Chapter 114
The aroma within Azure’s bath chamber was thick and intoxicating, heavy with crushed rose petals and suffocating oils that did nothing to soothe the phantom chill clinging to her skin. She sat immersed in the warm water, her head resting back against the porcelain rim, eyes closed as the steam curled around her face. But her mind was miles, and years, away.
Like a cruel current, her memory dragged her back to an afternoon painted in sunlight.
In her memory, Azure stood at the exit door of a quaint, sunlit estate, her heart fluttering with anticipation. She was dressed in a simple, bright gown patterned with delicate wildflowers—a dress that spoke of quiet joy, domestic peace, and an unburdened spirit. When the heavy wooden door swung open, her face broke into a radiant, genuine smile.
Standing on the threshold was a tall, well-built man with long, golden-blond hair falling over his shoulders and striking, crystal-blue eyes that softened the second they landed on her.
“Koa,” she breathed, throwing her arms around his neck without hesitation.
Koa chuckled, a deep, warm sound, and wrapped his strong arms securely around her waist, pulling her flush against him. “I’m home, my dear p>
Azure pulled back, her cheeks flushed with delight, and ushered him inside, closing the heavy oak door behind him. Koa carried a leather satchel in one hand, his posture slightly weary from a long day, but his eyes were entirely fixed on his wife.
“How was the meeting?” Azure asked, following him into the cozy parlour.
He walked toward the plush couch and sat down with a gentle sigh, leaning his head back for a brief second. Azure immediately sat beside him, her presence comforting and attentive.
“It was stressful, my dear,” Koa murmured, a tired smirk playing on his lips. “The Major kept trying to drag the briefing out for another hour. But I needed to get home to my wife as soon as possible p>
Azure’s face brightened instantly, a deep blush creeping up her neck. “Aw, Koa… that’s really sweet p>
“I bought you something,” Koa said, his tone turning playful. He lifted the leather satchel into his lap and unbuckled the straps slowly, enjoying the curiosity flashing across Azure’s face.
“What is it?” she asked, leaning in closer with a wide, childish grin.
Koa reached into the bag and pulled out a bundle wrapped in fine parchment. He dropped the empty satchel onto the rug, stood up, and held the garment by its shoulders, letting the fabric unroll smoothly before her eyes.
Azure’s breath caught in her throat. Her eyes widened in absolute mesmerization, her mouth parting in awe as she slowly rose to her feet.
The dress was a breathtaking masterpiece of craftsmanship. It was fashioned from the softest silk in a shade of deep midnight violet, catching the sunlight like water. Cascading down the bodice and sweeping down the full, ethereal skirt were intricate, hand-stitched silver embroidery patterns resembling shimmering constellations. The neckline was sweetheart-cut, lined with subtle, iridescent pearls that gave the luxurious fabric an extraordinarily cute, romantic elegance. It looked impossibly expensive, fit for royalty, yet styled with a delicate sweetness that felt entirely tailored for Azure.
“Do you love it?” Koa asked, his voice filled with quiet pride as he watched her reaction.
Azure stepped forward, her hands trembling slightly as her fingertips brushed against the impossibly soft, liquid silk. “This is… this is gorgeous, Koa. I love it so much p>
“I’m very glad you do,” he said softly.
Azure couldn’t tear her eyes away from the glittering fabric, but a sudden thought made her pause. She looked up at him, her brows furrowing slightly. “This dress looks extremely expensive, Koa… how much was it p>
Koa chuckled nervously, lowering his hands and sitting back down on the couch, resting the heavy silk dress across his lap. “It wasn’t really that expensive, my dear p>
Azure crossed her arms, a playful yet suspicious eyebrow raised. “Tell me, Koa. How much p>
He looked up at her, letting out a defeated, gentle sigh. “It cost… just twelve hundred gold coins p>
“What?!” Azure gasped, her eyes practically popping out of her head. “Just twelve hundred gold coins?! Koa, that is a fortune! That is far too much for a single dress p>
Koa smiled, reaching out to grasp her hands and pulling her down to sit beside him once more. His expression softened with overwhelming tenderness. “I know it’s a lot of money, my love. But I would spend anything for you. I saw it in the market, and I knew the moment I laid eyes on it that it belonged on you p>
“But Koa,” Azure protested softly, her heart melting even as she worried, “that money could have been used for important things around the house… for our future p>
Koa reached out, his warm, calloused fingers gently caressing her cheek, smoothing away the tension in her brow. “My dear wife… you spend every single day worrying and taking care of this house. But you seem to forget that you are living, too. You deserve to be taken care of. And that is my job p>
“Koa she whispered.
“No, no, I won’t hear another word of protest,” he interrupted gently, his thumb rubbing over her cheekbone. “You deserve this. Besides, I earn more than enough at the garrison. This is no problem at all. I don’t ever want you living as though I can’t provide for you. I do all of this for our family—for you, and for the children we will have together one day p>
A tear of pure, unadulterated happiness welled in Azure’s eye. She leaned into his touch, her smile radiant. “Koa… you always manage to make me fall more in love with you every single day p>
Koa smiled, his eyes twinkling. “If yours is every day, my dear, then mine is every second p>
Azure let out a soft, melodic laugh.
