chapter 03: My queen

Kian's POV

"Take your seats." My father says while pointing to the two empty chairs that are sitting on the opposite side of where he's sitting with my mother beside him.

I do as said and sit on one of the chair while leaving other for Archie to sit without looking at him. I mean I have no reason to see him but after that event that had happened in my room few minutes ago, I can't look at him without thinking about it. With the speed I ran away from him would be more than enough to know how I felt seeing him naked.

I waited outside for few minutes while trying to calm my rising heart and once I was in good shape, I knocked on the door. He was ready and we were almost leaving but Rema told he didn't eat food. Knowing it's not good to stay empty stomach for long time, I waited some more time for him to eat and then we made our way here to know what my father want to say.

"So, how are you coping up, Archie?" He asks while calling him casually because if we talk as family we don't need to talk in formal way. We can just converse by calling our names unless it's for business.

"I'm fine." He answers with a low tone.

What was my father even thinking while asking him? He is here for like a day, what would he even answer?

"That's good, then." My father smiles and continues to talk, "so I want you both to visit the market once because that's where most people would be. I can say many haven't attended the marriage and they are mostly from lower class who works in market. So if you visit them, those who haven't attended the marriage would be able to see you and you would get a chance to see our people. After this, I'll arrange few more meetings depending on their status so that one by one you'll be known to everyone in the kingdom, not just by your name but who you are." He explains was looking at Archie with a soft smile and the boy just nods at my father, agreeing to him without bothering whether I want to go or not.

"Father, how about we escort Archie with our most trusted guards and send him to market? As he's the one that people should know because I'm already known to everyone. Also, I have few things to look after as it's my first day at work as the king." I give excuses because I don't want to go.

"Ofcourse, Kian. We'll do as you suggested." His words shocks me because I didn't think he would agree with me so fast. My face brightens while Archie looks sad. Wanting to thank my father, I open my mouth but before I could utter a word he starts speaking again, "and you'll be that most trusted guard."

He finishes and everyone of us gaze at him surprised. While Archie has a relief kind of look, I'm just shocked. Is my father calling me guard when I'm the king of the country?

"Father, what are you saying?" I ask him.

"You're his husband, Kian and who can be a better guard to his wife than a husband? Your work can wait but what if something happens to him while he's away without you? So I'm saying it's your duty to accompany him even when others follow you." He replies while smiling towards Archie who smiles at him in return, "also don't think you can trick me. I know you're just finding excuses as not to go. But remember, if Archie has to leave this palace that won't happen until you go along with him." And this time, he has a stern look on his face as if he's warning me.

"I understand, father." I say because I don't want to go against him after knowing he won't accept whatever I say.

"Good, why to wait, just go and get ready to leave. In the meantime, I'll order the guards to make the arrangements for you guys to leave." He states and after us nodding at him, my father and mother leave the room.

I sigh as I rub my forehead. Why things like this are happening to me? I just wanted to be away from Archie but no, my father has to plan something for us and he doesn't respect my opinion.

"Don't you want to accompany me?" I hear a soft voice and turn my head up to see Archie looking at me with a sorrowful face.

"You know that already, don't pretend." I scoff off and regret instantly as tears pool in his eyes.

My eyes soften immediately and I gulp down the saliva before answering him, "I mean, as I said before I have some work to do."

He doesn't respond to me and I sigh before rubbing my face and leaving the topic there. I'm already in an unwanted situation, I really don't need anymore new issues now. If anything, I'd love to escape from the black hole I'm living in now. Anymore new problems will drive me crazy and I don't know what I would do if that happens.

"My king, we prepared the carriage for you and the queen to leave." One of the guard informs and I nod having no other option.

Getting up from my seat, I follow the guard while Archie follows me. We walk past the garden and reach the place where the horse drawn, our carriage is waiting for us beside which my parents are standing.

