Chapter 11: A Queen's Worth
Night had already fallen. The two lay together on the bed, and Zaiyila found herself staring at Everett, who had his eyes closed but was clearly not asleep. She couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Everett slowly opened his eyes and looked at her. "Not feeling sleepy? Would you like to go out?" he asked.
Zaiyila shook her head, smiling. "Everything here is so different from my village. Even though some things feel familiar, I still can't help but feel out of place," she remarked, gazing at him without blinking.
Everett smiled. "My wife doesn't need to trouble herself with such thoughts. Just keep your focus on me like that," he murmured before pressing a kiss to her lips.
Zaiyila smiled and rested her head on his chest. "Are you going to work tomorrow?" she inquired.
"Mhm."
"Then when will you come back?"
Everett's gaze softened. "If you don't want me to go," he whispered, staring deeply into her eyes with a gentle smile, "then I won't. You decide."
Zaiyila bit her lower lip. "Umm, you should go to work. People with education shouldn't waste their talents. I can't be the reason you hold yourself back," she commented, looking at him.
Everett's brows furrowed. "They didn't send you to school?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow.
Zaiyila chuckled realizing who the 'they' he was talking about was. "She couldn't even afford to send her own daughter to school. Would she suddenly decide to send me?" she mused. "Besides, if I had gone to school, I would have just scared people away, so it's a waste," she added with a bright smile.
Everett let out a cold chuckle, his eyes darkening with a brief flash of murderous intent. "Who made you believe this nonsense?" he demanded, though his killing intent was well concealed.
Zaiyila laughed and rolled on top of him. "I figured it out on my own. No one needed to tell me," she replied, playfully running her fingers over his brows, smoothing them gently.
Everett studied her. "It's not as if I won't find out the truth if I want to," he muttered.
Zaiyila paused her actions, sensing something was off. "Are… are you okay? Did I… did I annoy you?" she asked hesitantly.
Everett took a deep breath and gripped her slim waist. "No… you could never annoy me," he assured her with a warm smile.
"But earlier, I felt like you… you were angry," Zaiyila noted, concern filling her voice.
"Was I?" Everett arched an eyebrow, his gaze drifting down to her exposed chest due to her current position.
Zaiyila noticed his lingering stare and blushed deeply.
"Wife, do you wish to study?" he asked suddenly.
Zaiyila's head shot up, her eyes widening in shock and disbelief. "Study…? You would let me study?" she stammered, barely daring to hope.
Everett smirked, his thoughts turning dark. "She's so eager to learn, yet she's trying to cover up for those bastards. Their days are already numbered—there's no need to dwell on them. My precious queen matters the most". He gave her a gentle smile.
"Yes, I'm being serious," he confirmed.
Zaiyila opened and closed her mouth repeatedly, struggling to find words, before tears welled up in her eyes. "Won't it be too expensive? You would have to spend a lot of money," she choked out.
Everett's brows knitted slightly. "I work for you. Everything I have belongs to you. What expenses are you talking about?" he retorted.
Zaiyila started sobbing and hugged him tightly. "Why are you treating me so well?" she cried.
"You cry too easily. That will make useless people think you're weak. You can't let others bully you," Everett stated, ignoring her question.
Zaiyila nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Eve," she murmured.
Everett raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, I'm not familiar with your way of saying thanks. How about…" He suddenly pinned her to the bed, flipping their positions. "I get something delicious tonight as gratitude?" he murmured, smiling strangely.
Zaiyila blinked in confusion before realization dawned on her, and her face turned scarlet. "Are you hungry again? Don't worry, I know how to cook! I'll be quick," she said in a flustered tone, completely missing his implication.
Everett laughed, his melodic chuckle ringing in her ears like a seductive melody, making her heart pound. He lowered his head to her ear and murmured, "I'd prefer if you were slower," still chuckling.
"Huh?"
Before she could process his words, he sealed her lips with his own. It wasn't until moments later that she finally understood what he had meant. Her face flushed with embarrassment at her own innocence.
Soon, the pleasure-filled moans of Zaiyila echoed through the room, repeating for quite some time before finally ceasing.
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12:14 PM - Noon
Zaiyila slowly opened her eyes. At first, everything was blurry, and her mind was in complete disarray, as though everything had just been a dream.
"Eve!" she suddenly called out, sitting up in bed and trying to clear her vision.
"Dear wife, I'm still here," Everett's calm voice sounded from behind her.
Her vision cleared instantly, and she turned to see him still lying on the bed, a warm smile directed at her.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she immediately threw herself into his arms.
Everett sighed. "I've lost count of how many times I've told you to stay calm. Everything is real," he murmured, patting her head gently.
"I just can't help it," Zaiyila admitted.
Everett smiled and released his forked tongue, running it along her neck in a soothing motion before stopping. "How are you feeling now?" he inquired.
"Much better," she breathed, feeling her chaotic heart begin to settle.
"I already prepared something for you to eat. I didn't expect you to sleep for so long, so I'll make something fresh for you," Everett remarked.
Zaiyila's face heated up as she buried her head in his chest. "It's all your fault," she mumbled in a barely audible whisper.
Everett chuckled. "How is it my fault? If you're already getting weak just from a warm-up, what would happen if I really got serious?" he teased, patting her head.
Zaiyila's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "I… I… I'll go and warm the food," she stammered, attempting to get up. But Everett pulled her back.
"Just freshen up. I'll cook something fresh for you," he insisted.
"There's no need to go through all that trouble. We can just warm the food. Don't stress yourself," she countered.
Everett stared deeply into her eyes. "You are a noble lady, queen of a world. You shouldn't concern yourself with such trivial things. Do as you please and let others serve you. When it comes to food, if it's been sitting for more than thirty minutes, throw it away and have them prepare something fresh and rich for you," he lectured.
Zaiyila's eyes widened, and she chuckled. "That's called wasting food," she pointed out.
"Does it matter? I didn't marry you to manage things for me or get unpleasant. You must enjoy your wealth and make everyone bend to your will. Don't hold back," Everett declared with a devilish smile, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.