Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 152: Not My Specialty

Chapter 152: Not My Specialty

It was finally time for King Zamian to deliver his announcement. Rising to his full, imposing height, he turned to face the gathered nobles and dignitaries. The room fell silent, the air thick with anticipation as all eyes turned to their king. The weight of the moment was almost tangible, and every sound—the rustle of fabric, the faint clinking of goblets—seemed to vanish in the presence of his commanding aura.

His deep, resonant voice filled the grand hall, captivating all who listened.

"Thank you all for attending this momentous occasion," he began, his tone regal and authoritative. His words carried the weight of both gratitude and conviction. "Today is not merely a celebration; it is a day that will forever remain etched in the history of Horten. It is one of the greatest days of my life, and I am humbled to stand before you all."

The hall remained silent, every pair of eyes fixed on him. The grandeur of the moment was palpable, and Zamian allowed the silence to stretch, letting the significance of his words settle over the audience.

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, lingering momentarily on familiar faces. Then his eyes found Mira. The imposing king, whose mere presence commanded respect, softened visibly. His broad shoulders seemed less rigid, and his expression, though still strong, carried a warmth that had not been there moments ago.

"I owe much of what we celebrate today to my beloved wife, Queen Mira," he continued, his voice taking on a reverent quality. "Her wisdom, patience, and unwavering support have been a cornerstone of my strength. Without her, I may have faltered. Without her, I may have made rash decisions that could have cost us dearly. She is not only my queen but the light that guides me."

The audience shifted slightly, murmurs of admiration rippling through the room. Zamian’s words were rare, not because he lacked emotion, but because he seldom revealed this deeply personal side of himself.

"And now," he said, his tone rising with pride, "it is with the deepest honor that I present to you your new queen—Queen Mira."

Thunderous applause erupted, filling the hall with a deafening roar of approval. Mira rose gracefully, her golden eyes shimmering in the soft light. For a moment, she stood motionless, allowing the applause to wash over her. She was an image of poise and elegance, her regal demeanor captivating the audience.

As the applause began to die down, Mira took a small step forward. Her slender hands rested lightly on the folds of her gown, and her golden eyes scanned the crowd with a quiet intensity.

"Thank you," she began, her voice steady but calm. Instantly, the crowd hushed, drawn in by her presence. Her tone carried a quiet strength that demanded attention without effort. "I know many of you may be surprised to see me here today. Some of you may wonder why I am stepping into this role now, at this particular time. But let me assure you—I am here because I am ready."

The hall remained still, the weight of her words hanging in the air. She paused, her expression resolute, before continuing.

"I promise to give my all to this kingdom, to serve you as best as I can, and to make the people of Horten proud."

Her words, simple yet profound, resonated deeply with the audience. The silence that followed was not from indifference but from awe. Slowly, the applause began again, this time even louder than before. It was a response born of genuine admiration, a recognition of the strength and authenticity she exuded.

In that moment, Mira defied every assumption made about her. The crowd had believed her to be the quiet, reserved counterpart to Zamian’s commanding presence, a queen destined to remain in the king’s shadow. But now, they saw her in a new light—a leader in her own right.

As Mira took her seat once more, her heart pounded in her chest. She had spoken from her soul, and though she maintained her composure, she felt a profound relief at the crowd’s reaction.

Zamian, standing tall beside her, looked at her with an expression that was equal parts pride and admiration. He stepped forward, addressing the crowd once again, his voice steady and filled with emotion.

"And now, I would like to introduce another treasure of this kingdom—our daughter, Princess Zemi."

At his words, a murmur of curiosity spread through the hall. Many had heard of the young princess, but few had seen her in such a public setting.

From behind the velvet curtains at the far end of the dais, a small figure emerged. Little Zemi’s face was a picture of shyness and innocence, her rosy cheeks glowing under the golden light of the chandeliers. She stepped forward hesitantly, her small frame almost dwarfed by the grandeur of the occasion.

Her wide, sparkling eyes darted nervously across the room, and when she caught sight of her father’s encouraging smile, she mustered the courage to offer a timid wave.

A ripple of affection spread through the audience. Soft chuckles and warm laughter filled the air as nobles and dignitaries alike found themselves charmed by the young princess’s innocence.

