The Vampire's King Pet-Chapter 35: Strip.

"I’m doing fine, don’t worry. One night of not sleeping won’t do anything to me," Arthur said, turning to her with a small, reassuring smile. Amethyst nodded slowly, though her brows pressed lightly together. She could always see the things he tried to hide.

"And also..." He stopped walking, making her pause as well. His voice lowered slightly, almost hesitant. "Don’t hug me like that next time."

She blinked and gave him a questioning look. "Why shouldn’t I? We did it a lot when we were younger," she said, genuinely confused. Her voice carried a hint of innocence, the kind she only ever used with people she trusted deeply.

"Exactly why you shouldn’t," Arthur replied calmly. "We’re not children anymore, okay?"

Amethyst nodded, though she didn’t look entirely convinced. "Hm," she hummed softly.

Arthur turned fully to face her, tilting his head as if trying to study her expression from a different angle. "Are you angry?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly in concern.

She shook her head. "No, why do you ask?"

"You’re not talking," he explained. "Which is weird. You only do that when you’re angry."

A small chuckle slipped past her lips. "I’m not angry, but if you keep asking I might get angry for real," she said with a playful glare.

"You don’t change," he replied, though the corners of his mouth twitched upward just slightly.

They continued walking, and for a moment there was silence—one that stretched comfortably between them. Yet Amethyst hesitated, her steps slowing as a thought weighed more heavily on her mind.

Finally, she spoke. "What kind of relationship does my brother have with Lady Serena? He brought her to the palace for what exactly?" She asked it gently, but Arthur could hear the curiosity hidden underneath.

She had been meaning to ask the question for days, but she had kept it to herself, afraid of sounding too interested, or worse, too hopeful.

Arthur’s eyes studied her for a moment. "Why do you ask?"

Amethyst shrugged casually, though her voice softened. "I just wondered. Nothing else."

Arthur folded his arms, thinking. "I don’t think there’s any relationship between them. His attitude toward her is quite different from his usual. I don’t think he would develop something for her after only a few weeks of knowing her."

"I thought so too," Amethyst said quietly. "But I do hope he falls in love with her. Lady Serena is really pretty and fit for a queen. It would be amazing. I don’t want to get married before my brother; there would be no one to disturb him in the palace."

"That’s unfair," Arthur said with a light frown. "He has Derick and I to keep him company."

Amethyst raised a brow, stepping closer to him. "Really? I have a good feeling you’d be married by then."

Arthur let out a small laugh, shaking his head. "Married? Me? No way. I’m too busy to think about that."

She folded her arms, giving him a knowing smile. "If you say so."

They kept walking, the evening air cool around them, carrying the faint scent of the palace gardens. Amethyst looked up at Arthur again, her playful grin returning.

"Honestly though, I think you three are destined to be with each other," she said jokingly. "I’ve never seen an advisor and a guard be so close to each other. You three are like soulmates."

Arthur pressed his lips into a thin line, narrowing his eyes at her. She burst out laughing.

"I’m just pulling your legs, don’t take it to heart," she said between laughs. She loved teasing him, especially about things he tried so desperately to deny.

"Have your fun," he said simply, allowing her to say anything she wanted.

Amethyst sighed, stretching her arms slightly. "I’m going back to my room. I’ve had enough air for the evening. And don’t escort me back in—I’m not a damsel in distress. See you tomorrow."

He nodded and watched her turn around, her dress swaying behind her as she walked into the palace. Even from the back, he could see the confidence in her steps.

’She’s stronger than I thought,’ Arthur said to himself before heading inside.

---

Morning came gently.

The sun rose, casting a warm golden glow over the palace. Serena stirred in her sleep before finally forcing her eyes open. The sunlight touched her face, warming her skin. She sat up slowly, blinking away the heaviness that clung to her like a thick blanket.

Her entire body felt heavy, as though she had been hit by a running horse just not in a bad way. She felt strange, but still better than she had felt in a long while.

As she looked around the room, her gaze landed on the King.

Alexander sat in a chair beside her bed, his head leaned back, eyes closed. His posture was relaxed, but his presence remained imposing, powerful. He looked almost unreal... peaceful, strong, and effortlessly handsome. It had been long since she last saw him properly, and she couldn’t deny how seeing him again made her heart flutter in a confusing way.

Serena moved slowly toward the edge of the bed, lowering both feet to the ground. The cold marble floor sent a shiver up her spine. She pushed herself up—

Only for her weak legs to give out beneath her.

