The sun filtered through the delicate lace curtains, casting a warm, golden light across the room where Amara and her friends sat, nestled among plush cushions in their elegant princess attire. The soft clink of teacups and the murmur of laughter filled the air as the women indulged in a rare moment of relaxation, their conversation flowing as easily as the tea.

Sydney, her belly round with the promise of new life, sighed dramatically, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "Can you believe it?" she said, her voice laced with amusement and exasperation. "My dear husband is still the same brute he's always been, even with a child on the way. He's as rude as ever, and don't get me started on his mistress. He's had a few, and I'm sure he still does. But what can I do? It's just the way men are."

Vanessa and Ruth exchanged knowing glances, nodding in agreement. "They're all like that," Ruth added, her tone resigned. "Men will be men. They cheat, they lie, and we're just expected to accept it. It's the way of the world."

Vanessa sipped her tea, a bitter smile on her face. "And there's nothing we can do about it. We're wives, nothing more. They'll always have their mistresses, and we'll always be left behind."

Amara listened in silence, her heart heavy with the weight of their words. But as the conversation continued, she found herself shaking her head. "Not all men are like that," she said softly, but firmly. "Some are different. Some are loyal, and they truly care for their wives."

Penelope raised an eyebrow, her gaze lingering on Amara with a hint of curiosity masked by casual indifference. "You speak of loyalty with such conviction, Amara. It's admirable, really. But, one wonders," she paused, stirring her tea slowly as if considering her next words carefully, "can even a king resist the... expectations that come with his title?"

Amara felt the room grow quieter, the other women leaning in slightly, their attention now fully on her. Penelope's words were veiled, but the meaning was clear enough. "What do you mean?" She asked, her voice calm, though a slight tremor betrayed her unease.

Penelope offered a small, almost sympathetic smile. "It's just that, history tends to repeat itself, doesn't it? King's have always had mistresses." 

Vanessa nodded thoughtfully, her tone contemplative. "Yeah, it's a matter of time before he finds someone else to satisfy his needs." 

Sydney watched as her eyes showed vulnerability. "I mean he's the king, what can you do?" 

Amara's heart tightened as their words sank in. The insinuation hung in the air, cloaked in polite conversation yet sharp enough to cut. She knew what they were implying, even if they didn't say it outright: Lucian, like so many kings before him, might not be immune to the temptations of his position.

She knew, deep in her heart, that Lucian would never betray her, but the doubts Penelope's words planted in her mind gnawed at her, relentless and cruel.

Amara's thoughts spiralled as the women's laughter and chatter faded into the background. She recalled the years she and Lucian spent in secret, their love growing stronger with each stolen moment. 

Lucian had wanted to reveal their relationship, but Amara insisted on secrecy to protect him from scandal. He had understood, waiting patiently until he became king when they could finally be together openly. Though their marriage was only a month old, their love had already endured so much. Surely, that meant he would never betray her.

As the afternoon wore on, the other women began to take their leave, one by one, until Amara was left alone with her thoughts. She sat in the royal gardens, still deep in the turmoil while waiting for the royal carriage to pick her up. 

The royal carriage moved smoothly along the cobblestone streets, but inside, Amara was anything but calm. She sat in silence, her thoughts swirling in a chaotic storm. The voices of the other women still echoed in her mind, their casual words casting shadows over her heart. She knew Lucian loved her, knew he would never betray her, yet the doubt, however irrational, clung to her.

As the carriage arrived at the palace, the doors were opened with the usual grace, and a guard extended his hand to help her out. Amara took it without a word, her mind still lost in its labyrinth of fear and uncertainty. She nodded politely to the guard, then made her way through the grand halls, her steps heavy as she headed toward her chamber.

Each step echoed the turmoil inside her. How could she bring this up to Lucian? How could she even let him know that she was doubting him, even for a moment? The thought was unbearable. She knew he would never cheat, but these relentless thoughts gnawed at her, refusing to let go.

When she finally reached her room, her thoughts spun faster, disorienting her. She took off her corset dress and placed it on the dressing chair as she lowered herself onto a large sofa that overlooked the kingdom below. 

As time passed, the bedroom door opened, and Lucian slid inside. Lost in her thoughts, Amara didn't realize, him entering quietly. 

"Greetings my love, how are you?" he simply asked as he was busy placing his crown and his long coat in their respective places. 

She quickly contained herself and looked over her shoulder with a small grin. "I'm okay Luce." 

Lucian noticed her unusual quietness as he passed through the room and over to her. He took a seat beside her and held her hands. "My precious queen, you're being awfully quiet today. Is everything alright?" 

