Eternity With You

20. Reyna's thoughts

Reyna did not wish to continue speaking about the King. So, she changed the topic swiftly before her mistress could ask her another question. "Milady, I will prepare the bath for you. You must be cold after standing in the rain for long."

Irene realized what Reyna was up to and how sneakily she changed the topic lest she should ask her more. Now her curiosity grew all the more, and she wanted to find out about the enigmatic king who had caught her attention at the first glance. He sure was not a normal human for him to have lit the fire just by snapping his fingers.

'What is he?' She wondered as she thought about all possibilities. 'Is he a wizard?' She recalled the movie she had seen where a young boy joined a school filled with witches and wizards as he learned magic and various spells.

But as soon as the thought came to her more, she shook her head at once. The man resembled nothing like a wizard, not even like Voldemort. He was more like a devil who was out there in the open to suck her soul away. Though he knew magic, there was something more to him that Irene could not discern. He was more mysterious than the castle in her dream.

"Milady?" Reyna's voice brought her out of her stupor. "I have filled the bathtub. Please tell me if you need anything else." She replied politely as soon as she turned towards her.

"I don't need anything. Now, you too go and take a good bath. You must be cold too." Irene pushed the thoughts related to the King towards the back of her mind and stared at the girl in front of her.

"But, Milady. I..."

"Go," Irene ordered with a stern gaze, and this was enough to make Reyna give up.

"Yes, Milady. Please take care. I will come back once I am done." She smiled at her while Irene waited for Reyna to leave before she entered the bathroom.

Submerging herself in the hot water, Irene's thoughts once again went back to the King, his red eyes flashing before her eyes the next moment. Irene jerked suddenly in shock and she blinked in fear, trying to get the image out of her head. But irrespective of what she did, she could not force him out of her thoughts. Every time she closed her eyes, the King's face would appear before her. His red, alluring eyes, his charming jawline, and his attractive face hidden behind the silver mask kept appearing continuously.

But what stunned her was that every time she saw him, he would be staring at her intensely even though it was only her imagination. His deep, soul-sucking eyes would never leave her gaze, pulling her in and forcing her to lose herself completely.

Irene could not decipher why she was feeling that and why she was unable to shake him out of her head. He had not only occupied all her thoughts, he even kept appearing before her whenever she closed her eyes. The feeling was so terrifying that she did not know what was happening to her. It had been just one glance at him that had rendered her this troubled.

Irene was frustrated, and she groaned in despair. Finally, after a long time, she finished her bath, forcing herself to not think about the devilish man, only to fail every time. Reyna was already waiting for her, and the moment she saw her, she rushed to help her with her dress. Irene was glad that she did not have to put up with heavy and flamboyant gowns at night. She was uncertain as to how long she could continue wearing them when she was already loathing them.

'I need to do something about my dresses.' She thought to herself and made a note to visit the tailor soon to stitch some comfortable clothes for herself.

"Milady, shall I get your dinner here or do you want to go down to eat?"

Irene was in no mood to entertain the other servants. She was too exhausted mentally after what had transpired at the ceremony. Moreover, her father too had gone out. So, she decided on the idea of going down.

"I will have my dinner here. Bring your food too. Let's eat together." Reyna could only nod and get to work while Irene made her way towards the balcony of her room. Even from where she was, she could see the red flames burning bright as they rose higher and higher in the sky. The heavy rain had not diminished or killed the fire and it stood strong, going against the harsh weather brilliantly.

Irene was in awe to see the flames and her lips parted in shock. This was the first time she was seeing such an amazing phenomenon where the fire could not be killed by the rain. Just the mere sight was enough to make her tremble. 'How powerful must the King be for him to create such a wonder?' She pondered, staring at the bright red flames that adorned the night view.

"What the hell is he?" She thought again.

"Milady, I have brought your food," Reyna called from behind, and Irene walked away from the balcony with a frown. She could still not shake away her thoughts, and she realized that they would keep her mind occupied for a long time or until she got her answers.

"Reyna, you did not answer my question," Irene recalled how she had been unable to listen to what Reyna thought of the King. Right at that moment, they got distracted, cutting their conversation short.

"Which question, Milady?" Reyna swallowed a spoonful of rice before she gave out a confused look. She tried to recall what question her mistress was talking about but in vain.

"You only spoke about what the people think about His Highness. You did not tell me what you think about him." Irene iterated her question again and observed Reyna closely, focusing on her expressions more.

Just as she had expected, Reyna's expression changed completely, and her face lost its color. She gave a strange look, and Irene wondered what had happened for her to behave this way. "Reyna, are you alright? Is something the matter?"

"Milady, I am fine. I am fine." Reyna assured her but Irene was not convinced, and she gave her a knowing look.

"You are not fine, Reyna. What is the matter? Is it about the King? What did he do?" Irene's eyes changed suddenly and she let out a fierce aura around her, completely startling Reyna. She had never experienced anything like that before, and for a moment, Reyna completely forgot what she wanted to say.

"Reyna?"

"Yes, Milady?" Reyna replied in a trance.

"Speak." She ordered, and Reyna sighed lightly.

"Milady, unlike what the people say, I do not believe His Highness to be cruel. Though he looks devilish, he actually has a soft heart." Reyna replied with her eyes lowered.

"How can you say so?" Irene tilted her head in suspicion.

"Milady, His Highness once saved me from someone who wanted to kill me in the past."