Claimed By The Tyrant King

The next morning arrived with the cheerful chirping of birds outside the window, and Rebecca slowly opened her eyes as the soft morning light spread across the room.

She blinked, allowing her eyes to adjust before she let out a quiet moan and shifted beneath the covers.

She could not remember the last time she had slept so deeply, although there was a lingering ache in parts of her body when she moved. Instead of regretting it, however, she found herself smiling because the soreness only reminded her that everything that had happened between her and Cedric the night before had been real.

She lifted her head slightly and turned to the man sleeping beside her, finding Cedric still peacefully asleep.

His face looked softer than usual, without the seriousness that normally settled over his features each morning, and his arm remained stretched beneath her so that she could rest comfortably against it. Rebecca could only wonder whether his arm had become uncomfortable during the night and yet he had refused to move it because he had wanted to keep holding her close.

The thought made her bite her lower lip as warmth spread through her chest. She was lying beside her husband, in the home that had been given to them, and for the first time in a long time, she had woken up beside someone who had chosen to stay. She was married to Cedric, and the life she had gone to sleep thinking about was no longer something she could only imagine. It was hers.

A small smile appeared on her lips as she raised her hand toward his face, wanting to brush her fingers against his cheek while he slept, but before she could touch him, his eyes slowly opened.

Rebecca immediately froze when his dark gaze settled on her, and her hand stopped in midair. Instinctively, she opened her palm and placed it between his face and the sunlight coming through the window.

"I was just shielding you from the sun," she said quickly, her expression becoming even more embarrassed when she realised how ridiculous the excuse sounded.

Cedric raised one eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, and the faintest amusement appeared in his eyes as he looked at the blush spreading across her cheeks. "It’s alright to touch me," he said softly.

Rebecca’s toes curled beneath the sheets, and she almost wished she could disappear beneath them instead. Before she could think of another excuse, Cedric reached for her hand and gently lowered it from his face, but he did not let go. He held it between his own for a moment as though reassuring her that there was nothing strange about what she had been trying to do, and then he brought her hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss against the inside of her palm.

"You were much bolder yesterday night," he murmured.

Rebecca’s face burned even hotter, and she gave a small, embarrassed chuckle because she had no idea how she was supposed to respond to that. She had actually silently wondered how they would look at each other the next morning after everything they had shared, and now that the moment had finally arrived, Cedric seemed far too comfortable with reminding her of it. She could not even bring herself to meet his eyes properly, especially when the memory of the previous night returned to her mind.

Cedric seemed to notice her embarrassment, because his expression softened as he shifted closer until they were facing each other properly.

Their eyes met, and Rebecca found herself holding her breath for a moment as she looked at him. There was no awkwardness in his expression now, only warmth and a quiet affection that made her heart beat a little faster. "Good morning, dear wife," he said calmly, and the words made something flutter inside her. "Did you sleep well?"

Rebecca swallowed, the words dear wife taking a moment to settle in her mind before she finally nodded. "I did," she answered softly, and then she looked at him. "Did you?"

"I’ve never felt so at peace before," Cedric replied calmly, and he meant it. Perhaps it was because he was a knight, or perhaps it was simply the way he had lived for so long, but sleep had never come easily to him. There were nights when the sounds of voices and the memories of blood would return to his mind, keeping him awake for hours, although it did not happen every night. Even when he managed to sleep, it was rarely enough, but last night had been different. He had slept deeply and peacefully, and for once, his mind had been quiet. "It feels like I have no problems now," he added quietly.

Rebecca’s heart softened at his words because she could hear the honesty in them. "We made a good decision getting married," she said.

"Definitely," he agreed without the slightest hesitation, and his hand found hers beneath the covers, their fingers intertwining as he held her hand firmly. "It’s us against the world now."

Rebecca nodded, and before they could continue the conversation, a soft knock sounded against the door. They both turned towards it, and Cedric lowered his voice. "Who do you think that is?"

"Has to be Julian," Rebecca murmured, and they immediately parted, remembering that they had gone to sleep without putting their clothes back on after the previous night’s events.

They quickly pulled the covers properly over themselves, and a moment later, the door creaked open just enough for Julian’s head to appear.

Rebecca gave Cedric a knowing look that clearly said, I told you so.

"Come, Julian," she called, holding out her hand.

The boy crossed the room and went straight towards her, his face bright with the excitement of the new place. "Good morning, Mother... and Father," he greeted softly, his gaze shifting towards Cedric.

"A pleasant morning to you too, Julian," Cedric replied, his voice calm and composed as though there was nothing unusual about the situation. Julian looked back at his mother, however, and noticed the happy glow on her face.

"How was your night? Did you like your new room?" Rebecca asked him, trying to keep her attention on anything other than the fact that she was sitting beneath the covers with Cedric.

"I do like the room," Julian answered immediately, and then his expression changed as he remembered something. "However... I couldn’t sleep properly last night. I kept hearing noises from your room."

The colour drained from Rebecca’s face instantly, and the hand she had placed on his shoulder went cold and Cedric was just as stunned.

"Wh... What?" Rebecca stammered.

Julian said with a small frown forming on his face. "The door doesn’t really keep the sounds out."

Cedric cleared his throat, and even he found himself becoming flustered by the boy’s bluntness. "Julian... I thought you wanted to tour the castle?" he asked quickly.

Julian’s eyes brightened at once as his attention shifted to Cedric. "Yes! I came to ask that. When will we get to tour the castle?" he asked.

"After breakfast" Cedric suggested.

Julian nodded immediately, his previous complaint forgotten.

"Great. Then we’ll get ready, join you for breakfast, and tour the castle." Cedric said.

"Yes!" Julian exclaimed excitedly as he looked from Cedric to Rebecca, and Rebecca managed to smile at him before he hurried out of the room. The door closed behind him, leaving an awkward silence between the newlyweds.

Rebecca slowly turned towards Cedric, her cheeks burning as she gave him a nervous glance. "Do you think I was too loud last night?" she whispered.

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