My loves I missed you so much! ♥
Thank you all for sticking with my story and being patient with my delayed updates!!
I've also added another chapter to Maximus' story (Ruler of Beasts)!
Enjoy!

~.~.~.~

Chapter
Eighteen

"I hear the King is smitten with some girl," Yasmine said, wiping sweat off her forehead with her palm. It was barely noon but the weather was already too cozy, and the kitchen was abuzz with its workers.

"Oh, I wonder who it could be." Juliette answered her thoughtfully, her mind preoccupied with the dough she was kneading. Gregg has finally taught her how to make a tarte, but she wondered if she had memorized the ingredients right as it sticked to her fingers.

"This is not working as I thought it would." She pouted. Peter grinned at her reaction as she struggled to search for Gregg among the crowd. How more than three hundred servants fitted inside the kitchen is beyond her. Yet, it was never difficult for her to spot the carrot-head bossing around his peers.

"Why can't he see me!" Juliette muttered as she jumped up and down for Gregg to rescue her from her baking disaster.

"Maybe because you look like something has bitten you, though I think it's perhaps because you are a little too short."

"Oh you are terrible!" Yasmine said to Peter in response while smacking him with her elbow.

"Ah but you love me anyway." She rolled her eyes, but Juliette couldn't miss the faint blush that crept up her face. She wondered if something new had happened between the two. She was also glad Peter was back to acting normal. He was acting distant after the fight in the kitchen, but it seems he had made up with Gregg.

"You only need to add some flour Jules." Her friend added in amusement, peering up at her hands.

"Oh!" Juliette realized in excitement, she was really sure that baking is going to be one of her hobbies once she learned the basics.

"Gregg seems so busy today." Peter muttered, eyeing his cousin at the far side of the room. She and Yasmine decided to join the cooks today and since Peter had some time off, he was hanging out with them.

"Well of course he would be. Don't you ever hear the latest gossips? The kingdom is buzzing with the news! King Maximus is even throwing a buffet for the occasion!"

"Is it related with the Noirsèmers?
I've heard they left the castle empty handed." Juliette has started to get familiar with the kingdom's whereabouts from spending so much time with Yasmine and some of her friends. Apparently, Noirsèmer is a neighboring kingdom on the east of Volkeï, previously known for having tensed relation with her own country. They were even dead enemies at some point and declared war against each other around twenty years ago. According to Yasmine's sources, some of the royals visited to have some agreement with the King, but it seems he is not willing to co-operate.

"Welllll," Yasmine winked, the topic giving her a rush of excitement. "Only one Royal has left and it's not princess Alexa!"

"So you think the King is going to declare his engagement to the Noirsèmers' evil offspring?" Peter chuckled. "Just imagine how dreadfully fitting a couple they would be. The world's most feared man as King and a very obnoxious princess as queen. Our kingdom would be striving."

"But!" Juliette cut them off. "Won't that be beneficial to us if peace is forged between the two kingdoms?"

"Maybe. Maybe it would be." Peter said thoughtfully. So the King wouldn't be so evil to consider that. "But he won't do that. Hate to tell you this, darling, but your sources are not to be trusted." He said, tapping on Yasmine's nose.

"Don't you dare doubt my sources!" Yasmine scoffed.

"Well, this time, you're wrong little yas. You just said that there are rumors of him smitten with some woman."

"I can assure you, I heard that from of Nelly who heard that from Jane the laundress who I'm quite sure she heard it from–" she paused as Peter raised an eyebrow at her. "Well it doesn't matter, I am absolutely certain that her sources are reliable. He is smitten with someone! Nelly even said they are rumors of him buying a very expensive diamond ring from one of Toharyan's most reputable merchants!"

"Well it doesn't necessarily mean it's princess Alexa. The King is known to despise the Noirsèmers. So maybe throwing the festival for this occasion is a bit unlikely."

"Maybe it's an act." Juliette suggested.

"Or maybe, he really is smitten with Alexa!" Yasmine argued.

"He might as well stab himself to death. I'm telling you, the King is evil, but he's not stupid to ally with the Noirsèmers."

"Then how do you explain princess Alexa staying, right at the time of the King's celebration?"

"An uneventful series of coincidences, besides, don't you think at least Prince Cyran would have stayed for his sister's engagement?" Peter grinned in triumph as Yasmine's face fell.

