Chapter 83: What About The Tea…

Days had passed, and it was finally time for the tea gathering. Ariana sat patiently, even though a light nervousness showed on her face, while Leah styled her hair." She wore a buttercream dress that flowed freely down her body. It wasn’t too heavy nor too light, and unlike the usual floral prints she often wore, this one had delicate embroidered patterns that shimmered softly under the light. A charming hat rested on the table nearby—that was why Leah was perfecting her hair, so the hat could sit just right once they were outside. Elbow-length gloves completed the look, perfectly complementing the gown’s short sleeves. "Your Grace You’ll have breakfast first. The gathering starts early in the afternoon," Leah said. Ariana nodded and raised her hand to sign slowly. "What of Jack? Shouldn’t he be here today, given that it’s the weekend?" Leah smiled, surprised that the queen had remembered what she once said. She nodded as she curled the last lock of Ariana’s hair. "Yes, my queen. He’s at my sister’s place. He wanted to spend the weekend there." A small smile formed on Ariana’s lips. Ariana moved her fingers again as she signed, "I would like to remove the gloves for now. After breakfast, I’ll wear them again—when it’s time for the hat." Leah nodded. "As you wish, my queen." Ariana had suggested it because, though she knew she was meant to learn such etiquette, she wasn’t sure she’d be comfortable eating with the gloves on. They felt more like a hindrance than anything else. Leah gently helped her remove them and then carefully gave her the ring, which Ariana slipped on immediately. Once they were finished, Ariana stood. It was time for breakfast. She walked towards the door with Leah by her side. The hallway was calm. Though Ariana still felt a twinge of nervousness about the tea gathering, she was also relieved it wouldn’t be crowded. She didn’t really have friends—she had mostly been avoided since childhood. In truth, the only person she could truly call a friend was her sister... They reached the dining hall, and as the doors opened, Ariana froze. Her body stilled, her eyes locking on a figure already seated at the table. Zavren. She had not expected to see him—not today. This was the last thing she thought she’d encounter. Her heart began to thud in her chest for an unknown reason Zavren’s body stiffened slightly as her scent reached his nostrils. He slowly raised his head. Ariana composed herself quickly, her expression shifting back to calm. She walked gracefully toward the table and sat down. Zavren’s gaze followed her the entire time. When she turned to steal a glance at him, her breath caught as their eyes locked. She bowed her head slightly in greeting. But Zavren said nothing. He didn’t even acknowledge her with a nod—just turned back to his food as though she hadn’t spoken at all. Rude. I shouldn’t have even bothered greeting this proud man, she muttered in her head, rolling her eyes as she began to eat. Zavren noticed the shift in her energy and her little eye-roll. His body stiffened. There was no mistaking it—this woman was insulting him in her thoughts. His fork paused in the air as his eyes narrowed on her lips. Ariana had a habit—when she was upset, she mouthed her words. No sound came out, and her lips moved too quickly for most to catch anything at all. But Zavren wasn’t most. He could read her lips clearly. "Such an annoying man," she mouthed. Her fork tapped the meat gently as she cut it, her calm exterior hiding her irritation. "Just to reply to someone—you can’t? So proud. Shameless. Annoying man. Making me look like a foo—" "You are not a fool, Aria," Zavren’s voice cut through her silence. Her lips stopped moving. Her eyes widened. She hadn’t even realized he had been watching her, let alone that he could read her lips—especially at the speed she had been mouthing those words. Her gaze slowly met his, mouth opening and closing as she struggled to think. She was at a complete loss for words her thoughts clashing together in surprise. Her lips pressed together as she cursed herself inwardly for her carelessness. "You really are something, my wife," Zavren said with a low sinister chuckle which sent deep chills through Ariana he returned to his meal calmly as if nothing had happened. Ariana sighed in relief. She was glad he had not stretched the topic any further, as she had nothing to back up her words. The place returned to its normal calmness as Ariana continued eating. The part she enjoyed most was the chicken. She didn’t know why, but eating it gave her great joy—perhaps it was her way of getting revenge on that chicken. Who knows? Maybe this was even the chicken from that day. She got a little carried away, holding the drumstick with her hands and biting into it, completely forgetting basic etiquette. Maybe if she had kept the gloves on, she wouldn’t have forgotten her etiquette—it might have served as a subtle reminder. Zavren’s lips curled up as he stared at her, doing so carefully so she wouldn’t notice. He knew that if she realized he was watching, she’d stop—and that was not what he wanted. He simply observed her as she ate, eyes fluttering shut, lips gently pulling at the chicken, her teeth dragging along