The queen looked meaningfully at the king. "Drink the tea! You must have denied Abbertus his wish. He won't be back anytime soon with the same request!"
The king nodded and picked up the cup, which had not attracted his attention for some time. He felt calmer after finishing his first cup of tea. Then he smiled at the queen and held out his hand.
The queen placed her hand on the king's palm.
The king looked down and kissed the back of that beautiful hand. "I am always grateful that you want to be with a man like me!"
The queen laughed. "Isn't refusing the king's proposal tantamount to dishonoring the royal family?"
The king's face suddenly turned pale. He thought he might have married a woman who was not even willing to live with him. Then the king straightened his back and looked the queen straight in the eye.
"I never thought you would refuse!" said the king.
