CARL'S POV
Now that I've expressed my feelings, I feel like a weight has been lifted off me and I feel happy.
Although I was a little disappointed, that she didn't reciprocate my feelings. but as I said, I was going to wait for her.
I know Zara was also attracted to me or even felt something for me, but I wanted her to say it.
When I kissed her, it felt so good, like a fire ignited in my body and soul, like there was a powerful current flowing through my blood and veins and I wanted more. I wanted to rip off her dress and have my way with her right there, but I couldn't because I had a feeling that we were being watched.
I pulled away from to kiss, staring at her and I smiled when I saw how flushed her cheek was.
"Zara," I called, taking her hands in mine. "we have to go back to the palace," I told her, but before we could leave, an arrow out of nowhere, flew toward Zara, and I immediately pulled her away.
Zara gasped, looking horrified, her body trembling in fear.
I didn't waste any more time, but pulled her along, running towards the palace. My priority now was to take her to a safe place, instead of going after whoever attacked us.
As soon as we got to the palace, I ordered some soldiers to go check where Zara and I had been attacked. I knew by now the person must have left the scene, but there might still be some clues left.
I sighed, looking at Zara who was lost in thoughts. "Are you okay," I asked, but she didn't answer, instead she hugged me.
"You don't have to worry, you are safe now," I assured, patting her back.
Minutes later, the soldiers returned with an arrow. "Your majesty, we found this at the scene," they reported, and I took it from them, scanning it.
I've seen something like this, I knew what it is. It was a type of poisonous arrow, that kills someone on the spot.
I was horrified and for the first time scared. I thought about how I would have lost both Zara and my baby, and my heart tightened against my chest.
Who could be behind this? the only person who could dare target Zara was that bastard Arthur, or maybe another enemy, I was not aware of.
ZARA'S POV
When Carl asked me if I was okay, all I could do was hug him, I didn't know how to reply, my mind was in a state of distraught. The thought that I almost died, that I almost lost my baby, made me shiver.
Who would want me dead, it's not like I offended anyone? Is it because Carl expressed his feeling for me, but no one knew, it was just the two of us on the boat and on the lake.
"Carl, I would like to be alone for a while," I whispered but was sure he heard me.
He looked at me for a while before nodding in disagreement. "Zara, I can't let you be alone at a time like this, not when someone is trying to kill you," he muttered, and I let out a light smile.
I was happy that he loves and cared about me, and the thought made me feel safe.
"From now on Zara, you won't leave my sight, wherever you go, I go," Carl said, placing a light kiss on my lips.
"Will you go with me, even when I want to have a bath?" I asked, and he smiled mischievously, before answering. "Especially when you want to have a bath," and I felt my cheek heating up.
"You perverted king," I squealed, but I was also perverted because there were lots of images forming in my head, about Carl and me doing dirty things in the bath and he chuckled.
"Queen Zara, what are you thinking about? your cheeks are as red as tomatoes," he mocked, and I immediately stood up, trying to get away from him, but he pulled me back to him.
...
True to his word, Carl followed Zara where ever she went for a week, and this brought them, even more, closer and also, there were no more attacks on Zara.
Today Gwen was passing through the hallway when she saw both Zara and Carl talking and laughing happily. She felt a stab of jealousy and rage.
Not only Gwen was filled with rage. The spy who has been watching them throughout the week was also angry. But in her case, she was angry because her attack did nothing to scare them instead it brought them closer.
Clenching her fist, she said, "I'll just have to wait for another opportunity." Then she turned around to leave but sighted Gwen who was also watching them with anger evident on her face and she smirked. "This fool, if only she had agreed to join me, things would have been a lot easier," she thought, before walking away.
At that moment, Gwen decided to carry out her first plan.
She immediately sent her servant outside the palace to bring some orphan children into the palace.
Now she would show Carl that she's more passionate and caring about his people than Zara.
Some minutes later, Gwen's servant returned with the orphans like Gwen had asked.
"Milady, these are the orphan children, you asked for," the servant said, and Gwen glanced up to look at them. She immediately wrinkled her face in disgust, seeing that the orphan was looking dirty and tattered.
"Lady Gwen," the children greeted, bowing their heads in respect, and Gwen smiled. she envisioned how great it would be if all of Everton were bowing at her feet.
A little girl who was among the orphan was so excited because this was her first time coming to the palace, so she decided to go hug Gwen for making it possible, but Gwen shrieked, backing away quickly.
"While you are here, none of you should try getting close to me, or even think of touching me," she warned, eying the little girl, whose eyes were now filled with tears and they all nodded.
"Now come along," she ordered, leading them to the hallway where Zara and Carl were sitting.