Chapter 46
Kira stared at Derek, her mind completely blank as he finally pulled back. His amber eyes remained locked on hers, intense and unreadable. To anyone watching from the doorway, it looked like a tender, private moment between a husband and wife. A slow, satisfied smile spread across Nana’s face, and she took a small step backwards into the hall.
“Alright, then. I shall leave you two to it,” Nana said softly. She stepped out of the room and pulled the door shut behind her.
The moment the latch caught, Kira wriggled out of Derek’s grip and shot him a death glare that could have scorched paint. Her heartbeat had picked up race, but she forced herself to remain furious at him.
“You disgust me,” she muttered, her voice trembling with a mix of fury and lingering shock. She did not wait for a response before she started to walk away.
“I should have handled last night better,” he called after her.
Kira stopped in her tracks and turned slowly to look at him, her expression hard. “Yes, you should have. But you did not p>
“I will get to the bottom of what happened and find out the truth,” he said, taking a half-step toward her. “Let bygones be bygones p>
Kira tilted her head, her gaze cold. “Do whatever you wish, Your Grace. The kingdom is yours, after all p>
With that, she turned on her heel and marched out of the room, her heels clicking sharply on the floor. Derek stood in the centre of the room, watching her go. Inside him, his beast, Leo, let out a low, satisfied purr. Derek quickly suppressed the feeling, and left the bedroom to escape the intoxicating cloud of her jasmine scent that had suddenly turned far too sweet.
He followed her at a measured pace, knowing Nana would expect them to come down together for breakfast. He caught up to her just as she reached the entrance to the kitchen.
Nana was already seated at the long oak table, a delicate teacup cradled in her hands. Ishita and two other omegas hurried about, setting plates of fresh fruit, warm bread, scrambled eggs, and slices of smoked salmon. The air smelled of toasted bread, coffee, and the faint floral notes of Nana’s favourite tea.
The moment Derek and Kira entered, the three omegas bowed quickly.
“Good morning, Your Grace. Good morning, Your Highness p>
“Good morning to you too,” Kira answered. Her voice was suddenly bright and bubbly, a complete contrast to the woman who had just called Derek disgusting. She beamed at the staff. “I trust your night was peaceful p>
The two younger omegas bobbed their heads shyly while Ishita answered, “Yes, Your Highness. Very peaceful p>
“Good morning, Nana,” Kira said, crossing the room to press a light peck to the elderly woman’s cheek.
Nana beamed, looking delighted as she took a slow sip of her tea. “And how do you feel this morning, my dear p>
Kira let a wide, sunny smile spread across her face. “I’m Kira—always fine p>
Nana chuckled, glancing from her to Derek, who stood a few paces behind with his usual unreadable expression. He was clearly wondering why Kira was suddenly so bubbly seconds after her coldness upstairs.
Will he ever understand this woman?
“I see you two have settled your little difficulties,” Nana said as Kira stepped back. “New couples always bicker, but the sweetness is found in the reconciliation p>
Kira forced a fake, sweet smile, reaching for a chair to pull it out, but Derek was faster. He reached past her, his hand grasping the back of the chair to slide it out for her. It was a polite, kingly gesture, but Kira was still seething and petty. Even though she was playing along with this charade for Nana’s sake, she wanted him to pay.
She decided it was time to teach him a small lesson.
She suddenly stepped back and stomped her heel down hard on his foot once. And did it a second time for good measure. Derek let out a sharp yelp of pain. He let go of the chair instantly as a stinging ache shot up his leg.
“Oh, my goddess!” Kira cooed and turned around with a look of pure, wide-eyed innocence and deep remorse. “Does that hurt? Oh, goddess, what have I done? I am so clumsy p>
Derek gripped the edge of the table, his face turning a shade of red as he hobbled on one foot. He shot a murderous look at Kira, his eyes blazing.
“Oh, dear,” Nana said, her voice full of concern. “I am so sorry, Drek p>
Ishita and the omegas stood frozen, looking back and forth between the King and Queen, unsure if they should fetch a doctor or stay out of the way.
Kira moved toward Derek with exaggerated worry. “Oh, my darling, that must really hurt a lot. Let me get you a chair. Come sit. Come, come.” She reached out to take his hand, but Derek snatched it away as if she were made of fire.
“Don’t touch me!” he barked.
Kira recoiled instantly, lowering her head, her expression shifting into one of deep, wounded hurt.
“Drek, do not be so harsh with her,” Nana scolded him immediately. “It was only a mistake, and she is clearly very sorry about it p>
Derek knew better. He knew there was nothing accidental about the way those heels had found his foot. The tiny, satisfied curl at the corner of Kira’s lips told him everything he needed to know. He wanted to shout that she had done it on purpose, but that would open a can of worms he wasn’t ready to deal with in front of Nana.
He glared at the chair Kira had pulled out for him, then at Nana, then back at Kira. Her gaze told him exactly what she was thinking: You deserved that.
He let out a long, frustrated sigh and limped toward the chair. “Perhaps I need to get you glasses,” he bit out through clenched teeth as he sat down. “So that you would see better p>
Kira smiled inwardly and leaned down toward his ear, her fingers gently stroking his hair in a way that looked affectionate to everyone else in the room. “Why are you being so emotional, Your Grace?” she whispered directly into his ear.
Derek’s head snapped toward her, his eyes narrowed. Kira ignored the look and gave him a sinister, triumphant smile.
“It is just a stomp on your foot,” she whispered, her voice like silk. “The contract states there are to be no emotions or useless sentiments, remember? So, get over it and let us enjoy our breakfast p>
Derek’s hand tightened around the handle of his butter knife until his knuckles turned white. Kira only let out a soft, delighted chuckle, pressed a quick kiss to his temple, and glided over to her own chair beside him.
Derek couldn’t tell what he was feeling anymore. Part of him wanted to stay furious at this damn woman, but Leo was purring like an idiot inside him, drunk on the brief press of her lips and the lingering trace of jasmine.
Nana cackled with delight as she watched Derek stare at Kira. Kira, meanwhile, was gracefully pouring coffee into her mug. She then reached over and filled Derek’s mug as well, wearing a sweet, dutiful smile.
“Let bygones be bygones, darling,” she said softly.
“You two are so cute,” Nana said, setting her teacup down. “Reminds me of my own early years of marriage p>
Kira turned and beamed at the elderly woman. “Of course, Nana. Marriage is a beautiful thing p>
Sweet Kira: 2. Ruthless King Derek: 00, Kira thought with vicious satisfaction as she took her first sip of coffee.