A Malice Heart
Epilogue

Drew had never thought that this day would come. Mostly because she never intended on getting to sit on the king’s throne, watched by his entire court as Malice stood beside her, a gentle hand on her shoulder.

His handsome face looked out into the crowd, watching each and every one of his people, daring anyone to try and look wrongfully at them.

The eyes of all these judgmental people peered up at her in confusion, but also fear. To have someone else sit at the king’s throne was like a sin. It would usually lead to a punishment worse than death. Yet here she was, hands resting at the chair's sides, looking down at them as if she were their new leader.

What Malice was doing at the moment was showing them just how high in rank Drew had become. She is now in favor of him.

“As I have been feeling on the downside lately, Lady Drew will be filling in for me. You are to do as she commands and regard her the same way you do me,” Malice spoke loud enough for them all to hear. The court remained silent as Drew stood up from her seat, looking down at all these people and gave them a smile.

They all bowed down to her and awaited for a command, for a dismissal.

Drew cleared her throat and said, “You’re all free to go.”

The court rose and flourished around the room, some leaving while others chose to speak with their nearest neighbors.

In the meantime, Drew turned to Malice who’s eyes held such passion that it almost made her blush where she stood. “You’re going to have to train on your commanding voice.”

“My only job here is to help you fix this mess, and then I’ll simply become a lady of your court.”

Malice merely grinned at her and grabbed her hand, dragging her outside of the room. “I’ve got different plans for you, darling.”

As soon as they were out from anyone’s view of sight, the king pinned her onto the wall beside the doors and peered down into her eyes, his bright red ones shining with mirth. “Once all of this is over, you will not become a lady of my lower court. I would prefer it if you would stay by my side, as my queen. To be my one and only for the rest of our lives. I can not see anyone else taking this stand other than you, Drew. With your consent, I wish to make you my bride.”

Drew felt her breathing grow short at the beautiful words. She had never heard something so heartfelt come out of Malice’s mouth, not even during the nights that they cuddled and spoke soft words to one another.

There was true desire in his gaze, the look of a man that had placed his eyes on a prize that he simply could not miss.

She had helped him get back onto his feet that same day two weeks ago. They’d gotten a few papers signed and already started the process of saving the kingdom.

But some changes weren’t as easy to make, given that Malice was the only one who could sign them off and meet up with officials.

Drew opened her mouth and said quietly. “Are you sure about this, Malice?”

She already knew her own answer; had known it for some time now.

This was someone whom she was willing to risk her own life for just to get to hear his laugh over and over. To get to see that beautiful smile light up his face.

He nodded his head. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my entire life, darling.”

After another second of thought, taking the chance to save this memory, Drew said brightly. “Then yes. I will. I,ך”

Malice’s smile widened as he picked Drew up by her waist and twirled her around, making her laugh out with excitement before he sat her back down and kissed her forehead.

From the day she met him, Drew thought of Malice as the most crude and despicable person she had ever met in her life. She never would have thought that all of that would lead her to where she was now. That this man would simply end up driving her mad.

One thing was for sure, and that was death wasn’t always the answer. The two had learned it in their own, separate ways.

As they walked back to the courtroom, fingers intertwined, the couple shared a smile.

A smile that promised a joyful future for the both of them, together as one.