The Lycan King's Puppet-Chapter 46: Soaked

Chapter 46: Soaked
They set out quietly.
Everything began well, the wind was on their side, so was the tide.
Eleanor kept babbling about the weather North of Reden.
And the food. And the trending fashion.
Yeren felt like she was just trying to buy time until they had gone deep into the water before she discussed her true aim.
"What a strong man you are, Your Grace." She said when he took up the oars.
Removing them from their grids was not hard. Neither was paddling.
The boat slid along the water without a hitch.
So he could row a boat after all.
The clear blue sky made the water look blue.
Eleanor dipped her hands in the water as he paddled by, closing her eyes and breathing deeply.
Her weight gradually started tilting the boat towards her side.
"Sit straight."
She sat up straight.
"You’re not as bad with oars as you claimed. Was it all a trick?"
If only it was, he wanted to say.
When he said nothing, she continued, "The scenery is beautiful, isn’t it? And the weather is lovely, don’t you agree?"
"I do agree. It’s one of the finest that can be seen at this time of the year."
"That’s why you organised the picnic today, isn’t it?"
She was on point - he’s given her that.
Then, she scooted closer until their legs brushed.
"I heard you’re going to choose a wife during the blood moon..."
He glanced up once, before returning his attention to the task at hand.
"Yes. What about it?"
She tilted her head and studied him.
"Well, this might sound a bit presumptuous..."
"You haven’t been afraid to be so shamelessly forward up until now - I don’t see why you should change now."
Instead of taking offense and reddening like a ripe cherry, she burst into laughter.
"My God... Your Grace. You really are something. When I first heard about you, I got the impression that you were one of those cold, Alpha King’s that treat women like they’re little more than commodities. Yet, here you are, indulging my nonsense and enduring me."
Indulging her nonsense? He was glad she knew.
And that changed the whole angle from which he saw her. She wasn’t being petty for petty sake.
"Tell me, Eleanor, why did you want to row with me so desperately?"
She fluttered her lashes.
"I wanted to..." She coloured.
He looked away in order to give her space to collect herself.
"I wanted to let you know that I am unmarried and very capable of bearing children."
It was his turn to laugh.
So she did all this to advertise her womanly virtues.
She tried laughing along with him but it didn’t reach her eyes.
"Do you find it funny, Your Grace?" Her eyes were glistening with... unsure tears?
"Not at all." He quickly said, feeling foolish for laughing.
He hadn’t laughed like that in a while.
Since when did a woman propose to a man?
A strong breeze disturbed the calm water, rocking the boat.
The oars felt stuck - he couldn’t move them against the waves.
Her eyes widened when one side of the boat began to lift.
"Do something, Your Grace!"
The colour had drained from both their faces.
His guards, two of them, had already entered a boat and began rowing towards them.
But, it was too late...
The boat capsized into the water with them in it.
The water slapped against his skin as he splashed into it. Eleanor was much worse off than him - she was wailing, swinging her arms every which way.
Yeren swam forward and caught her in his arms.
They both popped out on the surface, panting and shivering.
God! What kind of embarrassment was that?
"I suppose... su...suppose it’s my fault." Eleanor said between shivers.
Yeren only nodded, his lips thinning.
Now, his clothes were wet.
The surrounding boat drew near in the hope of offering assistance.
Andon and Claire were unmistakably in one of those boats.
The smirk on her face was unmistakable as well.
The bloody woman...
Andon laughed out loud, unable to contain it. The other Lords tried to stifle theirs, pretending to be concerned about his wellbeing and that of the woman with him.
The guards arrived and pulled them out of the water. Warm blankets were draped around them.
He was sure his council had a good laugh at his expense.
The journey back to the docks was excruciatingly long and silent.
Chatty Eleanor was gone and smirking Claire was all he could think of.
She was no longer smirking, though - Andon had managed to engage her in conversation that drew genuine laughter out of her.
And he strained to hear the sound, although it was short-lived.
Lines about her laughter were forming in his head, but he shut them away - he had given up that lifestyle.
Lords and Ladies gathered at the docks to catch a glimpse of their soaked King.
People patted his back, muttering fabricated words of concern he didn’t need.
He had to return to the castle. The picnic was over for him - Eleanor had made sure of that.
His guards surrounded him, each holding a thick blanket.
"Had a nice bath?" Falstaff asked him to the hearing of everyone at the table.
Another round of laughter began.
He cracked a smile. Everyone was genuinely laughing - even though it was at his expense. It’s been a while since his council had shared any joke.
Andon finally caught up with him as he neared his carriage.
And Miss Stenly was with him.
Her eyes were dancing - though she wasn’t looking at him.
Typical women, he cursed.
"Shall we join you?" Andon asked.
"We?"
Andon glanced at Claire.
"Your Cupbearer only belongs where her King is."
Yeren looked at her, really looked at her.
She squirmed under his fierce gaze.
"My apologies, Your Grace, for your unfortunate accident."
He nodded, knowing the words were not meant.
"Very well."
He continued walking.
Someone called out to Andon, beckoning on him to join them.
And he left.
Yeren was aware of Claire’s sluggish
footsteps behind him.
And yet again, they were alone.
Was fate trying to play jokes with him?