Fourth Arc (Thorns of The Black Throne) - 439. Lovely Day
Rose slipped out of the parlor first. Her cheeks still flushed with heat she prayed wouldn't betray her, and her hands smoothing her gown again and again to erase the evidence of what they'd just done. The fabric wasn't ruined, but it was creased in a way no queen wanted to explain to her staff. She inhaled once, deep, hoping she looked composed enough to fool anyone who might be waiting.
Then she froze.
Because they were waiting.
Cley. Claire. And—Chancellor Allan.
All three of them were arranged just a little too neatly outside the parlor doors, trying far too hard to look like they hadn't been leaning in to eavesdrop. Behind them, two guards stood stiff and awkward, eyes fixed on the far wall with the dedication of men who wanted to keep their jobs.
Rose's stomach dropped. Heat climbed back into her face.
The twins smiled first, and it was the exact kind of guilty, caught-red-handed smile. Claire's voice broke the silence, soft and too casual.
"Uh… good afternoon, Your Majesty."
Rose's lips parted. No words came out.
Cley jumped in quickly, nodding far too much. "Yes, good afternoon. Lovely day, isn't it? Sun's still out. Birds are still… flying."
Rose wanted to die.
Behind her, the parlor door still opened. Angel stepped. His expression was carved from stone, his posture immaculate, but Rose—Rose—knew him too well. She saw the faint hitch as he adjusted the collar of his coat. The quick smoothing of his gloves. The tiniest glance at the hallway to gauge just how obvious this looked.
And yes—oh yes—it was obvious.
Chancellor Allan cleared his throat. He didn't smile, not exactly, but there was a pleased glimmer in his eyes. The kind a man got when his private hopes were finally confirmed.
"Well, well," Allan said smoothly. "I had wondered if the two of you were finally… ah, making time for each other."
Rose stiffened. "Chancellor."
His composure was iron, but his satisfaction bled through his voice. "This is most reassuring. You understand, of course, my position requires me to consider succession. The kingdom rests easier when the future is… secured."
Rose's face burned hotter.
Claire crossed her arms and added lightly, "He's right, Your Majesty. The realm would be very comforted to know you're… investing in your duties."
Cley snorted into his hand. "Investing. That's one way to put it."
Angel's eyes slid to them—just once—and both twins fell into immediate, awkward silence.
But Chancellor Allan didn't budge. If anything, he looked more self-satisfied. "The meeting can wait a little longer. Your Majesty, you have more pressing matters now."
Rose snapped her gaze to him, scandal and mortification flashing across her face. "No. No, absolutely not. The meeting continues as scheduled."
"Indeed," Claire chimed in, lips twitching. "And my duties as well. Plenty of work waiting."
Angel's sharp voice cut in, smooth and lethal. "You heard them."
Rose's jaw dropped. "Angel!"
He didn't flinch. He didn't even smirk. But his eyes glowed with the faintest flicker of satisfaction.
"You heard them," he repeated. "Apparently, everything else can wait."
Rose's embarrassment twisted into something halfway between outrage and disbelief. "No. I think we still need to work as scheduled." Her voice was firm, royal, even if her ears were crimson.
Allan bowed low, his voice all calm professionalism again. "As you command, Your Majesty. But for what it's worth…" He glanced—deliberately—between them. "The kingdom will rest easier tonight."
Rose wanted the floor to open and swallow her whole.
Angel simply inclined his head, his composure returned, though Rose knew—knew—that under it all he was quietly amused.
And far too possessive.
Angel's voice broke the charged silence, smooth and authoritative again. "Let us have the meeting in my study."
His tone carried no hesitation. It wasn't a request. It was the king's word, simple as a blade.
Chancellor Allan bowed at once, his composure locked tight even though Rose still caught the flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. "As you wish, Your Majesty."
Cley cleared his throat quickly and nodded too. "Yes, that would be best." His voice was a little too brisk, too eager to move them along. But Rose noticed the way his lips twitched at the corner, like he was fighting to keep his expression neutral.
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