Adrien’s face flushed as he was reminded of their earlier conversation. He was tempted to go nowhere near that bathroom just to spite Mikyle for all of his teasing.

Adrien turned a hard stare onto Mikyle, his lower lip jutted out in a pout. "Just see if I go anywhere near a bathroom with you around."

"Is that a challenge?"

Adrien flinched, realizing too late that he had spoken the wrong words. What he had said was more-and-likely to provoke Mikyle more than anything.

I think I may have just dug my own grave. Let’s just ignore it for now.

"Where is the Fairy Grove Garden? Also, just how many gardens are there for them to have names?"

"Hmm. The garden is located on the west side of the main palace, and there are twelve gardens in total, roughly two gardens per palace."

Even though Mikyle answered all his questions, Adrien was unable to relax. Why is he playing along? He would normally tease me relentlessly, but he’s given up way too easily.

The grip on his hand tightened as Mikyle gave it a light squeeze. "Your hands are sweaty. Are you nervous?"

Adrien gave him a side-long look. "You’re the one making me nervous."

Mikyle chuckled upon hearing Adrien’s words. He brought Adrien’s hand up to his mouth and kissed the back of it. "Good. At least you are aware of the things to come tonight."

Adrien stumbled. He literally stumbled, his feet colliding into each other. Mikyle’s firm grip on his hand was the only reason why he didn’t face plant into the floor.

This! Why is he always like this when we’re alone?! I don’t know if I should have butterflies in my stomach or if I should be afraid for my life! That’s it! I’m not taking a step into Mikyle’s bedchambers, and especially not his bathroom!

Mikyle’s grip on his arm softened and his lips brushed against Adrien’s ear. "Stay with me in my chambers during our visit and I’ll loan you the books we have on the Ancient Kings."

Adrien gasped as he turned wide eyes onto Mikyle. "You already promised me that you would let me read them!" It had been an enticing promise that Mikyle had made during their first date.

"I did. Now I’m adding a stipulation to that promise. You’ll run away if I don’t."

Evil and calculating! That’s what this man is!

"Fine. I can just look for them in other places for now since I’ll eventually get my hands on the ones here." I have a feeling that this won’t be last trip to the palace so I can always try asking–

His thoughts were cut off when Mikyle released his hand and snaked his arm around Adrien’s waist instead. Adrien was forced to stop walking as his body was suddenly turned. The front of his body collided into Mikyle, and before he had time to process anything else, his lips were captured in a fierce and endearing kiss that sent a tingling sensation down his body that made his fingers and toes curl.

The kiss only lasted a few seconds but it was passionate and shocking enough to make the few servants who witnessed it gasp aloud.

"I know you were thinking of asking Lianna or someone else to help you get the books but the way you phrased it made it sound as if you will be staying here permanently in the future."

It didn’t take a genius to figure out what Mikyle was hinting at. And it would be really bad if Adrien couldn’t since Mikyle had already admitted to wanting to marry him.

Adrien unfurled one of his hands and brought it up to cup Mikyle’s face which was still dangerously close to his. "I could always do tha–"

"Oh, my! We were informed of your arrival, so I personally came to see why you two were taking so long."

The voice startled Adrien, enough that he had stopped talking and had even dropped his hand from where it laid against Mikyle’s cheek.

Mikyle visibly grimaced even though his eyes were still sparkling. He slowly raised his head and took a small step back away from Adrien. "Sorry for the delay. We were on our way to greet you, Queen–"

"Stop with the stiff formalities." The voice belonged to a fiery redhead who stood with all the grace and elegance in the world. A fan that she had been holding was forced closed as it slapped against her palm. "Your mother and I have told you time and time again to treat us as you do in private. No one cares about prying ears." She then turned a sparking, golden gaze onto Adrien. "You must be Adrien Mallorne. You’re even cuter up close."

Adrien felt his brain freeze at being called cute by the nation’s ruling mother, the Queen Regent.

Mikyle released a sigh, snapping Adrien out of his daze. He wore a smirk as he looked down at Adrien, tugging his hand with his. "Let’s go." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Wait, shouldn’t I greet her first?" Adrien was pretty sure that it was a law or something that required one to greet members of the royal family when in their presence.

"There is no need for it," said the Queen Regent, a smile on her red painted lips. "We’re practically family." She turned around with a flourish, the skirt of her dress swishing around her ankles in a flurry of white and gold.

I know that the Queen Regent isn’t Mikyle’s biological mother, but I wonder if she’s the one who influenced him the most? Their personalities certainly seem similar.

Adrien allowed Mikyle to pull him along as they followed the Queen Regent outside. They walked along a pathway paved with gray stones, large rose bushes lined either side.

Soon, they came to a large glass greenhouse. Guards standing at the entrance opened the doors when they saw them coming.

Adrien poked Mikyle’s arm with the hand that he wasn’t holding. "Let me carry that." He then pointed to the gift of sweets that Mikyle was currently carrying.

Mikyle chuckled softly, finding the way that Adrien was whispering softly bemusing. "Here you are, Kitten." Mikyle handed everything over which Adrien took gratefully.

The stone pathway that they were on continued on in the greenhouse, winding various paths through the enormous space. Roses of different kinds and colors were planted all around them. Off to one side was a man-made pond with swans swimming around in it. And all through the greenhouse were butterflies, lots and lots of butterflies.

The Queen Regent led them down the winding path, leading them toward the center of the garden. And in that very center they found a large gazebo with vines and other flowers climbing up its pillars. Set up in the center of the gazebo was a table with a tray of snacks on it. Sitting at the table was Lianna, and a blonde woman with large lake-blue eyes who was wearing a light green dress. Adrien could only assume that this woman was the Queen Consort.

The Queen Consort stood up from the table, a fond smile graced her lips when her eyes landed on Mikyle. "My son, you’re here." She walked over to him and embraced him in a hug.

Mikyle returned her hug, a smile softening his expression. "You act as if I’ve been gone for a long time, mother."

His mother leaned away, lightly smacking his arm. "Who says a mother can’t miss her son even if it has only been a couple of weeks?"

The Queen Consort then turned to Adrien. Her blue eyes sparkled as she took him in. "You must be Count Mallorne’s youngest. It’s nice to finally meet you, Adrien." She then embraced him in a light hug, uncaring of the fact that he was practically a stranger or the fact that he was currently carrying something.

Mikyle chuckled off to the side, finding the scene before him amusing since Adrien showed obvious discomfort even if he tried to hide it.

The Queen Regent released a laugh of her own, her expression morphed into one of amusement. "You must excuse Paulina. She’s quite fond of hugs."