Chapter 16

" What are you waiting for, start cleaning..!!" Ordered the king

" I will get the cleaning supplies. Excuse me my king" she quickly left the room

Harassing her did make the king feel better. He acted like an asshole towards her but he didn't care. He was the king. He left the room and went to the royal garden. The garden was a safe place for him. He always felt more grounded and less angry when he visits the royal garden.

He looked at all the beautiful flowers in his mother's garden. His mother worked so hard to make this place beautiful . He promised to keep the place beautiful just like his mother left it. The walked around for hours, touching and smelling the flowers around him.

It calmed some of the rage he once felt. With no anger to fuel his actions, he felt bad for what he did. He should probably go back to his chambers and release Nalani for the night. He walked back to his chambers and opened the door quietly.

Nalani was on her knees leaning on his bed. From the movement of her shoulders she must have dozed off. He knew she was tired yet he pushed her anyway. He watched her while she slept for a few minutes before he carried her to her room.

The sight of the king carrying a servant girl shocked the guards standing guard at night. It was an unbelievable sight. One that if you told anyone in the castle it happened, they wouldn't have believed you unless they saw it with their own eyes. The king was famous for his cold nature but now he carried a servant girl to her quarters. Were the stories of the king false or was this a one time occurrence.

They all watched with their mouths open as the king passed them. The king reached the servants quarters but he didn't know her specific room. So he asked the guard following him to summon Mrs Smith. The king adjusted Nalani in his arms to a more comfortable position. He waited patiently until Mrs Smith appeared before him.

" Your highness I hear you are looking for me" said Mrs Smith from behind him.

When the king turned around to address her she gasped in panic. Nalani was sleeping in the king's arms. Her arms wrapped around his neck loosely. How could the girl be so reckless?

" Which is Nalani's room?" Asked king Ambrose.

" My king, you can give her to the guard and I will direct him to her room" Mrs Smith suggested.

" I have come all this way, show me to her room now"

Without opposing the king further, Mrs Smith led the way to Nalani's room. She was surprised by the king's out of character behavior. He has never shown any interest in women in the palace. And most importantly he has never been kind to anyone except for his best friend friend.

So why was he being kind and gentle with Nalani now yet a few days ago he whipped her to the brink of death. Was the king changing? Or has something happened between the two?

' Was the king interested in Nalani?' Mrs Smith wondered.

When they reached Nalani's room, Mrs Smith opened the door and held it open for the king to enter. The king placed Nalani on one of the free bed in the room. The other bed was occured by her friend who slept diagonally.

" How can an adult sleep like that?" Wondered the king.

He watched her sleep for a few seconds before he inspected the room. The room was simple but clean. There wasn't much decorations but somehow it felt homey and full of joy.

The king left as quickly as he came in. He was taken aback by his own behavior. He didn't expect to carry her all the way to her room. What was he thinking. He should be punishing her for sleeping on the job. At the same time he felt guilty for adding another load of work on her shoulders.

The king was indeed conflicted. The fact that he didn't understand his own behavior frustrated him. He needed to get himself under control or otherwise others might use this to hurt him. For years the king has not shown any interest in women and with good reason.

At first he was newly crowned so he devoted most of his time in ruling and adapting to his new position. The more he learned of his duties the more he realized that he was not in a position to love or to be loved. Anyone who loved him or he loved would be used as a tool to hurt him.

So instead of putting some poor girl's life in danger he decided to be alone. All powerful with no weaknesses to be exploited by others. He wanted to stay that same. Whatever was going on with Nalani had to be put to a stop.

As he carried her to her room he did notice the reaction of his guards. They were all suprised and intrigued. He knew they would want to know what is going on. They would want to investigate what was the relationship between Nalani and him. He had to act smarter about this situation and put an end to any suspicions before they grow.

He promised to deal with it tomorrow. For today, he needed to get a good night sleep.

Nalani woke up in her bed, which confused her. The last thing she remembered was dozing off in the king's chambers. So how did she wake up in her bed this morning. Who brought here? And how comes she didn't feel someone carrying her? Was she that exhausted.

Yesterday's events were tiring. She scrubbed all day and most of the night so her arms and shoulders ached. She got out of bed and woke Kellen up. She took a shower and dressed up for the day. She prayed to the universe that for once the king wakes up in a good mood.

Nalani and Kellen went to the dining room to take their breakfast. The others servants were already eating while some were done with their breakfast. Nalani and Kellen sat down and waited to be served.

Mrs Smith served their breakfast as usual but something was clearly disturbing the woman. She kept spacing out even when was spoken to. Nalani wondered what could possibly disturb the woman to this extent. Normally she was sharp but today she was distracted completely.

Kellen left immediately she finished her breakfast leaving Mrs Smith and Nalani alone.

" Mrs Smith, are you okay?" Asked a concerned Nalani with a frown on her face.

" Mmh, I am fine my dear. Why do you ask?"

" You seem distracted today, is something bothering you?"

" Yes, but I didn't think much of it until you mentioned it."

" Does it have something to do with me? I know I cause you alot of trouble"

" Oh my dear, I would love to say no but I can't lie to you"

" Please tell me what's wrong "

" Do you remember anything from last night?"

" I was washing the king's room when I dozed off, I don't remember much afetr that"

" The king carried you to your room"

" What! Why would he do that?"

"I am wondering the same thing."

"But he has always hated me"

" I don't think he hates you. He is just strict, that's all"

"I don't understand him or his actions Mrs Smith"

"Neither do I my dear. For now, be careful you never know what is going on in his head"

"Yes, Mrs Smith"

"Go and deliver the king's breakfast. Be careful not to drop it today. Understood"

"Yes Mrs Smith."

Nalani headed for the king's chambers with his breakfast in hand. She was careful. She knocked on the door three times and a voice commanded her to enter. She placed the food on the table and waited for instructions.

The king was silent as he ate. He said nothing. He didn't scold her or reprimand her which made Nalani nervous. What was he upto? Has the king changed or was it all a ploy for her to let her guard down.

When the king finished his breakfast he stood up.

" For sleeping on the job, you will scrub the main corridor . You will clean my room first before you clean it. Do you understand"

" Yes my king"

With that the king left for the day.