Loving The Mad King

Rion And Odette

In the living room, Trish was already sitting on the sofa while eating peanuts. The man really spent his time at his parents' house by relaxing.

Trish looked really cool in just casual clothing. It showed off his broad chest.

"I barely recognized you because of your new hairstyle," Anwen said, as she sat down next to Trish. "Why did you cut your hair?" she asked, picking up the nuts and eating them.

"This summer is very hot and long hair makes me hot." Trish explained.

"That's why I don't like growing my hair out," Anwen replied, nodding her head.

Trish chuckled. "You're always different," he said. Apart from Anwen, Trish had never seen a princess cut her hair so short like Anwen did. "By the way, I see that you are very familiar with my mother."

Anwen told Trish that during Trish's time with her brother in various wars and on various work trips, she had often come by to visit Trish's house. The young girl also said that she often stayed there, because Trish's mother had asked her to stay.

"That's why we're so close," said Anwen, while she continued to peel the peanuts. The girl wasn't awkward at all in telling stories and she acted as if Trish's house was her own.

"I see." Trish joined in to c***k the peanuts in silence after he heard Anwen's story. 

He didn't expect that Anwen would often come to his house while he was away. He thought that the last time Anwen came to his house was about 1.5 years ago. At that time, Anwen insisted that she wanted to come because she was very bored in the palace. 

Back then, her relationship with the king had not improved as much, so Trish understood what the word 'bored' meant by the young girl. Anwen felt uncomfortable whenever she saw Rion. They didn't talk to each other, so she decided to go with Trish. 

She spent a few days at Trish's house before finally continuing on to Arawn Kingdom, to meet her grandfather. When Rion was in the palace, Anwen would leave the palace, travel to various places and became an adventurer. The girl almost never came home because she felt sad every time she saw her brother.

"Looks like my mom asked for something troublesome," said Trish, which Anwen immediately rebutted.

"I don't mind at all. I love it here, I mean, I really enjoy spending time with Aunt and Uncle. It feels like I have parents, and one of the best things I've had here is the homemade banana layer cake. I really like it because it reminds me of mom …" Anwen suddenly stopped her speech. Her face, which had been bright and cheerful, suddenly turned sad.

The change in expression was clearly seen by Trish. From that expression, he could tell that Anwen missed her mother. 

"What's wrong? Why did you stop talking?"

Anwen turned and looked at Trish, who was smiling gently at her.

"I …" Anwen lowered her eyes sadly. "I know, Trishy, my mother was a bad person, she had made Rion suffer, but she ..." she said quietly as she tried to hold back her tears.

"She was a good mother to you, and you miss her," said Trish, which made Anwen stunned, and looked back at him.  Trish smiled gently again. "Was I right?"

Anwen pressed her lips tightly, she then nodded slowly. Trish immediately put his arm around her shoulders, then pulled the girl into his arms.

"Is it okay that I miss her, Trishy? She's a criminal, she's a traitor," Anwen said quietly, then started to sob.

"Of course, you can. Whatever she's done, she's still your mother." Trish stroked Anwen's head gently. He also felt sad about what happened to the girl.

It seemed that Anwen had always missed her mother, but she never shared what she felt with other people. The reason was because people would definitely say 'Why? She was such a villain.' Or 'It's no use missing that woman. Snakes deserve to die'. 

With such probable response, Anwen had no other choice but to keep those feelings to herself.

After a while, Anwen got up from Trish's arms, and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"What's that?" Anwen asked with puffy eyes, as Trish handed her a handkerchief.

"Sandpaper."

Anwen narrowed her eyes, and glared at Trish.

"It's a handkerchief."

"I know it's a handkerchief, but what for?"

"Rubbing your kidneys, of course to wipe away the tears."

"Oh." Anwen finally took the handkerchief, then blew her nose, and put it back in Trish's hand. "Thanks," she said, and then stood up and walked towards the kitchen. She left Trish flabbergasted at the slime-filled handkerchief that was in his hands.

The princess was completely devoid of grace and elegance.

***

Again, Rion couldn't sleep, because he was feeling restless. This time it wasn't Lucifer that bothered his mind, but Odette. He kept on remembering what happened last night when Odette screamed at him in tears.

What was wrong with that girl?

"NO, I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M CRYING! I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M SO SAD, AND I DON'T KNOW WHY I CARE SO MUCH ABOUT YOU!'

Odette's words echoed in his head. "What's with the girl?" He wondered in his mind while he looked up at the ceiling. He then closed his eyes, trying to sleep, but the image of Odette crying appeared in his mind.

Good grief. The woman bothered him like a ghost. He got up and massaged the bridge of his nose, somewhat annoyed.

What's with him anyway? Why did he feel so guilty for making the girl cry? During these six years, he had rejected many proposals, broke the hearts of many girls. He made them cry because they felt ashamed of being rejected, and he did not feel guilty at all.

Even if those girls killed themselves because of it, he wouldn't care either. The only girl who managed to make him feel guilty for hurting and making her cry was Rose.

Only Rose.

A creaking sound was heard as the cupboard door opened. Rion's eyes saw the red clothes inside. All of those clothes were Rose's clothes that Rion still kept until now.

The arrangement of the clothes was still the same as the last time Rose opened the wardrobe. It was the night before Rion got furious, because he thought Rose had cheated on him with Lucas and had conspired with Emperor Dario to overthrow him. Then they would take Panthera and make the capital of Panthera the capital of Archadia.

Rion again felt his heart being squeezed and stabbed. His eyes were closed, taking in the pain. Many years had passed, but the wound in his heart was still there. His regret, his anger at himself, and his sadness. 

Everything was still the same. Nothing was reduced. No wounds were healed. Every day, he was hurt by stepping on the shards of his own heart.

The man took out a red dress that he had given to Rose. Rose liked it very much. The woman didn't even want to change the dress for five days. She washed the dress herself and didn't let the maids touch it.

A gust of wind blew in through the window, and it brought all the memories of Rose that made Rion feel broken again, and again.

With all his regrets, the man sobbed as he hugged and kissed his wife's dress, which he had cut off with his own hands. While sobbing in agony, he kept apologizing and pleading for Rose to return to his arms.