Chapter 238 His Quiet Devotion
Rosalind looked at him with open disbelief.
He lowered the bowl, hoping she would believe him now that she had seen him drink it without so much as a flinch. Yet the stubborn look that remained on her face told him she still wasn’t convinced.
“I don’t know whether to believe you,” she admitted before rambling on,
“I feel like we have completely different taste buds. Remember when we stayed at the beach house and you happily ate those salty eggs? I still can’t understand how anyone could enjoy those.”
Rowan on the other hand was thinking that If he tried to persuade her any longer, she would only find another excuse to avoid it.
A quiet sigh escaped him as a thought crossed his mind, and although it was hardly the most proper solution, it would certainly be the quickest.
Instead, he lifted another mouthful of the medicine, but this time he didn’t swallow it.
Before Rosalind could question what he was doing, his hand gently cupped the side of her neck and drew her closer.
She let out a startled gasp.
The distance between them disappeared in an instant as his lips captured hers.
Rosalind’s eyes widened, and before she could even think to pull away, she felt the warm medicine pass from his mouth into hers. It slid slowly down her throat before she had the chance to resist, leaving her with no choice but to swallow it.
Her fingers instinctively tightened around the front of his robe.
’He had tricked her’
Rosalind pulled back and shot him a look of disbelief, her brows knitting together as though she wanted to scold him for taking advantage of her surprise. Yet the words refused to come, and the warmth lingering between them slowly stole the complaint from her lips.
She couldn’t even bring herself to complain. Perhaps it was because the bitterness had somehow become the least memorable part of the experience, or perhaps it was because the unexpected kiss had distracted her so completely that she had barely noticed herself swallowing it.
She could only stare at him in stunned silence.
****
After she finished the last of the medicine, Rosalind let out a long breath, her chest rising and falling as she looked up at him with a mixture of disbelief and reluctant acceptance.
Rowan met her gaze, the corners of his lips lifting into the faintest tease. “I think it’s going to be more effective this way.”
Rosalind stared at him for a moment before shaking her head.
“It looks like you’ll have to start giving me my medicine from now on,” she muttered thoughtfully. Then, after a brief pause, she added, “As long as we’re drinking it together.”
It simply didn’t seem fair that she was the only one forced to endure bitter medicine while everyone else got to keep their sweet tongues untouched.
“I would,” Rowan answered without the slightest hesitation.
His reply came so naturally that it made her heart soften.
“Would you like to sleep again?” he asked gently.
Rosalind nodded.
Setting the empty bowl aside, Rowan opened his arms without another word. She quietly crawled back into his embrace, resting her head against his chest as though that was where she belonged. A small shiver ran through her, and she lightly rubbed her lips together, still trying to rid herself of the lingering taste.
Rowan smiled to himself before pulling the duvet over her shoulders and carefully tucking it around her.
“If you think about it, Rosalind,” he began quietly, his fingers absently stroking her back, “the medicine does leave behind a sweet aftertaste.”
She looked up at him with mild confusion.
“Does it?” she asked before thoughtfully running her tongue over her lips. “I’ve never noticed.”
The innocent sincerity in her voice made Rowan chuckle under his breath. He said nothing more, simply allowing her to settle closer against him until she was comfortably nestled in his arms once again.
The peaceful silence between them lasted only a short while before a careful knock sounded at the chamber door.
“Your Majesty…”
The guards stepped inside as quietly as possible, but the moment they caught sight of the king holding the sleeping Queen so protectively, they immediately lowered their heads in respect.
“More of the rebels have been captured and brought to the palace,” one of them reported.
Rowan’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
The mere mention of the rebels was enough to remind him of the unrest they had continued to spread throughout the kingdom. Had he been acting purely on emotion, he would have ordered their execution without listening to a single explanation. But anger had no place in judgment.
“Have them locked away,” he ordered calmly. “I’ll interrogate them later.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The guard bowed deeply before quietly withdrawing from the chamber.
No sooner had the door closed than another knock followed.
An attendant stepped inside and bowed.”Your Majesty, the council is waiting.”
Rosalind sighed inwardly.
Moments like these reminded her that no matter how much she wished otherwise, she could never truly have her husband all to herself. There would always be matters of the kingdom demanding his attention.
“Postpone the meeting,” Rowan said without a moment’s hesitation.
The attendant remained where he was, uncertain whether he had heard correctly.
Rosalind lifted her head to look at Rowan. “You don’t have to…” she began softly.
“Yes, I do,” Rowan replied, meeting her eyes. “I already told you I was staying here.”
There was no uncertainty in his voice as he said so. Turning back to the attendant, he didn’t need to repeat himself. The man immediately understood, bowed once more, and silently left the room, closing the door behind him.
As silence settled around them again, Rowan tightened his arms around Rosalind’s waist and held her a little closer.
Ever since that frightening moment, nothing else had mattered. He had abandoned everything without a second thought because no council meeting, military report, or matter of state could ever outweigh her life.
The memory of arriving after she had already been in pain still weighed heavily on him, and although he could not change what had happened, he intended to remain by her side for as long as she needed him.
At least now, while she rested safely in his arms, he could give her the comfort he hadn’t been there to offer when she needed it most.