The Queen and the Lion - Chapter 40
Aslan was taken aback. He tried to change the subject, saying, “Asking about other men right after we’ve been intimate? That’s quite rude of a queen.”
But Lysian wasn’t easily diverted. She insisted on an answer. Aslan hesitated. He didn’t want to lie, but he also didn’t want to repeat the insulting things Kaplan had said.
After a long pause, Aslan finally spoke. “I thought he might become the king consort. I was jealous, so I beat him up.”
Lysian’s eyes widened in surprise.
Aslan boldly met her gaze. “Is there something wrong with that?”
Lysian smiled, and it was clear she didn’t entirely believe him. However, Aslan was relieved.
“My Aslan is so cute,” she said, gesturing for him to come closer.
Aslan knelt before her. Though he was a formidable figure, Lysian felt no fear. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder.
“I love you so much. What am I going to do with you?”
“Whatever you want, Lysian,” Aslan replied, his voice thick with emotion.
Aslan reached out and pulled Lysian closer. He couldn’t believe how happy he was. He had never thought she would feel the same way about him.
Lysian felt the same way. She had thought she would have to force him to submit to her. But now that she knew he loved her too, she felt an overwhelming sense of joy and fulfillment.
As they held each other, they both realized the depth of their feelings.
The underground prison was still dark, but their expressions shone as brightly as if a brilliant light was shining down on them.
Their bodies, locked in an embrace, radiated warmth as they whispered sweet nothings. Aslan’s frame was large enough to envelop Lysian entirely. Yet, the cold seeping up from the stone floor couldn’t be completely blocked. Lysian’s delicate body was too frail to withstand the chill of the stone.
As soon as Lysian began to shiver, Aslan pulled her closer. Against his tanned skin, Lysian’s pale skin glowed like a pearl-encrusted porcelain doll.
Lysian gently stroked Aslan’s cheek with the back of her hand. His rough stubble grazed against her soft, white skin. She stroked his cheek softly and said with regret, “I must go now. I’ll settle things with Prince Kaplan soon and then I’ll come free you. Just wait a little while.”
“Take your time. I’ve spent my life sleeping on the ground, so I’m used to it,” Aslan replied indifferently.
Lysian disengaged herself from Aslan. She smoothed out the wrinkles in her dress and then left the prison with the natural grace of a ruler, as if nothing had happened.
Upon returning to her office, she immediately began to freshen up. While she wanted to release Aslan right away, she felt she owed it to Kaplan to at least inform him.
Her maids busied themselves around her, attending to her appearance. One maid smoothed out the wrinkles at the hem of her dress, while another replaced her jewelry. Another maid carefully arranged her pink hair that cascaded over her white collarbone. Lysian accepted these ministrations as her due and asked her head maid, Dandelion, “Where is Prince Kaplan?”
“The royal physician has visited him, and he is now resting in his quarters. Shall I have him brought here?”
“No, that’s alright. I’ll go to him.”
Dandelion’s expression hardened at Lysian’s words.
