Loving The Mad King

Is Rion... Jealous?

The next day, King Elbert and Princess Guen continued their journey to Pradis Beach. They thanked King Rion and Her Highness Cristela for hosting them so well, after that they said goodbye to the two people and the palace officials who were there.

When the horse carriage bearing the emblem of the Ash leaves passed through the gate, Rion went back into the palace and told everyone to return to their respective activities.

Today, Rion spent his time in the study. Yesterday, he had finished a pile of documents, and this morning, the pile of documents returned on his desk, waiting to be read and stamped.

Without realizing that the day was getting late, in the training area, the knights were training their muscles, then after that followed by sword training. The knights cheered loudly as Anwen dueled Arlo.

"LET'S BEAT HIM, PRINCESS!"

"DON'T LOSE, ARLO!"

Arlo had a hard time blocking Anwen's very fast sword attacks.

"As usual, you are always fast," said Arlo in the middle of the fight. The young knight was very impressed with Princess Anwen's skill with the sword.

"And your abilities have progressed a lot." Anwen ducked to avoid Arlo's sword swing.

"That's because I have participated in many battles." The two swords clashed. Arlo stared intently into the princess's purple eyes and was caught off guard.

He fell after being kicked in the stomach and in the leg.

"You lost," said Anwen, pointing a sword at Arlo's neck before extending a hand to help Arlo up.

Arlo sighed. "I lost again."

He smiled as he took Anwen's outstretched hand and stood up. After that, they left the arena and joined the other knights.

Anwen received a lot of praise while Arlo received a lot of ridicule for being beaten by a girl.

"Okay! Alright, everyone, you guys continue your training, I want to go first!" Anwen high fived with Arlo and several knights who were nearby, then she left the place.

"Don't you love her." A knight nudged Arlo's arm. He added, "I heard that Her Highness Cristela wants to set her up with Kaven Carolus."

"Tsk, you don't know anything." Arlo smacked his friend's head. "I don't love her, I just admire her because she's different from the average princess."

"Oh really?"

"Of course!" Arlo said with a little annoyance, then took a towel on a chair nearby and wiped the sweat off his face.

From a window, Odette watched the knights during their training. There were so many handsome men around. She looked at all those abs and arm muscles perfectly sculpted.

So beautiful.

Rion came out of his study. Seeing that Odette was gazing by the window, he decided to come over.

The girl was completely unaware of the man's arrival. She was so focused on seeing dozens of handsome men below.

"Ahem!"

Odette did not respond.

Rion knitted his brows, looked at Odette who was resting her elbows on the windowsill while holding her chin and smiling broadly.

"Gosh… he's so handsome," Odette mumbled softly when she saw a knight who looked like her favorite Hollywood movie actor.

Ron's brows furrowed together. His eyes darted into the direction that Odette was looking at and suddenly, he felt annoyed for no apparent reason. He looked back at Odette then looked at the knight Odette was watching again.

He felt even more displeased, especially when he saw Odette who was smiling so broadly for watching the man.

It felt like Rion wanted to destroy the knight until there was nothing left, so that Odette couldn't see him again.

"AHEM!"

Odette was stunned and immediately turned her head. She was slightly surprised when she saw the gray-haired man with his usual flat expression standing next to her.

"Rion? How long have you been here?" Odette asked with a confused look on her face.

"Since you noticed a man who is not that handsome," Rion said flatly.

"What?" Odette had a confused expression. She straightened her back then stood facing Rion. "What do you mean?" she asked in confusion.

"I didn't know you like seeing n***d men so much." His tone was flat and cynical at the same time.

"What? But I just—"

"You have a very bad taste."

"Why did you–" Odette wanted to protest but Rion always cut her off quickly.

"That guy's level of handsomeness doesn't even reach my ankles."

"What is—"

"Don't you have anything to do? I don't pay you dearly to stare at a man who doesn't wear clothes."

"But I—"

"Get out of here and prepare some salve for my neck, I'll be waiting for you in my room thirty minutes from now. If it's not ready within thirty minutes, I will fire you!" Rion's order couldn't be refuted. After saying what he wanted to say, he immediately turned around leaving Odette just like that.

"What's with him? That's weird." Odette grumbled in annoyance while looking at Rion's back which continued to drift away after which she turned around.

"His attitude is like someone who is jealous," she grumbled again, but suddenly she was stunned when she realized something.

Jealous? Was the man jealous?

The thought made her face turn red. She turned again to see Rion, who was getting further and further away.

"Is he really…? Ah, no way!" She waved her hand in front of her face and immediately left the place.

***

Click! Click!

Narine was taking selfies using Odette's cell phone. Recently, Athreya taught her to take photos and she was very happy. She spent the whole day just taking pictures of herself.

She didn't get that chance easily. In order for Athreya to lend her the phone, she had to look for Athreya's lice for seven days in a row.

In short, Narine would look for and catch Athreya's lice for seven days in a row, and as a reward, Athreya would lend her the cell phone for a whole day, until the sun really set.

Athreya, who was sitting on a rock, watched the little fairy fly here and there, sprinkling her fairy powder and growing very beautiful pink flowers. After that, she took a photo using the flowers as a background.

After a long silence, Athreya finally stood up and walked over to Narine. The little fairy was sitting on one of the flower petals while swinging her legs alternately, checking all the photos she had taken while humming a little.

"Huh?" Narine looked up as Athreya's shadow fell on her.

"What is it?" she asked, blinking.

Athreya stretched out her hand. 

"Give me the cell phone," Athreya said which made Narine surprised.

"No! What do you mean?" Narine stood holding the gold-colored cell phone tightly. "We have made an agreement that I will look for and catch lice on your head for seven days in a row. As a reward, you will lend me this cell phone for a whole day and it hasn't been a full day yet," said Narine, reminding Athreya about the deal that had been made.

"I know, but I want to return the phone to its owner," explained Athreya, who got protests from Narine.

The little fairy said that Athreya had cheated and broke the deal they had made. She had done her job and Athreya was not giving her the wages she deserved.

"And why do you only want to return it now?" Narine asked with an angry expression.

"Give it to me." Athreya brought his hand closer to Narine.

"I do not want to!" Narine turned her back to the wizard curtly.

"Don't be like that, Zen. There's a photo of Alice's mother on the phone. Alice only has the memory of her dead mother in her head."

After hearing Athreya's explanation, Narine turned around. 

"But, Athreya." She looked at Athreya with a pitiful face. 

She was unwilling to hand over the phone, but she also felt sorry for Odette. She thought for a moment, then said she would give the phone if Athreya gave her a new one.