The royal couple stood motionless as Aleksander let out his worries to Elys. She had heard him say this before, but this time around, he seemed more than just worried.
He looked terrified.
His eyes were practically begging her to agree with him. But if he was this much terrified to lose her, why couldn’t he just ask nicely? He could have spared Elys the shock of free falling from a deadly height at that.
"I apologize, wife," Aleksander whispered, "I admit it is much difficult for me to be nice at all. Henry would have laughed at me. Despite all of his advices, I always end up getting you into an awkward position, if getting you infuriated as well."
Elys suddenly felt sorry as well.
She grumbled under her breath, "Indeed, you have. Both the awkward and infuriating part was on point."
Aleksander sighed, "Forgive me. I won’t be doing it again."
"You better not," Elys couldn’t help but to snap back, but then her voice softened as she added, "You can always just speak to me, you know?"
Aleksander’s head shot up, a ray of hope shining in his eyes. Elys pulled her hands away from him, a bit confused by the expressions that Aleksander was showing her.
She was not accustomed to him apologizing several times at all. She didn’t even ask him literally for an apology, only that of a good reason for his actions.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Elys asked.
"Would you consider then, wife? You can rest in my chambers or our shared bedchamber - whichever you choose - while I stay awake and keep you safe," he asked.
Elys suddenly found herself coughing with the option Aleksander gave her. The young queen beat her chest lightly to relieve herself. She cleared her throat, thankful that the dark room helped conceal her blunder as she choked on her own saliva.
"Are you alright?" her husband asked.
The vampire took a step forward as he attempted to help her, but Elys only put a hand in front of her to stop him on his tracks.
She waved a dismissing hand and said, "I am fine, Aleksander. Totally fine, don’t come nearer!"
Aleksander was confused. He could detect a heightened pulse rate from her, but that was maybe because of her coughing hard.
’She seemed to have swallowed something unintentionally and choked on it – probably her own saliva,’ he assumed.
Of course, Aleksander was right in his assumption, but the real cause of his wife’s coughs was actually his words and not her saliva. Elys continued to rub her chest to relieve the pain from her coughs, and Aleksander started to become worried.
"Are you sure you are fine? I think we should get you some water," he said.
Aleksander didn’t wait for Elys to reply, and went on to grab her hands. He pulled her towards the door, and they went out to see an empty hallway. There were no servants in sight, perhaps due to the fact that they did not have guests residing at the palace at the moment.
"Come on, I hear no servants in this floor. Better to go down," he said as he gently tugged at her.
Elys didn’t resist him, as she did want some water. They walked towards the main hallway of the guests’ floor, and there went on to take the stairs down to the first floor.
Aleksander had locked in on two servants who were still awake, and then headed off their direction with determination. Elys followed him closely, his hand holding on to hers as he walked as fast as he could without actually dragging her.
By the time that they saw the servants, Aleksander and Elys were stupefied to see that it was Marquis Lanz and a blood servant sneaking in for a kiss.
"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Aleksander snapped at the two, breaking the sloppy kiss that the Marquis had given the girl.
"Your majesties!" the two scrambled to collect themselves.
"Marquis Lanz, I don’t mind things like this, but be mindful of the places you do it!" Aleksander snapped at his secretary. "You are with me most of the times, and I don’t want rumors to spread that my secretary is a man with uncontrollable urges!"
"Yes, your majesty!" Marquis Lanz agreed instantly, "I humbly beg you to forgive us, your majesty. We won’t do it again."
Their heads were bowed down so low to the point Elys swore they might have just kissed the floor. She could not help but find it amusing, if not at all embarrassing for Marquis Lanz and the blood servant.
"Raise your heads," Elys said, "What is your name, girl?"
The blood servant was shaking but she obliged with Elys’ order. She raised her head slightly, her eyes still lowered as she responded with her name, "I am Vicky, your majesty."
"Very well, Vicky," Elys said, "Can you quickly fetch me a glass of water?"
The girl’s head whipped up and there were tears in her eyes as she nodded. She didn’t even say a word to Marquis Lanz as she sprinted towards the kitchen to get the queen what she demanded.
Aleksander turned to Marquis Lanz and clicked his tongue, "Marquis Lanz, this is a warning. I will let you off the hook just this once, but don’t you ever do it again in such public places."
"Absolutely, your majesty!" he bowed down several times.
Vicky returned after a minute, careful not to spill a drop of water as she hurried back to the King and Queen. Her hands were trembling, and it didn’t do much help as a few drops did spill to the floor.
Her eyes turned to Elys but she only smiled and thanked her. She downed the water with one go, and handed the glass back to Vicky.
"Now go on and continue your respective duties," she instructed.
Elys and Aleksander left Marquis Lanz and Vicky and went back upstairs. By the time they reached the fourth floor, Aleksander and Elys paused at the middle of the stairs.
Aleksander expected Elys to say she was returning to her own chamber, but what she said took him utterly by surprise.
"Husband, if it eases your worries, then I will agree to your suggestions," she said.