Seducing my King Master

CHAPTER SEVEN

She knew she looked silly just sitting there clutching an apple in both hands while blankly staring at her reflection in the mirror, but she very well couldn’t help herself. It was late, and she was seated at her vanity-table; Nerissa had brushed her hair and made sure she was comfortable before retiring for the night.

Of course, she had asked her if she intended to eat the apple of simply hold onto it for the rest of the night, and though the latter had seemed intriguing she had shaken her head and replied:

“I will eat it…eventually”.

Luckily, Nerissa hadn’t pressed further; she had bid her goodnight and had left her alone in her chamber.

And it was only then that she let herself reminisce the happenings of the day: she hadn’t been able to say anything as Alder walked her back to the fountain. Fortunately, he hadn’t spoken to her either; he must have noticed that she truly wasn’t herself at that moment. And it was only when he washed the apple in the fountain and held it out for her that she managed to speak.

“Thank you, Your majesty…..”. She had said quietly as she reached out with a trembling hand and taken the offered fruit.

He had merely nodded.

Or perhaps he had said something, but she just hadn’t heard because she had been too lost in her turbulent thoughts, she only snapped back to her senses when she heard Nerissa bidding him goodbye.

He had just been about to leave but stopped as though he had only just remembered something, or as though he had only just considered saying it.

“I’ll be journeying to Vardes for the kings’ consultation”. He said, he was talking to her. “I shall set out by dusk”.

Of course, she had felt her heart constrict the very second he had said those words; she couldn’t understand why she missed him already, why it bothered her so much that he was setting out by dusk, setting out so abruptly. And what if he didn’t make it back in time for her birthday?

Though she tried to hide her aching emotions with a courteous smile, the look in her eyes betrayed her. He averted his gaze from hers just as her eyes began to tear up.

“I’ll return before your birthday”. He told her.

She nodded. Why was she being like that? She didn’t want to make it obvious that she was sad. After all, this wouldn’t be the first time he had been away. However, this time affected her more than previous times. Besides, the Kings’ Consultation was something that took place every year, he had to be there regardless of her birthday, regardless of the fact that she would…..miss him.

“Take care”. He had said before he turned around and began walking away.

And for a moment she had just stood there watching him leave through her tears-blurred vision, her heart ached to watch him leave, but she knew it would ache even if she didn’t at least wish him a safe travel. She took a small step forward while her heartbeats quickened till she was almost faint; she forced herself to speak.

“Master…”. She said quietly.

She hadn’t cared that her voice barely sounded at all, she knew he would hear her. And he had. He stopped and turned around to face her once more; his captivating gaze met her teary one and her fingers tightened around the apple she was holding all on their own.

“Safe travel…”. She managed to say.

He had stared at her for a moment, it seemed as though she had been worrying him deeply because his gaze flickered to Nerissa and he said:

“Look after her”.

His gaze had returned to hers, and he had offered her one last nod before he turned around and walked away.

She cleared her throat quietly as she realized that she had spaced out. She blew out a shuddering breath to relieve the heaviness in her chest; her heart had begun to ache once more.

She raised the apple to her lips and took a bite.

~~

Nerissa had feared she would return to find Aria in the dampened spirits she had been in the night before; she had worried about her the entire night, however. However, much to her relief, she returned to find her awake and lively, and she couldn’t help but notice that she was no longer clutching the apple the King had given her yesterday; it seemed she had overcome her sentiments and had eaten it.

As it should be…

“You look better today, my lady”. She said to her.

So much better, in fact. She had been on the verge of crying yesterday after the King had left, and though she had tried talking to her, she hadn’t uttered a single word. She had moped all day and had even turned down her dinner regardless of the fact that she had tried her best to lighten her mood.

Aria nodded.

“I am”. She replied.

Or at least that was what she told herself. She promised herself that she wouldn’t think about Alder today, and if she didn’t think about him, she wouldn’t miss him. She intended to return to normal, and by normal she meant being her usual lively self that wasn’t plagued by scandalous attractions for a man so very far beyond her reach.

She would be eighteen soon, after all, and that meant she would have suitors and find a husband who would share her attraction and feelings. There was truly no need for her to be sad and miserable.

“You didn’t have your dinner last night, my lady, you must be so hungry”. Nerissa said to her. “I’ll have your breakfast served immediately”.

She shook her head.

She had plans for today, thus, having breakfast wasn’t her priority at the moment.

“I intend to go to the drawing room today”. She told her, “So I’d like to bath and get dressed before I have my breakfast”.

Nerissa’s eyes widened ever so slightly in surprise. Aria never went to the drawing room to socialize with the other ladies, justifiably so because she never did fit in with them; she focused on her training with the King whilst they focused on their embroideries and music, and because she couldn’t play or stitch as well as they could, they considered her and outlier.

“The drawing room, my lady?”. She asked her, she needed to confirm that she had heard right.

Aria nodded once more.

“The drawing room”. She affirmed.

Perhaps it was time she started mingling with other noble ladies, perhaps it was time she started focusing more on her music and embroidery; she had always fancied the lute anyway. She needed to do things they did, she needed to distract herself from her thoughts. That was her plan for the day.

Nerissa cleared her throat quietly. She pulled on a smile and nodded.

“Alright then, my lady. Octavia and Lorelei will be here soon”. She said. “We’ll get you ready in no time”.

“Thank you, Nerissa”. Aria replied.

“Will you still be going to the garden for the flowers or shall I have new ones brought in?”. She asked her.

She shook her head. She wasn’t sure she would be visiting the garden anytime soon; it would stir up sad memories.

“Have new ones brought in”. She replied.

“As you wish, My lady”.