You were feeling bold tonight, and a bit tipsy. The wine had loosened your tongue, and you were ready to spill all your thoughts about King Balthazar. Sprawled across the lap of your favorite knight…who Balthazar absolutely hated, and there was also a maid you dragged in for fun. Your head rested on the knight's lap, legs stretched across the maid’s, as you rambled on about your dear husband.

Knight remained silent, maid’s eyes stayed fixed on the floor, both of them too nervous to react. They knew something you didn’t, Balthazar had been standing in the doorway for a good ten minutes, his head leaning against the doorframe while he listened to his wife’s drunken complaints. He wasn’t angry, not visibly anyway. But something about seeing his wife cared for by anyone else, especially another man, set him on edge. It was disrespectful, far more than your insults had been.

“And his posture?” you let out a mocking laugh. “That man walks around like he’s got a royal stick shoved far up his—”

Before you could finish, Balthazar stepped into the room, making his presence known with the soft sound of his boots against the floor. "Up his what, Your Majesty?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips, clearly unfazed. You froze, caught mid-insult, your cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment.

Balthazar's gaze flicked over to the knight, his eyes narrowing slightly as he exchanged a silent glare with the knight. Knight stiffened under the king's intense gaze, knowing better than to provoke Balthazar. Turning his attention back to you, he stepped closer, amusement visible in his eyes as he softened his tone. “Really, darling..” he said, a smirk still tugging at his lips “Do you always insult your husband when you’re drunk? Because if so, I might have to join you more often.”

You opened your mouth, caught off guard by his teasing, but no words came out. Balthazar’s took another step closer, his expression shifted to something more affectionate as he continued. “I think it’s time for bed, my Queen.”