"Well, I feel bad for the girl he has fallen for anyway." Yasmine grumbled, mixing up the batter she had created.

"Why, is it so bad for you to be queen?" Peter inquired, shaking his head.

"Oh but it's King Maximus we are talking about here."

"Maybe he's not as mean as he seems!" Juliette blurted out unexpectedly, but she knew the color of her cheeks was red, because it was Xander she was thinking about. She couldn't help but think that Xander wouldn't work for him willingly if he was so evil. Maybe she could ask about him later on when she meets him.

"You'd think she's the one who has his heart." Peter chuckled, leaning against the counter.

"Oh God forbid. I can't imagine our innocent Juliette with him."

"With who?" Juliette jumped as her back bumped with a chest.

"With his Royal Majesty."

"Ah." Gregg's breath fanned her ears. She suddenly felt the warmness of his body against hers, and he positioned both of his hands above hers.

"Good work, Juliette." He noted at her dough. "But you need to be tougher with kneading." He pushed his hands against hers, and the dough expanded noticeably. She held her breath.

"Oh?" She asked shyly. She was not used to him being this close to her. He pressed his warm hands into hers. "Like this." His voice was barely a whisper, then he released his grip.

Juliette looked up and saw both of her friends gaping at them.

"Well, this is interesting." Peter noted narrowing his eyes at his cousin.

"You think I've done a good job too?" Juliette asked, her eyes wide. She was very proud of her first attempt at baking a tarte. Now that she had added flour, it was starting to look like the doughs Gregg always made.

"Exactly." Juliette looked proudly at her dough and already started planning how she was going to decorate her tarte when it's done.

"So, lovely cousin, such a busy day for you, eh?" Lucía has finally appeared through the kitchen's entrance and Yasmine went to greet her, leaving Juliette with them.

"You have no idea. I have at least ten buffets to finish before the afternoon." Gregg scratched his head. Juliette noticed he seemed aloof for some reason.

"All set for the occasion of?"

"The King's latest victory–" Juliette wanted to know more about it, but he suddenly directed his hazel eyes on her.

"And why were you discussing your..relation with the King of Volkei?" He pressed.

"Oh we were just talking about how he's a big meanie!" She defended, her voice high.

"The girls thought he was getting betrothed to the Noirsèmer princess."

"I doubt that." Then he rubbed his temples, and Juliette couldn't help but notice the dark crescents shadowing his eyes. She decided to dedicate her tarte to him and spend some time with him in the evening to cheer him up. "Not after his recent declaration. He has a better grip on his Kingdom now, he doesn't need to make peace with the enemy."

"I heard he hanged more than sixty criminals just two weeks ago. He had even kill–" Peter interjected then widened his eyes as Juliette gasped. He knew of how delicate she was and how scared she would get of violent topics, and he cursed how impulsive he could be sometimes. Gregg even mentioned for him to stop doing that after their chat with Yasmine earlier. So he gestured for her to close her ears, being the fantastic friend he is.

"Did I say hang? I meant hang out with criminals. To..erm..question them!" Of course he had to be original and use Gregg's excuse. Juliette crossed her arms as if to seem tougher. She couldn't stop the anxiety from getting into her whenever they talked about the King since Xander was so close to him. She hadn't seen him in a week, but he would sent her letters everyday (which always included little gifts) with one of his trusted messengers and she understood he was really taken with his guard work. Yet, she was scared the King would force him to do something evil. Xander is a really nice person! He would never do that!! Don't be silly.

"I-is this true, G-Gregg?" She couldn't help but ask.

"Of course, little Jules. He needs to question them to know who the bad guys are." To which she nodded, then sighed in approval.

"Let's not talk about the mean King anymore! He's s-scary!" She pouted, then waved to her friends excitedly as they finally approached them.

•••

It was the dead of the night when Juliette made sure that Lucía had fallen asleep and sneaked out from their room, closing the door as soundlessly as she could.

A sadness swept through her as she didn't like hiding anything from her friends. She knew they worried about her, but their fears are irrelevant now.

When she came back to her room a week ago, she was surprised to see her aunt.

She had never seen her aunt look as agitated and restless, and she paced back and forth in her little chamber.

"We need to talk." She finally managed to utter, turning to face her abruptly. Then she added upon Lucía entering their room: "alone."