its crispy skin as she savored every bite. No one would believe she was doing this as revenge for what had happened to her. So what if this wasn’t the chicken? At this point, Ariana didn’t mind. After she was done, her gaze shifted to Zavren, and she realized—Oh no, she had forgotten her manners. Thankfully, he wasn’t watching her. She straightened her back to regain some of her grace, wiped her hands on a small napkin, and gently dabbed her lips, pretending she had not just acted like the village girl she once was. The calm was broken as Zavren suddenly spoke. "I’ll be leaving today. I can’t promise when I’ll return, but it should be in a few days." Ariana’s head raised immediately. She hadn’t expected that. Her eyes locked with his, questioning. "We need to tighten the borders, and other matters need to be sorted," he added. Ariana simply nodded. Sadness unknowingly crept onto her face, and Zavren caught it. A slow smile formed on his lips as his eyes settled on hers. "Be a good girl. Don’t do anything that’ll get you into trouble while I am gone," Zavren said seriously. Ariana just stared at him. She couldn’t believe her husband was scolding her. She simply nodded, and Zavren’s lips curled into a grin. "Good. If I get back and hear no complaints, I’ll give you a reward." ’Reward?’ Ariana’s eyes flickered away. She didn’t know what kind of reward he meant. She just hoped it wasn’t what she was thinking... Or maybe she hoped it was. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she decided to just focus on her food and stop thinking dirty thoughts. She knew he’d be leaving after breakfast. Was that why he had come to eat with her? Just to inform her? She pressed her lips tightly and decided to stop overthinking. "Your tea gathering will be held this noon. When I return, I want full details of what happened," he said in a low tone. For some reason, the way his deep voice rang in her ears like a silent promise made her shiver slightly. And oddly enough, now she was actually looking forward to the tea gathering. It would begin in less than an hour. She quietly nodded. After they finished dining, Zavren stood. To her deep surprise, he walked toward her. Before Ariana could think anything, his hands moved to her neck, tilting her face up. Her eyes narrowed. Her body froze in place. Everything had happened so suddenly that her mind was trying to keep up, his stormy eyes rested to her lips and..lord her heart stuttered in pleasure. Her lips parted in shock as she continued to stare up at him, his hand still gently holding her neck in place. And then he lowered himself to her level. "I’ll be leaving... and I know I’ll surely miss my wife. How about a good luck kiss?" Before Ariana could even process his words, his lips crashed onto hers. Ariana’s eyes flew wide in shock as his tongue slipped past her lips, deepening the kiss into something hard and searing. Her head spun with a mix of shock and pleasure. Zavren’s eyes opened as he bit her lips, and hers widened even more. But instead of pulling away something stirred within her—an unexpected wave of confidence rising as she leaned in kissing him back—and to Zavren’s surprise, she wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss even more. The sound of lips filled the room. No wonder there were no maids around—everything had been set up just as this man had planned. Ariana felt his hands wrap around her waist as he lifted her effortlessly. Her heart picked up speed, racing wildly—and then, before she could fully process what was happening, plates shattered to the ground. His lips were still on hers. As she tried to pull away, one of his hands tightened around her waist while the other gently cradled her neck, holding her in place as he kissed her again—this time, deeper. Her eyes widened. He had cleared the dining table—just so she could sit? Her body trembled slightly from pleasure, her inner thighs throbbing as something unfamiliar surged through her. Zavren sat her down on the table, and to her shock, his hand began sliding up her leg toward her thigh. Ariana’s lips parted in surprise. She had a tea gathering in minutes! She moved to push his chest, but Zavren caught both her hands, pinning them above her head as he pulled away slightly. "You don’t have to worry, sweetheart. The tea gathering can be moved ," he whispered, his voice hoarse and wickedly sexy that. He leaned in, his tongue flicking her ear before gently biting it. Then he whispered, "Are you aware of the cute little mole on your left butt cheek?" Ariana’s eyes widened in horror at his shameless words. She didn’t even know that! She had never bothered to examine her backside in the mirror. Her face burned in embarrassment. She could not believe this man. Zavren gently bumped his forehead against hers, whispering, his hot minty breath fanning her flushed face, sending tingles down her spine. "I want to see it now." Before she could protest, his hands began to lift her gown, his smoldering gaze locked on hers. Her body responded to his touch, wanting more—even though her mind screamed for her to stop him. What if someone walked in?! Were they really going to do this on a dining table?! And as if the universe had heard her— The dining hall door creaked open.