Chapter 358: 358 — A Royal Shouldn’t Laugh Loudly

Author’s note: The timing is wrong but enjoy some angst-free moments! It’s Soren’s and Rihaan’s wedding night after all!

— Last Night —

Sitting on the soft mattress, Soren stared at the rose petals scattered beneath him, their delicate fragrance filling the room. He had been told to wait there until his husband was sent in. It was their wedding night—the kind of night people spoke of for the rest of their lives, one meant to be remembered.

The door creaked open.

Soren’s breath caught as the sound of footsteps followed—steady, familiar. He knew that rhythm by heart now.

Rihaan.

His heart skipped, warmth rising to his cheeks before he could stop it. And yet, just as quickly, doubt slipped in.

Had he made the right decision?

Marrying this man... going against his father for it... insisting on it, even—his very first true choice, one made for himself.

Had he been reckless?

"What are you thinking about?" Rihaan’s voice broke through his thoughts as he stopped a few steps from the bed.

He didn’t move any closer. He didn’t dare to. His gaze lingered on Soren, cautious despite the undeniable pull he felt.

What if he startled him? What if this was still too much? After everything that had happened with that captain, even standing this close might already be pushing boundaries.

Although it makes my blood boil...

Rihaan drew in a slow breath, forcing his emotions—and his pheromones—back under control.

Soren lifted his gaze at last. His amber eyes met Rihaan’s hazel ones, and for a moment, neither of them moved. Neither blinked. They simply looked at each other, caught in a quiet, fragile stillness that felt heavier than words.

The alpha hesitated before asking, "Can I come closer?"

At those words, Soren suddenly burst into laughter, leaving the other man momentarily confused. Slowly, he raised his hand to his mouth, trying to hide the bright smile that had formed.

"Did I say something funny...?" Rihaan narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to understand his bride’s reaction. "And don’t hide that laugh."

"And why shouldn’t I?" Soren replied, a playful note slipping into his voice. Once he calmed down, he coughed softly, as if to regain composure. "A royal shouldn’t laugh so loudly..." he added, lowering his gaze as a bittersweet smile touched his lips.

Rihaan’s breath caught.

His heart throbbed in his chest as he stared at him, unable to understand why anyone would expect such a radiant expression to be hidden. Wasn’t laughter simply a way to express happiness?

"Which fool told you something so ridiculous?" he said, lowering himself onto the mattress beside him.

"Hmm... I think it was one of my etiquette tutors," Soren replied, tilting his head slightly as he tried to recall. "Or perhaps during our academy days..."

"And you chose to follow that?" Rihaan began, then paused. "I didn’t take you for someone so—"

"So?" Soren cut in, raising an eyebrow.

Rihaan swallowed, shaking his head. There was no way he was about to call his newly wedded husband foolish. That would be the worst possible way to ruin their wedding night.

A complete disaster.

"But why were you asking for permission?" Soren continued, a teasing smile returning to his lips. "Are you suddenly shy, even though we’ve already... crossed that line before marriage?"

Rihaan didn’t answer immediately.

He simply looked at him.

This Soren felt unfamiliar—so different from the reserved omega he had known. Tonight, he was not the crown prince of Revhara. Not the distant figure others saw. Not even the fiancé he had once rejected. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Tonight, Soren was simply himself, letting his usual mask slip.

This was his raw self. More real than anything else.

"Why are you staring at me like that—"

Before Soren could finish, Rihaan leaned forward and closed the distance between them with a soft kiss.

Soren responded instinctively, parting his lips slightly as he breathed in. Rihaan deepened the kiss, pulling him closer, their breaths mingling.

The air grew warmer.

Their pheromones slowly filled the room, tension giving way to something softer, heavier—something that drew them closer.

"I-It’s... hot," Soren murmured between breaths, his voice unsteady.

A faint smirk touched Rihaan’s lips, though his gaze softened.

"Should I help you?" he asked quietly, his hand moving to Soren’s waist.

Soren gave a small, hesitant nod, lowering his gaze as his breath hitched.

Rihaan’s movements slowed, more careful now, as if giving him time to adjust, to decide, unwilling to rush.

That, more than anything, made Soren’s chest tighten.

There was no urgency in his touch, no claim of possession—only a quiet patience, as if he was waiting for Soren to meet him halfway.

The alpha’s fingers brushed lightly against Soren’s waist, then stilled, giving him time to pull away if he wished.

But Soren didn’t.

Instead, he lifted his gaze again, meeting Rihaan’s eyes with something softer this time—uncertain, yet willing.

"It’s alright. You may," he whispered, barely audible.

And that was all Rihaan needed. He leaned in once more, pressing a gentler kiss against Soren’s lips, one that lingered longer than before. It wasn’t demanding. It wasn’t rushed. It felt like a question rather than a command.

Soren answered it.

His hand rose hesitantly, resting against Rihaan’s shoulder, fingers curling slightly into the fabric as if grounding himself. The distance between them disappeared slowly, naturally, until there was nothing left but shared warmth and quiet breaths.

The storm outside seemed distant now.

Muted.

Irrelevant.

All Soren could focus on was the way Rihaan held him—not tightly, not forcefully, but carefully, as though he were something precious. Something far too fragile for his beastly nature.

Something worth protecting.

"Are you sure?" Rihaan murmured softly against his lips, his voice barely more than a breath.

Soren nodded, his cheeks flushed, but his gaze steady.

"I chose this," he said quietly. "I chose you."

Something in Rihaan’s expression shifted at those words—something deep, something almost painful in its sincerity. His hand slid up to cup Soren’s cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against his skin.

"Then I’ll make sure you never regret it."

The promise lingered between them.

Not heavy.

Not binding.

But real.

Their movements remained slow, guided more by emotion than desire alone. Every touch carried meaning, every pause filled with unspoken understanding. It wasn’t about urgency—it was about closeness, about learning each other without fear, without restraint.

Soren let himself relax into it, into him.

For the first time in a long while, he didn’t feel like he had to hold anything back.

And neither did Rihaan.

That night wasn’t just about their union.

It was about trust.

About putting aside their past.

About choosing each other—not because they had to, but because, despite everything, they wanted to.