My father's eyes narrow when he takes a glance at us and I stop my steps. That makes Archie bump into my back. I turn around and see him looking up at me while rubbing his forehead where he bumped my shoulder. He looks at me confused but I let that slide and bring my hand towards his and I hold his hand in mine.

His face flushes and his eyes cascades to our now interlocked hands. Not minding his amused and happy face, I turn around and see my father smiling at us. I guess I thought right.

Walking towards my parents, we stand infront of them as I wait for them thinking they have something to say.

"Enjoy your time, Archie." My father wishes while patting on Archie's shoulder to which Archie smiles at him with a small nod.

"And you, Kian, make sure you take care of him well while roaming in the market. He doesn't know this place so stay by his side all the time. Remember, I won't tolerate any misbehavior from you." He warns me sternly and I groan internally before nodding at him.

After that, we get on the horse drawn and leave the palace. Our journey starts at a smooth pace but as we proceed further, the drawn shakes on the bumpy road and we end up bumping into eachother. We have many drawn's, so I don't know why they choose this small drawn as if it's the only one.

"Can't you sit well? Why do you keep falling on me?" I ask Archie as he totally falls on me, almost sitting on my lap.

"I'm sorry." He apologise and that makes me angry. Why can't he say it's not his fault when the roads are bad? Why does he apologise for something when he didn't even do anything wrong? I hate this behaviour of him more than anything.

Few more minutes into the ride, we reach the market place. We get down the drawn and start walking around the place. Few guards march ahead of us while few others walk behind us. Everyone bows at us as we walk past them and I smile at all of them.

I take a glance at Archie and see him watching everyone with a pleasant smile. He's enjoying this and it seems like it's the first time he has ever been out. Here, ofcourse his first time but I mean it's like he haven't done this in his old kingdom.

Our walk continues for sometime until we reach the end after covering the whole place. We stand as we wait for the drawn.

"Good day, my king." Someone greets me and I turn to look at that person. I see the palace general, Tommy, standing in front of us.

"Good day." I greet him back and he smiles in return before looking at Archie.

"Hello, my queen. My name is Tommy, I'm the general of the palace." He introduces himself while bowing to Archie.

Archie nods at him with a smile before looking down at his feet. I sigh yet again and thank the God above as our drawn comes into my view. Once the drawn stops infront of us, I get onto it first and Archie comes after me. As he steps on the drawn step, the horse moves a little and he loses his balance.

My eyes widen when I see his hand that's holding the handle losses the grip and his body falls backwards. I stand up immediately and try my best to catch him but I couldn't make it. However, before his body could hit the ground, Tommy rushes forward and catches Archie.

A series of gasps and whispers fill the area as people witness their queen being held by another man right infront of the king. Archie immediately pushes Tommy's hands that are holding his waist and gets away from him instantly. I get down the drawn, pull him towards me before I help him to get on it. After giving a hard stare at Tommy which makes him hang his head low, I get back onto the drawn and leave the place.

All throughout the ride back to palace, I can't stop thinking about the incident that happened minutes ago. I understand Tommy was just helping Archie and there was no other intention apart from wanting to help the queen. However, it doesn't set well with me.

My heart roars as another person that isn't me touched my queen. I know I don't have any feelings or whatsoever towards Archie but still he's my wife now and someone else touching him for any reason makes me angry. Tommy's hands on Archie's waist surfaces infront of my eyes as soon as I close them. I close my fist tightly so as to not hit something or someone.

When the drawn pulls to a stop at the palace, we get down and head towards our chamber. I march so fast that Archie takes two steps when I take one to keep up with me. Everyone moves aside and give us the place to walk without a word. And I know that's because of my expressions. I bet I'd kill a person with how furious I'm.

As soon as the door guards see us, they open the doors and we step in after which the doors get closed. Walking towards the flower pot, I grab it with my hands that are shaking uncontrollably not because of nervousness but because of angriness and throw it on the floor with so much force.

I hate the scene that I witnessed today. I hate getting angry at it because I don't like Archie but still I'm pissed at what happened. And I hate myself for that.