The Crown's Entrapment

"Right, I need to discuss some important things with you, Xenia," Jayra suddenly informed the princess. "Unfortunately, this isn't the place to do so. I'll tell you more about it later once we reach the encampment."

Xenia simply nodded in acknowledgment. "Fair enough."

"By the way, how are you feeling?" Jayra casually followed up.

"Better, at least," Xenia replied, casually looking at Darius as he walked towards them. "Just a bit hungry is all…"

"Oh, here's you're dinner then, Milady," Jayra teased her with a giggle. "I should go now and give you two some private time." She was about to say more, but a pointed glare from Xenia quickly made her press her lips together. She then promptly left, wordlessly passing the king in return.

"Here," Darius said with a smile, handing her a tray of meals.

"Thank you," Xenia promptly replied before she looked around the camp with a frown. "Hmm… Am I the only one using a tent tonight?"

"The soldiers didn't bother setting up more for themselves since we'll be back on the road before the sunrise," Darius explained. "Either way, this forest is very safe, so they can rest and sleep with minimal risk."

"I can do without a tent like others," she pointed out. "You didn't-"

"You're soon to be my wife and Queen, so I want the best treatment for you, Xen," Darius frowned as he interrupted her. "If possible, I would've even ordered them to set up a huge tent where I can sleep with you. Unfortunately, such a task will be too time-consuming. We're already in a hurry-"

"Wait… What? Sleep with me?! We're not even married yet!" Xenia burst out loud. Before she could interject further, she gulped when she noticed foreign eyes landing toward her and Darius. They were making a scene, and she didn't like it one bit.

Meanwhile, The Werewolf King seemed wholly unaffected. Forming a vicious smile on his lips, he simply stood at the ready while she was already glowing bloody red from embarrassment.

"What're you thinking about, Xen? I'm simply saying that you and I would've literally slept together," Darius scoffed.

"We'll rest not as a married couple, but as a warrior-servant and her king. Although, if you already wish that the two of us sleep together as a married couple, then I'd be more than willing to oblige at this instant."

Xenia almost wanted to scoff. She could swear that she saw his eyes glint with amusement. What did she even do to deserve this?

Ah right… She owed him her life even though she wanted to refute that they were already even the moment she saved his life too. Back when they jumped to that cliff and he lost consciousness, her taking care of him then should've counted.

Still, the fact remained that they weren't even because somehow, Darius also saved her life by shielding her with his own from those poisonous arrows. And that wasn't to mention how he saved her again when she accidentally got poisoned by those berries.

Hearing his words, Xenia refused to comment on them as just sat comfortably to eat her meal. Though, the silence was broken once more as she tried sating her curiosity.

"How about you?" she asked when Darius sat beside her. "You're not gonna eat?"

"I've already eaten," Darius promptly answered. "I ate with my men awhile ago while you're asleep."

Xenia only nodded as she started eating. Taking her first bite, she couldn't help but feel conscious as Darius hovered over her.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Nothing," Darius scoffed. "It's just that I noticed only now that you eat in the same way as you've always done while you're still disguised as Xen. Very feminine and lovely, I must say."

Xenia furiously blushed, and it was a good thing that the light wasn't strong enough to completely show her face. She bit her inner cheek, trying her best to act calm and composed like usual despite the wild beating of her heart.

***

[Stop making her uncomfortable. You might be overdoing it. Try opening up a different topic.]

Hearing Zeus' scolding in his mind, Darius gulped as he considered his suggestions. It was indeed so unlike him to say such sweet and flattering words, but it just seemingly came naturally to him whenever he was with Xen. And it all started when he managed to confirm her gender.

He simply wanted to be vocal around her, which surprised him as well. It was so out of character of him.

[She didn't say a single word about us sleeping together, and I'm already being cautious not to bring it up again since I'm not sure if her silence means yes,] Darius inwardly groaned. [Though… do you think she meant that as a yes?]

[Maybe? Yes?] Zeus guessed aloud. [Don't ask her again. Just assume it means yes. Now, divert the topic.]

Heeding his wolf's advice, Darius let out a sigh and said, "We'll arrive at the Ebodia encampment at nighttime. Hopefully, we'll have a smooth journey without us encountering any troops from Helion."

He then hummed in thought, "The wolves are overseeing our pathways. After eating, you should get more sleep. I'll be here outside to watch over your tent."

Xenia merely nodded as she then curiously asked, "How long do you think this war will take?"

It wasn't the first time that their kingdom faced war or a clash against others that wanted to conquer their lands. Only, this time, the one trying to do so was Helion, the devil's kingdom himself who already conquered a lot of foreign lands to expand their territory.

"It will take time. I don't see Helion easily giving up Ebodia," Darius pondered.

"They need to conquer your kingdom by any means necessary since it's the only way for them to get through Cordon. Them taking your lands would mean a higher chance for them to take our kingdom down."

Xenia nodded in agreement. She also thought the same, but she still wanted to know what Darius's perspective was in this war.

"So they want to use our kingdom as a major logistical channel for all the supplies they'd need to conquer Cordon," Xenia concluded with gritted teeth.

'Just how greedy could that Helion King be!?' she inwardly seethed

Being at war wasn't easy. One would need enough provisions and shelter to maintain the stability of their soldiers. And it wasn't just physically, but also mentally to keep up morale.

"Precisely," Darius nodded. "Your kingdom is in the best strategic position to be used as a staging ground for their ambitions. This war… it's really not against Ebodia, but against our Kingdom, Cordon."

Xenia stared at Darius and mused, 'No wonder he went through this marriage alliance even though he doesn't believe in the Mate Pull. In the end, everything's all about political tactics; a game played for the welfare of his own kingdom...'

It was a sizeable thought. A while ago, Darius made her heart race and jump for joy just by him stating that she was his soon-to-be wife and Queen. Now, however, her heart felt like it just dropped into her stomach, not to mention the sudden tightness developing within her chest.

Feeling rather ill, she suddenly coughed, making Darius quickly hand her his water flask. Taking the offer, Xenia instantly drank to clear her throat.

"Thank you, Milord," Xenia coldly replied. "I'm done eating, and will now be going back inside the tent to rest."

Without another word, she hastily went back inside the tent, leaving Darius agape as he stared dumbfounded.

"Did I do something wrong?" Darius murmured with a frown.