"Did you say something?" Xavier raised a brow, finally letting go of her embrace.
"Just asking what you meant by that, your majesty. I apologize if I offended you." Agatha immediately bowed, her face pure like the lily. Her emerald eyes blinked, gazing at the floor with her head lowered.
Xavier saw her scared and nervous face. She seems to look at him as a king, not someone she was going to marry. Was he always blind to notice that her eyes didn't say love but fear and respect for the king? Did he ever confess that she was the one he dreamed about from the moment his eyes landed on her?
Like the lily soaked in the morning dew, an inexplicable delicate jewel that you can't take your eyes off, she was the same to him. His most desired jewel.
Xavier knew if this time he acted cowardly like in a previous life, he would lose her again. How can she love her and be happy with him if he never tells her how much his heart yearns for her?
Xavier gulped, taking a deep breath before gently grabbing her shoulder. Perplexed by the way he behaved, Agatha took a glance at his eyes. Just for a minuscule amount which felt like an eternity to her; their eyes met.
Strange it was, that those hollow eyes felt like they had thousands of words to speak yet where to start? Those black orbs of his were pulling him in like the silent sea with tremulous waves underneath.
Agatha withdrew her gaze from his eyes, looking sideways. Xavier tried to shake out all the thoughts he was having suddenly.
"Sit down here, please," Xavier remarked, making her sit on a stool while he kneeled on one knee. Xavier gulped to help with his nervousness but it didn't work at all.
His heart was racing at the speed of a tornado, while his stomach was ready to jump out of his mouth the moment he spoke a word. What if he barfs out instead of saying? She will not give him a chance after that.
"Your majesty?" Agatha saw his anxious look, she prays to heaven that whatever he got to say it shouldn't be him not wanting to marry anymore. If he refuses to marry, how will she take her revenge?
"Ah, yes." Xavier came out of his thoughts and stared at her. Seeing her face up close was like ice to his burning heart. The anxiety that was creeping inside him, like darkness, suddenly got daybreak.
His hands instinctively went forward, caressing her cheeks, "Would you believe me if I said that I am crazily in love with you from the moment my eyes landed on you?" Xavier asked, holding down his breath.
Agatha let out a soft smile, her eyes teary, "Please don't make fun of me, your majesty. How can someone like… fall for me out of all people? " Agatha remarked, taking his hand off her face.
"Why can't I? You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. It's fine if you don't love me yet. But I also want you to give me a chance to win your heart, please?" Xavier retorted, desperate to grasp even a little bit of hope. They only have no more than a decade together with each other, if he doesn't try to clutch onto her tightly, she may shatter like a dream and disappear. This was his only chance to redeem.
Xavier clutched onto her hands, his eyes peeking up, pleading to be accepted by her. A chance was all he wanted. Agatha, on the other hand, remained quiet for a few moments before lips curled up into a sweet innocent smile.
"Of course. We are getting married in the next few hours. It's normal as your wife to give my heart and loyalty to only you. You don't have to worry, my whole existence belongs to you till death do us part." Agatha responded, holding back his hands.
Xavier felt a sudden disappointment surging inside him. He can't even blame her. It was all his fault, if he was always clear about his intentions and feelings for her, would it make a difference? Probably.
Xavier let go of her hand, his shoulder plopping down in anger and disappointment in himself. He tried to pull out a smile, getting up from the floor.
Xavier cleared his throat, "Yeah, you are right. I should let you get ready." He excused himself, afraid that if he spent a second there, he would burst into tears and cry like a child. As a king and her man, it was not a good impression to make. A man should never cry!
Reginald was waiting by the door and saw the dejected Xavier walking out, barely holding himself. Reginald went closed out of concern that he may faint any minute.
"Are you okay? Shall I call for the royal physician?" Reginald asked, filled with worry.
"No, it's fine. I am just feeling under the weather, let's go back." Xavier shook his head and walked back to his room with Reginald following behind him.
Once Xavier left her room, the sweet smile on Agatha's lips vanished, like it never existed in the first place. Seeing his expression anyone would be fooled but Agatha didn't. How can you love someone and decide to give them the most painful and slow death and enjoy it?
Every time Agatha thinks about how she struggled to survive all along while he served her poison. How vicious he was when he did that, did he then think of love? In the past, Agatha clearly remembered that not even once he mentioned loving her, then what changed suddenly? Was he planning something more cruel this time? Whatever it was, she should remain alert of her surroundings. It's not him who can play this game, she can too and she was going to double-cross him and mark him on his own game.
"You started it, let me end it," Agatha muttered to herself, as she sat back down on the stool with the dressers returning to the room.