Even if Robart won the war, this doesn't mean he has time to rest. Training each day was part of his normal routine. He started training at the age of six and hasn't stopped since then. In time he became the best warrior in the whole Kingdom.

Robart rose from bed early, looked at how peaceful Ayla slept, and prepared for the day. After breakfast, he went to the training grounds with the Paladins and knights. They trained for a long time with bows, crossbows, swords, axes, and other types of weapons.

After training, Robart went to court. People from different clans came to resolve disputes. The King listened until he thought his head would explode. It is always the same. The Wolf Clan invaded the hunting grounds of the Strong Hammer Clan. A warrior from the Fire Clan took a bride from the Hunters Clan and didn't pay the full price for her. And on and on it went until Robart had enough and left the court.

Even if Robart won the war, this doesn't mean he has time to rest. Training each day was part of his normal routine. He started training at the age of four and hasn't stopped since then. Over time he became the best warrior in the whole Kingdom.

Robart had to listen to each case and resolve it. After that, he listened to reports about the productivity of the magic ore mines. Ever since magic ore was discovered in Nordmar, the miners never stopped extracting this precious ore. The five mines that were in Nordmar had enough magic ore that King Robart, like all the Kings before him, will exchange for other things with the other Kingdoms.

King Hamelin, from Satia, the smallest of all the Kingdoms, has already written to Robart and asked for 20 dharni (50kg) of magic ore.

Robart looked at the reports he received from the Mine Chiefs and approved the request on King Hamelin. Instead, King Hamelin will be sending exotic spices from the Southern Islands, paper, ink, grains, and other things people of Nordmar need. Robart also asked for some books for Ayla.

When he finished with the court, it was already dinner time. Robart ate with the Paladins and went to his room. He hasn't seen Ayla since morning and wanted to know how she was adapting to her new life.

He was happy to see that Ayla inside also, reading a book. He took his armor. Like always, he had a pair of trousers and a tunic under his armor. When he was done, Robart went to his desk and sat in his armchair.

Ayla wanted to thank Robart for the dress, but without him acknowledging her, Ayla could not start a conversation. So she waited patiently for Robart to talk first while she kept looking at the book she has in her hands. Maybe he did not wish to speak to her.

Robart wondered why Ayla did not look at him ever since he entered the room. He wanted her to look at him. Maybe she did not like how he looks. He frowned, remembering how she trembled in fear on their wedding day. Ayla looked at him like he was an ogre.

From the moment he first saw her, Robart had been fascinated by her. He knew the fixation he had for her was strange. Who in their right mind would marry the daughter of his enemy? But when King Galien told Robart that he can have Princess Ayla and that he can do anything he can want to with her, he could not harm her. He took the decision in the haste of the moment, and now Ayla was his wife. There was nothing he could do about it now. Vows have been told, and a peace treaty had been signed. The only thing left to do was to take her to bed and to hope that she will get pregnant. He needed an heir. What will happen to the throne if another war starts and he will die on the battlefield? The clans will probably fight for the right to put a King on the throne, and the Kingdom will succumb to chaos.

Robart could not permit that. He will get Ayla in bed and fuck her until she got pregnant. And if it was the will of Innos, she will give him a son.

While she waited for her husband to talk to her, Ayla looked out the window. It was snowing. She wondered if it snowed each day. Even if she could not deny that it was beautiful, but the constant snow made it impossible to her to get out and explore. And she wanted to get familiar with the Castle and the surrounding.

Robart rose from his armchair and went to Ayla, and started undoing her hair. She almost jumped out of the chair when she felt his touch.

"It wasn't my intention to scare you. It's just that I like you more with your hair down, cascading all over your back," Robart said while looking at her.

When he was done, Robart ran his fingers through her hair. He wanted to touch more of her.

"Let me hold you for a while," he told her while he helped her to her feet.

The book fell on the stone floor, but Robart ignored it and led Ayla to the bed.

"Sit on my lap," Robart tells Ayla once he sits on the bed.

"Oh, but... I...." Ayla says nervously.

Robart ignored her little protests and put Ayla on his lap.

"Much better, now I can smell your scent. I like the way you smell, Ayla," Robart said and buried his nose on the crook of her neck.

Ayla liked how Robart smelled too. He smelled like the winter, like Nordmar, the land he loves so much. But for some reason, Ayla found it too embarrassing to say it out loud.

Robard kissed her neck, and Ayla shivered but not because she was cold. It was his hot lips on her cold skin that did something to her, and a little moan escaped her lips. Robart pressed his forehead to her shoulder.

"By Innos, you are so sweet." Robart lifted his head and looked into her sapphire eyes while touching her bottom lip with his thumb. "I want you, Ayla. I want to make you my wife in every way."

Ayla did not understand what Robart was asking of her. She already said her vows in front of the Fire Arch Mage. What more did Robart want from her?

"I know this is your first time, so I will try to be as gentle as I can."

Before she could say anything, his mouth was on hers, devouring her. His tongue pushed forward, entering her mouth, exploring each inch.