Chapter 152: Propose?
Killian’s POV
“Your Majesty.”
I looked up wearily as another stack of documents was delivered by Sean. I immediately stubbed out my cigarette. If I hadn‘
t, I might have thrown it onto the papers and let them burn.
“Can’t I just catch my breath for a moment, Sean?”
The younger man glared. “You said that ten minutes ago, Your Majesty.”
“Why must you keep track of everything I say to you?” I grumbled in annoyance.
“I’m not keeping track anymore. You’ve said that nearly all day” Sean snapped back.
“Can’t those documents just review themselves?”
Sean crossed his arms. Sometimes I forget how intimidating the little guy can be when he gets serious about his duties. I was starting to regret making him my secretary.
“Believe me, Your Majesty. I would be the first to let that happen if it were possible.”
I restrained myself from rolling my eyes in an undignified manner. Sean raised two fingers, pointing them at me like a warning.
“I’ll be watching you from here,” he cautioned.
“Fine, fine!”
I placed my phone just out of reach. That rectangular device had become addicting. Not because of its features or anything it ordered to me, but because of the messages I often received from someone very special.
Texting with Rosalyn was far more enjoyable than dealing with this endless nonsense. But I couldn’t do it too often. Rosalyn was just like m. Perhaps even burdened more heavily. She was a mother of three. I felt unworthy of constantly bothering her. Maybe I should suggest she hire a permanent nanny and help her find the best one.
After all I didn’t want the twins raised by incompetent hands.
“Maybe I should just go see her after this, I muttered to myself.
Not a bad idea. But first, I had to wrestle the beast currently sprawled across my desk. With a sigh, I picked up a sheet of paper and started reading through it. The stress built up behind my eyes with every report. Some were well–written. Most were a disaster.
My annoyance spiked. I was definitely going to review every staff member in this palace. If they couldn’t do their jobs properly, I wouldn’t hesitate to show them the door. Blood ties or not.
Not long after, I caught a familiar scent wafting into the room.
“Wow, tense much? Are we gearing up for war?” Leonidas teased brightly as he strolled in.
I scrunched my nose in distaste as he made a beeline for Sean and leaned in for a kiss. Mischief sparkled in Leonidas‘ eyes.
I had to admit, it was nice seeing him back to his old self these days.
Even if it meant enduring their daily displays of affection. And of course, my dear cousin loved getting under my skin.
“Hey, love. Care to fill me in?”
Sean set his pen down. “Ask your king. He’s been sulking like a child all day.”
“Oh really?”
My brow twitched. “Oi! I am still in this fucking room!”
“I don’t want to ask him,” Leonidas whispered loudly, cupping one hand over his mouth for effect. “He looks like he might eat me alive. If I die, you’ll be a widow!”
“Good. I’ll inherit your assets faster,” Sean deadpanned.
“LOVE! HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT? DON’T YOU LOVE ME ANYMORE?!”
Leonidas collapsed to the floor, resting his chin on Sean’s knees like a scolded puppy. His eyes shimmered with theatrical despair.
“Say something!”
Successfully unlocked!
Sean clenched his jaw and slammed the file shut. I was expecting something with flair. What I got instead was sappy romance. Sean cradled Leonidas‘ face in his hands and kissed him deeply, without a care for who was watching.
“Oi!”
1/2
Chapter 152. Propose?
I’d already shouted, but they ignored me completely. Fine. Let them have their moment. Their payback would come eventually.
Sometimes, I wondered if I had any dignity left. Here I was, the sovereign ruler and yet reduced to the silent third wheel between two love–crazed wolves.
Hour after hour slipped by. I turned to look out the window. The sky outside had already gone dark. Thunder rumbled fiercely across the horizon, asserting its dominance tonight to anyone daring enough to wander out into the storm.
I rubbed my shoulders, tense from hours of work. All that damn paperwork was finally done. And in return, all I got was a late hour and dreadful weather. Would it be a bad idea to visit someone in the middle of a night like this?
It felt like we’d just seen each other yesterday. But maybe she wouldn’t mind seeing my face again. I was rather charming easy on the eyes, if I do say so myself.
Still, I probably needed to set that thought aside. There was an early council meeting tomorrow, and I would need more than just coffee to face a room full of hard–headed, arrogant nobles.
“You could reschedule, Your Majesty,” Leonidas offered casually, as if reading my mind.
“The rescheduling would clash with other appointments. Better to get it over with,” I replied.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. My chest warmed the moment I saw the photo of Ruby with her three children on the screen. Just seeing it made my shoulders feel a little lighter.
I hadn’t even realized I’d been staring at it, lost in thought, until Leonidas‘ voice cut through my daydream.
“So,” he began, “are you planning to propose to our Rosalyn?”
“Is that a serious question?” I shot him a skeptical look.
He let out a breath, folding his arms, his back resting against the side of my desk.
“Don’t tell me you’re just planning to date her forever. You’re not exactly young anymore, Your Majesty.” “That’s not it. I mean isn’t it too early?”
Leonidas hummed and shrugged. “Just have the intention. You can do it when the time feels right.”
Marriage was never something I aspired to. I’d told myself that over and over again.
But if it was Ruby Lucienne. Then maybe I’d changed my mind completely. With her, and those three little ones beside her, this palace might finally lose its long–standing gloom.
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