up his eyes. "Of course, I know everything. I conceded to her leaving, after all," he declared, a tone of finality in his voice.

I blinked, feeling confusion wash over me, and instinctively turned my gaze away. "That's a first. You usually show little interest in omegas; you could have simply dismissed her," I pondered silently, wrestling with the unexpected complexity of his actions.

"It would only cause you discomfort to know what she did and for her to remain by your side. I had to grant her wish," he muttered, his voice low.

As curiosity got the better of me, I asked, "Why do you care whether I'm in discomfort?"

"Because we are mates," he replied, his narrowed eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. "If you feel uncomfortable, I feel it too."

I averted my gaze, clearing my throat.

The silence enveloped us as we walked side by side, the air alive with the rhythmic chorus of crickets and frogs croaking from the shadows.

My gaze drifted to him, the moonlight catching the angles of his face, and I felt a knot of uncertainty tighten in my stomach.

Could I truly trust him with my heart again?

"Be careful not to step in those muddy patches," he cautioned, his voice low and melodic, piercing through my distracted thoughts. But it was too late.

I stumbled forward, my shoes sank into the cold, clammy mud, and soon I found myself stuck, the muck clinging to my legs like a relentless embrace. "I can't move, your majesty," I admitted.

"Just hold on," Kian said, his voice tinged with exasperation as he moved closer to me. "I told you to be careful." With a groan, he extended his hand, offering me a lifeline to pull me out. But instead of relief, I just found myself sinking deeper into the mud.

Annoyance flickered across Kian's face. He hated being stuck in messy situations like this; even as a child, he'd been averse to getting dirty.

But there was no escaping it now—he had to wade into the sand, which was greedily pulling at his legs like a hungry beast. "Hold my shoulders and try not to slip," he instructed, his voice firm yet somehow still gentle.

Leaning forward, his fingers wrapped around my leg, an electric shock coursed through me at his touch. Just then, I lost my balance, slipping as he attempted to pull me free, and fell flat on my back into the cold, sticky mud. Ba-bump.

Kian stood frozen, mouth dropped in shock as globules of mud splattered across his shirt, mirroring my sudden descent.

My heart raced in horror. "I'm so sorry, your majesty! I swear I didn't mean it!"

"I told you to hold my shoulders" he said, the annoyance clear in his voice.

"I… I couldn't dare," I stuttered, my voice barely above a whisper. He rolled his eyes, frustration evident in his expression.

"Get up from that stuff," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I struggled to rise, but as I tried to regain my footing, my hands landed on his arms for support. In that instant, I gasped, pulling back as I noticed the clear imprint of my fingers on his skin, contrasting the clean space against the murky backdrop of mud.

Almost stupidly falling again, he caught me in his arms.

"I swear, your Majesty—" I began, my words tumbling out.

"Yeah, you're not doing it on purpose," he interrupted, raising an eyebrow and cutting to the heart of the matter.

"I'm sorry," I murmured, lowering my gaze to trace the outline of my fingerprints against his arm, a faint blush rising to my cheeks as he released his grip on me.

"Is this your first time getting a mud bath?" I inquired, curiosity bubbling up despite the awkwardness.

"What the hell is that?" Kian asked, his brows drawing together in confusion.

"A mud bath. Like the name says—you get dirty in mud," I explained, a smile breaking through as fond memories of childhood came flooding back.

"People do that?" Kian questioned, his disbelief matched by a hint of irritation.

"Yes" I replied almost all of a sudden. "I used to do it when I was little; it was such fun"I attempted to lower my voice, it only ended up amusing him.

"I didn't see that in your diary," Kian remarked, his lips poised to continue.

"I must have missed it," I offered, and he sighed, clearly exasperated. He leaned in again, determination etched on his face as he extended a hand to help me out of the mud. This time, I placed my hands on his shoulders without hesitation.

"What kind of fun do you have, your majesty?" I asked, intrigued.

"There's no such thing as fun," he declared flatly.

The irony of someone with so much privilege feeling deprived of joy struck me as amusing. He had countless opportunities for leisure, yet here he was, devoid of any pleasure.

Finally, I managed to free my legs from the grasp of the muck and emerged back on solid ground, Kian following closely behind. I couldn't help but stifle a chuckle at the sight of mud clinging stubbornly to his leg, which made him glower at me.

"Are you laughing at me?" he demanded, eyes narrowed at me.

"I wouldn't dare, your majesty," I replied, but his narrowed eyes told me he wasn't convinced.

"I just heard the most enchanting sound ever," he mused, catching me off guard. I blinked at him, surprise washing over me as I glanced away, trying to hide my reaction.

"Huh?" I managed to articulate, still reeling from his unexpected compliment.

"I want you to laugh again," he urged, a softness breaking through his serious exterior.

I stared at him in disbelief, my heart racing as I grappled with the intensity of the moment. As I struggled to find my voice, he stepped closer, his gaze holding mine, leaving me breathless. I looked away.

"Stop trying to avoid me, Hazel," he breathed, his tone imploring.

"I'm not avoiding you, your majesty," I whispered, my head bowed, unable to meet his intense gaze.

"Kian. My name's Kian," he insisted, his voice almost tender.

We stood there, suspended in silence, as the air around us thickened with unspoken emotions. I could see an unexpected glow radiating from his shirt, enhancing the mark on his chest, while my own forehead seemed to shimmer under his intense scrutiny. Was this some sort of emotional connection forming between us? It was impossible to tell, and before I could fathom it, my chin was gently tilted up by his fingers, drawing my gaze back to him.

"Can you say it?" he asked, inching closer, making my heart race even more.

"I wouldn't dare, your majesty," I replied, sensing the annoyance flicker in his eyes.

"Hazel," he drawled, voice low and sincere. "I apologize for not getting to know you before I declared what I said that day. But now I want you to know—I'm intrigued by you. I sincerely want you, and I won't give you a reason to doubt me"

My heart thundered at his words, a wild flutter echoing in my chest.

"I…" I trailed off, speech failing me, struggling to articulate my thoughts. Before I could find the right words, his hand grasped my neck gently but firmly, pulling me closer until his lips met mine.