Moonlight Ball - Chapter 66

If Sidrain did anything against her will, Iris would make sure he’d regret it. This life was now hers and what she wanted to do with it rested entirely on her hands. It was Elaine, her teacher, who taught her that valuable lesson. A lesson she’d keep forever.

“I wish to be alone for today,” Iris muttered in a soft but firm voice.

At the queen’s request for solitude, Elena and the maids headed out of the room quietly. The door clicked as the last person left. At long last, Iris was by herself and proceeded to rest on the sofa, admiring the magnificent view outside her window. Quiet moments gave space to clearer thoughts, though she had already made her decision since long ago. Her mind and heart was already set on it.

Iris picked up her neglected teacup and noticed it had already cooled down.

“Come out, Reiden.” She summoned her house fairy with an unwavering resolve and promptly sent out a letter to Sidrain.

‘My King, I shall wait for you at the place where the public bidding took place. I have made all the necessary preparations for tonight and readied the picnic mat as well. I am aware of your plans for the two of us and would like to do it there. Please do come on your own.’

***

Sidrain stared at the letter Iris sent with disbelief and confusion. He had read it for the umpteenth time and still could not believe his eyes. Thoughts flooded his senses and he couldn’t think straight. I know what you’re trying to do, Iris, but doing it outdoors and on a picnic mat nonetheless? Especially on our first night together as a couple? That seems a little…

“About the bridge project, Your Highness.” A voice snapped him back to reality for a split second.

“Wait, this is a serious matter, so wait a moment,” was all he could reply as he instinctively tucked the letter away from everyone else.

He rose from his seat and walked away, still fully immersed in his own world.  A picnic mat? Do you mind if we do it there?  He paused and tried to imagine the scene in his head. It would be their first night, and they would be under the starry sky. Perhaps it’ll be romantic, he thought. No, it can’t be. It’s definitely weird. I mean, anyone can tell it’s weird. Right?

And this was more complicated than it seemed. Sidrain was unsure how events would unfold. Looking back, he thought he deserved a prize from his wife for suppressing his bodily desires until now. It was a grave struggle how much he wanted to hold Iris yet not being able to. Nevertheless, he had to, he knew she didn’t want him the way he wanted her.

And she still didn’t want him. This he knew and kept in his heart, which hurt him like hell. He had been hurt many times before and believed there was no more room for pain. But boy was he wrong. An unrequited love, a one-sided longing for someone, hurt in ways he couldn’t begin to fathom. All he knew was that if she wanted him, he’d feel as if he had been handed the whole world.

You’re the light in my life. The best thing I can think of to ever grace this gloomy world. No matter what you look like, you will always be dazzling in my eyes. This is what you are to me, Iris.

These were the desperate pleas buried deep in Sidrain’s heart.

He’d been told by everyone surrounding him that he was handsome, but it didn’t matter if his wife didn’t think this way too. The others’ opinion didn’t really matter to him. He just wanted to look a little better in Iris’ eyes. That would be more than enough for him.

“What did the Queen look like when she sent this letter?” Sidrain discreetly whispered to the chief as he inquired.

“She seemed determined to do something, Your Majesty,” the chief carefully replied to him.

“Did she say it was a serious matter?”

“Yes. More than ever, Sir.”

I think I’m right. But why does this feel strange?

“Prepare several coats of fur for the picnic mat.” Sidrain ordered to the chief.

He thought that if they were going to consummate their relationship and officially share their first night as man and wife tonight, she was better on top of him. That way, she wouldn’t get hurt. However, just in case, it would still be better to lay out some fur. Afterall, it might be cold because it was still spring. It wouldn’t hurt to be prepared.

“To cover,” Sidrain curtly justified after noticing how confused the chief was with the sudden request out of nowhere.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“I’ll carry it myself.”

“What?” The chief looked up at him in surprise.

Hearing no further answer from the King, the chief decided to follow the instructions without hesitation.

***

Sidrain didn’t understand why Iris asked him to come alone, and why she chose the outdoors out of all the places. But her situation was indeed complicated. It was an inevitable occurrence as long as she was living inside Rosemary’s body.

Rosemary was Sidrain’s queen and was therefore obliged to give birth to a successor. Iris didn’t fully understand everything that has been going on, but this morning, Sidrain surmised that she might have grasped some of these.

He was conflicted with the idea that Iris might just be doing this out of her responsibility as a queen to produce an heir, which was he was willing to do anything she wanted, even an outdoor lovemaking. It didn’t matter if it was bizarre or unsanitary. If Iris became his, he would be ecstatic. Public intercourse was a little thing compared to her sacrifices. So, Iris. Please, don’t reject me.

It took Sidrain long enough to finally return to his business meeting.