Chapter 49 - He Feels Such Tenderness For Her

In Loriel's opinion, Elise had always been beautiful. Even after fifteen centuries passed, he had never met anyone who could even come close to her level.

Well, call him biased but, to him, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. However, Elise was even more beautiful when she was carrying another life inside her, the life that they made together.

That was why she looked so glowing when Loriel returned from the battlefield and saw her greet him by the palace entrance.

As soon as his eyes caught sight of her, Loriel was in awe and he halted his steps. Elise thought he was sick or wounded in the battle because he suddenly stopped moving.

She hurriedly came and touched his arm. "Are you okay?"

Loriel batted his eyes and he was immediately moved from his trance.

This woman... was so alluring. When she came so close to him, he could smell her sweet intoxicating scent.

Loriel suddenly couldn't hold back his desire and pulled her into his arms. He planted a long deep kiss on her luscious lips.

Elise was caught off guard and she almost lost her balance. Fortunately, Loriel was quick to support her by holding her waist tightly.

They kissed for a long time, while the servants and some knights who came with the king looked the other way.

When the kiss ended, Elise suddenly realized that they were not in their private chamber. Her cheeks flushed red and she hid her face on his chest. She was too embarrassed to show her blushing face in front of outsiders.

Elise was a very private person. So she was embarrassed when other people witnessed their making out just now. However, secretly, at the same time, she was happy that Loriel displayed his affection to her publicly.

She felt acknowledged and elated. 

"How was the battle, Your Majesty?" she asked him in a whisper. "Were you injured in any way?"

As the king's wife, Elise always made a point to call her husband using honorific in public. She only called him by name in private.

"I am fine," said Loriel. "The rebellion is quelled now. I also have punished all people involved. I am sure it sent a really strong message to other people who would be foolish enough to try to usurp power."

"Oh.. that's good to hear," said Elise, looking relieved. 

Well, she shouldn't have been worried about her husband. She knew he was a formidable man and he led a massive army with many powerful knights under him, but she couldn't help but think about him every day. 

Did he eat well at the border? Did he sleep well? Was he injured?

Did he think about her...? Or did he miss her?

"Let's go in. I want to stretch my back. I rode my horse for hours on end and now I am a bit tired," Loriel said. He stepped back and took her hand to walk together inside the palace.

Elise followed his steps sheepishly, trying to look nonchalant toward the knights and servants around them who obviously saw Loriel kiss her but pretended to look the other way.

Loriel went to Elise's chamber and was pleasantly surprised to see some of his clothes were folded neatly inside her cupboard.

"The last time you were here, you said you wanted to have some of your clothes here. So, I make it happen," Elise explained before Loriel asked.

Her lashes fluttered adorably when she spoke. In modern times, Loriel would say that Elise was giving him her best puppy eyes. 

The king was astonished to see how cute his wife was when she behaved this way. He thought Elise was always meek and quiet, but apparently, she had this other side of her. 

Loriel crossed his arms on his chest and pretended to listen to Elise's explanation with a serious face.

"Hmm.. so you entered my chamber without permission to get my clothes and brought them here?" Loriel asked her after Elise finished her explanation.

His words made the girl step back and press her lips with both hands, like a thief being caught stealing. Her face looked guilty.

"I-I... I am sorry I didn't ask your permission," said Elise with a low voice. "I thought that's what you want. I am sorry for being presumptuous."

Loriel was just teasing her. Of course, he wouldn't demand Elise send pigeons to the frontline just to ask him if he would allow her to enter his chamber and get his clothes to bring to her chamber.

That would be ridiculous.

Besides, Elise was right. That was what Loriel wanted the last time he spent the night with Elise in her chamber. So, seeing she paid attention to what he said in passing made him feel elated.

Elise was a good listener and she was observant.

Loriel was happy to see Elise take initiative and did this for him. He liked a confident woman who took what she wanted and did things unapologetically. He thought It was sexy.

However, seeing how cute she was when she looked guilty like this, Loriel became tempted to tease her further.

"Do you understand what is the meaning of 'privacy'?" The man looked at Elise intently. "Entering another person's private chamber without permission and rummaging their stuff is a violation of their privacy."

Elise lowered her face and looked at the floor. She suddenly regretted her actions. Apparently, as she feared, Loriel thought she was presumptuous for violating his privacy by entering his chamber without permission.

Actually, Elise was contemplating it for days before, finally, she made a bold decision to just do it. It was not an easy decision to make and took a lot of courage since she needed to prepare for the consequences if Loriel didn't like what she did.

"I am sorry," was all she could say.

Loriel cast his glance around him and noticed how his wife's beautiful and feminine chamber was now barely recognizable. The colors in this chamber were now mostly darker and the decoration was simpler. The furniture and colors looked like something that he would choose for himself.

Did Elise intentionally redecorate her chamber for him? Did she so desperately want him to move in here with her?

At that moment, Loriel felt such tenderness for her. This woman obviously loved him so deeply and did everything she could to please him.