The Cursed King

Elise bit her lip. "My name is Elise Leoralei, Your Majesty…"

Loriel's expression darkened at her reply and he said, "Call me by my name."

He growled slightly at her greeting and Elise could sense the hostility in his tone.

Elise fought back against the surprise that tried to come across her features. Were they that close already that Loriel wanted her to call him by name alone? Not really. Instead, Elise understood that the two of them were starting at a difficult level.

Loriel was someone who left his kingdom and wandered the world, going through countless adventures by himself… the man probably thought it was a burdensome thing to take on the throne. 

Even if Elise didn't want to think too much about it, it wasn't also strange that Loriel also probably harbored resentment for being betrothed. Except for this time, Elise didn't understand why Loriel still pushed for their upcoming marriage.

Maybe Loriel was just upset and having a bad day?

Elise gave the response he wanted.

"Loriel," Elise said. Secretly, she was happy because she got to call him by his first name. The name rolled so sweetly in her tongue. She loved his name ever since she had heard of it from the beginning.

"That is NOT my name," Loriel snapped at her in frustration. 

His reaction made Elise wince in surprise. Was it not his name? How was that possible? Did Grandma Myrcella and her father lie to Elise about her fiance's name?

"I-I'm sorry, Your Majesty..." Elise bit down on her lip and tried not to make her voice shake. 

How could Elise not know his name when they were supposed to get married all these years? Elise should have known better, didn't she? No. She couldn't stay weak like this and cower at her future husband's voice.

Elise kept her gaze up at him and apologized. "I didn't know your other name."

"Forget it. You can just call me whatever," Loriel growled in displeasure ."Not that it matters."

Suddenly he was reminded how Emmelyn always called him Maxim. That was the name his mother liked to call him and that's the name he introduced himself to Emmelyn.

Now, he suddenly didn't want that name to be used by any other woman. It was a name used only by people he held dear in his heart. Elise was not one of them.

Meanwhile, Elise lowered her head lightly and bit her lip. Did Loriel really mean those words? Elise didn't think that Loriel meant it in a literal sense… but what if she was wrong?

Whatever.

It really wasn't a nice thing to call someone.

"What were you thinking?" Loriel snapped impatiently.

Elise looked up at him startled. "Wh-what was I thinking?"

"Don't you have ears?"

"I do have ears, Your Majesty—Lo...Loriel." Elise bit down on her lip and then swept her tongue across her lip nervously. She didn't know what to call him since she didn't know his other name.

The only thing that perhaps Elise's father and grandmother failed to teach her was how to interact with other people that much. Even though Elise got along with her people, it didn't mean the same thing here.

"So?" Loriel asked again, getting more impatient than ever.

"You told me to call you 'Whatever'..." Elise looked up at him sheepishly. "I don't think that's a good name."

Loriel was rendered speechless for a moment. He stared down at Elise as if trying to make sense of her words. Did she just say what she said? He was wondering.

If he was not in such a bad mood like today, he would have laughed out loud because it was funny as hell.

But no, Loriel shook his head in frustration, thinking this young woman was so naive.

THIS was what he had to put up with for the rest of his life?

Loriel sighed loudly and rubbed his face.

"Just call me Loriel. It's a lot better than 'Whatever'," he said finally.

Elise's expression perked up at his words and she bowed her head lightly. "Thank you, Your—ahem... Loriel."

"Hmm…" Loriel muttered.

Elise thought this was a good step in the right direction, wasn't it? 

Even though Loriel sounded upset at everything at first, at the end of their conversation, he still allowed Elise to call him by the name 'Loriel'. So, this made Elise happy.

Elise knew that this was such a small thing to feel happy about, but even the little things were enough to bring her joy.

"Have you already paid respect to my mother?" Loriel asked her.

Elise was so excited about meeting Loriel that she thought about Queen Maude only now. That wasn't right at all, wasn't it? 

Elise shook her head lightly. "N-no, Your Majesty… Loriel. But I will see her now and pay her my respects."

Loriel looked down at her and his expression was difficult to read, but then he nodded briskly. "I was about to visit her myself, let us go."

"Thank you…" Elise inclined her head. When Elise looked up, Loriel was already moving across the castle. It seemed like Loriel left her behind and was at a great distance despite the brief moments.

"Hurry up, will you?" Loriel grunted at her from afar. The man looked annoyed at how slow Elise seemed to be after going through the effort of actually bringing Elise to meet his mother.

"A-ah, I'm sorry. I'll be right there." Elise didn't think it was right for a princess to run, but she chased after Loriel to catch up with him.

The two of them traveled across the castle's numerous halls and were greeted by the people of the castle. Finally, the two of them reached a grand room with a large double door. There were numerous people coming in and out.

Elise was aware that Queen Maude was currently ailing. She actually brought some herbs, tea, and other healing items from Myreen to help in her recovery. It was something that her grandmother actually prepared for her as well.

If it weren't for the sudden rush of coming here, Elise wouldn't have come empty-handed… but Elise could also bring it back later.

One of the men standing outside bowed their head when Loriel approached them. "I will be seeing my mother. Is she awake?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. The royal physician is seeing her right now."

Loriel nodded and then opened the door, allowing him and Elise to step inside.

Elise quickly followed after him.

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Please bear with it, Loriel is still very annoying and makes you want to smack him because this is the beginning of the story where he was still feeling heartbroken from losing Emmelyn.