The Crown's Fire - Chapter 165

Chapter 165: Seeing You Again
Katelina didn’t want to make a scene, so she did her best to be polite. After all, King Ezekiel was their savior, and that was a fact she couldn’t disregard. Thus, she ended up personally escorting him around the castle.

“The castle sustained severe damage, but thanks to the mages you sent, Your Majesty, the renovations are almost complete,” Katelina explained nervously. Ezekiel’s unwavering gaze was intense and it’s making her heart race.

‘Why can’t he just focus on the surroundings instead of me?’ Katelina inwardly complained. It wasn’t as if he could see through her veil, but the intensity of the king’s sharp, predatory gaze made her feel as though he were stripping her with his eyes.

Katelina stopped talking, feeling it was a waste of breath since he wasn’t paying attention to her words.

“Please continue talking. I really missed your voice like this,” Ezekiel murmured after a terse silence, his eyes still locked on her.

She sighed inwardly, feeling both frustrated and flustered. “As I was saying, Your Majesty, the renovations are almost complete thanks to the mages you sent. We are very grateful for their assistance.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” he replied, though his gaze never wavered. It was as if he were trying to memorize every detail of her presence, her voice, and her movements.

Katelina continued the tour, pointing out various restored sections of the castle and explaining the progress of the repairs. Despite her best efforts to stay focused on the task at hand, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched so intently.

When they reached the garden, she paused, allowing him to take in the view. “This is one of the last areas we’re working on. It’s been challenging, but the garden is starting to thrive again.”

Ezekiel nodded, finally looking around. “It’s beautiful,” he said, though his eyes soon returned to her. “But it pales in comparison to seeing you again.”

Katelina felt her cheeks flush under her veil. She turned away slightly, trying to compose herself. “Your Majesty, I… I appreciate your compliments, but we must focus on the task at hand. There is still much to be done.”

Ezekiel stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “I’ve searched for you for so long, and now that I’ve found you, it’s hard to think of anything else.”

Her heart pounded in her chest, torn between the strange, powerful connection she felt with him. “Please, Your Majesty, we must maintain decorum.”

He sighed but nodded. “Of course, Kate. I will try to be more-”

Ezekiel suddenly halted and turned towards the castle, his eyes fixed on Levi’s balcony. Without a word, he strode back inside.

“Your Majesty, where are you going?” Katelina called, hurrying after him up the stairs. Her eyes widened as she realized he was headed toward Levi’s bedchamber.

‘The dragons,’ Katelina panicked. She quickly intercepted him, grabbing his hand and pulling him into the other side towards her work chamber instead, where she kept her paintings and spent her free time.

Panting, she leaned against the door, trying to regain her composure.

Ezekiel frowned at her. “Something is off in that bedchamber. I can feel a familiar energy inside. What are you trying to hide?” he questioned, his eyes fixed on her.

She released his hand, but he tightened his grip on hers, moving closer. The knot in her stomach tightened, and her heart pounded even faster. Everything about this moment felt both foreign and familiar.

“You…” Ezekiel murmured. He reached to touch her veil, which slipped off her head effortlessly.

“No,” she gasped in horror, contrasting with Ezekiel’s loving smile.

“Your hair… It’s still silver-white. Does that mean you didn’t lose your ability? Can you still see the future and read the past? If you don’t remember us, touch me and see for yourself,” he murmured, guiding her hand to his face so she could cup his cheek.

“You must be mistaken. I… I can’t read the past nor see the future,” she said, looking straight into his eyes. She was baffled by her silver-white hair the moment she woke up at Mount Sorel, which Asura had explained was connected to her being the Seer of Ebodia.

“You’ve lost your abilities as well as your memories,” Ezekiel murmured, frowning. Then he sighed, “That’s fine. What matters is that you’re alive and here with me now.”

“Please let me go, Your Majesty. What you’re doing is improper,” Katelina whispered. Though he wasn’t physically restraining her, her body refused to resist his touch.

He cupped her cheek, caressing it with his thumb. “I missed you so badly… I’m used to calling you Tarah, but I want to call you by your real name. I must get used to calling you Kate. No one else should call you that, except for me,” he demanded, brushing his finger down her lips.

Katelina opened and closed her mouth, but no words came out. She was speechless, and her body seemed to have a mind of its own, responding to his touch.

“You must be confused, but we’ll take things slowly. I don’t know what exactly happened to you, but I will tell you everything about us. Don’t hesitate to ask me anything,” Ezekiel said.

Her primary goal was to distract him from Levi’s bedchamber and he seemed distracted enough now. “Your Majesty, can you please let me go now? You removing my veil is breaking our tradition. No one should see my face unless I am married,” she pointed out.

A mischievous smile played on his face. “Don’t worry, you’ll be married soon, Kate. Also, just call me Kiel like you used to.”

“Your Majesty!”

It was Luis knocking on the door.

“Are you alright, Your Majesty? Queen Regent Katelina?!” he called.

Katelina was about to move to retrieve her veil, but her body froze when she felt Ezekiel’s lips on her neck.

“I don’t like that man. Tell him to go away!” he groaned against her skin. Katelina gulped as she felt his tongue licking her neck and his mouth suckling it.

“Your Majesty,” she whispered urgently, “please, stop this.”

Ezekiel reluctantly pulled back, his eyes still locked on hers. “Alright,” he said softly, “but this isn’t over. We need to talk more about us.”

Katelina gulped, her heart still racing, as she called out to Luis, “Everything is fine. You may leave us now.”

Luis hesitated but finally replied, “As you wish, Your Majesty.”

Once they were alone again, Katelina took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “We should continue the tour, Your Majesty,” she said, trying to sound composed.

“Yes, let’s,” Ezekiel agreed, his gaze never leaving her, making her feel both exhilarated and uneasy at the same time.