Steven went on kissing her, ravishing her mouth. He had touched her everywhere, kissed every part of her body the previous night they spend together. But he had not explored her mouth. The softness of her rosy lips, the taste of her sweet tongue, the feeling of her beneath him, drew him crazy.

Steven had his heart beating at a high speed ever since he saw her. She was much more beautiful then any girl he had ever seen. And her innocence added up to the charm.

She gasped, as he bit on her lip, he held her waist, moving down to kiss her neck, the softness of her skin driving him crazy, her fragrance filling his lungs with desire.

But he was a little dissatisfied. Steven didn't like it if his partner didn't participate in the act of love making. The reason he got bored of his second wife Sharon, even though he had married her after so many accusations and oppositions.

He moved the sleeves of Natalia's clothes down, and kissed her shoulders, moving her dress slowly down.

"You are so damn beautiful " he said, as he kissed the valley of her breasts.

Her heavy breaths, the rise and fall of her heavy chest made his desires run wild.

Until there was a knock on their door.

"Sorry to interrupt my king" the voice said, "Queen Margaret's getting sicj"

Steven quickly moved away from Natalia.

"I'm coming " he said.

He watched Natalia getting up too.

"Stay here, come after a while. They should think we have.. " Steven instructed.

She nodded. Steven messed his hair further with his hand, and rushed out.

He stormed out of the room, where a maid handed him over his velvet robes that he put his arms in and tied as he walked towards Margaret's room.

As he reached, he saw Margaret on the bed, looking sick, with Buchanan holding his hand, and the healer by her side.

"How is she? " Steven asked as he walked in.

"I can lessen the pain, my lord. But, the disease would not go" the healer said.

"You are strong, you have to fight this" Steven said, sitting by her side.

"I am, just.... Steven, promise me you would take good care of Buchanan when I.. " she spoke, but Buchanan cut her mid sentence.

"You aren't going anywhere, mother. You can't do this to me" Buchanan said in anger.

"Yes, you are not. You hear me? Besides, your disease isn't fatal" Steven glared at the healer.

Her disease wasn't immediately fatal. But it had terrible affects on her body, she grew weaker and the pain was unbearable sometimes. Steven hated to see her in pain. She was his best friend, his childhood partner. He didn't love her romantically but as a friend, she held his heart.

"I'll get better healers for you, you'll get better, I.. " Steven was silenced by her finger on his lips.

"Shut up! Don't make promises you cannot keep. My king " she smiled.

Steven leaned in to kiss her forehead, and they both stayed with her, telling others to leave.

_______

Natalia dressed in proper clothes and decided to pay a visit to Queen Margaret. She was the elder queen, and Buchanan's mother. Natalia had always respected her.

She entered her chambers after seeking permission and curtsied, "Good evening, my dear Queen"

Margaret was in her bed still, but sitting up and reading.

"Queen Natalia! " she didn't stand up, but put her hand on her chest and bowed her head a little, "You are the 100th Queen. You need not curtsy in front of me or Sharon. Instead, we should be honoring you"

Natalia walked close to her and sat down by her side, holding her hand.

"Please, my queen. You are elder and the first queen. I can never match your honor. I'm embarrassed you had to.. " Natalia was lost at words.

"Its alright" Margaret pat her cheek, "the royal life is complicated. Welcome to the mess" she smiled.

"How are you feeling now? " Natalia asked.

"Better. My husband and son do everything they can to lessen my pain. I can't be more grateful" Margaret said, but Natalia could feel the bitterness behind her voice.

"I know what he did, Natalia. Buchanan never hides anything from me" Natalia's heart skipped a beat at this, her eyes got moist, "I wish an apology could return what you lost. But.. You deserved better. I wish.. "

"Its not your fault, my queen. My destiny was to be King Steven's queen" Natalia said, wiping her tears.

"Your destiny was to be the 100th queen, Natalia. You need to understand and value this position. I know why Steven agreed to this so easily.. " Margaret stopped speaking, as the door opened.

King Steven walked in, fully dressed in his king attire. The crown shining on his head.

"Ah!! And look where I find my new queen" he smirked, "with my eldest"

Natalia stood up and curtsied, while Margaret rolled her eyes.
Steven walked close to Natalia, and held her waist.

"Come my beautiful queen. Its almost time for dinner" he said, and kissed  her cheek. Natalia's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Get well soon, my beloved" he took Margaret's hand and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles. She just smiled back, her smile genuine but nit happy. She looked at Natalia, and she felt the helplessness.

"Let's go" Steven took Natalia's hand, and walked out of the room, dragging her with himself.

Natalia kept looking at Margaret, until they were out of the room, and the doors closed behind them.

******
Steven is so rude.
Natalia and Margaret are bonding.
Let's see how Sharon reacts to her.
Do give your reviews.