Chapter 224
#Chapter 14 So these are the rulers
The next morning, William woke Doris with a gentle nudge. She opened her eyes slowly to see him
looming over her already dressed in his kingly attire. He looked as if he just walked out of her dream of
princes.
“T need you to get dressed.” He said. Doris groaned and closed her eyes. Sleep was the only thing she
wanted— nothing in the world sounded better than sleep. Her body even begged her for it.
“What is it?” She whispered. Slowly, she opened her eye just to peak at him and he was already
crossing the room to dress Alec. Her mind wanted to scream at the defeat—she knew she had to get
up.
“The rulers of Eldon are almost here. They requested to meet you along with me since you are my one
and onlydy.” He said over his shoulder as he lifted Alec from his crib.
Doris sat up to watch him. It always made her stomach flutter when he did fatherly things. It made her
want to bring him back to the bed and make another baby immediately just so could watch him be like
that all the time.
Now she understood why some wolves had so many children.
“T better be your one and only.” Doris teased as she forced herself out of bed. She caught the small
smirk that
pulled on his lips at her words. She loved it when he smiled—especially when she was the cause of it.
It didn’t take long before they all were making their way down the wide halls. Doris opted for a mauve
gown that flowed to the floor. She may not have been a queen yet, but William constantly reminded her
that she should always dress like one in case someone wanted to underestimate her.
Doris stood tall with her chin high and baby close to her chest. With William at her side, she felt as if
she could take on the world. All desperation for that taste of power were forgotten. At least for now.
The king and queen were gathered in the main dining hall. The moment the doors opened for William,
the rulers stood from the long table to be greeted.
This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
“King William.” The woman bowed. She was old enough to be his mother and looked down at William
as if she knew it. She held out a perfectly manicured hand for William to kiss, but all he did was shake
it. “Charmed. Pm—*?
“Queen Pearl and King Sail. Yes, I know.” William said as he looked them both over. The husband was
more friendly. His face broke out ina wide grin when William said his name. The wife softened a little as
if she remembered that she had to. Within seconds she wore a new face— now much nicer than the
one before.
Doris watched each move they made closely as they spoke with William. It almost made her stumble
over herself when she noticed the man that stood behind them with his hands sped behind his back.
He watched her with a curious tilt of the head and a smile that pulled at his lips—Daemon. What was
he doing here? Doris thought he was just a messenger boy—normally they would be far from royal
dinners. °
Doris quickly looked away when he smiled openly at her. His suit was crisp and expensive. Emerald
green with gold tones that matched his rulers attire. He didn’t look like a simple messenger boy
anymore.
“..We’re honored you came all this way for a visit.” William was saying. Doris forced herself to listen
and ignore the boy that stared. If he had any brains at all, he would stop that before William saw it and
threw him out of this pce.
William turned to Doris with a ghost of a smile. He touched her back lightly and brought her closer to
his side. “ This is my future Queen, Doris and our baby Alec.”
“Oh my, how lovely!” Pearl cooed. She peered down at the baby in Doris’s arms, but didn’t take a step
closer. “I do love children. I wish I could have had more but my patience ran out.” Sheughed.
William cleared his throat and gestured to the chairs. “Please, sit.
I’m sure you’re hungry after that long travel.”
Doris ced their baby in a high chair between them before she took her own seat. Pearl watched
Doris witha sharp eye that almost made her feel ufortable. When the woman realized she had
been caught staring, she cooled her features into a kindness that wasn’t there a moment before. °
“Well,” William looked the two rulers in their eyes. Back and forth he switched his gaze to peer at them
both. He knew that usually intimidated even the toughest opponent. “I have to say, you are the first
kingdom that has requested to visit since I became king.”
“Oh, how rude! Normally it is customary to visit a new king when he is settled on the throne. Especially
one so young.” Pearl ced her hand on her chest in a mock concern as she looked across at William.
“We wanted to show our respect with our visit. We hope you don’t mind our intrusion.”
“Of course not.” William said. He sat straight, even as the food was served before them. He tossed a
look at Doris. “We wee any visitors here.”
King Sail gave him another smile filled with what Doris could only describe as cheer. Lines formed
around his eyes as he smiled. Doris couldn’t take her eyes off either of them. She wasn’t sure why
something felt... off.
“We think you’re going to be a fine king, my boy. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen the beginning
of change in a kingdom. I hope you don’t mind if our stay is alittle longer than expected.”
“My kingdom wees your own with open arms. I know my father didn’t try to have a rtionship with
Eldon, but I am not against our peace.”
Pearl’s mouth lifted a little, but it soon dropped as if it was never there.
“We admire your kindness, your majesty. So many surrounding kingdoms usually use their kindness as
a pawn for whatever game they have in their mind.”
“T’m not interested in games. I n to rule this kingdom with more peace and eptance than my
father did.” King Sailughed and gripped his round stomach. He nced over at Doris before his gaze
settled back on William. “I don’t think we’ve heard words like that in years, have we love?”
Pearl’s smile reminded Doris of poison. She tapped her long nails against the table slowly but didn’t
touch her food once. “No. It’s like a breath of fresh air.”
The dinner felt endless to Doris. She was only let free of it when Alec woke from his nap and refused to
stop crying. She couldn’t shake the strange feeling that the rulers of Eldon were... strange to say the
least.
Daemon stood in the shadows against the wall the entire time. His gaze was like prickles across her
skin—she could always feel it.
“Doris?