Reborn To Change My Fate

Chapter 360 - Three Hundred And Fifty Nine

The next morning, the bright spring sun shone through the large glass windows of the bedroom. The light touched the soft silk blankets. Marissa slowly opened her eyes. She felt incredibly well-rested. The events of the previous night brought a warm, happy smile to her face. She stretched her arms above her head and rolled over to hug her husband.

But her arms met empty space.

Marissa stopped smiling. She patted the mattress with her hand. The sheets on the other side of the massive four-poster bed were cool to the touch. He had been gone for a while.

She frowned. She sat up in the bed, pulling the thick white quilt up to her chest to cover her bare skin. She looked around the quiet, empty room.

"Where did he go to?" Marissa asked the empty room. Her voice was slightly hoarse from sleep. She wanted to wake up in his arms.

She reached out and picked up a small silver bell sitting on the wooden bedside table. She rang it gently.

A few moments later, the heavy oak door opened. Lily walked into the room. She carried a tray with a warm cup of herbal tea and a clean, damp cloth for Marissa to wash her face. Lily bowed respectfully.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," Lily said cheerfully.

Lily set the silver tray down on the table. She quickly went to the large wooden wardrobe to get Marissa ready for the day. She pulled out a beautiful light yellow day dress that matched the bright spring morning.

Marissa took a sip of the warm tea. She looked at the maid.

"Where’s my husband?" Marissa asked, her dark eyebrows pulling together in a small frown.

Lily turned around, holding the yellow dress neatly over her arm.

"He’s in the council room, Your Majesty," Lily replied politely. "He called a meeting with the royal advisors early this morning. He is discussing the new laws for the kingdom. He instructed us not to disturb you till you are awake."

Marissa nodded slowly. She understood. He was the King now. He had a lot of heavy responsibilities to handle after the terrible reign of King Alistair and the treason of Prince Liam. The kingdom needed order.

She placed her empty teacup back on the silver tray. She thought about her son.

"Where’s my sweet little boy?" she asked. A gentle, loving smile replaced her frown.

Lily replied warmly, "His Highness is in the royal garden. He ate his breakfast early. Now he is outside chasing the spring butterflies and playing with his wooden sword."

Marissa smiled wider. She could easily imagine Ryan running through the green grass, his happy laughter filling the quiet morning air.

"Seems I’ll join him there," Marissa decided. She threw the heavy quilt off her legs and stepped down from the high bed.

Lily nodded. "Right away, Your Majesty." Lily moved quickly to help Marissa wash up and get dressed for the beautiful day outside.

On the other side of the massive royal palace, the atmosphere was completely different.

The council room was a large, serious room made of dark stone and heavy wood. A long table sat in the center, covered with large paper maps, old law books, and stacks of written reports.

Derek sat at the very head of the table. He wore a dark, formal coat. He looked serious, but inside his mind, he was thinking about his wife.

He remembered how he woke up that morning. The room had been dark and peaceful. Marissa was in his arms. She was deeply asleep, her soft breathing quiet and steady. She had snuggled deeper into his warm chest, seeking his body heat. Her dark, wild curls were spread out over his bare skin.

He had stared at her peaceful face for a long time. He did not want to leave the bed. He just wanted to hold her all day. But he had scheduled an early meeting. He wanted to start the meeting very early and finish everything before noon. He planned it this way so that he would have enough free time in the afternoon for his family, Marissa and Ryan.

He had carefully moved her arm, slid out from under the warm covers, and kissed her forehead before leaving the room quietly.

Now, he was sitting in a hard wooden chair, listening to old men talk.

There were twelve royal advisors sitting around the long table. They were older men from noble families. They had gray beards and wore expensive silk robes. They were used to the old, strict traditions of the palace.

Lord Gregory, the oldest advisor, cleared his throat loudly. He looked at Derek with a disapproving expression.

"Your Majesty," Lord Gregory began. His voice was dry and formal. "Before we discuss the taxes, we must address a matter of royal tradition. It concerns the palace staff and your living arrangements."

Derek frowned slightly. He leaned forward, resting his strong arms on the wooden table. "Speak clearly, Lord Gregory. What is the issue?"

"The head maid reported the events of last night," Lord Gregory explained. He looked around the table at the other advisors, who all nodded in agreement. "Upon hearing that you share your bedchamber with the Queen, the council must advise you. It wasn’t the right thing to do."

Derek stared at the old man. His dark eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Excuse me?" Derek asked, his voice dropping to a low, warning tone.

Another advisor spoke up quickly, trying to explain. "Tradition dictates that the King and the Queen maintain separate chambers, Your Majesty. It preserves royal dignity. It maintains order in the household. The Queen only visits the King when she is called upon and the the King only visits the Queen when it is time to produce an heir. Sleeping in the same bed every single night is common behavior, not fit for a royal ruler."

Derek felt slightly annoyed. Actually, he felt more than slightly annoyed. He felt a sudden, sharp anger rising in his chest.

He looked at the twelve old men.

How is being with his wife in the same room the wrong thing to do?

Derek sat up very straight. He placed his large hands flat on the wooden table. He looked at Lord Gregory with a cold, unyielding stare.

"That is the first rule we are changing today," Derek stated. His voice was loud, firm, and completely absolute. It echoed off the stone walls of the council room.