Holly was at a loss for words. She didn't expect Felix to do this. Everything that Felix mentioned was intended so that Holly could know him well.
That wasn't what Holly meant, but Felix still got the point. Holly looked at Felix's face. Eyes fixed at her directly, showing sincerity.
"You can ask whatever you want, and I will answer all your questions."
Felix was still kneeling in front of her. His hand gently held Holly's hand. A gentle touch that Holly had never felt before.
She had never experienced a proposal. The noblewoman would immediately be married off as long as her parents agreed. This was the first time Holly was asked if she wanted to be married.
"I... I think..." Holly couldn't answer.
Felix was still waiting. No matter how long Holly took, he was still waiting.
Holly's head nodded. "Okay," she said.
Her lips moved on their own as if it wasn't an answer she was aware of. But her heart joined the joy with Felix, who smiled widely.
"You want to marry me?" Felix asked once more to be sure.
"Sure." This time Holly answered with certainty.
She didn't understand why she suddenly changed her mind when she had previously refused. Marrying Felix wasn't the worst idea because he treated her gently and kindly. She wasn't a prisoner here.
Felix stood up from his position. He refrained from jumping for joy. Finally, Holly agreed to marry him.
Meanwhile, Holly smiled as she wondered why Felix had to ask her. Even though Holly thought Felix would force her to marry from the start. Whether she wanted it or not, Felix could force Holly to marry him. But he chose to ask Holly's opinion.
[He isn't that bad.] Holly thought while watching Felix, who was clearly holding back his joy.
Felix took a deep breath. "So, is there anything you want to know about me?"
Holly remembered what she wanted to know about Felix. Ah, there was one. But Holly wasn't sure if Felix would be okay with that.
"Before marriage, I want to know about your ex-wife."
Felix's face turned blank. Holly read the expression on his face, and it was clear that Felix was uncomfortable. However, Holly must know about it if she wants to marry Felix.
"She was an elf."
Felix's opening sentence made Holly gape. "You mean the elves, the humans with the pointy ears often told in fairy tales?"
"She is not a fairy tale. Their kind is rarely seen, sometimes hiding and not showing themself. But she was an elf princess. Our marriage was just about political matters. We live in different houses, and I've only seen her a few times."
Holly frowned in surprise. What kind of marriage was that? They sound more like strangers than a couple. Holly was wondering if she and Felix would be like that later.
"Where is she now?"
Felix was silent. His face became tense with clenched jaws, and his eyes were fixed on the floor.
"She's dead."
Holly covered her mouth in surprise. She didn't expect that would be the answer.
"She died because-"
"No, it's okay. You don't have to tell me." Holly didn't want to open Felix's old wounds. Felix's face grew gloomy, and Holly didn't want to hurt him.
"Are you sure you don't want to hear about it?"
Holly shook her head firmly. "It doesn't matter."
"Fine, if that's what you want. I promise we'll get married once we get back to the palace."
"And how we will go there?" Holly still didn't know Felix's plans, but he didn't intend to tell Holly either.
"Too dangerous for you to know. Trust me, soon you will be a real Queen."
Felix stepped to leave the kitchen, but Holly stopped him again. "There's still one question."
Felix stopped at the door, waiting for Holly's last question.
"Why did you ask me to marry you?"
Felix paused for a moment and said, "Because I want you." With that, he left Holy stunned in the kitchen.
Holly blinked a few times. "He wants me?" she muttered alone.
***
Time passed so fast. Two weeks passed, and Felix was getting busier with his plans.
He rarely saw Holly and often hung out with government officials.
Luckily, Holly still had Gilbert, who was always by her side. Gilbert accompanied Holly wherever she wanted. Even so, Felix still prevented her from going near the village.
Holly was looking at the flowers in the garden around the castle when Felix suddenly came out. Behind him, several men, including Astragus, followed him.
"Should we greet them there?" Holly whispered to Gilbert.
"You can greet them from here, Your Majesty."
Holly bowed her head to Felix, just like an obedient Queen to the King. The men who followed him also bowed their heads to Holly. Their attitudes and expressions were the complete opposite. With just a glance, Holly knew they hated her.
Feliz glanced at her for a while, then walked back without smiling or greeting her back. His face was cold again, like when Holly met him for the first time.
Holly was taken back. Why did he suddenly like that? Did Holly do something wrong?
Felix was still walking towards the main castle. He stopped and told the officials to go first. After they left, Felix turned back to Holly.
Felix's hand went up with an awkward smile while walking toward Holly and Gilbert.
Holly tilted her head in confusion. He was weird again. His double personality comeback.
"You're here," he said awkwardly.
"Your Majesty." Holly greeted him again.
Felix stood there even more awkwardly. It's not unusual for Holly to greet him so formally. But she might only be wary if there are still officials who notice and think she's impolite.
"I need to see Gilbert for a moment," Felix asked Gilbert to follow him.
Holly didn't say anything. She was still in the garden, watching Felix and Gilbert walk away and disappear into the castle doors.
"Why are you alone, My Queen."
Holly was taken aback. She was so focused on Felix that she didn't notice the presence of another person nearby.
Holly felt an unusual chill. She turned to find an old woman with a black cloak covering half of her face.
The woman's nose was crooked, and her fingers were fragile. Holly strengthened her vigilance.
"Who are you?"
The woman smiled instead, showing her sharp teeth.
"I'm here to help you."