AVERY

  It took me a while before I left Typhone's room. He fell asleep and I decided to let him take his much needed rest. It had been 2 days since they came back. Typhone slept the whole time in those 2 days and I had to admit that I got a little worried.

  "Your Majesty," Grimore greeted, bowing, "Is His Majesty asleep?"

  I smiled softly, "Yes. He fell asleep again."

  "I see. I wanted to give him my report, but maybe I'll just do it tomorrow." Grimore bowed to me with a smile and turned on his heel.

  Maybe I could... No. I still have insufficient knowledge about Lazarith, but what if I...

  "Grimore." I called out, walking towards him. He turned to look at me with wide eyes.

  "Yes, Your Majesty? Is there... anything you need?" He asked, obviously confused.

  "Is there... anything I can do to help?" I swallowed thickly and added, "I know I still have a lot to learn, but if there's anything I can do to ease His Majesty's work... then... I want to help."

  Grimore's eyes widened once more and his mouth opened slightly. He gasped and covered his mouth with the papers he was holding.

  "Are... Are you sure, Your Majesty?" Grimore was excited, basically bouncing on the balls of his feet.

  "Yes. And... you'll guide me, won't you?"

  He squealed, "Of course, Your Majesty! Come! Let us go! Let's work together for the Kingdom of Lazarith!"

  He gently led me towards an empty office and sat me there. He left the room to gather some of the paperworks while I waited. I blinked as if everything went by so fast.

  Well, at least I can be helpful. How bad could it be, right?

  **********

  "These are the requests made by the farmers regarding the additional wagons they would be needing in harvesting. It has been an issue, but the budget just doesn't make the cut for it." Grimore handed me for what felt like the 100th request.

  My eyes were tired, but I pushed through. We managed to do half of the King's paperworks and even made certain decisions on what to do. I hummed in thought as I read the request.

  "So far, how many wagons are they using?" I asked, twirling the pen between my fingers.

  "The last time we were told, they were using 3 wagons, Your Majesty." Grimore answered, browsing through the other documents.

  There was a brief silence before I said, "Alright. Send at least 5 more. As for the purchasing of the wagons, I know a merchant who sells them to Ynkerthia for a cheap price."

  "But the budget for the seeds and for fertilizer, Your Majesty. That's where we'll have to get the budget for the wagons." Grimore said.

  I was once again hit with a wall. When I saw the ledgers, I was surprised with the budget left for every aspect in the kingdom. Since the winter season lasted longer this year, it became harder to import and export products. I sighed.

  "The Queen's budget hasn't been used yet, right? We can use that for the time being." I said.

  "But... Your Majesty, we--"

  "Let's do that since I don't need it yet. It'll only be a small amout so use it." I said firmly. Grimore nodded in agreement.

  I glanced at him and he looked so confused if he should use it or not. I chuckled.

  "Are you hesitating?" I asked teasingly.

  "Yes. Well... no because Her Majesty said so, but..." He trailed off and groaned, "I don't know how His Majesty will react about it."

  "It'll be fine, Grimore. Just... tell him that I said so, alright?" I reassured him. He thought about it for a moment before nodding.

  I smiled, looking back at the documents in my hands. There were still a lot of concerns regarding the state of the kingdom, but I made sure to lessen them so that Typhone has nothing to worry about.

  This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

  Besides, I'm currently using my knowledge on finding efficient solutions to these problems.

  **********

  It was finally the next day and I was in the tea room waiting for Grimore. Senha and Meylin were in the room with me and served me some tea.

  Typhone had his breakfast in his room so I ate alone in the dining hall. He had to stay in bed for a couple of days more according to the royal physician.

  "Why is Grimore taking so long?" Senha complained, clicking her tongue in annoyance, "Can't he see that Her Majesty is waiting?"

  "Calm down, Senha. He might be... giving his report to His Majesty." Meylin said.

  "You're right. His Majesty might get into a fit of rage if Grimore doesn't report." Senha sighed.

  Just then, there was a commotion outside the tea room. Grimore could be heard screaming and begging. Then, the door to the tea room flew open. Typhone came in clad in nothing but his robe that was tied loosely around his waist. His muscular chest and stomach was out in the open. Meylin and Senha bowed their heads.

  "Explain." Typhone growled.

  I felt a shiver ran down my spine and my heart started thumping loudly against my chest. I stood up slowly from my seat and blinked at him.

  "Explain... what?" I asked in a hushed tone. He did not answer. I nodded at Senha and Meylin to leave us alone. Once the door closed, I froze in my spot when Typhone looked at me with an intense gaze.

  He stormed over to me. I took a step back and the back of my knee hit the edge of the couch, making me sit back down. Typhone got closer and closer. When he was just an inch away from me, he pinned be on the couch, both hands gripping the back rest of the couch. He trapped me between his muscular arms as he looked down at me with glowing eyes.

  Is it wrong for my thighs to shake in this moment? I have this sudden want for him to jump and ruin me.

  I blinked up at him. My mouth opened and closed, feeling my cheeks heat up to the tip of my ears. I swallowed thickly.

  "Tell me, princess. What made you think that I would allow you to use your budget for something as minor as the farmers' wagons?" He growled, voice deep and smooth.

  "I... I wanted to help. I... I was about to tell you, but... you were resting so... I..." I trailed off as my eyes darted down to his bare exposed chest. I stared at it for a bit before snapping out of my thoughts and looking up at him.

  He scoffed, "But you were going to do it anyway, right?"

  I nodded slowly. I felt him lean closer, his warm lips grazed against mine and my heart pounded loudly against my chest.

  "You naughty little girl. I gave that budget to you for personal use. Why are you trying to use it for the kingdom, hm?" He whispered in a hushed, silky deep voice.

  "I was just... I... I wanted to help so I... I told Grimore to use it." I whispered so softly that I felt like my words were incomprehensible. I gripped onto my dress tightly as I felt him inching even closer.

  Oh, dear Goddesses above. Is he going to do it?

  I closed my eyes, expecting him to kiss me. However, he did not. I slowly opened my eyes and saw him smirking at me, arms crossed over his chest.

  "What were you expecting me to do, hm?" He teased, chuckling, "I did not know you have such a dirty mind, princess."

  My face immediately flushed. My cheeks were burning red and in embarrassment, I threw a pillow at him. He caught it, obviously. I ran out the tea room to who knows where while covering my cheeks.

  How dare he tease me like that?! That was so rude and embarrassing!