Lienna.
I finally recovered from my bed rest and was allowed to move around. By that time, I was raring to go because I was tired of lying on the bed and doing nothing. I had missed the sense of purpose that came with working as a maid, and I was eager to get back to my routine. But when I resumed my maid duties, the head maid refused to let me do any work.
“Why am I not allowed to work?” I asked, exasperated. I had been looking forward to getting back to my normal duties, so this was unexpected.
“Orders from the shifter kings,” the head maid replied, her face stern. “You’re not allowed to work as a maid anymore.”
I was taken aback. “What? Why?” I asked, surprised. Why would the shifter kings make such a decree?
The head maid shrugged. “I do not know, but you can go ask them,” she said and walked away from me, leaving me standing there feeling frustrated and confused.
I stood there for a moment, completely dazed, trying to process what had just happened. Then, I made up my mind. I was going to find out why the shifter kings had made such an order.
King Hermes had gone out on an assignment, and King Adonis was busy as well, leaving only Caspian. My nerves began to deplete as I made my way to his study room, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. Two burly soldiers stood beside the huge door, their gazes fixed on me as I approached. I felt like an ant under a microscope, and my skin crawled with discomfort.
“Um… I would like to see King Caspian. Can that be allowed?” I asked, trying to make my voice firm, but it still trembled like a leaf. I hated showing weakness, but I couldn’t help it.
The soldiers stared at me for the longest time, their faces expressionless. I was starting to grow uncomfortable, my feet shuffling on the spot. But one eventually walked into the study room, leaving me standing there, feeling like a supplicant.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, the soldier finally stepped out of the room. “You can go in, King Caspian has allowed it,” he said in a toneless voice, pushing the door wider to let me in.
I muttered my thanks and walked in, a gasp escaping my lips as I beheld the wonder that was King Caspian’s study room. His part of the fortress had to be the most beautiful part, if I said so myself. The room was filled with books, strange artifacts, and a stunning view of the surrounding landscape.
Seated on his chair, his gaze was fixed on the parchment he was writing on, his brow furrowed in concentration. I looked around in wonder, taking more steps forward until I was at a considerable distance from him.
“Good morning, your majesty,” I greeted with a low bow, keeping my voice even. I didn’t want to disturb him, but I needed answers.
Caspian looked up, his piercing grey eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, we just stared at each other, and I felt like I was drowning in their depths. Then, he nodded, his expression softening slightly. “Good morning, Liennna. You said you wanted to see me. Why is that?”
I cleared my throat, starting to speak. “I would like to know why I was prevented from doing my duties as a maid. I went there today and the head maid told me she received orders from you to stop me from working,” I said, looking up at him. My voice was steady, but my heart was racing with fear and nervousness.
Caspian paused in what he was writing and glanced at me, leaning back slightly in his chair. His piercing grey eyes seemed to bore into my soul, as if searching for something. I swallowed the lump in my throat, my palms growing sweaty.
“Well… That’s because we need you to focus on learning how to use the moon goddess you have in you,” he said, his voice firm but gentle. “As at now, you have no idea how to control it, do you?”
I nodded, a flush coloring my cheeks. “You need to learn that as soon as possible,” he continued. “That way, you’re going to be able to help us without putting yourself in harm’s way. It’s why we gave the order to not allow you to work as a maid anymore.”
I nodded, understanding them now. But a new question arose in my mind. “But… Who’s going to teach me how to make use of the powers?” I asked, slightly confused.
Caspian’s expression turned confident. “We will,” he said without missing a beat. “We might ask for more help if we see it’s necessary, but for now, we’re going to be your primary teachers.”
He passed me a sideway glance, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Or do you have a problem with that?”
I shook my head and hands, a small smile on my face. “No, not at all.”
Caspian nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips. “In that case, I’m guessing that is all?”
I nodded again, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.
“Yes, it is,” Caspian said, his expression turning serious once more. “Good. You may take your leave now.”
I bowed my head, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Caspian. “Thank you, your majesty,” I said and left his study room. As a result, I was idle and had nothing to do. Not wanting to stay in my room, I decided to take a walk in the fortress garden. The fresh air and beautiful scenery would do me some good.
I was beginning to enjoy the scenery when I spotted King Adonis coming from the other direction. I froze, debating if I should leave before he spotted me or stay behind. But that was useless because he had already caught sight of me, and his gaze fixed on mine. I found myself unable to move, my heart fluttering at the sight of him. He was even more imposing in the daylight, his piercing blue eyes seeming to see right through me.
He was soon before me, staring me down, and I hastily gathered myself, giving him a bow. “Your majesty,” I muttered, my voice low.
“Would you like to go on a walk with me?” Adonis asked, his voice brooking no argument. I stared at him in surprise before jerkily nodding my head.
He turned around and began to walk, and I immediately rushed forward, falling into step with him but still lagging behind. He led me to a secluded part of the garden, and I tried to admire the scene even while my nerves were strung up for staying beside the man. I looked around and saw we were alone, and my heart began to pound. He must have told his soldiers to stay further away.
While I was still wondering what he wanted to say, he began to speak. “I would like to apologize for my behavior towards you earlier,” he announced, and I froze, taken aback by the words coming out of his mouth. I stared up at him, my eyes wide in shock. King Adonis, the formidable and intimidating ruler, was apologizing to me? I couldn’t believe it.
He must have noticed me stopping as he stopped walking as well, glancing down at me with a hint of concern. There was remorse in his eyes, but other than that, his face was very expressionless. “I apologize for judging you harshly the last time. That was highly presumptuous of me. I hope you can forgive me,” he said, sounding apologetic.
The words swirled around my head for a moment before penetrating. When it did, a deep flush began from the crown of my head down to my body, and I blinked rapidly. “Of course, I forgive you. You shouldn’t blame yourself for that. No one knew any better,” I said, trying to reassure him.
Adonis furrowed his brows, and I chuckled nervously, scratching my neck. Heavens, but this is so awkward. I couldn’t believe I was having this conversation with the intimidating King Adonis.
“I hope that is sincere,” he said, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“It definitely is. I forgive you from the bottom of my heart,” I said, allowing my sincerity to seep into my voice this time around.
Adonis stared at me for the longest time, and I held my breath, holding his gaze. Something flashed in his eyes, and he took a step forward towards me, his gaze slowly dropping to my lips. I felt my heart rate go up, the world blurring around me.
Just then, footsteps approached, and a soldier appeared, breaking the spell we seemed to have entered. “Your majesty, your presence is needed in the court,” the soldier said, completely oblivious to what was going on.
Adonis’s expression had already changed to his usual stoic mode, losing all the warmth and emotions of earlier. “Of course, I’ll be there in a minute,” he said, and the soldier bowed and left.
Casting a final glance at me, he spoke over his shoulder. “We’ll be talking soon,” he said and followed the soldier.
I watched him go, a warm feeling blooming in my chest and spreading all over me. A tiny smile began to form on my lips as he disappeared from my sight. Perhaps, he isn’t that bad after all.