CHAPTER 198: AFTERNOON REUNION

A maid moved as she helped Ariana with her dress straps. Ariana stood in front of the mirror. She was wearing a high-neck dress; it was simple, not heavy. Her hair, gelled wavy as a crown, rested on her head. She had woken up this late—it was already afternoon—and it seemed Zavren had gone out for some important matters.

They had... well, they had done it till sunrise. Her face flushed again. In fact, the main reason for her high-necked dress was because of the love mark her husband had tattooed on her last night.

She could not help but stare at the smile that had formed on her lips and the light that now shone in her eyes, those light that she thought would not come fully.

The maid moved as she bowed that she was done before speaking.

"Your food has been prepared at the dining table for you, Luna Ariana," she said, deepening her bow. Ariana nodded with a smile, raising her hand gently to dismiss her.

"Thank you, you may leave," she spoke, turning and walking to the window. The maid bowed again and quickly left.

Ariana wondered where Zavren had left to do. Over the years, she had developed a habit of checking the window—either to see the clouds, check the flowers, or simply feel the fresh air before leaving the room. The afternoon sun shimmered through, and she decided to check outside before she went to eat.

Just as she reached the window, her heart leapt. She noticed a carriage just outside the duplex, and it seemed her husband was in a serious discussion with one of the royal guards. Her heartbeat picked up pace as last night’s incident rushed back into her mind. She tried her best to stay calm, but her cheeks flushed hard.

"Ariana, behave... stop thinking dirty," she murmured, rubbing her cheeks softly, as if that could ease the heat.

Zavren stood there, his hair neatly moved back. His hair had grown, now resting on his shoulders. He looked gorgeous, handsome. His face was neutral, and the perfect height and posture he possessed made him look even better than she could admit. She bit her lips softly as she shifted her gaze from him to the other man talking and handing him a paper, which Zavren did not take.

Ariana softly giggled—just as expected of her husband, he could make anyone feel insignificant. She giggled again as the man continued talking, seemingly trying to convince him, but her husband did not flinch nor move.

And it only made the man looked like a fool.

She pressed her lips together, holding her smile. She was curious about what was in that letter that her husband refused to take. Then Zavren spoke something. She tried to read his lips, but he had already finished. Her eyes locked on his lips as her heart began to thud. She remembered what had happened last night... the way he had...

"Ariana, stop..." she said aloud, as if that could stop her thoughts. She moved forward to the window to get a better view, but her heart stuttered as Zavren’s gaze snapped to hers. Her breath hitched as their eyes locked. She immediately stepped back, turning and walking quickly to the door, scolding herself for forgetting herself.

"Oh, stupid, stupid, stupid... why did you have to make it obvious? Now he has caught you," she muttered, gently slapping her forehead before taking a deep breath. She needed to see her little Vreni—she hadn’t seen her in a while.

She entered the main bedroom only to see the maids arranging the room, but Leah and Vreni weren’t there. The maids bowed as they noticed her gaze, and one of them spoke softly and respectfully:

"Your Grace, Lady Leah has taken Princess Vreni downstairs for lunch, as she had been informed you would be going for lunch as well."

Ariana nodded; she had guessed that Leah must have fed Vreni breakfast in the room, as that was how she did most of the time. The lady bowed again as Ariana turned and left, heading downstairs.

Just as she reached the bottom, her eyes finally landed on little Vreni, who sat in a chair with a small table-like structure in front of her to shield the little child while she ate. Beside her was Leah, waiting for Ariana. A napkin was tied gently around the little one’s neck in case she stained herself.

Ariana smiled widely as Leah bowed. Little Vreni immediately lifted her face, clapping her hands.

"Momma... momma," she said, trying to stand. Leah immediately moved to hold her, as it seemed the little one no longer wanted to sit in the chair and wanted to meet her mother. Ariana laughed as she took Vreni into her arms. Little Vreni hugged her mother, her hands moving around Ariana’s neck as if she never wanted to let go.

Ariana laughed softly again, holding her little baby. Then Vreni moved her face to stare at her mother.

"Momma, where have wyou bween?" little Vreni asked softly, her expression sad from missing her mother.

Ariana smiled softly before speaking.

"Momma has been busy... she has lots of work to do as a queen," she said, gently brushing her daughter’s hair back.

"Do you want sweets?" she asked. Little Vreni nodded with a smile.

"Yess," she said, moving her body in joy. Ariana laughed gently again as she turned, but her back hit something hard. Her hands moved as another arm held Vreni before she could fall.

A gasp escaped Ariana’s lips as her heart thudded loudly. She turned to see Zavren, his eyes locked on hers. She immediately shifted her gaze, seeing the smirk set on his lips. Her face burned. His eyes traveled to her flushed ears, and he knew exactly why she was embarrassed.

Ariana had no idea she would feel so shy. Last night, she had been confident, even saying things that shocked herself—and now, she could not even look at him in the eyes. Zavren chuckled as his gaze remained on hers. They were both interrupted by their daughter’s voice:

"Dada..." Vreni’s gaze moved to him. The little girl seemed curious, having not seen him often.

"Princess Vreni, this is Dada—your father," Ariana said softly. The little girl turned to her, then to Zavren, who did not know what to do. Ariana handed Vreni to him.

Zavren took her in his arms as she looked at him.

"My little princess, how are you?" he asked, surprised when the little girl spoke:

"Dada... weawing gwown."

Zavren’s body stiffened in shock, and Ariana broke into laughter.