FALLEN ANGEL: MARRIED TO THE DEMON KING
Chapter 36: THE FIRST BREAKFAST (2)

Chapter 36: THE FIRST BREAKFAST (2)

They walked to the gazebo in silence, as Arella admired the white flowers in the garden. Up close, they were even more beautiful. The petals glittered in the sunlight, which is what gave the whole garden that sense of being illuminated when someone watched it from afar.

Echo trailed behind them, his large form casting a shadow over the garden path. As they neared the table, the soft clink of silverware being set and the gentle murmur of servants filled the air. Velmoria, who had slipped away from them a few moments before, was directing the servants on the placement of the silverware and food.

The servants had finished by the time their king and queen stopped by the gazebo. Those who were not directly serving the royals gave a bow before leaving the garden. Those who were left stood quietly to the side, waiting for any instructions.

The king held Arellla’s seat out for her. "Thank you," she folded her wings tightly behind her back before taking the seat. Echo sat beside her, his glowing eyes scanning the surroundings. Arella reached down and gave his fur a soft, absent-minded ruffle as she settled herself in.

King Varziel looked down at the Shadow Hound as he himself took his seat. "You have a unique companion," he remarked. His tone was more observant than inquisitive. "I doubt I have seen any humans, let alone angles, manage to tame one. They are usually driven by their hunger for infernal energy, which makes them notoriously difficult to tame."

Arella glanced down at Echo. "Echo and I have an understanding, don’t we, boy? If he tries to eat me, I kill him." She stopped petting his head to pick up the teapot. She filled her tea cup with the warm tea. "It is really that simple. Some tea?" She raised the teapot, shaking it slightly in his direction.

King Varziel extended his own cup, thankful that the table was not too wide, giving her the chance to fill it. His lips were quirked in amusement.

"Velmoria asked me the same thing." She deftly filled his cup. "But all I can tell you for certain is that he and I have been through more together than I care to count." The Shadow Hound gave a soft rumble of agreement.

"I suspect he might have bonded with you, and perhaps that bond is the reason he is here now. Familiars don’t tend to show themselves to the outside world. Many live in the shadows of their masters." Arella watched intently as he took a sip of the tea, the subtle rise and fall of his Adam’s apple painfully tempting her to sink her teeth there.

She swallowed deeply, "Perhaps it’s a bond. Or maybe I am just irresistible. Clearly Echo knows quality when he sees it." She picked up her teacup to take a drink.

King Varziel’s laughter boomed across the garden. The sound was deep and sexy, and Arella was almost sure she wanted to hear more of it. Perhaps she even wanted to be the one to make him laugh like that more. "Irresistible?" King Varziel’s laughter finally ebbed down: "I’ll keep that in mind, my queen."

Arella gripped her tea cup tightly. The wedding night was still fresh in her mind, and she was almost tempted to ask him whether he also felt the same heat she did when they were in such close proximity to each other. Was it all in her head? Was everything all duty to him, or was there something more that he was not telling her?

She swallowed down those questions together with her tea. As the queen of this place—the demon queen—her duty was more important than any other emotions. As long as she and the demon king got along just like this, it was enough. It was already hard for angels to bear children, so she did not need to worry about bringing in a child to the world just yet. Not when she still thought of divorcing him if there was an angle that she was not aware of.

The rules of the demon realm were unclear to her. In the human realm, if a wife was unable to bear children, then the husband had the right to take in another wife. Was it the same for the demons? Just the thought of it made her head throb. "I will be meeting with designers today to get clothes fitted. I would like us to get matching outfits for royal occasions."

Her heart thumped after she asked the question. Even though she had assured herself that there would be no emotions in their relationship, she had always been envious of the matching outfits her parents wore to official occasions. If she was denied this request...

"That can be arranged. I believe the designers have my measurements. You can pick out the designs you like." He spread what looked like jam on a piece of bread. Because he was looking down, he failed to see Arella preening, her wings fluttering ever so slightly with joy.

Arella’s heart settled down slightly. She picked up the bread, forwent the blood-looking jam, and took a bite. It was soft, fluffy, and melted in her mouth. It made her even happier.

"I trust Velmoria has informed you of the meeting with the generals later in the day." The king was on his fourth slice.

Arella nodded, swallowing quickly, "Yes. What time do you need me there?"

"No need to worry about the time. Velmoria will ensure you are not late."

She stored this information in her mind as she picked a piece of meat from her plate using her fork. "I hear that you were supposed to marry a noble lady from one of the families of demons." She took a bite.

King Varziel choked on his bread. His eyes glared at Velmoria, the only one who could have snitched on him. "Yes," he said finally.

"Why didn’t you? It would have been a lot easier for you to have a queen who is a demon." She squinted her eyes at him. "Why did you ask for me specifically, King Varziel?"

There was silence.

Pin drop silence.

It was as if the air had become a vacuum.

Then, King Varziel abruptly stood from his chair. "I think I have eaten enough. I will see you in the afternoon, my queen." He was obviously fumbling with his words, although Arella could not understand what was wrong with her question.

"He didn’t even finish his food." Arella shook her head, then continued with her meal. As an afterthought, she turned to Velmoria. "Do ensure the king gets something light to eat later," she instructed.

"Yes, your highness."

S/T:

Varziel, the king of embarrassment: (As he runs from Arella) I almost spilled everything. The last thing I want is for her to figure out the truth. It is already embarrassing enough.

(He reaches his office in one piece, uses his power to draw water from a glass in a long stream, and pats his cheeks. His blush finally cools down.)

His assistant, who had been arranging paperwork in the office: (shocked Pikachu face) Has the king finally lost his mind? (He decides to take regular vacations from then on to prevent being overworked as the King is.)

Varziel: (Remembers that he held Arella’s hand.) If he had been a little more straightforward, they would have kissed. The thought brings the flush to his face, and he falls onto his chair in a faint.)

*This author advises you to please note that they did not hold hands. It was simply a man guiding a woman as if they were strangers. However, the author shall let the demon king continue to fantasize and pretend as if he did not keep his wife up for three days straight.*

Follow curr𝒆nt nov𝒆ls on freew(𝒆)bnov𝒆l.(c)om