King & Kween Kang (The Rise Of Kang's #1)

Chapter 14

Broad Shoulders & A Small Taste

Once the King and Queen finished their lunch, they decided to take a stroll around the palace grounds. As they walked, the King took the opportunity to teach his soon-to-be-wife more about his people and their heritage.

Pointing to a large picture on the wall, the King said, "This is my father." The guards closed the doors to the library behind them, and the Queen's eyes went between the former King in the portrait and Tae-han, who was browsing the shelves, seemingly uninterested in the painting he had just shown her.

Noticing her curiosity, the Queen asked, "I have a question."

The King put a book back on the shelf and turned to her. "Yes?"

"I noticed that most men in your country have long hair, and they wear it in ponytails or buns, but you do not. Is that intentional?" she inquired, her gaze fixed on the King's short hair.

"It is," the King replied briefly.

Suppressing her annoyance, the Queen continued, "Is there a reason why you choose to keep your hair short, or is it a matter of personal preference?"

The King sighed inwardly; he disliked talking about himself but understood the importance of establishing a connection with the Foreign Queen. "In many cultures, particularly in this part of the world, long hair is regarded as a symbol of courage, nobility, and strength. Cutting one's hair is often seen as disgraceful or a sign of mourning. However, I have my own reasons for keeping my hair short and not conforming to societal expectations."

Observing the Queen's expectant expression, he reluctantly elaborated, "I used to have long hair when I was younger, but it was always bothering me, touching my neck and causing headaches. Besides, during my teenage years, I was teased for having long hair and often mistaken for a girl. As I grew older, I chose to keep it short despite the pressure to have long hair. It's a personal choice, and I do not feel lacking in any way."

The King noticed the Queen's gaze still fixed on him, and he couldn't help but feel a tinge of self-consciousness. "And what about you? Your hair is very long, but woven into little braids. Does it hurt? It seems tight."

The Queen's eyes widened, struggling to hold back laughter. Tae-Han unconsciously glanced at her lips before returning his gaze to her eyes. "Did I say something off?" he asked, sensing her amusement.

Asora smiled, "Well, let me ask you first. Do you not like my hair?"

The King approached her, and the Queen found herself holding her breath. For the first time since her arrival, she noticed his height, her head barely reaching his chest. Her eyes wandered to his strong shoulders as if they could carry the weight of the world, and she couldn't help but imagine him effortlessly lifting her...

But her attention was drawn to his lips—rosy and inviting, neither too thin nor too plump. They seemed kissable, very kissable. Her mind wandered to their upcoming wedding night, the night they would share a bed, and the thought of his lips on hers sent a shiver down her spine.

"Asora!" King Tae-Han called, snapping her out of her reverie.

The Queen quickly regained her composure and looked up at the King. She stepped back slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Sorry, I was lost in thought."

"I could see that," the King chuckled. "Are you alright? I was complimenting you on your hair, and I started to worry if I had unintentionally said something offensive."

"You complimented me?" The Queen asked.

The King nodded approvingly, "Yes, I must say, I love the color of your hair. It appears black, but in the sunlight, it transforms into a beautiful dark brown with hints of burnt orange and lighter shades of brown. Did you do anything special to achieve this?"