CHAPTER 127: LONG LIVE THE QUEEN

"B... but honey... I’m scared. What if something happens to... y... you?" Ariana asked worriedly, her face pale as she tried to convince herself that her husband would be okay.

She was sitting in her wheelchair now, while the castle bustled with people moving from one place to another. The rain still thundered loudly outside.

Zavren leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips. Ariana kissed him back as tears began to roll down her cheeks. Zavren pulled away gently, wiping her tears with his thumb.

"Sweetheart, she will take you to a safe place for now. I’ll be back once I clear out those vampires," he assured her. Ariana hiccupped softly; she was not happy with this, but she knew she had to let go. As king, this was the right thing he needed to do. She nodded in understanding and used both hands to caress his face gently.

She tilted her head to the side, gazing at him in a way that made her request clear. Zavren’s eyes widened in surprise—he knew exactly what she was asking. He hesitated, but if he wanted to ease her even a little, he needed to do this.

His fangs elongated and, before Ariana knew it, they had plunged into her skin. Her breath hitched as Zavren’s body went still. The redness in his eyes deepened, turning pitch black, and something in his body felt different.

He pulled away slightly as the sweet scent of her blood filled the room. His eyes remained wide, pupils glowing red while the whites had turned pitch black. Resting his shoulder gently against her neck, he licked the blood that began to drip down her pale skin which made it even more inviting than ever.

"Ahh~..." Ariana’s moan echoed through his mind. Her hands flew to her mouth; she hadn’t expected that sound to escape her lips as he did nothing more than lick her skin.

Zavren chuckled, trying not to dwell on it as he knows if he did he would not be leaving tonight, though her moans and her already sweet scent wrapped around his mind like a sinful whisper.

He finally pulled away, closing his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, they were back to normal. He had drunk her blood, and knowing how maddeningly addictive it could be, he had only taken a single gulp. He could not allow himself more than that—not from his wife.

His eyes rested on Ariana as he kissed her forehead gently.

He pulled away and stood.

"I love you, honey," she said. Zavren smiled and, to her deep surprise, he bowed to her. Ariana’s eyes widened—she had never expected that from her husband. As if that wasn’t enough, he raised his head and spoke.

"Long live the queen."

Ariana’s heart melted. This was the first time he had bowed so deeply to her—in fact, the first time she had ever seen him bow this deeply to anyone. Warmth spread through her chest as tears began to fall from her eyes again, her lips trembling as her shoulders shook.

Zavren’s eyes widened as he stepped closer. He kissed her eyes gently, then pulled away to wipe her tears with his thumb.

"If you keep crying, Anavren will be annoyed at me for making her mother cry. So please..." he begged softly.

Ariana’s lips curved upward in surprise. She could hardly believe this was her husband right now.

"B... but I don’t want... y..you to leave..i am selfish," she sniffled, trying to wipe away her tears, though they kept falling. Zavren gritted his teeth.

"Fucking bastard Vrazen," he cursed under his breath, knowing his wife wouldn’t be crying like this if the war had never happened. If it weren’t for this, he would be with her now, holding her instead of preparing to fight.

His heart squeezed painfully. Ariana bit her lip gently—she didn’t know why she was crying so hard. She wanted to control it, to not worry him, but this time the tears refused to stop.

"Honey... I hope you win," she whispered. Zavren nodded, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. He gently wiped her face, the faint scent of him on the cloth bringing her a wave of calm. Before they knew it, the sound of crying echoed through the room.

"See, my wife? Vreni is annoyed with me, she noticed her mother is crying, and now she’s upset with me."

Zavren moved, pushing Ariana’s wheelchair toward the baby’s bed. He bent down and picked up the crying child, who immediately quieted as she felt her father’s arms around her.

"Your father will be back, princess," he said softly. To both Ariana and Zavren’s surprise, the little one raised her hands slightly, as if saying good luck. Ariana laughed gently, not expecting that at all.

Zavren smiled and kissed the baby’s tiny hands before handing her to Ariana, who took her carefully. The baby’s eyes stayed locked on Zavren, watching him curiously.

There was another knock at the door.

"My wife... wait for me," he said reassuring her.

Ariana nodded as Zavren bent down, bumping his forehead gently against hers.

"Take good care of yourself and the princess," he said.

"Okay. I and Vreni are waiting," she replied. Zavren nodded and straightened. Ariana’s heart squeezed painfully, but she knew he was the almighty Zavren.

He walked toward the door, turned once more to look at her, and then opened it.

Just as the door closed, Ariana bit her lip. She refused to cry—she didn’t want to be weak. She couldn’t be. She wasn’t. Her eyes fell on her little one, who was now staring at her curiously.

"Daddy is strong," she whispered, brushing her hand against the baby’s cheek. The baby’s hands moved upward again, and Ariana chuckled softly.

Just then, the door opened and Leah entered with a maid.

"Luna Ariana, we will be taking you to the castle’s hidden area," Leah said. Ariana nodded and handed the baby gently to her. The maid bowed before moving forward to push Ariana’s wheelchair, and they began to leave.

♧♧

"The letters have already been sent across the villages. They’re all heading to the palace for shelter and protection Your Majesty," Raven said as they walked toward a particular door.

"All the soldiers are ready outside the palace," he added, his face serious.

"Good. You won’t be coming," Zavren replied.

Raven’s eyes widened—he hadn’t expected that at all. He stared at Zavren in disbelief. Why wasn’t he coming? He had always accompanied His Majesty in such matters. Why had the king suddenly changed his mind?

"You will remain here to keep an eye on my wife," Zavren declared firmly.