The anxiety and fear she has felt on their walk to her aunt's chamber felt so familiar, and she could almost see her mama's silhouette hidden in the shadow planes of her aunt's face.

I must have done something terribly wrong.

"There's a man–" her aunt started, shutting the door swiftly behind them. Silence reigned between them for a few seconds, and she could see her aunt straining to say the next words coming out of her mouth. "A soldier."

Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest, but she had managed to stay still and act unfazed. "A guard." Her aunt then corrected. She was testing her, she realized. Were there any rumors about her? She wondered. Were her friends warnings right all along and word does travel fast?

Yet, she still didn't utter a word. Not with her heart beating loud and clear. Not when her hands shook. So she asked, "What's the matter, tante Mabel?" Her aunt's eyes softened at her reaction. Then she ran her hands through her white streaked hair.

"Oh I'm so sorry my dear," then she went and hugged her. Juliette sighed in relief. Her mama is gone.

"I'm just a bit in shock." Her aunt explained.

"Auntie you are scaring me!" Juliette quickly blurted out. She didn't want anxiety to consume her all over again.

"Alright, alright. I'll tell you, my precious sweet girl." She dragged her to her bed, and they sat down on its soft mattress. Her hands were already swirling around her golden hair.

"Alexander is the man you were talking about earlier, is that true hun?" Her eyes widened at her aunt in surprise.

"H-how..did you meet him auntie?" Her aunt nodded and she was sure she had lost all sensation to her body right then.

"I've had a long chat with him." Then her aunt straightened her posture. "He has revealed to me his intentions and everything about him." Then her aunt went silent and stared at her in disbelief. It was as if she was expecting her to confess something.

"Reveal as in?" She knew Xander still didn't talk about his family, or shared with her every single detail of his past, but neither did she! So, she was sure in time they'd both know more of each other.

"How he is..the king's guard." Juliette rolled her eyes at her aunt's unusual way of talking.

"Yes, auntie! I already know about that! It really is brave of him to help the king."

"Indeed." Her aunt shook her head. "Anyhow, my dear, tell me now, I want to know about how you feel. Do you really like him?" She inquired.

"Y-yes." Her cheeks of course didn't miss the opportunity to give an answer by themselves. "I really do, auntie."

"I'm relieved to hear that, sweetie." Her aunt sighed. "He has talked to me about you. He has asked for my approval."

"For what?"

"Courting you." A gasp escaped her lips. Her heart fluttered at her aunt's words. He had never mentioned this to her!

"C-courting me?" Her aunt nodded, then squeezed her delicate hands.

"He told me he didn't mention it to you still, but he wanted me as your caregiver to know about his intention. He wanted to make sure you are under his protection and that no one will be able to temper with you." So he didn't want her reputation to tarnish as her friends kept warning her. She looked away from her aunt shyly. She was feeling too much, and she was sure her face was going to explode from all the redness.

"Is that alright with you, my dear?" To which she nodded shyly. She didn't know why she had a feeling her aunt didn't really approve of Xander. So she asked her, "Do you not find him charming auntie?"

"Oh..well he doesn't look very..friendly?" Her aunt tried and Juliette shook her head. Poor Xander, he's always bad at making first impressions!

"Oh, but he's so nice auntie! It's because you hadn't known him much, I'm sure!" She giggled then repeated- "He's super nice and friendly auntie!! Maybe it's because he was nervous to ask." Since it does demand so much courage to meet someone's family of course!

"Well.. I'm happy to hear that, my dear. He gave his word to take very good care of you and assured he'll provide you with extra protection." But from what? Juliette couldn't help but wonder on her way back to her chamber.

Juliette didn't realize she had bumped into a huge figure on her way to the balcony. It was so tall and bulky and it suddenly towered over her against the door.

She immediately reached for the handle, but it was too late, the figured trapped her against him. She struggled to fight free from his death grip and was going to scream when a large hand cupped her chin and tilted it upwards.

"It's me," a familiar deep voice reassured her, and she looked up relieved for her eyes to meet his warm charcoal eyes.

"X-Xander! You s-scared me!!" To which he chuckled and leaned down so he could be eye level with her.

