CHAPTER 478: DECISION (2)

Those who knew Ian well understood that this was not leniency. This was reform through fire. Only Currey, out of the lot in the room, knew Ian well enough to understand this. He looked at his brother with pity, and the other two in the room wondered why that was so. It would take some time in the distant future before they would also come to understand the same.

For Murray, even as he thanked Ian, his lips parted in disbelief.

Shelby also watched all this with wide eyes and then turned to her husband, with a hand instinctively over her heart. He had done this for her, she realized. He had heard the silent plea and acted even before she said anything.

Ian met her eyes and gave the faintest nod.

’Don’t worry,’ it said.

Then, kneeling, Murray continued to bow, lifting his head and banging it on the floor, his voice thick with emotion.

"Your Majesty... I am undeserving. Yet... thank you. I will not fail again."

Others in the chamber, including the head guard and the other Fae guard, watched in silence. This was a lesson they had learnt from this new man and his leadership, clear as the daylight: leadership could be fierce without cruelty.Loyalty could be rebuilt without fear. And punishment, when wise, could mould a better future.

They said nothing. But in the hearts of these two, the bond between crown and protector was sealed tighter than ever.

"You," Ian said, pointing to the guard, who was Shelby’s friend,

The Fae dropped flat on his face to show his reverence, making Shelby chuckle. He even managed to get a smile out of Ian as well from his gestures,

"Since my wife has chosen you, you will work under him," Ian gestured towards Murray, and the Fae nodded vigorously, a wide smile spreading across his face. He had been accepted and having seen his new masters’ powers, he knew just how much benefits he could gain.

Ian was intentionally creating a small group of guards under Shelby by this action. He had come to the realization that she needed this... and desperately.

However, he also had the thought that this particular Fae’s services might be needed elsewhere in his group. He looked like no ordinary guard, and from what Shelby had told him, Ian knew that there was more to this seemingly jovial and sometimes childlike Fae guard.

Ian knew that his wife had a good eye for things, and he was willing to give her that benefit of the doubt. Never did he once question Shelby on this Fae person.

The head guard waited patiently for his assignment. He stood at attention, delicate boots firmly planted, posture straight. He waited, expecting orders, a briefing, anything resembling the assignment as that would indicate his acceptance to the new crown’s team, but that never came; rather, Ian went ahead and started asking for updates from Currey.

The head guard looked at the other Fae, who had gotten his instructions but could not bring himself to say a thing! This was because he knew that ranks did not cut a thing for this new group. Therefore, the head guard made a metal thought to suck up to Currey.

"Tell me," Ian said to Currey, voice low but commanding, "what transpired out there?

The guard blinked, caught off guard from his train of thought. That wasn’t how these meetings usually began. He was the head guard, and these questions should have been directed to him, but why was it being directed at the assistant? It did not make any sense to him, but it was not his place to say or question anything. It belatedly occurred to him that the supposed assistant was His Majesty’s trusted aid and head of security services.

*Sigh!*

"Your Highness, I- " Currey began, then stopped, collecting himself. "There were... disturbances in the front.... The ol-"

Currey went on to narrate what had happened in front of the room, making Ian frown with each word that was uttered.

Just around that time and without warning, a soft rustling filled the air... almost like the sound of silk against silk. Then, one by one, little fairies flew into the room. They descended from above, graceful as petals caught in a gentle breeze.

The winged and light-footed maids glided down from the high balcony in the room and shadowed alcoves of the chamber, their sheer robes trailing sparkles in their wake. They moved with synchronized elegance as though responding to an unspoken call.

Shelby’s eyes sparkled, for they looked jolly.

Ian was unsurprised as if he had called for them, "Let them attend to you. I’ll join you shortly."

She nodded, though she had so many questions regarding their next steps. Shelby left them and entered an adjacent chamber, following the trail of tiny beings who looked to have been summoned to take care of her.

One gestured with her fingers, and a giant marble tub in the centre of the bathing chamber began to fill, steaming with warm, scented water.

Shelby took in a deep breath and smiled,

’Rose and lavender!’

Another flicked her wrist, and fragrant oils, flower petals, and glowing crystals floated from golden bowls, swirling into the bath as if dancing to music only they could hear. Shelby watched on with fascination.

The room glowed in warm hues, lavender and soft gold as more tiny maids fluttered in, laying out silken towels, embroidered robes, and delicate slippers near a chaise. Their wings folded neatly behind them as they worked, their expressions calm, reverent, and precise.

