Claimed By The Tyrant King

Because Julian had admitted that he could hardly sleep because of the noise, Rebecca could not help thinking that she had disturbed the entire household the previous night and that everyone must have heard them.

The thought alone sent another flush across her cheeks, and she wondered how she was supposed to look any of the servants in the face now.

How was she going to walk through the castle knowing that they might all know what had happened between her and Cedric?

She was still lost in her embarrassment when Cedric closed the distance between them and reached up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"That’s alright, Rebecca..." His voice trailed off for a moment before a small, teasing smile appeared on his lips. "Now everyone knows you’re mine," he murmured.

Rebecca’s cheeks grew even warmer, and she was beginning to wonder how many times she could possibly blush in one morning.

Cedric seemed completely unaffected by her embarrassment as he leaned forward and gave her a soft peck on the lips. "Let’s go and get ready for breakfast," he said before pulling away and heading towards the cupboard area.

Rebecca watched him as he walked away, and she pressed her lips together, her heart skipping at the simple affection he had shown her.

She had expected Cedric to be the same once they were married. Perhaps she had imagined that he would remain as serious and intimidating as he appeared to everyone else, but here he was, affectionate with her, teasing her, kissing her, and saying things that made her heart race.

She could not understand how someone could seem so different depending on who stood before him.

To everyone else, Cedric was composed, disciplined, and difficult to read, but with her, there was a warmth that he rarely allowed anyone else to see.

****

At the dining area, a large table had been prepared for them that morning, and the family sat close together as the servants began bringing out the meal.

Julian’s attention immediately fell upon the large golden chicken resting on a platter before him, and his mouth watered at the delicious smell coming from it and the sight of its crisp, perfectly cooked skin.

Rebecca, meanwhile, was still a little nervous because she could not stop thinking about the possibility that the servants knew what had happened the previous night.

However, when she glanced around the room, she saw that everyone was simply occupied with their duties, setting the table and serving their meals without giving her any unusual attention.

Slowly, she allowed herself to relax and turned her attention back to her family.

"Bless this food and those who made it," they prayed together, and after the short prayer, they finally began to eat.

The meal was mostly quiet as everyone enjoyed their food, but there was a comfortable warmth around the table that made Rebecca feel at ease, especially whenever she glanced at Cedric and Julian and found them exchanging small smiles.

Cedric played his part as both husband and father naturally, making sure Rebecca had everything she needed at the table while also helping Julian with his meal.

He cut a piece of chicken for him, passed him what he needed, and patiently answered the questions Julian asked between bites. Rebecca watched her son depend on Cedric so naturally that there was no awkwardness between them at all, and the sight filled her heart with a warmth she could hardly put into words.

For so long, she had been the only one Julian could turn to, and now there was another person sitting beside him who seemed more than willing to share that responsibility.

****

As promised, once they had finished eating, they began their tour of the house.

They followed John through the castle as he showed them the different rooms and halls, walking side by side while Julian moved ahead whenever something caught his attention.

Silverkeep was larger than Rebecca had imagined, and there was a library filled with rows of books, several spacious halls meant for different purposes, and even a large training ground where Cedric and Julian could practise together.

Julian’s eyes widened when they entered the sparring area and he saw the weapons arranged there. "Look at this...," he breathed as he looked across them. "All of these are so impressive..."

Cedric glanced at him with a faint smile. "Once you’ve mastered the sword properly, we can start looking into the other weapons"

Julian’s attention immediately settled on a particular whip, and he stared at it as though he had already decided it would be his favourite. "How long is that going to take?" he grumbled.

"Even I haven’t mastered everything completely," Cedric replied with a chuckle.

Julian turned towards him in disbelief. "Then how long am I going to take?" he asked, genuinely curious now. "What more do you need to learn, Father? You already know everything."

Cedric shook his head at him, amused by his certainty, but Julian could hardly believe what he was hearing.

If Cedric had not mastered everything yet, then what hope did a young boy like him have of learning it all? He wondered how many years it would take before he could finally use all the weapons he had seen.

"Maybe we can try some other things when you’re older, Julian," Rebecca suggested, trying to settle his impatience.

"Like when?" Julian asked immediately.

"Maybe eighteen," she replied.

"That sounds better than waiting until I’m too old, Father," Julian said, turning towards Cedric with a pointed look.

Cedric laughed at his expression. "Alright then. When you’re eighteen."

Julian nodded happily, apparently satisfied with the arrangement, although the determination in his eyes made it clear that he intended to practise his swordsmanship as much as possible before then. If he could master it completely, perhaps Cedric would finally allow him to learn all the other impressive things he had seen.

They continued through the castle, and before long, Julian spotted something through one of the openings ahead. "There’s a garden too!" he exclaimed, pointing towards the wide space beyond before quickly hurrying in that direction.

Rebecca smiled as she followed his gaze. "Looks like I’ve found a place of my own," she said, glancing at Cedric. "You two already have one," she added, referring to the training ground.

Cedric remembered how much Rebecca enjoyed spending time in gardens, and the corner of his mouth lifted. "Are you sure you don’t want to share?" he asked jokingly.

Rebecca turned her attention towards the garden, taking in the long, open space filled with different flowers, while butterflies fluttered from one bloom to another and Julian was already trying to catch one. She smiled when she saw how happy he looked, and when she looked back at Cedric, she found him watching her.

"I guess I could," she said with a smile.

The two of them walked towards the garden together, their hands joined as they made their way among the flowers, while John remained behind to give the family some privacy.

Rebecca felt content as she walked beside Cedric, because the morning had begun with only the two of them in their room, yet now they were exploring their new home together with Julian, and everything felt so natural.

When they reached a rose shrub, Cedric reached towards one of the flowers, intending to pick it for Rebecca.

"They have thorns," she warned, her expression immediately turning worried.

Cedric had already plucked the rose without difficulty, and after carefully removing the thorns from its stem. "I also have a rose garden back at home, so I know how to handle them," he said calmly.

Rebecca looked at him in surprise. "You garden?"

"Surprised?" he asked as he stepped closer.

Before she could answer, he gently tucked the rose into her hair, and the simple gesture made her cheeks warm. The flower suited her, making her look even more beautiful in the soft morning light.

"What else can you do, Cedric?" Rebecca asked, narrowing her eyes playfully. "Why do I feel like I still don’t know everything about you?"

The corner of his lips curved into a smile as he looked at her. "Would you like to come and see it someday?" he asked.

"Of course," Rebecca answered without hesitation. She definitely wanted him to take her home one day so she could see the garden he had mentioned, because somehow, the more she learned about Cedric, the more she realised there were still many things about him she had yet to discover.

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