"I've never seen anyone who could not see me with my size. I was standing right in front of you, but it seems you were lost in your thoughts." Then he buried his face in her neck and stayed there for few seconds then sighed. "I missed you, my love."

"I m-missed you too." She replied shyly, but he barely waited for her response and lifted her up and wrapped her legs around his waist. He kissed her vigorously while opening the door with one hand, and kicking it shut with his leg as they entered the balcony.

Then he set her down softly.

Juliette frowned as she stared at balcony. A bench was added, and roses decorated each corner. They were her favorite kind too! She giggled and ran to a large bouquet and sniffed them. They look and smell divine!!

"Do you like them?" He asked, watching her silently.

"Oh!! They are wonderful!" She ran and hugged him. "How did you know?"

"How can I not meet with my love's aunt and not take the opportunity to know what she likes." He winked.

"Oh Xander that's so sweet of you!!" Then she remembered.

"You never talked to me about courting!!" She blurted out shyly, avoiding eye contact with him.

"Of course Mabel could not keep it a secret." He muttered grumpily. Then he suddenly straightened and tilted her chin. "I want you, Juliette."

She didn't know what to respond as she got really nervous and shy and she was sure she her heart was going to explode out of her chest. "I want you to be mine." He continued.

"I want us to be by each other's sides. As my other half. As my equal." Then he ran his hand through his hair, and she somehow got the impression that he was nervous. "I know I'm not a good person, Juliette. I know I'm not deserving of you. I know I'm selfish to want you for myself. But with you, I feel myself again. I feel..human and not some villainous hated, cruel k–" he sighed deeply as of the words gave him immense shame. Juliette couldn't help but wonder why. "I know there's a lot of things I haven't told you yet. But when the right time comes–"

"X-Xander why are you saying all of these mean things about yourself!!" She whimpered. "You're a really nice person!!" She retorted, eyeing the roses and remembering all of the good things he always offered her and how he always tried to cheer her up. Of the dinner at Oscar's, of the ring, of their kiss at la fête, at their long chats on the balcony and him saving her from death. How can he say these things about himself?

"Would you still love me even if I wasn't as you expected me to be? If I wasn't a good man?" He pleaded and Juliette couldn't help but be upset at his words. Why all nice people think they are bad?!

"I'll always love you, Xander!" Then she frowned. "But please stop saddening me with your words, you ruined my rose time!" Then she ran again towards the roses. But she could still feel him standing rigid where she left him, and he was still watching her silently.

"Will you be mine, Juliette?" His voice was deeper than usual.

Her angelic eyes looked up at his dark obsidian ones, then she smiled. "Always."

They had spent two hours talking to each other about anything and everything. They were sitting on the bench with her on his lap. Juliette wanted to learn about him, and he answered every single one of her questions.

Xander is twenty seven, and to her surprise he's not entirely from Volkeï, but half Svėnian. He even taught her a few words from his language traśore tė, which means "I love you." She giggled as she remembered how he voiced the words. His accent sounded so foreign! Apparently, 'traśore' comes from treasure, so when Svėnians say the expression, they are literally saying, you are my treasure.

She also learned that Xander likes hunting. He'd always used to hunt when he was young, and is really good with catching wild beasts. It's one of his numerous talents. Juliette is a vegetarian and loves animals, so she was really saddened to hear this. But she remained silent upon hearing him talk so passionately about his hobbies, but she would talk to him later on about the hunting part.

She was also very sorry to learn that he had lost both of his parents. She knew the pain that comes with such loss.

He equally inquired about her, and she told him about her mama and their little cottage. He was surprised to hear she'd never visited the castle before leaving her home.

"I know the king is scary, but it was nice of him to let me in." He tensed at her words. "Auntie Mabel said no one was permitting me before she talked to him. I'm grateful for t-that." Then she looked up with her big innocent round eyes.

"You've told me that night that you and him are so similar but-but I don't see it! You're nice Xander!" His jaw twitched ever so slightly, she was sure she imagined it. But then she remembered that the King is his friend, and she must have upset him.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean..I know how much he means to you." His silence was a bit making her uncomfortable so she continued. "I also want to know more about him- if you of course don't mind. I sometimes wonder if all I hear is really just a rumor. I don't want to sound ignorant." Then she wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed his cheek. "If I'm wrong, help me understand better."

