I Am The Tyrant’s Wife

"The scratches are gone," the doctor said as he applied ointment once again, making sure that yhe scratches would disappear completely.

"That's a relief," Meredith heaved a sigh and smiled. It had been days since she had to show her face with the scratches. It was a reminder of her petty and childish personality shown to everyone. She hoped they would forget of what happened.

"The burns will also heal in a few more days, it won't leave a scar." The doctor began to fix his things, putting a new bottle of the ointment on the tableside.

"That's good to hear. Thank you, doctor." Before leaving, the doctor smiled and left her chambers after saying his goodbyes.

Meredith continued on with her studies, moving to the table instead of her bed as the burns did not ache anymore.

"Your Highness," Theodore knocked on her door before entering her chambers.

"Theodore," Meredith sweetly smiled. "Do you have more books for me?" Theodore had been helping her with her lessons, providing books and answering the questions she may have in relation to the palace. Meredith liked his swift answers, so obvious that Theodore knew the palace like the back of his hand.

Theodore shook his head. "My apologies, I don't have them today. But, His Majesty wishes to speak with you."

Meredith tilted her head and blinked. She and him haven't spoken since the incident. There was no reason to, anyway. She wondered what could this be about. Was there something she needed to do?

"I see, lead the way." Meredith stood up from her chair, leaving her pen on the table. Fiona quickly fixed her things and followed behind.

They quietly followed as they stopped in front of a door. It was near the North wing where most leisurely rooms were, such as the game room, and many other rooms just for relaxing and tea with guests. This room was one of those rooms.

"You Majesty," Theodore went inside, bowing to Krillien who was taking a sip of his tea. "Her Highness is here."

Krillien gestured to them to let her in. Slowly, Meredith went inside and bowed her head, greeting him. "Your Majesty, you called for me?"

He looked up and hummed a yes. "Have some tea." The maid who was there poured the empty cup with tea, its flowery aroma filling the room.

Meredith hesitated then sat down on the couch across Krillien, accepting the tea the maid gave her. Krillien waved his hand to the maid and Fiona, prompting them to leave.

With a sip of the tea, Meredith gulped as they were alone in the room, just the two of them having tea.

"The doctor said you were fine now," Krillien said, eyes darting towards her. He must have been informed of her condition this whole time.

"Yes." Meredith nodded. Meredith would smile once in a while to relieve some of the awkwardness she was feeling. Was this just what he wanted? Some tea time? He could have had this time alone.

Krillien cleared his throat and leaned forward, pouring more tea in Meredith's cup. Her eyes widened, "you don't have to do that. I can—"

"Chamomile is good for you," he said as he stopped pouring and pushed the tea cup towards her. "It helps with sleep."

"Ah," Meredith nodded.

"Have you not been sleeping well? Fiona says you're always up early. Though the bags under your eyes says otherwise." Meredith quickly touched her face, feeling for whether the skin under her eyes had sagged so much. Though she wanted to glare at him for pointing it out, it must have been obvious for even Krillien would notice it.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. But I am fine." She smiled. It is true she hadn't been sleeping well, but what could she do? She would always twist and turn in bed but it would always keep her awake.

Krillien stared for a bit as if debating whether or not to believe her or push for answers. He let her be. "If you say so. Then you are fine."

"Indeed." Surprisingly, Krillien did not ignore her the whole time she stayed at the palace. He would always call for her for whatever reason he had, mostly just to speak with her of something he needed to hear answers from Meredith herself. Though, it would lead to slight awkwardness, it was always at a time where they would eat or right now with tea.

Krillien was unusual for Meredith. She thought he would be ruthless and ignorant. She thought he would mind his own business without a care in the world. She thought he wouldn't have an ounce of care for her. And yet.

And yet Krillien had accomodated her needs. And yet he gave time to see her when she laid in bed from her burns and the scratches on her face. And yet now he tells her to have tea to help her sleep. And yet he only asked for her when he knew she was finally doing okay.

She thought he would be like the rest; her father who did not care for her no matter how sick she would get as a child, her mother who did not care for the attention she seeked from them. He was unusual for her did not act like how she thought he would. It was almost as if he… cared.

Was it alright for her to assume that he does?

Meredith looked up as she sipped her tea, watching Krillien as he sipped his tea, looking at the documents he had brought with him. Were they just going to sit here in silence?

"Your Majesty," Meredith said as she put down her tea cup. Krillien looked up. "Why did you agree to marry me?"

Silence.

Krillien's eyes wandered to the document in his hands, the tea, to the table, to Meredith's eyes who seemed to be expectant of his answer, to the light scratches on her face where that ruthless woman had slapped her, back to her eyes who seemed to be urging him to answer.

He couldn't tell if he liked how forward she was. But they wouldn't be here in the first place without that, no?

His mouth opened, about to answer when Theodore knocked on the door. Their heads turned towards it as Krillien told him to come in.

"Your Majesty," Theodore entered. His eyes darted to Meredith and back to Krillien as he cleared his throat. "The Ryvetskys are here."