Second Female Leads' Playbook

Another year of travelling around the continent. I spent a couple of months with my family in Arerin. While I traveled, a certain someone always followed.

"Your majesty, please go back and work!"

"Want a drink?" He offered me a cup of juice this tropical city was famous for.

"Your majesty, this is getting ridiculous. What king treks the continent like some explorer? Kings are supposed to stay on their throne! And what if someone kicks you off the throne while you're following me around? You don't have an extra ounce of power left to reverse time! I can't help you anymore!"

"Father will ensure that won't happen."

I stared at him and sighed. "King Louis will hate me for this."

"He won't."

I eyed him suspiciously. King Louis' wish for retirement was a well-known fact.

"It would be great if there are ice cubes in this juice." The sun was beating straight on my head. My head could fry an egg at this rate.

I looked at him expectantly.

"It's a trap," he said after a moment of silence.

"Yes, it is."

"If I chose not to tell you the truth, what would you do?"

"Then you could leave now." I gave him a sugar sweet smile.

"When did you discover?"

"Of you betraying my trust once again?"

"I did not betray your trust. I simply did not supply sufficient information."

"Do you think that's not the same thing?" I raised my eyebrow.

"It's the same thing. I apologize."

"The truth."

Who could foresee Liana Cain demanding the truth from King Sebastian?

With a very subtle sigh, Sebastian opened his mouth. "I cannot control ice. It's just a cover for my real power. I can manipulate illusions. Create illusions that are strikingly real. The illusions involve vision, sound, taste, smell and perception."

"Are there any more tiny secrets?"

"No."

I nodded.

"Will you forgive me?"

"I know you have your reasons for hiding that from everyone. But that does not make me any happier. I decided to be angry with you for a few days."

"A King has to have a few hidden cards."

"Yes I know. I have always known that," I replied with bone deep tiredness.

"Liana." He put his palm on my cheek. "I am sorry."

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the sense of warmth and security his hand brought me.

"Not that I will forgive you so soon, even though I understand your reasons."

"Hope this gift will brighten your day." He once again pushed a tiny box in my hand. "This is the last piece."

I opened the box. It's the last piece, just as delicate and elegant as all the past pieces.

"Sorted out the puzzle yet?"

Thinking back to the object I had ȧssembled with the pieces he gave me throughout the years.

"So you have." His hand captured mine and said, "Stop tugging. You do that whenever you're nervous. What's your reply?"

Was that a hint of nervousness I captured?

"I am still not talking to you." I continued walking, but I did not shake away his hand.

With a smile, Sebastian followed me to wherever I was dragging him.

And our future would be as sparkling as his gift for me, a crown for his Queen.