She fell with a soft thud.

"Ow..." she groaned quietly. She looked down at her legs in frustration. "Legs," she sighed.

Before she could try again, Alexander crouched down in front of her.

"What do you think you’re doing?" he asked. His voice was deeper, slightly rough from sleep, but sharp with concern. His eyes scanned her face, checking for any sign of pain.

"I’m sorry to have woken you," Serena said softly. "I was just trying to get up, but my legs are weak." Her voice trembled slightly not from fear, but from the strange comfort of finally speaking again.

Alexander helped her up, his touch unexpectedly gentle. He guided her back to the bed and helped her sit.

"It’s understandable," he said. "You’ve been asleep for a whole day. How are you feeling?"

"I feel normal... just weak," she replied.

Alexander nodded once. "The maids have prepared you a hot bath. It’ll soothe your body. Take off your clothes."

Serena froze.

This was the second time he’d said something like that, and each time, her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.

"Your Majesty... you’re not serious, are you?" Her voice barely made it out.

"Do I look like I’m joking?" His face remained unreadable, eyes focused on her with an intensity that almost made her forget how to breathe.

Serena felt heat bloom across her cheeks. Undressing in front of the King, no, that was impossible. Highly inappropriate. Improper. Scandalous. Everything wrong.

Alexander stepped closer, invading her personal space effortlessly. "Do you want me to help you?" he asked.

She immediately shook her head. "But Your Majesty... this is highly inappropriate," she whispered.

Alexander chuckled, low and soft—a sound that rippled through her entire body.

"What about me is appropriate?" he asked calmly. "Make haste. Your water will get cold."

She looked down, embarrassed, her heart drumming wildly. She couldn’t bring herself to move.

But Alexander had patience just not for things like this.

Without warning, he scooped her up.

Serena yelped in surprise, gripping onto him instinctively as he carried her toward the bathroom. She tried to kick, but it did nothing to deter him. He set her down inside the bathroom and shut the door behind them.

"Strip," he said plainly.

He really enjoyed teasing her. She could see it in the slight curve of his lips, the mischief in his eyes. Her innocence, her shyness—it entertained him.

He leaned closer, their faces only inches apart. Serena’s entire body grew hot. What was the King doing? Why did he enjoy seeing her so flustered?

He lowered his mouth to her ear.

"Don’t be so shy. It’s not my first time seeing you," he whispered. "Besides, how do you think you’ve been cleaned these past days?"

Her breath hitched, her face burning.

He pulled back slightly, eyes drifting down her figure in a way that made her knees weaken again—this time for a different reason.

"I must say... you have a very beautiful body," he murmured. "It’s worth exploring."

Her heart hammered loudly in her chest.

His hand brushed her lower waist. "Take your time," he said softly. Then he stepped away, leaving the bathroom with a smirk that made her stomach twist in the most confusing way.

Serena let out a breath she had been holding. The King had so many sides, cold, calm, dangerous, flirtatious. She didn’t understand him. Not fully. Maybe she never would.

After bathing, she dressed in something simple—a peach dress with short sleeves. She tied her hair into a ponytail. Sarah brought her food, and she ate quietly, her mind still reeling from the King’s teasing.

After she finished, Alexander returned.

He noticed the red bruise on her shoulder and immediately moved to cover it with a bandage.

"Why aren’t you mad at me for keeping my identity as a mermaid a secret from you?" she asked softly, unable to meet his eyes.

"A mermaid in a vampire kingdom is rare," he said. "Once people find out what you are, they’ll want you for your blood. It’s normal for you to keep it a secret."

Serena nodded. Once he finished, she pulled the dress fabric back over the bandage.

"Were you worried about me?" she blurted suddenly, surprising even herself.

Alexander leaned back, watching her carefully as if reading her soul.

"Mmm," he hummed.

Serena’s eyes widened. A hum meant yes... right?

"Don’t get ahead of yourself," he said. "I don’t feel basic emotions like a normal person."

Serena gave him a soft smile. "No. I don’t think so. You’re capable of emotions like everyone else. You just choose to hide them. Probably because you’re a king, and you need to be fearless for your people. Noct is a successful kingdom. You’ve ruled well, which means you resonate with them. Someone heartless or emotionless can’t rule over a kingdom."

Her words echoed in his head.

He stared at her—blank, silent, unable to form a response.

For the first time in a long while, Alexander felt something crack inside him.

Something unfamiliar.

Something... emotIonal?