[WARNING! This chapter contains mature R-18 content! Please read at your own discretion.]

~ [Music Recommendation: "Sunny Mornings" by Peder B. Helland (Instrumental only) - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter XD ~ 0////0

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When the king woke up the next day, he immediately regretted all the things he said the night before. He got up, sighed heavily, and covered his face with his hands. Even though the sun shined so brightly in their bedroom, the king's irritation dampened the atmosphere.

"Why in the twelve tribes do I always end up … being too honest with this woman?" King Calum grunted as he ruffled his hair in annoyance. "Is this a special trait of humans? Why are they so good at pulling the heartstrings? Argh!"

"Ughh," Azalea heaved. She was woken up by the grunting noises of the king. Seeing him ruffling his hair, she got up and asked, "Are you alright? Why are you scratching your head? Did something happen? Did you have a bad dream?"

King Calum twisted his body and turned to her. "It's all because of you, tsk!," King Calum clicked his tongue.

Azalea was taken aback. "D-did you just click your tongue on me?" she pouted and crossed her arm. "What did I do now?"

"Hmf! You manipulate me to say things I don't want to say, that's why".

"Pft!" Azalea tried to hold her laughter but she failed. "Ha ha ha ha ha! Seriously? That's the reason you're irritated so early in the morning?" She giggled like the fine queen she was, gracefully covering her mouth as she laughed.

"That's not all," the king crossed his arm, copying what Azalea did a few moments ago, and raised his eyebrow. "I've been such a good husband and I don't even get a reward for my good deeds".

Azalea laughed at him again. Then, she came closer and fixed his disheveled hair.

"Didn't you get your reward already? You kissed me for like … an hour? You like kissing so much, huh?"

"I deserved that for telling you what punishment I gave to that wicked Nefastus," he replied. "But I didn't get any for being honest and even saying … things I never shared with anyone".

"Oh, you're right," Azalea nodded. From the king's hair, she slid her hands to his neck and wrapped her arms around it, inching closer to him so their faces were near each other. "And what reward does my king want? Another kissing session? Ha ha ha ha!" she chuckled at the thought of it.

"Huh, are you sure you're asking me?" King Calum smirked at her question. "If I am to choose, I won't just settle with a kiss if I can get more". His smile turned mischievous. He, too, wrapped Azalea by the waist, pulling her closer to him. Then, he whispered to her ears in a low, husky voice, "Are you still not ready?"

Azalea's face flushed red as she felt his breath on her ears. Her heart pounded at his question. In her mind, she thought, "He's asking it again. Ahhh … what to do? Hmmm … Well, I did confess last night. And I do love him so … to be honest, I don't really mind it anymore. It's just a bit scary, I mean … but - wait, does he love me too? I never asked did I?"

Remembering so, Azalea looked at the king straight to his eyes. King Calum stared back at her.

"What?" he raised his eyebrows again.

"Well, uhm …," Azalea halted, thinking if she was ready to hear his answer to such a question.

"What is it? Speak up".

"I confessed to you last night, right?"

King Calum blushed as he recalled the sweet memory of Azalea telling him she loved him. "Y-yes, you did. Why?" he gulped, feeling his heart skip a beat.

"W-what's … your reply?" Azalea's voice turned into a mumble. She felt too embarrassed that she pushed her body a little bit further from the king.

Badump! Badump! Badump!

Their hearts beat loudly that they felt it ringing in their ears.

The answer was obvious for the king. He knew it for a while now, he was just … as he stated last night, and as Azalea figured out … stopping himself, and pushing people away from him.

"Last night, you said that I can't love you … and you can't love me back," Azalea continued. "Can I take that it means … you love me, too?" Her heart beat louder. She felt so nervous, waiting for his answer.

King Calum furrowed, "I told you, I don't want to lose you as well. So I really can't -"

" - I love you," Azalea confessed again, and gave the king a quick but warm kiss. "Please don't hold back. I'm not gonna die easily, you know. And besides, you'll protect me, right? My husband is the strongest king! Why should I be afraid?" She smiled at him endearingly, caressing his cheeks gently.

The king sighed heavily. "Alright, you win," he smiled back at her. "I ... I love you, too".

Azalea was overcome with joy upon hearing his reply. She jumped at him and hugged him tightly. Tears of great happiness fell from her eyes.

"I love you so much!" she yelled out in her delight. "Promise me you won't push me away again. And that you won't keep things from me. If you're feeling hurt, or sad, or anything at all, tell me. Let's go through them together, okay?"

King Calum gave off a genuine and heartfelt smile. When was the last time he felt so at peace with himself? Back when he was a child and his parents were still alive? He couldn't remember anymore. But suddenly, it didn't matter anymore. He basked himself in the warmth of Azalea's loving embrace.

"And as for your curse," Azalea added, "I believe that love is greater than any curse. So don't worry that harm will befall me because of it".

The king nodded his head in response. Then, he laid Azalea down on the bed and started kissing her passionately as he gently brushed her cheeks. Azalea closed her eyes and responded to the king's loving kiss. She moved her lips and tongue in accordance to King Calum's movements.

"Why does it seem that his kiss is different?" Azalea asked herself. "Is it because our feelings are finally connected?" Her heart continued to pound in her chest and it got wilder by each passing minute.

After a few minutes of intense kissing, King Calum began to undress Azalea. He pulled up her nightgown, revealing her sexy laced undergarment beneath. It was very thin and on a color near her rosy complexion, giving an illusion of her being naked.

King Calum chuckled. "I guess I have to thank the maids for keeping you on wearing such a seductive outfit underneath".

"D-don't stare at me," Azalea lifted her arms and tried to cover the king's eyes.

"Why? But you look so hot in that, I like it".

"Stop it!" Azalea felt so embarrassed. "I won't wear this again".

"No, wear it again. I told you, I like it," King Calum teased her. "If you don't want to …," he leaned closer to her ears, "you can always go 'commando' instead".

"What?" Azalea was puzzled. "What does that mean?"

King Calum smirked as he answered her. "It means … 'no undergarments' beneath your clothes. I'm good with that, too. Making it easier".

Azalea's face quickly turned red. "W-what nonsense are you s-saying? W-why would someone - not wear … ugh, that's just … weird. And uncomfortable!"

"Then, it's settled," King Calum decided, "You're gonna wear this again".

"Ugh, but -," Azalea attempted to rebut again, but King Calum sealed her lips with yet another passionate kiss. "Ahhh …" Her body started to warm up from all the kissing.

As the king resumed his kiss, he unhooked Azalea's bra, and slid it off her chest. Then, he fondled both of her breasts which made Azalea jolt in surprise.

"Ahh! P-please be gentle!"

"Oops! Sorry," the king apologized. "Did I grope too hard?"

Azalea blushed again. "W-why do you keep on saying embarrassing things?"

"Hmm?" King Calum tilted his head, obviously teasing her. "I'm just saying what I'm doing though? You don't like it? Should I have said … fondling instead?" And he gave off that devilish smirk again.

"S-stop that!"

"Ha ha ha ha!" the king laughed at her cuteness. "Sorry, but I won't stop. I'll keep on saying it as much as I want. This is my reward after all". Then, he continued fondling Azalea's chest, but this time, gentler. "Do you want to know what else I'll do to you?"

Azalea covered her face in embarrassment. "No, please don't".

But the king ignored her answer. He grabbed her hands that covered her face and looked at her straight in the eyes. With a haughty look, he teased her once more.

"This lips and tongue," he pointed at his mouth, "will travel all throughout your body. And you don't need to worry. I'm sure you're gonna love it".