Steven kept kissing her hungrily, his hands running around her body, from her neck into her hair, the other down her back to her hips, he pulled her closer, their bodies crushed together. Her hands were on his shoulders, holding gently, her eyes closed. He could feel her heavy breaths, he could feel her heart beating harsh. When her tongue stroked his, he was further aroused, biting hard on her lips, she moaned into his mouth.

She started pushing him away, struggled, and he kept pulling her back, until they were both breathless. His mouth moved away from hers, but he didn't let go off her body. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hugging him tight, hiding her face in his shoulder.

"Why?.. Why, my beautiful queen? Why do you keep running from me? " he asked, his lips brushing her neck.

"I am not running " she replied in a low, breathless voice, "I.. I just need some time.. To adjust"

He moved back and held her arms, "Time?.. My beautiful queen? You.. We have been married for more then a week now" he said.

She had tears in her eyes, mixed with the rain now, as they fell on her cheeks, "A week? Just a week my king? Did you.. "

"Is it because of that night? " he asked, holding her close, "My beautiful queen" he cupped her cheeks, "I wish I had known better, I wish I had thought of.. I did what a king had to do.. But its done and behind us. You are my wife. My queen. The 100th queen of the kingdom"

She didn't reply, she just lowered her eyes and sobbed. He pulled her back into a hug.

"You are mine, only mine. You have to surrender to me. I do not want to force you again. I give you all the time we spend in Maximia. But once we return, you shall surrender my beautiful queen" he said.

He moved back, and then started to walk away. Natalia watched him go, and lowered her eyes. Soon, the maids arrived with umbrellas and towels and escorted her back to the shelter, getting her cleaned and dried, changing into dry clothes and then, getting her ready for the journey.

She was in a state of shock, she didn't respond to anything, just let them do what they had to. Until, William walked in and got on her lap.

"Mommy? Did daddy scold you? " he asked innocently.

She looked at him and cupping his cheeks, she kissed his forehead, "No, baby. He didn't "

"Did he kiss you? " he asked.

Natalia was embarrassed. Living in area of the mistresses, William knew a little more then he should at his age. But he was still innocent.

"I don't like Rosita, she says daddy loves her, but he doesn't mommy, she is a liar, she lies,  my daddy doesn't love bad Rosita" William spoke with hope in his eyes, "she say daddy kiss her, daddy love her. She is wrong. Daddy kiss me, daddy loves me. Mommy? Daddy loves you, because you are good"

Natalia pulled him into her arms and held him close to her heart, such an innocent little child he was, he didn't know what his father was. He didn't love anyone, not his wives, neither his mistresses. He loved only power.

"Willy, daddy loves you" she said, "Come on, let's go"

He nodded and hopped down, she took his hand and walked towards the carriages.

Steven awaited her by her carriage, she was confused and shocked. He held his hand out, and she put hers in his hand. He helped her get in, and then he looked into her deep emerald eyes, without a word, he moved away and then William got in. Catherine joined them a few seconds later.

"Daddy helped you in? Oh my God" she said excitedly, "he only did that for mom when she was angry"

Natalia didn't know if she should say something or not, she just couldn't get her self to trust or love her husband. She had to respect him, obey him, but she didn't know how to create a place for him in her heart. From the little window, she peeked out, and her eyes fell on Buchanan. Her heart ached. She quickly looked away. The man she had loved, was her step son now. She couldn't even recall her memories.

"Natalia?!! Where are you lost? " Catherine pulled her hand and she snapped out of her thoughts.

"Sorry" she said.

"I hope father falls in love with you and forgets that bitch Rosita" Catherine said.

"Mommy, the princess uses bad words" William put his hands on his mouth.

Natalia laughed, "Who is this Rosita? "

"She is a bitch, father's favorite mistress. He spends too much time with her. She thinks she is queen. " Catherine rolled her eyes.

"But I never saw her, he never.. " Natalia couldn't finish.

"That's because she is pregnant " Catherine huffed.

"Oh! " Natalia felt uncomfortable at the word, she didn't know why, but she didn't like to hear that news.

"You seem jealous " Catherine teased.

"No, I am not. Catherine? How? He is your father" Natalia was uncomfortable with these talks.

"Yeah, and he and my mother are friends, they couldn't get more then friendship, until they turned bitter. You are a better option then those mistresses any day" Catherine said, "I wish my parents were in love, but they are not. They can never be. And my mother is so ill that.. " she wiped a tear.

"I am sorry Catherine, its just feels awkward... I am sorry" Natalia looked away.

William was asleep by now, she just pat his back with love.

"Catherine? If.. If you had to marry the prince.. All of a sudden.. Unexpectedly someday.. Like I had to.. What would you do? " Natalia asked, recalling what Steven told her.

"I am a princess, my whole is life is full of unexpected events, I am always ready for whatever comes" she replied.

Natalia nodded and smiled faintly. She realized what a mess she had landed up in. Royal life was tough, and being a queen was the toughest. She didn't only have the duties of a queen, but also of a wife, who had to keep her husband to herself, even if she didn't like it.

*******
Natalia is given sometime.
She has competition too.
No one likes Rosita😂
What would happen now?
Do give your reviews.