14 STORM OF A WOMAN

HALE'S POV

Vanilla.

With a just the slightest tint of lavender.

That was what I smelled.

It was one of the strongest scents I had smelled.

And even though Vanilla was stronger, and it was my favorite, my head hurt from lavender scent.

I had stopped liking lavender a few years ago, and my dislike for it grew with years.

I could never pinpoint the cause of my dislike, but I just couldn't bear that scent anymore.

I heard a slight commotion outside and turned to look at what was going on through the window.

A woman dressed in dark red had just halted in her steps as another man spoke behind her.

"Your Majesty, this meeting is going to be a negotiation of the duties the King and you will be sharing. Instead of creating a scene, it would just be a better idea, that we take what we are given and leave."

It was her.

The Queen.

She had straight brown hair that reached her slender back. A white cloth hung on her arms, as she slowly turned back.

Well, this was interesting.

Let's see what she does, when her own council member disrespects her.

"Tell me, Cameron. Who is has a higher authority here?" Ahh, she rid him of his title.

"You, Your Majesty.", he trembled.

The man actually trembled.

The ends of her lips rose victoriously as she nodded.

"So, if you know that, then act like the one with the lesser authority, or you will have no authority."

A snicker left my mouth as soon as she retorted.

That was clever. Unwise, but clever.

When I looked up, I immediately remembered that the whole of my council was right there., and they were staring at me like I had just grown another head.

Well this is awkward.

"Your Highness, Rosabella Agapov, the Queen of the Lormeian people, has just walked into the Mortale Castle."

I shook my head and looked up at the council. They nodded immediately and began to walk down the stairs.

This is it, I thought to myself.

Your first meet up with this woman.

I took in a deep breath and began to walk down the grand stairs. I was looking straight ahead, to avoid an eye contact with her.

My face carrying a clear absence of any emotions.

"His Highness, Hale Underwood, The Mortale King, is descending down the stairs."

One look wouldn't hurt, would it?

Dark brown eyes, with skin that had clearly seen the sun. Her cheeks were defined as her lips were stretched in a scared smile.

She had a slender body, but it had curves that could make any man fall for her.

Why didn't she marry before taking the throne? At least, that way her people would respect her.

The red dress reached her knees, and it complimented her long legs.

A crown with a red ruby sat on her head, as her hand rested on the scabbard of her sword.

She came armed.

That was smart.

Once I was in front of her, I bowed.

"Your Majesty.", I spoke.

She curtsied after slowly speaking,"Your Highness."

I gently took a hold of her hand that was falling to her side and brought it to my lips. The scent of Lavender kept getting stronger.

It was her.

She was the one that smelled like vanilla and lavender.

I kissed it slowly, my eyes looking right at hers.

"It's a pleasure to have your presence grace us."

I smirked when I saw the goosebumps on her skin. She was nervous.

Because of me.

Out of nowhere, the white light was back in front of my eyes.

But this time, I didn't hear a laughter. No this time, I heard a whimper.

It was a soft, pained whimper.

Along with it I heard a few sobs.

"Hey, hey, hey. It's okay."

I heard a male voice. It was so similar. It was almost like I heard it everyday.

Almost like, it was mine.

"I love you, and I am here, for everything and anything."

"You are?", this was another. One that I thought I had been listening since years but also unfamiliar.

"Yeah. Yeah, I am Mi Ro-"

I was back before the vision finished.

Why? Why am I getting these hallucinations?

I tried to shake myself out of it, when I realized that I was still holding her hand.

She was staring right into my eyes.

What was it, with her and my eyes?

Smitten, wasn't she?

I coughed slowly and smirked.

"Same here, Your Majesty.", she smiled confidently.

Where was the nervous woman?

Was it all a facade?

"If it is alright with the King, and the Queen, then we can move this meeting to boardroom."

Sir Albert spoke as I nodded.

"Yes, I am fine with that."

There was something in her voice that would make even the bravest men shake.

As we entered the boardroom, I walked toward my seat. I sat down and folded my arms against myself.

There was something extravagant about her presence. I couldn't take my eyes off her. She elegantly took her seat and her face rested on her delicate palm.

Her long nails were painted deep red.

The red color suited her.

Her lips were painted with a color that would put cherries to shame.

Why was I noticing her, when all I wanted to do was turn a blind eye to her.

"We are gathered here to discuss the distribution of the common power and duties that are shared by the Lormeian Queen, and the Mortale King. If the royalties are alright, then we may begin."

"You may begin."

"Begin, please."

I saw her other palm clench when I spoke.

Damn it! What is wrong with me.

I wasn't supposed to be staring at the woman. I was supposed to be intimidating her.

I looked at her and my hands turned into fist when all the things I hated about her came flying back.

She is my enemy.

She is the enemy.

And fraternizing with her is the last thing I want.

She glanced my way for a second, and it felt like time stopped.

This meeting was taking interesting turns.

Why was it that every time she looked at me, I wanted to look somewhere else, because the sight of her disgusted me. But when she did look away, I waited for her to glance back.

I sighed.

I really needed to get my head checked.

"Lortale can be managed by the Mortale Kingdom. The revenue can be divided between both Kingdoms."

The confidence oh her face withered for a second, but it was back as the discussion continued.

She was trying.

I could see it. She was trying to be everything her people expected her to be.

But she was failing. A part of me almost felt bad for her. She was a fragile little woman, after all, wasn't she? But another part of me, the majority of me, liked it.

She should have known this was going to happen.

An unmarried Queen.

She should have known that no one would have accepted her if it wasn't for that magic ball.

"The business conducted at the Lortale Sea, can be overseen by the Mortales too."

"The border is being looked after both the armies but, as there is a new reign on the throne, the Lormeians can have their guards. The Mortale Kingdom has enough guards to protect the borders."

She was not enjoying this one bit.

But I was.

She was getting more rattled every time a responsibility that she should have gotten was being snatched out of her hands.

"The Mortale kingdom can have a few council members over at the Lormeian Kingdom every few months to help look after the welfare of the Kingdom, in case the Queen-"

"In case the Queen fails to do what she has been chosen to do?" She banged her palms on the table and stood up.

In a second, she scanned the whole room. Waiting for anyone to answer.

"I am a woman. And, yes, an unmarried one. But, remember, I am the Queen too. The Queen to just as many people as your beloved king is. So, if you can't treat me the way I am supposed to be treated, I don't think this meeting is worth wasting my time."

She got up from her seat and collected herself before starting to move towards the exit.

This was surprising.

I had expected her to not make a scene, just like that Cameron wanted her to.

"We were just trying to do what's best for both the kingdom-"

"Excuse me, sir, but I am well aware about what's best for my kingdom. There will be an equal division of power, just like things always have been. Call me in once the contracts are ready to be signed. I will be in the garden."

She began to walk out as amusement was written clearly on my face.

That was bold of her.

"Get the treaties ready. I want them ready to be signed once I am back."

I got up and began to follow that storm of a woman.