Koa lifted the dress up, handing it to her with an eager grin. “Now, go try it on for me p>
“Alright, alright,” Azure said, gathering the heavy silk into her arms. “I’ll be right back p>
A few minutes later, the soft rustle of silk echoed down the wooden staircase.
Koa stood up slowly from the couch, his breath catching in his chest as Azure stepped into the parlour. The dress fit her body like it was spun by the gods themselves. The midnight-violet silk hugged her waist perfectly before flaring out into a soft, flowing train that swished against the floor. The iridescent pearls at the neckline reflected the light, casting a subtle, ethereal glow across her throat, but it was the deep violet hue of the fabric that did the impossible—it amplified the natural, striking purple of her eyes, making them look like two glowing amethysts amidst the shadows.
She stopped a few feet in front of him, her cheeks burning crimson under his intense gaze.
“Are you just going to keep staring,” Azure murmured, biting her lower lip with a shy smile, “or are you going to tell me what you think p>
Koa stepped forward as if hypnotized. “Beautiful… gorgeous… mesmerizing… breathtaking… heavenly p>
He reached out, taking both of her hands and interlocking his fingers with hers. “My wife,” he whispered.
Without breaking eye contact, Koa gently pulled her close, stepping side to side in a slow, unscripted dance across the parlour floor.
“What are you doing?” Azure laughed, her heart pounding with joy.
“My wife is majestic,” Koa declared. Suddenly, he slid his hands down to her waist and lifted her off her feet entirely!
“Koa!!” Azure gasped, letting out a loud, delighted laugh as he twirled her around in a circle.
“Every king and every man in the world will be jealous of me,” Koa called out over her laughter, “because I have the most beautiful wife! And every queen and woman will envy you because of your majestic beauty p>
He slowly slowed his spin, lowering her feet back to the ground. But he didn’t let go. He framed her face with his warm palms, looking down into her eyes with an intensity that made the rest of the world vanish.
“My dear wife,” Koa said, his voice dropping to a thick, emotionally charged whisper, “I love you with my entire life. I cannot imagine an existence without you p>
Azure beamed, resting her hands over his wrists. “I love you more than the life I have, Koa p>
He leaned down, pressing his lips against hers in a slow, passionate, soul-binding kiss that tasted of absolute peace and devotion.
When he finally pulled back, resting his forehead against hers as they both caught their breath, a mischievous smirk touched his lips. “I bought you something else, my dear p>
Azure giggled, shaking her head. “Really? Another gift p>
Koa nodded, slipping one hand into his coat pocket. He withdrew a small, delicate piece of jewelry and opened his palm to reveal it.
Azure leaned in, her purple eyes wide with wonder. “What is this p>
“It’s a leg anklet, my dear,” Koa explained softly. He held up the thin, understated chain. “It looks simple, but it signifies our marriage. Our bond is built on simplicity, clear communication, and understanding—avoiding unnecessary conflict. And the pure gold… the gold represents your heart p>
Azure’s face turned crimson, her heart overflowing with so much love it felt painful.
Koa smoothly dropped down to one knee before her, holding the thin golden chain in his fingers as he looked up into her eyes. “Which is why I want you to wear it, my love. Forever p>
Azure nodded eagerly, a misty smile on her face. “Put it on me p>
Koa smiled brightly, gently reaching down to gather the hem of the violet silk dress, raising it just enough to expose her delicate ankle. He unbuckled the small clasp, wrapped the golden chain around her skin, and fastened it securely. He stood up, smoothing down her dress. “It fits perfectly p>
Azure raised her skirt slightly, admiring the simple golden band glinting against her skin. “I love it, Koa. It’s beautiful.” She looked up at him with utter devotion. “I will never, ever take it off p>
SNAP.
The memory shattered like brittle glass, violently dissolving into the suffocating reality of the present.
Azure’s eyes snapped wide open in the dark, warm water of the bathtub. She sat bolt upright, gasping and panting wildly for air as if she were drowning. A harsh, agonizing spasm shot through her chest, and she clutched her heart, her knuckles turning white.
Tears streamed down her flushed cheeks, hot and unstoppable, stinging her eyes as they turned bloodshot.
“Koa she whispered, her voice a broken, agonizing rasp that barely carried over the sound of sloshing water.
The illusion was gone. The protective lie her mind had spun for years had completely disintegrated.
Trembling uncontrollably, Azure stumbled out of the bathtub, the cold air hitting her wet skin like needles. She grabbed a linen drying cloth draped over the rim of the tub, wrapping it tightly around her body with shaking hands.
Step by agonizing step, her bare, wet feet dragged across the cold tile of the bath chamber threshold. She pushed past the curtain, her eyes staring blankly into the bedroom—and froze.
Standing right beside her mattress, illuminated by the pale moonlight, was Odesse.
Azure’s breath hitched in her throat. She stared at the Queen, her purple eyes wide, bloodshot, and brimming with fresh, heavy tears.
“Odesse Azure breathed softly, her voice devoid of its usual venom, sounding entirely shattered.