The Crown's Fire - Chapter 191

Chapter 191: Breakfast
Meanwhile, Katelina observed Ezekiel in the makeshift kitchen. His focus and care in preparing breakfast for her was touching, and she couldn’t help but feel a flutter of emotions. The man was persistent, indeed, but also incredibly thoughtful.

Moments later, Ezekiel approached with a tray carrying chicken soup, buttered bread, and freshly brewed coffee. He placed it on the table with a smile. “Good morning, my queen. I hope you enjoy the breakfast.”

Katelina looked at the food, then at Ezekiel. “Please, dig in.”

“Thank you,” she said before she started eating.

“Isn’t it a bit uncomfortable to eat with your veil on? Why not remove it?” Ezekiel commented.

Katelina smiled under her veil. She had been trained like this since she was a child. “I’m used to it already, and besides, the bottom part of the veil is loose enough,” she answered, showing him how she managed to eat with her left hand inside the veil, pushing it backward with elegance so she could bring the food to her mouth.

“Right, you’re following your custom and tradition,” Ezekiel commented. “How is it? Did you like it? It’s the first time I’ve cooked for you.”

As she tasted the soup, the comforting flavor made her smile. “It’s delicious. You’ve outdone yourself.”

Ezekiel’s face lit up with pride. “Only the best for you.”

“Please eat as well and stop staring at me. You’ll give me indigestion, Your Majesty.” Katelina pointed out, feeling too self-conscious under his intense gaze.

Ezekiel chuckled and started drinking his coffee and eating his bread as well.

“Are you planning to continue with the journey with us?” Katelina asked as soon as she finished the chicken soup.

“Yes, I’m your sleeping potion, remember? I have to stick with you every night,” Ezekiel replied gleefully.

“Just this journey to Haven Forest,” Katelina reiterated.

“Hmm, I don’t mind extending it if you want. To be honest, I’m willing to be your sleeping potion for a lifetime,” Ezekiel remarked straightforwardly.

Katelina coughed to clear her throat. She had never encountered a man like him in her entire life.

“Are you this shameless?!” she voiced out.

“No, just around you, Kate,” he candidly answered.

Katelina stopped drinking when she noticed an older man talking to Cora not far from them. Ezekiel followed her gaze.

“Lurio?” Ezekiel called. The older man approached them and greeted Ezekiel. “Your Majesty.” He then turned to Katelina.

“She’s the Queen Regent Katelina,” Ezekiel introduced her and then introduced the older man as Lurio, the white wizard of their kingdom and head of all Ebodian mages.

“It’s nice to meet you again, Your Majesty,” Lurio greeted her with a curt bow.

“Have we met before?” she asked with a frown.

“Indeed, while you were still the fated Seer of Ebodia. I heard you lost your memories. If you want to know more from me, please don’t hesitate to seek me out. I will detail everything I remember about our time together,” he offered with a kind smile.

“By the way, what brings you here?” Ezekiel interrupted with a frown.

“Ah, that… Commander Cora sent word to the Queen Mother about the Queen Regent’s nightmare and how her potion worked. So the Queen Mother tasked me with delivering four available bottles to Cora and relaying the message to the Queen Regent that she will make more in the future to ensure she will not have any nightmares,” Lurio explained.

“Really?!” Katelina exclaimed.

Cora stepped in just in time and handed her the pouch. “Yes, Your Majesty. Here.”

Ezekiel’s cold voice almost sent a shiver down everyone’s spine as he looked at Cora with a dark expression. “I need a private word with you and Lurio,” he said.

Turning to Katelina, his grim expression softened. “I’ll come back after discussing some important matters with them.”

“It’s fine, Your Majesty. I will have my men ready to continue with our journey. Thank you again for this hearty breakfast,” she replied with a curt nod.

Katelina watched as the three walked away.

Asura rushed to her and asked, “What’s going on?”

Katelina shrugged. “I think Lady Cora might be in trouble.”

“But why? She should be applauded for getting you those potions!” Asura huffed.

Katelina felt a pang of guilt, knowing how the king could be so particular. She looked at the pouch in her hand, realizing she wouldn’t need him to cuddle her to sleep. The four bottles were enough for the remaining days of their journey to Haven Forest.

“Should I help Lady Cora?” she unknowingly voiced out.

“Huh? From the King? What’s going on? Is the King angry with Lady Cora because of the potions?” Asura asked with a deep frown.

“We’ll find out later. For now, let’s get ready to continue our journey. Check on Lady Cora later and see if everything is alright,” Katelina instructed. She, too, was curious about why Ezekiel had suddenly left with Cora looking so grim. Though she had a hunch, she couldn’t be certain.

Meanwhile, Cora fidgeted nervously, unsettled by the king’s gloomy expression.

“What happened?” Lurio whispered, but Cora simply shrugged, unsure why the king looked so annoyed.

“Who gave you permission to relay Katelina’s condition to my mother?” Ezekiel asked with a raised brow.

“But… I was just worried after hearing what she experienced before. I don’t want her to have those kinds of bad dreams again,” Cora reasoned. “I apologize for not informing you first and taking action on my own, but I believed I didn’t need permission to do what I thought was best for a friend. The Queen Regent is my friend too, Your Majesty, and I am genuinely concerned about her.”

Ezekiel released a deep sigh. Cora was right; she had unintentionally ruined his time with Katelina.

“It’s fine, Cora. Just please inform me next time you plan any actions directly involving Katelina. I appreciate your genuine gesture, but know that I’m trying my best to spend time with her as much as I can,” he explained. Cora knew everything, so he didn’t have to hide anything from her since he trusted her.

He then told Cora and Lurio that because Katelina was his dragon twin flame, his presence helped her relax and avoid nightmares in her sleep.

Cora gulped and exchanged meaningful glances with Lurio. “You’ve been taking advantage of your invisibility and sneaking into her bed?” Cora almost gasped.