FALLEN ANGEL: MARRIED TO THE DEMON KING
Chapter 76: THE PREPARATIONS (3)

Chapter 76: THE PREPARATIONS (3)

Arella took a deep breath, willing herself to calm the swirling emotions within her. She turned toward Velmoria, who was doing an impressive job of appearing nonchalant despite the sexual tension that hung heavy in the room.

"Well," Arella said, her voice clear and regal, "it seems I’ll have to give this some serious thought. Each dress is stunning, and you can all see that your king can’t seem to make a decision either. You’ve all outdone yourselves." She glanced briefly at the designers, each of them trying—and failing—to conceal their relief.

Even Melasva allowed a small smile to flicker across her face before quickly bowing her head, trying to draw as little attention to herself as she could.

"Well. You do not have to choose just one." King Varziel spoke up. "You can do as you wish. Even if it is wearing all three dresses. There are several points in the coronation ceremony that you can wear all three."

Arella’s face literally lit up and she looked at King Varziel with a wide grin. "Can I really?"

Then she looked at Velmoria for confirmation. "I am not really sure about that information your highness." Velmoria said with a bow. "But if the king says so, then it must be so." She clapped her hands, "that concludes the fittings for the coronation ceremony."

Azrathion raised a hand, and when Arella nodded for him to speak, he took a step forward, "What if we would like to make some minor changes to the design, your highness? Can we be allowed to do at least that much?"

Arella raised a brow. "If I may be so bold your highness, after seeing you in my creation, I felt a flash of inspiration. I believe I can make a dress better than the one I brought today?"

"It is the same for me!" Lorthiel also raised her hand up. "Your highness please allow me to make some few changes to the dress."

Arella thought it over. "The coronation is in five days. For better preparation, the gown should be ready either two days from now or else preparation will be stagnated. Can you really make it happen within that short span of time."

It was almost as if Arella had forgotten that she had given them three days to bring over the dresses for her to try on.

"Two days is more than enough." The two of them simultaneously said.

"We will have the dress within that that time." Azrathion promised. Arella liked the way they were excited about what they did for work. She glanced at the silent designer who had said nothing. "Lady Melasva, would you also like to make some changes to this gown?" She gestured at the black and red gown she still wore.

Melasva nodded with her head bowed.

"Two days are also enough for me." Her voice was very painfully low, and if the room had not been silent waiting for her answer, then no one would have heard her.

"It is decided then, your majesty?" Velmoria asked.

"Yes. Let us have the gowns returned to the respective designers."

"I will be right back." She patted King Varziel’s shoulder and headed back behind the partition to change. She could still feel his eyes on her the entire time, and it took all her self-control to not look back at him.

As the attendants worked to unlace the gown, Arella addressed Velmoria who was standing nearby. "Have the designers stay for a few more minutes. I would like to ask them one last thing."

Velmoria hurried to do as Arella had said.

Arella was helped back into the gown she had been wearing before and just like before, the king’s gaze was pinned on her figure. Arella pointedly ignored the heat that had been bubbling since earlier as she walked and took her seat next to him. King Varziel took her had in his own the moment she was seated and placed it in his lap. Instead of reducing her want for him, it seemed to increase it by tenfold. "Seeing as the king has no clothes planned for the coronation yet, can we also get a matching set for every gown that I have?"

"Two days is a bit of a stretch your..." Arella’s gaze immediately silenced Azrathion’s complaints. "We will definitely make it work, your majesty." Azrathion finished quickly as he gave them a deep bow.

Arella allowed herself a small, satisfied smile as she nodded in acknowledgement of his words. "I appreciate your dedication. I cannot be the only one who looks gorgeous, don’t you agree?" She asked out loud.

Azrathion’s nod reminded Arella of a chicken pecking rice. "Of course your majesty. I will create a matching attire that complements your gown."

"The same goes for the both of you." Arella turned her gaze to Lorthiel and Melasva.

Lorthiel who was obviously eager to impress, nodded with a bright smile. "Consider it done, your majesty."

Melasva still did not raise her head although she answered, "I will not disappoint, your majesty."

Arella gave them a wide grin. "I am glad you are all amenable. Then will you try the clothes I had made for you?" She directed the last question to the king.

"Shall we do that another time? I still have some things to tend to."

Arella raised a brow. Then why had he come all this way?

Regardless, she turned to the designers, "Then let us meet in two days. I hope you do not disappoint."

Under Velmoria’s direction, the designers and their teams collected their gowns and their teams filed out.

Arella let out a quiet sigh of relief after they had all filed out. Left in the room was just her, Echo and the demon king. As much as she was glad that she had a moment to breathe now, the need to have King Varziel and her joined had returned.

Varziel’s thumb brushed lightly against the back of her hand, drawing her attention. "You handle them well," he murmured, his voice low enough that only she could hear.

"I’d rather not have to handle them at all," she replied with a wry smile. "But it seems that’s part of my role now."

"I mean, if your role has part of it being your husband being absolutely smitten with you, then I think you’ve got it covered quite well. Don’t you think so too?"

Arella pinched the back of his palm, "You’re just biased." She teased him in an attempt to quash the feelings that had risen up her chest.

"Entirely." He admitted without hesitation. "Would it really be biasness if it was the truth though?" He took her wrist and tickled the inside of it.

"I am starting to think that the coronation in itself is a ploy to get me to dress up?" She rolled her eyes.

"Don’t I get to see you dress up for me everyday though?" King Varziel leaned in close to her, "or do you not like the clothes I pick out for you for your every day wear?"

Arella’s eyes widened, and she looked down at the clothes that she was wearing, then back up at the demon king, then back down at her clothes.

"You picked these out?" Her voice was incredulous.

"I couldn’t have you wear clothes not made for you. I had them made before you arrived. The designers are overworked at this point." He talked his chin as if he was deep in thought, "perhaps we should give them a few days off after the coronation."

Arella laughed. "Do not be silly, did you not see how excited they were to design clothing for us. I think it is what they live for."

King Varziel hummed in response to her words, then he muttered, "what about the one who disrespected you, do you not think I should at the very least punish her for her insubordination?"

Arella felt her heart get warmer, ever so slightly. "Did you not see the baldness of her head. I doubt she will grow hair any time soon. That should be punishment enough for her."

He groaned at her words, like a petulant child who had been denied his favourite candy. "Fine."

"How did you even know that? I did not inform you."

King Varziel avoided her eyes, looking anywhere but at her.

Arella pinched his ear, bringing him down to eye level. "Ah ah ah. Do not try to avoid my question. Are you having me watched?"

Quickly, he shook his head. "No that is not the case. I just... Wanted to hear how you were doing over the course of the day." His words were very soft, and if Arella had not been close to him, she would not have heard what he had said.

Laughter pooled in her chest, and she laughed, finding him rather cute, and wanting to tease him even more.

S/T:

Varziel: (Googles) **How to tell your wife she looks too good for anyone else to see without sounding like a possessive maniac?**

ChatGPT: (Replies) **Compliments should uplift, not confine. Try saying, ’You look stunning, and I feel so lucky to call you mine.’ Also, stop Googling advice during important moments. Focus.**

Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om