Dark Moon Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 43. The First Morning II (Patreon)

Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 43. The First Morning II

The morning sun over Luminus City was getting higher and higher. The chattering sounds interspersed with small laughs rang out from the dining room, where the royal couple and several other royal delegates spent their breakfast with small talk or jokes. Since this was the first time the delegates had the opportunity to interact directly with the king of Euphorion, they took this chance to get to know the king personally. His personality and his way of thinking, especially the other kingdoms' delegates.

As for Asteria, Zephyrus and Draconis' delegations, although there wasn't much they could do, they wanted to figure out his leadership style to avoid similar war in the future. They also wanted to find out more about Rose, since she was the first woman who could capture the king's heart. So maybe... If they could find this out, they could give a similar type of woman to him, but of course, they expected something in return.

Strangely, although all the delegates looked tense before, over time their tension began to fade as the conversation progressed. Previously, they thought Angel was arrogant, serious and had a bad temper. Although they acknowledged his seriousness for his kingdom, he dismissed the others. Despite his cold face, he spoke casually, occasionally he smiled in reply to their jokes, though not laughing. His politeness was clear from his gesture. They couldn't believe that the polite man in front of them was the same person as the king who led the great war a few months ago. Since what they heard and saw was that he was a cruel king who had dark powers.

Still, judging by his sharp answers to several questions, they knew they couldn't underestimate him and he could take action if he discovered a threat to his kingdom. So they still had to be careful with him.

Meanwhile, Angel used this opportunity to find out about the Pontus' royal family. Even though it wasn't his priority and his Dark Agent hadn't given any word on this, he remembered his promise to Princess Jyne. But of course, he only asked it occasionally since if he showed his curiosity excessively, the Pontus' delegation would take it as a threat.

The breakfast was over. Several delegates took this opportunity to excuse themselves to return to their kingdoms. While the others decided to stay in Euphorion longer.

After they bowed, the royal couple came out of the dining room. As they walked down the corridor, Rose asked him.
"What's your schedule after this?"

"Working as usual. I have a lot of documents waiting for me after the war," he replied. Usually, the king would spend a lot of time with his wife in the first week of their marriage yet he still had to do his unfinished work since he had been away for months.

Rose was silent. She should be happy about this considering how scared she was this morning. Strangely, there was a little disappointment in her heart. Was it because of that kiss? That hug? She tried to warn her sense, alas, she said something else.
"If you're busy, why don't you share your work with me?" Those words just came out of her mouth. Even though she said it in a low voice, Angel could hear it clearly.

Those words made Angel turn to her in surprise.
"You want to help me?" he said in disbelief.

His surprise made her blush. She quickly turned her gaze to another direction.
"I'm just bored, there's nothing I can do here. Besides, I don't know what other people think of me if they see me doing nothing while you're busy," she reasoned.

Angel thought for a while. There was no way he would waste this. But Rose was still new here and she didn't know much. Whereas he couldn't possibly let Rose work on something that she had never handled before. Let alone manage the castle since she wasn't a queen yet.

"I have some important invitations but I don't think I can make it. Can you attend it for me?" This task was quite simple and Angel was sure she was already used to this. Most of those invitations came from noblewomen. Some were the first debuts of the young noblewomen. He knew they sent them in the hope he would notice them, but refusing them wasn't a good idea either. Since Rose was a royalty and his wife, she was suitable for this task.

"Very well. After all, I've never been out of White Moon Castle, since I arrived at Euphorion," she reasoned again. Although judging the noblewomen's gazes, she knew it wouldn't be that easy.

"I will ask Claire to arrange it for you," he said as a smile bloomed on his lips. His eyes were on her.
"Thank you for helping me, Rose."

His gaze made her even more nervous.
"I just want to lessen your burden a bit."

"Is it coming from your heart? Or is it only a payback?" he asked. Well, it didn't matter for him since her initiative already made him happy and it showed her good intention, whatever the reason.

His words made her turn to him.
"It's a tough choice I won't choose." If she said this was payback, she would hurt him. If she said it came from her heart, even though what happened this morning had given her a glimpse about Angel's past, she didn't know what he was and his real intentions. So she was not ready to give her heart yet.

A chuckle came out of his mouth.
"Fine. I'm glad you want to help me. I'll be looking forward to our short walk this evening."

"Rather than walking around in the garden. How about the training ground instead?" She had been walking around the garden almost every morning so she hoped he wouldn't mind taking her somewhere else and training ground was the only place that came to her mind.
"I mean... I've never seen Euphorion's training ground before so I'm a little curious," she added.

"Training ground it is." Even though it was a little strange, Angel knew that Rose was more like a warrior than a princess so he guessed she missed that kind of place.