Shelby stood at the threshold, momentarily breathless from the display, her eyes reflecting the soft flicker of enchanted candlelight. It wasn’t just a bath; it was a ritual, an offering of care and respect, fit for someone more than noble ... someone revered.

’All of this will take some getting used to ...’

half in awe, half in disbelief.

Behind her, Ian leaned casually against the doorframe, filling it entirely and even having to lower his head in order to be able to cross it, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Careful," he murmured. "I know you don’t want them to hear you, right?"

She shot him a mock glare. "I’ve never even seen a flying maid. I’m not sure whether to thank them or bow."

Shelby purposively did not ask about the meeting Ian had just completed, even though it seemed to have concluded much earlier than she had anticipated.

One of the hovering attendants paused midair, holding a folded towel. "Shall we undress the lady, or shall His Majesty prefer to handle that himself?"

Shelby’s cheeks turned a deep shade of red. For someone who had slept with Ian in almost all the known positions in the world and was already carrying his child, she still felt embarrassed at these words.

Ian chuckled low in his throat, already expecting his wife’s reaction while raising a single brow. "As appealing as that sounds... I fear my Elfin might actually flee. Best leave it to the experts."

Soft laughter rippled among the maids as Shelby sighed, trying not to smile too much as she stepped forward. The warmth of the bath beckoned, the scent of rose and vanilla settling around her like a memory.

As she sank into the water, she let her eyes flutter shut, feeling the heat wrap around her aching muscles. "This," she whispered, "feels like magic."

Ian stepped closer, brushing her damp hair away from her face. "It is magic. You’re my one and only Queen. So, get used to it."

Ian stood there watching as the maids fussed over his wife and felt himself start to get a boner. The way the flying maids moved around Shelby’s naked form in the tub, cleaning her breasts, belly and even in between her thighs while paying deep attention to all, was too much for him.

’Ian! She is carrying your child; knock those thoughts out!’

However, that was easier said than done. The water lapped gently around her shoulders, the shimmering surface reflecting soft candlelight. Steam curled in the air, blurring the edges of reality and cloaking the moment in a fragile kind of peace.

Ian finally waved the maids out and then walked up to Shelby,

He knelt beside the tub, one hand trailing in the water, the other resting on her arm. His eyes searched hers, no longer playful but thoughtful.

"You haven’t said much since we woke," he murmured and with the way he emphasized on the last word, Shelby knew that he was referring to that scene that they had both witnessed. "Are you all right, my Elfin?"

She opened her eyes slowly, the comfort of the warmth making her honest. "I think I’m still trying to understand what happened," she whispered. "We were there... and now we’re here. It felt like a dream, but I know it wasn’t. It’s our strongest collective memory, and I hope our decision sends us down the right path."

His hand tightened slightly over hers. "I saw it too. Every single interaction and words." Then she suddenly said,

"I thought I would surely die back then," she confessed, the words trembling out of her. "That witch... before the throne—"

He cut in gently, "But they didn’t. And they never will. Not while I breathe."

She leaned back against the smooth edge of the tub, letting the warmth soothe her, but her eyes stayed on him. "There’s so much that has gone on that it’s hard to think straight. They all stood watching, but now they speak with so much respect... it’s confusing..."

He smiled, not mockingly, but as if seeing her for the first time again. "You know, my Elfin, they saw a prisoner, then. Now they see a queen. My queen. And if anyone dares forget that, they’ll have me to deal with."

Silence stretched between them. Then she reached out, wet fingers brushing his cheek. "You didn’t even care about the throne, did you?"

He shook his head. "I just wanted you. But apparently, the throne wanted me."

She chuckled softly; eyes misty. "Do you think we’re ready for this?"

He leaned in, pressing a kiss to her damp forehead. "We’ve already passed the trials. This? This is the easy part."

They stayed like that for a while, her soaking in the warmth, him keeping silent watch, their hands intertwined above the gently rippling water. Outside, the winged maids stood guard like silent sentinels, and the world stood still for a rare, precious moment.

Suddenly, "Let’s go back home, my Elfin."

"Is that the final conclusion?" Shely asked, surprised, though happy, but not sure of how to broach the main dilemma brewing in her head.

*********

Thank you so much to all for your votes and comments! I hope we can keep it up ^_^

Support the author by reading only on Webnovel :) ~Uploaded only on webnovel by Loctovia ~