Chapter 11 Entranced
Fernanda stood in the middle of a vast regal bedroom, seriously deliberating on whether or not she made the right decision to come there. "What in the world am I doing?" She whispered, nervously fiddling with the rings on her finger.
She was about to leave when a familiar chill crept up her spine. She turned and her heart skipped when she saw Sebastian already standing behind her, wearing his usual cold and aloof expression. "Sebastian! I mean... Your highness." Fernanda exclaimed, surprised to see him there.
"I didn't know you were already here," She added, rubbing her palms together as if that would slow down the intensity of her heartbeat. She felt a pit in her stomach when Sebastian didn't say anything in response to her.
Feeling terribly embarrassed, she started backing away to leave. "I was about to come see you." Sebastian finally said, stopping her from exiting. "Oh... Really?" Her voice was shaky and she hated it at the moment.
Although Fernanda felt so out of place standing in front of him and being a nervous mess, she couldn't be any more nervous than Sebastian although he was doing a good job at concealing it. "She came to see me?" That was the only that thought swirled round his mind.
She looked elegant in her flowery dress, he wanted to pull her into his arms and melt into her hug. But that wouldn't happen as she was clearly uncomfortable with him. "I came here for two things actually." Fernanda said, clearing her throat.
"Which are?"
"First, to see you obviously, since you just came back from a war. I hope you are not hurt?" She asked, still avoiding his gaze. "Yes, I'm good." Sebastian softly replied, nodding his head.
Fernanda continued, "The second thing I came here to see you for was about me." She finally met his gaze when she said that, nervously biting her lips. Fernanda hesitated for a while before she continued and in that moment Sebastian wished they were interlinked and he could know what she wanted without her having to say it.
"I want to be able to enter the wielding pits." She blurted out, ignoring the loud racing of her heartbeat. Sebastian raised his eyebrows in surprise. He never expected that to be her request.
He had almost wanted to agree if he hadn't held himself back. "The pits are dangerous, Fernanda. It's prohibited for non wielders to be there." He told her, both of them were still rooted in the same spot with enough distance between them.
"Being in my chambers is starting to get depressing." She retorted, frowning slightly.
"There are a lot of other outdoor activities for you to engage in. We can go horse riding, hunting, I can throw a festival for you." It was as if he was intentionally bringing out other interesting options just to distract her from the idea of going to the pits.
Fernanda slightly opened and close her mouth before letting out a disappointed sigh. "I find it absurd that non wielders are being treated as weak just because they can't wield. Who made that rule?" She asked, shaking her head.
"It has always been like that, wielding can be quite dangerous towards a person with vulnerability." Sebastian's aloof expression was now laced with a hint of curiosity. "Why that place?" He demanded.
"Wielding fascinates me. Since I don't know how to control elements, I've always enjoyed seeing people do it." She told him, "It's alright. I guess I will just have to give up the idea of entering the pits and see wielders fight." Fernanda uttered, shrugging in defeat as she turned to leave.
Sebastian had never been in a situation like this before with Fernanda, this was the longest conversation they had ever had since getting married. She was beginning to talk to him without cursing him out. This was progress and he didn't want to ruin it again.
"Alright." He blurted out just as she was about to cross the threshold, "There's a duel tonight. We will go together." He told her. Fernanda's lips curled into a small smile which made Sebastian swoon internally. "Goodness gracious, she is beautiful." He thought as he continues to stare at her, entranced.
"Thank you." Fernanda said, her cheeks getting crimson from the different kind of emotions running through her body. She wasn't expecting that and definitely didn't know what to feel about him changing a law that has been in existence even before she was born, in a heartbeat.
"But if it's going to cause problems then maybe I shouldn't go after all..." Fernanda said, trying to see if Sebastian would change his mind again. Although she also said that because she truly didn't want to any issues relating to her on his hands. "I just don't want to be the cause of a major problem amidst the royal council."
Sebastian scoffed silently, wondering if she thought of him as a cowardly king who needs the permission of the council before he could do anything. If anything, it was the other way around, but of course a meeting will be held about it, the council just wouldn't be winning.
"You are my wife, and it is my duty to give you anything you ask for, no matter what it is." Sebastian said, and despite his cold, hard gaze and the gruffness in his tone, Fernanda could feel it deep in her bones that he meant everything he said. It made her belly flutter with butterflies.
"I will come get you tonight, whenever you are ready." Sebastian added, his eyes softening when she smiled. He studied her lips which were as red as cherries, wondering what they tasted like. Sebastian could bet kissing her would be the best thing that ever happened to him, infact it would be a luxury to even get a taste.
He was so engrossed in his thoughts about her that he didn't even hear her say goodbye, she left before he could think of anything to say to stop her.
"His Majesty did what?" Both Yolanda and Maya could not hide their surprises when Fernanda told them everything that happened when she went to see Sebastian.
Fernanda nodded her head, "I don't even understand, I was so prepared to leave in disappointment." She said, still reeling from the shock.
"The king is known to be very grounded about the laws of our kingdom, everything is set in stone and no one dares break them. So if he is willing to go against himself and the kingdom just for you, then I believe he truly respects you." Yolanda said with a very cheerful smile.
"And loves you or perhaps already falling in love with you." Maya added with fluttery eyes. "Uh... I wouldn't assume that." Fernanda immediately interjected. "It's possible my Queen." Maya replied.
"Sebastian Kozlov doesn't seem like he is capable of loving. Can we stop talking about this please? I need to get ready." Fernanda pleaded. "Of course, your highness."
An hour later, Fernanda was dressed up in another dress similar to the one she wore to see Sebastian but this time with a thick furry coat because of the cold.
She saw him already waiting for her outside her chambers as soon as she stepped out. He was dressed casually but with a hint of regalia. Fernanda noticed something different, the usual harsh expression he always had on was nowhere to be found. He looked peaceful, and that was something Fernanda thought she would never see.
He extended his hand and Fernanda hesitated for a while before she took it. "You didn't come to watch me eat today." Fernanda spoke, breaking the awkward silence as they head over to the wielding pits. "Tommorow." He responded, as if it were a promise.