Amara turned to him, her lips curling into a soft smile. Her eyes lingered on his striking features—those piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold the depths of the sea, the sharp lines of his jaw that spoke of strength and authority, and the perfectly arched brows that framed his intense gaze. She admired the long, dark lashes that brushed his cheekbones, the inviting curve of his pink lips, and the way his thick, tousled hair fell just so, giving him an effortlessly regal look.

"If you keep looking at me like that, I might have to kiss you," Lucian spoke after a while as she blushed and broke eye contact. 

She sighed and squeezed his hands. "I was admiring you." 

"I should be the one doing that," he replied, making her chuckle before she silenced herself again. 

Lucian hated the way Amara was feeling, and it was gnawing at his heart that he didn't know the reason behind it. 

"Luce," Amara started as she met his gaze again, sitting cross-legged on the sofa. "I met the girls today. It was fun I guess." 

He nodded waiting for her to continue. "Princess Sydney is pregnant, and she told me how her husband has several mistresses because she can't pleasure him anymore. It's just, I know that you would never betray me, but she said that all King's wanted more women." 

She observed how quiet Lucian was and immediately started panicking. "I'm sorry, I'm not doubting you I swear, I just want-" 

"Are you accusing me of cheating on you? Are you fucking serious?" Is what she had expected him to yell. 

But instead of crude words, Lucian closed the distance between them, his lips capturing hers in a tender, yet urgent kiss. The words caught in her throat as she was taken by surprise, her worries melting away under the warmth of his touch.

Lucian pulled back slightly, his forehead resting gently against hers as he looked into her eyes with a depth of affection that made her heart flutter. "My beautiful queen," he whispered, his voice a soothing balm to her troubled thoughts. "No one compares to you, and no one will ever take your place. You are the sun that lights up my world, the moon that guides me through the darkness. To me, you are more radiant than the dawn, more captivating than the first bloom of spring. No treasure, no beauty in this world could ever hold a candle to you."

By the time he had ended talking, Amara's tears were running down her cheeks as she sobbed lightly. No words were exchanged as they held onto each other. 

"Want me to show you that I don't need anyone else but you?" he asked, pulling away from her and staring into her dreamy eyes. 

She nodded before they kissed, their lips meeting in a feverish passionate kiss as he took off her dress, leaving her in her innerwear. 

They moved onto the bed as he began kissing her once again, his fingers gliding down her body making her whimper into his mouth which he swallowed quickly. 

"This gorgeous body deserves to be worshiped," he voiced tenderly as he moved his lips down to her collarbone before sucking on her perky nipples. She shivered as his tongue glided across her areola, licking softly making her moan and arch her back. 

His other hand made sure to pleasure her other breast while she panted from just his fingers and mouth on her nipples. "You see these? Your boobs are perfect. They fit right into my palm," he cupped her breasts, twisting them painfully as she exhaled excitedly. 

Lucian took note of her reaction and pain. She liked pain which would be for another time. 

Amara's eyes closed when his lips met her belly and travelled down to her wet pussy. His tongue entered inside as she gasped from the amazing sensation. 

He fingered her at the same time, her juices running down her thighs and onto the bed. Her thighs pulsated from the burst of pleasure which was everything. 

"Mmm baby, you taste so good," Lucian groaned as he thrust his tongue in and out while using his fingers at the same time. 

His touch was gentle yet rough at the same time, he wanted to show his queen how much she meant to him, and no one could ever compare. 

"Fuck," she hissed loudly, greedily bucking her hips onto his face as he hummed against her core, keeping her still. 

After a few minutes, she came undone, crying out his name, white liquid squirted right out of her as she gasped, going limp on the bed. 

He pulled himself up and lazily placed his lips on her, kissing her slowly and gently. "Now you know why you're everything," he mumbled against her as she smiled and kissed him back. 

Amara nestled closer to him, her eyelids heavy with contentment. "I love you, my king," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with the warmth of her affection. "You're my life, my heart, my everything and I could never live without you." Her eyes fluttered, half-closed as she took in the comfort of his presence.

Lucian smiled softly, brushing a tender kiss against her temple. "And I love you, my Amara," he responded, his voice rich with emotion. "You are my goddess, the light in my darkest moments, and the love of my life. There is nothing in this world I cherish more than you remember that." His words wrapped around her like a warm embrace, filling the space between them with the unspoken promises of their unbreakable bond.

A/N

What do you guys think?

I promise, the next part will be much dramatic and interesting. Let's just say you don't wanna cross Lucian's wrath ;)

I hope you enjoyed! If you did, don't forget to vote and comment.

See ya soon!

xoxo

-lily