The Queen and the Lion - Chapter 36
Aslan looked away, swallowing his despair. Even a condemned prisoner probably wouldn’t feel this way. His mouth went dry. Unable to bear the silence, Aslan spoke.
“…I am sorry for attacking a potential consort. If you want me to pay with my life, I will accept it.”
For the first time, Aslan used the most respectful form of address with Lysian. It wasn’t as if he was incapable of being polite, but he felt he had earned the right to be casual.
Lysian’s gaze fell upon Aslan’s bowed head as he humbly offered to pay with his life.
Aslan’s heart pounded. It felt like his heartbeat echoed loudly in the silent room.
“What are you saying? If you were to pay with your life, what would become of my consort?”
Lysian replied in a petulant tone. Aslan slowly raised his head at Lysian’s words.
Aslan couldn’t understand what she meant. It was as if…
Seeing Aslan’s dumbfounded expression, Lysian shook her head.
She didn’t know why Aslan had assaulted Kaplan, but it didn’t really matter. Even if Aslan had killed Kaplan, it might have been the same.
However, she felt the need to express her feelings to him at this point. Ignoring Aslan’s response, Lysian declared firmly,
“I haven’t announced it yet, but I intend to make you, my consort.”
Aslan’s jaw dropped.
His dumbfounded expression became even more dumbfounded.
**Lysian thought he looked almost cute, as if he were completely smitten. **
Aslan stood up abruptly and approached Lysian. With his head a head and a half taller than hers, Lysian had to crane her neck to look up at him. But her gaze remained regal.
Aslan grabbed the iron bars so hard that they rattled. He leaned in through the bars and asked, forgetting his newfound respect due to the shock of Lysian’s words.
“…But isn’t Your Majesty going to make the prince her consort?”
“I don’t understand why you would think that.”
Lysian’s brow furrowed. The coldness in her eyes was unwavering and resolute.
Aslan finally realized that Lysian wasn’t lying. But he couldn’t believe it. Him, as consort? It was too good to be true.
Given all the mistakes he had made, he couldn’t help but doubt this newfound happiness. Aslan mumbled, listing Kaplan’s qualities, trying to understand why he couldn’t accept this situation.
“A prince has better blood than someone like me, is more handsome, and is more suitable to be a consort…”
“Those things are utterly useless. A consort is simply a consort and shouldn’t interfere in politics. Someone who scheming like that is unsuitable. Besides, no matter how good his bloodline or how handsome he is, my child will only inherit my genes, so it’s all meaningless.”
Lysian replied sharply.
The qualities Aslan had praised about Kaplan were of no use to Lysian. She wasn’t willing to let Aslan go just because of those things.
Lysian reached through the bars and grabbed Aslan by the collar, pulling his head close. Her lips were almost touching his as she spoke clearly, so he couldn’t misunderstand.
“I like you. I’ve told you that many times.”
“But I’m just a, well, a mere soldier…”
“I said we would get married after the war. It seems my wish will come true.”
Lysian had no intention of listening to Aslan’s stammering. She simply stated her own words.
Aslan’s face flushed when he realized Lysian remembered everything she had said. Amused by his embarrassed expression, Lysian laughed and kissed his cheek.
Aslan, unable to hide his redness, asked in a stuttering voice.
“Th-then why did Your Majesty come here?”
If she planned to make him her consort, they could have had this conversation in her chambers after he was released. The underground prison was far from the palace, deep and secluded, and it would have been difficult for the Queen to come. Aslan was puzzled as to why she would come to such a place.
But Lysian was confident. She said proudly, without a hint of shame or hesitation,
“I wanted to try it here in the prison. With you bound like this. It’s quite convenient.”
Aslan wondered if he had heard correctly. But before he could think further, Lysian pulled him closer through the bars. Oh dear. He knew about her preferences, but he hadn’t expected this, even in this situation. Aslan called out to her in confusion.
“Your, Your Majesty?! Surely, you’re not…”
“Shh.”
Lysian’s fingertips gently pressed against his lips. Her eyes curved seductively. It was a sweet smile, one that fully utilized her beautiful appearance.
Lysian’s pale pink lips moved as she whispered to Aslan,
“Lysian.”
It was the signal for their encounter to begin.