"What did I ever do to deserve you?" A rhetorical question, as he kissed her. "Traśore tė," he whispered huskily as he reached for her delicate hand and planted a soft kiss on it.

Then he frowned as his grip tightened around her hand. "Why are you not wearing your ring?"

"Oh! I took it off because I was baking today! I made an apricot tarte and Gregg said it was delightful! I ended up gifting it to him!" She still couldn't forget Gregg's face turning red and coughing when he took his first bite. That's because he didn't expect it to be this good, she remembered him saying. She smiled proudly.

"Gregg?" His jaw clenched and his eyes darkened. He set her down and stood up. She eyed him confused then her eyes widened in realization. He wants one of my tartes too!

"Oh don't worry Xandy!! I will make you one for you next time." Then she followed him and hugged his tensed torso tightly. She frowned how her head barely reached his chest. He's so tall!

She looked up at him and didn't know why he looked mad. "What's the matter, Xandy?"

"Xandy?" He grumbled as if the word gave him a bad taste.

"You don't like my nickname." Juliette sighed sadly.

"It's..fine..just don't do that in front of ..other people." Juliette giggled then nodded at him innocently. She was going to hug him again when she noticed his veins popping out of his biceps. She frowned in confusion as it only happens when he's upset, and sure enough a dark expression clouded his face.

He didn't let her finish her observation as he moved away toward the balustrade of the balcony, placing both of his hands across it. She tilted her head. He looks like a strong ruler gazing out at his kingdom. Juliette quickly shook that thought away as she eyed him confused.

"I don't like you spending time with that Gregg boy." He said darkly, muttering the last words with bitterness for some reason. Why wouldn't he like him?

"But why?" She stomped her foot childishly on the ground as she stared at his tense muscled back. It's not nice to judge people without meeting them!

"What do you mean why?" He suddenly turned and she took a step back at the fury in this eyes. He was livid. What's the matter with him!!

"You," He growled as he prowled towards her, his intimating height and the dark expression on his face making him look scary, she thought as her back reached the wall- "Are" he towered over her and placed both of his hands on the either sides of her head trapping her against him. His voice was so deep. "Mine."

He softened his gaze as he took note of her trapped expression. She was avoiding looking up at him. He hated himself as he tilted her chin to look up at him.

"Y-you're a-acting m-mean." She whimpered, her eyes welling up with tears.

"I'm so sorry my love, I didn't mean to scare you." He said as softly as he could, wiping a tear gently from her cheek. Regret filled his senses. How he loathed himself right now. What has he done. "I would never hurt you."

"Oh I k-know that." She sobbed as he pushed his chest away. He frowned at her in confusion.

"What's the matter, baby?" He asked carefully, making sure he sounded as nice and soft as he could.

"You don't like Gregg!" She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him, hoping it will make her seem scary. Xandy raised an eyebrow at her in amusement. He's supposed to be scared! "It's mean to judge people without meeting them!!" She scolded, tilting her neck up so she could meet his eyes.

"I suppose I was wrong," he admitted and to his relief a smile stretched across her angelic face. "I'm sorry, baby."

"And," she continued, her innocent eyes gazing up at him. "I'm sure you'll like him once you meet him!!"

"I'm sure he will too once I have a word with him." Juliette clapped her hands in excitement.

"Oh you'll have a lot of words! Since you'll be friends!" He pulled her to his hard chest and buried his face in her neck.

"My little innocent queen," she looked up at him with her big angelic eyes. "Q-queen?" She asked him innocently, testing out the unfamiliar words on her lips. She would have to get used to it soon enough, he thought proudly. "Of my heart." He corrected. But soon of my kingdom, he couldn't help but add to himself.

~.~.~.~
They are finally official! ♥
I think they have both crossed the uncomfortable stage, and I'm super happy especially on Juliette's part ♥
I wanted to add an evil cliffhanger but I thought it's super sweet to end it here ♥ besides I don't want you all to find me and kill me hahaha
What do you guys think?
Is the kingdom really striving as they say?
As always please vote, comment and let me know of your opinion and everything, it means the world to me ♥
Thank you so much for your support! I'm very grateful for every vote and comment of yours!

(And don't forget there's always Maximus' past if you want to know more about him in my book 'Ruler of Beasts')

I love you all so much! ♥
Take care and stay safe,
–theladyandthefox