Zamian’s gaze lingered on his daughter, his expression softening further. In that moment, the formidable king seemed almost vulnerable, a father filled with pride and love.

"Together, my queen and princess represent not just my family but the future of Horten," he declared, his voice firm yet tender. "It is a future I am committed to protecting and nurturing, for the prosperity of all."

The applause that followed was deafening, a resounding affirmation of the royal family’s unity and strength.

As the applause gradually subsided, the soft strains of music began to fill the hall. The melody was gentle and soothing, weaving its way through the crowd and setting the stage for the evening’s next tradition.

King Zamian rose from his seat, his imposing figure cutting a striking silhouette against the glowing backdrop of the hall. He extended his hand toward Mira, his expression unreadable but his gesture filled with purpose.

Mira hesitated for only a moment before placing her hand in his. Her fingers trembled slightly, betraying the remnants of her earlier nerves, but as Zamian’s strong hand closed over hers, she felt a sense of calm wash over her.

The room quieted as the royal couple made their way to the center of the ballroom. The dimmed lights cast an ethereal glow over the polished marble floor, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere. Mira walked with measured grace, her movements fluid yet deliberate, as though each step carried the weight of her newfound role.

When they reached the center, the music softened, its rhythm slow and enchanting. Zamian turned to face Mira, his movements practiced and confident, and began to lead her into the first steps of the dance.

Mira followed with surprising ease, her natural grace harmonizing perfectly with his. The crowd watched in silence, captivated by the couple’s chemistry.

Zamian leaned in slightly, his voice low and teasing. "You’re full of surprises tonight, Queen Mira."

Mira glanced up at him, her golden eyes catching the soft light. There was a flicker of emotion in her gaze, something unspoken yet profound. "Thank you," she said, her voice quiet yet brimming with sincerity.

Zamian smiled, a rare and genuine expression that softened his otherwise imposing features. "Any time, Queen Mira," he replied, his tone playful. He spun her lightly, eliciting a soft laugh that seemed to echo through the hall.

As they swayed to the rhythm of the music, Zamian’s teasing grew bolder. "Who knew Queen Mira could dance so beautifully? I had thought you were only skilled at dancing under the stars."

Mira’s eyes widened at his implication, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Zamian!" she whispered sharply, her voice a mix of shock and amusement.

He chuckled, clearly enjoying her reaction. "What?" he said innocently, though his mischievous smile gave him away.

"I must admit," he continued, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "I’m quite the rough dancer at night."

"Zamian," Mira hissed, her embarrassment deepening as she glanced around nervously to ensure no one overheard.

Her wide eyes and flushed cheeks only seemed to encourage him further.

He spun her again, this time pulling her closer. His voice was light, yet there was a deliberate edge to his words. "Though, I must say, you’re giving me quite the competition. The way you’re dancing now... could it be even better than the way you dance at night—in bed?"

Mira’s cheeks flushed even harder, and Zamian chuckled softly at his wife’s obvious embarrassment, a glimmer of mischief lighting up his striking features. He cherished these moments—the way her cheeks turned a delicate shade of pink whenever he teased her. It was a sight that never failed to amuse him.

A sly smile tugged at his lips as he leaned in slightly, his voice low and teasing. "You keep saying naughty things. That’s not very good, you know."

Mira’s eyes widened in disbelief. What?! It had been Zamian who had been saying all the naughty things, not her. Yet here he was, shifting the blame so casually, as if she were the culprit.

"Excuse me?" she whispered sharply, her voice barely audible but tinged with indignation.

Zamian’s sly smile only deepened, clearly enjoying her reaction. She narrowed her golden eyes at him, her blush deepening as she realized he had no intention of correcting himself.

"That’s not very nice at all, Yoir Majesty," she muttered under her breath, her lips pursing in a pout as he swayed her.

"Nice?" he echoed, his tone mockingly thoughtful. "I don’t think ’nice’ has ever been my specialty, my queen."

Mira shot him a look of mock annoyance, though her lips twitched as if suppressing a smile. Despite her embarrassment, there was no denying the warmth in her heart at his playful banter.