Reborn To Change My Fate

Chapter 358 - Three Hundred And Fifty Seven

In the center of the room, Ian stood at the foot of the massive four-poster bed. The loyal shadow guard had already managed to lay the drunken King down. Ian leaned over, gently pulling off Derek’s heavy, knee-high leather boots. He set the boots neatly on the carpet.

Marissa walked deeper into the room. The soft rustling of her heavy white silk coronation dress broke the quiet silence.

Ian looked up. He immediately stopped what he was doing and bowed his head deeply.

"Do not worry, Ian," Marissa said. Her voice was very soft and gentle. She offered the guard a warm smile of gratitude. "I will take over from here. You have done more than enough today. Go and get some rest."

Ian nodded respectfully. He did not argue with the Queen. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Have a peaceful night." He bowed once more and walked silently past her, leaving the room and closing the door firmly behind him.

The room fell completely silent. Marissa turned her attention to the large bed.

Derek was lying on his back, resting against the soft pillows. The heavy crimson velvet cape was still wrapped around his broad shoulders. The gold chain of his royal outfit gleamed in the dim candlelight. His eyes were closed, and his breathing was slow and heavy from the wine he had consumed at the banquet.

But even in his drunken state, his sharp senses recognized her. He felt the familiar, comforting shift in the air. He smelled the sweet scent of lavender that always followed her.

"Mari," Derek called out softly, feeling Marissa’s presence in the room.

He slowly turned his head to his side. He opened his dark eyes. The strong red wine made his vision slightly blurry and fuzzy around the edges. But as he focused on the woman standing beside his bed, his vision cleared just enough. He could see her perfectly.

She was standing in the dim light, still wearing her bright white and gold silk dress. The diamond crown had been removed, but her dark, curly hair was still pinned up in its complex, elegant style. The soft light made the gold thread on her dress shine.

Derek smiled. It was a lazy, incredibly happy, and completely honest smile.

"You look so much like a queen," Derek said, his voice thick and gravelly. He reached his large hand out across the silk blankets, waiting for her touch.

Marissa smiled back at him. Hearing his words, Marissa suddenly remembered that she was still trapped in her heavy, stiff coronation attire. The thick silk and the tight corset were uncomfortable. She wanted to be free of the heavy royal burden, at least for tonight.

She stepped closer to the edge of the mattress. She placed her warm hands on his strong arms.

"Come here," Marissa whispered.

She gently pulled his arms and made Derek sit up on the edge of the bed. He groaned softly, his muscles heavy from the long day, but he cooperated. He sat on the mattress, his knees parted, looking up at her with adoring, sleepy eyes.

Marissa stood between his knees. She reached up to his chest. Her small fingers found the thick gold chain that held his heavy crimson cape together. She unhooked the chain and pushed the heavy velvet fabric off his broad shoulders. The cape fell onto the bed behind him.

Next, she grabbed the edges of his rich, dark upper garment. She carefully unbuttoned the front, pulling the fabric wide open. She pulled the sleeves down his muscular arms and tossed the shirt onto a nearby chair, leaving his chest completely bare.

The warm air of the room touched his skin. Marissa let her hands rest on his bare chest. She felt the steady, strong beat of his heart. She gently traced the edge of the pink scar on his back where the poisonous arrow had struck him a months ago. She smiled.

As she worked to make him comfortable, Derek’s dark eyes moved upward. He looked at her beautifully styled hair. He hated the tight pins. He loved her hair wild and free.

Derek lifted his hands. He reached for her hair. His large fingers, surprisingly gentle despite the alcohol in his blood, found the small metal pins holding her dark curls in place.

He began to pull them out, one by one. He removed the pins and carelessly started throwing them to the floor. The small pieces of metal made tiny ping sounds as they hit the floor.

As the last pin was pulled away, the heavy structure of her hairstyle fell apart. Her dark, thick hair tumbled down freely, cascading over her shoulders and framing her beautiful face in wild, natural curls.

Derek looked at her loose hair and let out a soft, satisfied sigh.

Suddenly, there was a sharp knock on the bedroom door.

Marissa stopped moving. She took a half step back from Derek. "Enter," Marissa said clearly, turning her head toward the door.

The door opened. The four maids from the hallway entered the room. They carried large copper buckets filled with steaming hot water and clean white towels. They kept their heads bowed respectfully, walking quickly toward the attached washroom. They began preparing the bath, pouring the hot water into the large copper tub. The sound of splashing water filled the quiet room.

Marissa stood still, waiting for them to finish their quick work.

But Derek did not care about the maids. He did not care about palace rules or proper behavior. He only cared about the woman standing right in front of him.

He reached out his hand again. He gently touched the soft, dark curl that framed her face. He rubbed the soft hair between his thumb and index finger. His dark eyes locked onto hers, burning with a sudden, intense heat that completely burned away the sleepy fog of the wine.

He leaned his face closer to her stomach. He looked up into her eyes.

"I want to make love to you tonight, Mari," Derek stated plainly.