Wedding Preparations, I Love You's,

And Neediness

In one week, the Queen of Jamaica and the King of Korea were to be married, but there were numerous tasks and conversations that took place in preparation for their union.

One delightful aspect of the preparations involved the famous Jamaican rum cake, a delectable treat that Queen Asora simply adored. Her people and the natives of Joseon were aware of her love for the cake and were determined to keep it a secret from her until the wedding day. They huddled together, discussing how to ensure the cake remained hidden, sharing their playful plans with each other.

"We must keep the rum cake under tight wraps, or Queen Asora will devour it before the wedding!"

"Agreed! Let's create a secret hiding spot in the palace kitchen. Only a select few will know where it's stored."

As the cake was prepared, the people skillfully concealed it in the designated hiding spot, taking extra precautions to ensure Queen Asora remained unaware of its existence.

Meanwhile, amidst the wedding planning, King Taehan found himself engaged in "lighthearted" arguments with Queen Asora over the decorations. The duo was now talking about how the flowers around the palaces and halls should be before the arrival of their very first guest in a few days, which would also mark day one of the wedding.

"I believe a more traditional approach to the decorations would be fitting for our wedding," Tae-Han said. "...showcasing the regal elegance of our union. "

Queen Asora sighed both playfully and slightly exasperated, "But Taehan, we must infuse our celebration with the vibrant colors and patterns of both Jamaican and Korean culture. While red roses are pretty, that is something you give to a lover as a surprise or gift. This is a wedding, I do not think red roses fit, especially since you've somehow managed to have repainted almost all the columns and beams of the palace!"

Their 'discussion' did not go unnoticed by King Tae-Han's mother, Hyejin, who happened to pass by, offering her perspective.

"Ah, my children, let's not allow these minor differences to cloud our joyous occasion." Mother Hye-Jin scolded lightly. "And son, Asora is right. The flowers look bland, I like the vase with the cherry blossoms and hydrangeas, it looks beautiful together. And enough with the red! Please pick something more neutral. I've seen enough red for a lifetime."

Queen Asora, appreciating Mother Hyejin's support, said, "Exactly, omma! I've been trying to tell him for the past 3 days."

King Tae-Han realized he was outnumbered and relented with a smile: "Both of you are right, and I will take some of the red decorations down too."

Asora smiled, "Thank you."

Tae-Han nodded his head, "I'm going to go look at how the villages are being set up." As he walked in front of her he grumbled to himself, "The more red the more love and luck there is no?"

Queen Asora chuckled, while the King was at times frustrating or rigid, she knew his intentions were genuine.

About five days later, and it was the first day of Queen Asora and King Taehan's wedding, and friends, supporters, and allies from around the world, who would witness their union and celebrate the harmonious alliance between Jamaica and Korea started to arrive. Tomorrow after their ceremony there would be a festivity in the palace walls for King Tae-Han and Queen Asora to meet everyone as a newlywed.

But today Tae-Han and Asora met in their personal courtyard, Tae-Han sat on the long wooden seat, while Asora stood facing the tiny little pond drawing the lilypads on her notebook which was gifted to her by the King.

As she drew, the King stared at her back, and slowly his eyes dropped lower and he could see the subtle outlines of her figure through the hanbok. While it made him hot with need, another thought hit him and he couldn't help but express his apprehensions to Queen Asora about the attention she would receive during the wedding.

"Asora," He started, and Asora turned to him still drawing in her notepad.

"Yes," She said.

"Asora," Tae-Han said again in a lower voice, and that got the Queen's attention as she stopped drawing and look at him.

"When will you give a nickname?" Asora scowled. "I feel like I'm being scolded when you call me like that."

The King gave a husky laugh, "You'll hear it soon enough."

"Meaning?" The Queen questions further.

"Have you given me a nickname?" The King smirked. "I've yet to hear it from you either."

"I do, in fact, have one for you," Asora said. "I just was saving it.... for our wedding day." She hated how nervous she sounded.

"And so am I," Tae-Han chuckled.

The Queen rolled her eyes, "Whatever," She muttered as she turned around to get back to drawing, but the King saw her silhouette and he could see how perky her bosom was, he sucked in his breath, making Asora halt and look at him in alarm.

Slowly she walked over to him, "Are you alright?"

"No," The King said still staring at her chest which was now covered by the notebook. Stupid notebook.

"What is it?" Asora said now standing just a couple feet in front of him.

"I can't help but feel a tinge of insecurity, no, jealousy at how our guests will be captivated by your beauty and charisma."

The Queen smirked, since their little moment when they talked about having no concubines, the King had become slightly more possessive of her, especially since last week.

"Why jealous? Who would be there that could talk my attention away from you." The Queen smiled innocently, even though she knew who he was talking about.

As the news of the King of Spain's attendance reached King Tae-Han last week, pangs of jealousy gnawed at his heart. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of insecurity knowing that the King of Spain had previously expressed interest in Queen Asora, even sending her a letter proposing marriage. Frustrated by his own emotions and just thinking about it again, Tae-Han found himself unable to contain his feelings. "It irks me that the King of Spain will be here! I can't shake the thought of his previous interest in you."

