The Queen and the Lion - Chapter 66
Completely oblivious to the women’s flirtations, Aslan dismissed their behavior as mere business tactics. His reply only deepened Lysian’s frustration.
Though Aslan didn’t possess the delicate beauty typical of Florea, his strong and masculine features exuded a refreshing charm. While the social circles of Florea often favored more androgynous beauty, Aslan’s looks were undoubtedly attractive by general standards.
And then there was his physique. His well-defined arm muscles, broad chest, and the firm lines of his abs visible beneath his clothes made it clear why the women were so drawn to him. After all, even Lysian herself found those features irresistible.
Muttering to herself, Lysian grumbled.
“There were so many people around, yet they were all focused on you. It’s obvious they were trying to win you over, thinking you were some brother dragged to the festival by his younger sister.”
“Are you jealous?”
Aslan stoked the flames of Lysian’s irritation with his question. Whether he was genuinely unaware or teasing her intentionally, Lysian placed a delicate hand on her forehead and sighed.
“You’re just too popular. I should have expected this.”
For a moment, Aslan was at a loss for words, caught off guard by her remark.
Who was she to say such things?
Aslan, who had once been compared to the likes of Prince Kaplan of Heiban and Chrysanthemum, Florea’s youngest diplomat, found Lysian’s reaction—spurred merely by a few women’s advances—both bewildering and endearing.
With a soft chuckle, Aslan replied.
“And who was the kingdom’s most sought-after bride again?”
“That’s only because I’m the queen,” Lysian retorted.
“Now, that’s nonsense.”
Shaking his head with a wry smile, Aslan dismissed her words.
Lysian’s beauty, unrivaled even within the kingdom, made her self-deprecating remarks sound more like playful jests than genuine humility. Smiling faintly, Aslan drew her into a gentle embrace.
“Don’t sulk. You know better than anyone that there’s no one but you for me.Aslan’s soothing voice sent Lysian’s heart racing. Of course, she knew that he only had eyes for her.
She also knew that his suggestion to visit the apple pie shop wasn’t because of the pretty waitress, but simply because she knew everything, yet she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of unease. Lysian pulled Aslan closer by the waist and murmured,
“I can’t wait any longer. I need to make you mine right away.”
“Aren’t I already yours?”
Aslan humored Lysian’s complaint, gently comforting her. It was rare for her to act this way, considering how she was usually far more mature than her age.
Lysian tilted her head up, her hood slipping slightly to reveal her light purple eyes glimmering as they locked onto Aslan. He swallowed hard. Her expression was resolute, the kind she wore when she’d made up her mind and would never back down.
“On the Day of the Blue Parakeet, I will declare to the ministers that you shall become my king consort.”
“Isn’t that too soon?”
Startled, Aslan asked in surprise. But Lysian’s determination was unwavering. She shook her head firmly.
“Your lessons have all yielded excellent results. And enough time has passed. The ministers won’t be able to object now.”
Aslan, too, wanted to become Lysian’s king consort.
But he couldn’t be sure the ministers who had opposed him before would accept him so easily. He wanted to show them a more flawless version of himself, but he wasn’t confident in the progress he’d made thus far. His uncertainty showed on his face.
Noticing Aslan’s wavering heart, Lysian grasped his hands tightly and spoke with strength.
“The time has finally come to fulfill my promise from that day. Aslan Yilmaz, will you marry me?”
“…Of course. I’d be honored.”
Overwhelmed with emotion at Lysian’s unwavering desire for him, Aslan held back the surge in his chest and answered with a trembling heart.
A warrior who had never shed a tear through all the pain and hardship he had endured, his voice now quivered with emotion.
Under the moonlight shining upon them in the now-darkened night, the fullness of the night seemed to reflect the completeness of this moment.
Finally, a tear rolled down Aslan’s cheek. Beneath the unusually vivid light of the moon, his tears shone, impossible to hide. For the first time, the strong warrior revealed a vulnerable and tender side of himself.
Lysian gently pulled Aslan’s neck toward her. Though she was still much shorter than him, she stood on tiptoe, raising herself as high as she could.
Her lips brushed against his tear-streaked cheek.
It was a soft, tranquil kiss, like a petal cradling a drop of dew.