Queen Asora, teasingly, decided to playfully taunt him.

"Oh, Tae-Han," She said dreamily. "Can you imagine what it would be like if I had accepted the King of Spain's proposal? We could have been living a different reality."

The King, feeling a strong surge of possessiveness, growled softly and instinctively pulled Queen Asora closer, wrapping his arm tightly around her waist and locking her in between his legs.

Without any care, he laid the side of his head right on her bosom, snuggling into it as a nursing infant would, which earned him a smack on the back of his head from the Queen, "Don't even talk about that." He growled. "You are mine, and I won't tolerate or entertain any thoughts of you being with someone else."

Surprised by the seriousness of his voice, the Queen decided to ease his jealousy and reassure him of her commitment. She slightly pushed his shoulders, making him look up at her in both confusion and frustration, as she leaned down and plants a gentle kiss on his cheek, Tae-Han momentarily freezes, and his eyes opened wide in shock.

"There's no need to worry." Asora smiled as she played with the fake bun on his head. "I chose you, and my heart belongs solely to you."

King Tae-Han still taken aback by the unexpected kiss, he looked at her with a mix of surprise and adoration. "Did you just...kiss me?"

Queen Asora chuckled, finding joy in his reaction, and placed her hands on both sides of his face. "I did. It's a reminder of my commitment to you and love."

"Love?" Tae-Han said as his ears turned red. "You actually said it."

Asora grinned, "In the few months I've been here I realized especially this past few weeks, that I am happy to be with you. I view our union more than alliance, I view it as I genuinely am marrying someone I care about and love dearly."

Feeling reassured by her gesture and words, King Tae-Han relaxed, his jealousy dissipating. He held Queen Asora tightly, cherishing the warmth of their embrace. "I have waited to hear those words for so long because I loved you in your first month here."

Asora felt slightly bad, was he really waiting for me to say that? Taking his hand and looking deeply into his eyes.

"Yeobo," The Queen started, and the King's mouth dropped open. She called him darling. "My eyes are solely on you, and never once since arriving here have I thought about the Spaniard King for more than 5 seconds. You have my heart, okay?"

Her heartfelt words washed away King Taehan's worries, and instead lit up the fire that swelled in his body, "Can I please kiss you?" The King asked.

"On the cheek?"

"On your lips, your plump lips, I just beg for a taste," The King said as he stood up.

The Queen tried to escape, but he kept his arms around her, "Will you deny me again?"

The Queen looked at the King for a little bit, "I will give you a peck, but only if you let me go."

"A peck?!" The King couldn't help but whine. "Why a peck? You can't just say those things and expect me to stand still."

Asora only stared at him, and reluctantly he let go, allowing her to push him back down on the seat. The King did his best not to pounce on her, in fact, he kept chanting 'cold bath' in his head. "I will cover your eyes, okay?"

"But I want to see you." Tae-Han huffed.

Asora ignored him and placed her hand over his eyes, "How will I know-"

"Close your mouth," Asora instructed, and quickly he did.

Asora bent down enough where the lips were on the same level, she froze for a second, a bunch of questions ran through her mind. What if I mess up? What if I miss? What- Keep it together, she warned herself.

The King felt annoyance building in his stomach and right before he complained, he felt her lips on his. His eyes became hazy and he fought to hold back a groan.

Her lips were everything he imagined, sweet, plump, soft, and warm against his cool lips. Unknowingly his arm was trying to wrap around her, but she moved her lips from his, making him stop.

"Tae-Han," She whispered in a low voice, unexpectedly making Tae-Han's pants start to tighten around him. "If you touch me we both know we won't stop." Hesitantly, he moved his arm away.

While Asora kept staring at his lips in thought, Tae-Han kept staring into her fingers.

"I shouldn't have done that," She said quietly.

Tae-Han jerked back like he had gotten slapped, immediately he pushed her hands away, but on seeing her face, he stood up quickly and stepped behind the seat he sat on.

The Queen's face was blushed with pink, her eyes hazy too, and her bosom fully peaked, she looked like she was in a trance. The King could now see why she said that, just as how he was struggling to keep himself together, she had already fallen apart.

"Are you alright?" The King asked even though he knew the answer.

The Queen cleared her throat, she felt hot, sticky, and almost like she was leaking. "I need to go," She said again.

The King tried to stop her, but she jerked back from his touch, "Tae-Han, listen to me," She hissed. "There is an uncontrollable warmth in a few places. They are all craving your touch, and I am on the brink of caving in. So I'm not sure touching me is a good idea."

Tae-Han didn't know whether to grin or smirk, so turned his face to the side a little.

"Will you be okay?" He asked.

"Yes."

"So I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yes," And without even a goodbye she ran off only to stop by the doors to her chamber. "And yeobo, tomorrow night, when we are finally married, I need you to satisfy my hunger until I can't move." And with that, she was gone.

The King looked down at himself and chuckled, she has no idea.