Chapter 20

Nalani stayed in bed even though it was the last thing in her mind. What was she supposed to do when the King orders her to stay put. She obeys for fear of the punishment that would follow. She watched the King move around in his room as he prepared for the day.

The other servants will definitely notice, she was missing. How could she make the King understand that her leaving will be the best decision for both of them? Rumors will surely start if people come to learn of her night in the King's chambers.

Nobody will bother to ask what happened between the King and her. They will assume something happened. It is afterall human nature to try and fill in the blanks. What should she do? How should she approach this without angering the King?

They barely started to get along . Nalani didn't want to be in his bad side again. Since she started working for the King, she has learnt a few things. One, the king is extremely irritable, he gets angry really quickly. Two, following orders was better than getting punished for being disobedient. And three, her body was not meant for punishment, so she should avoid it as much as possible.

She decided to sit quietly and wait . Lastly the King went to his closet. Nalani knew he wanted to dress for the day so she tried waking up and helping him as she usual.

" What did I say about staying put? " The King growled.

" My king you need help dressing for the day" she explained.

" Do I look like an invalid to you? I can certainly dress myself for one day" he huffed " if you get off that bed one more time I will spank you until your ass turns red. Got it!"

" Yes my king" Nalani said .

Her face turned red at the King's statement. How could he say that so casually as if they were two lovers talking. And was it something he did often with other women?

" Nalani, I can feel the wheels of your brain working overtime. Please rest" he said in a softer tone this time.

Disturbed but also delighted by his soft tone Nalani laid her head on the pillow. Her peace was short lived when she started wondering why the King was being so nice to her.

" He definitely has a hidden agenda" she whispered

" What?" The king asked standing right next to her

Nalani jumped in surprise. She didn't notice how close the King was. When did he get so close?

" What did you say?" The king asked narrowing his eyes

" Mmh...aah... I said the bed is so comfortable" she rumbled

The king watched her for a few seconds, not believing a word she said but he chose to let it go. He sat on the edge of the bed and immediately Nalani moved further away from him. The King chuckled at her action but didn't say anything.

" Is someone there?" He asked in his loud authoritative voice.

" Yes your highness"

" Can you bring me breakfast, enough for two people." He ordered

" Yes your highness"

They could hear footsteps move further away from the door.

" Your highness, you should have sent me"

" How can I send you when you are ill"

" I can manage. I am not that badly off. I feel fine"

" So you want me to send you and then you faint again, this time carrying hot tea. What about the glass that could injure you" the King growled every word.

" I...I people will notice I am not there and they will start looking for me"

" And.."

" They will find me here"

" Mhhm?"

The King was not at the very least showing concern for what she was trying to explain him. How could he not understand what this would mean to him and his reign as king.

" My king, people will start talking and assuming something is happening between us" she tried again.

" What if they do?"

" What??"

The King moved closer towards her. His face a few centimeters from her own. They both stared at each other for what felt like years . His beautiful brown eyes stared deep into her soul and she inturn stared at his face before she looked away. She has never looked at the King in the eye before. Everytime they meet her head was always facing down.

The King is indeed handsome. She had forgotten how handsome he was in the account that he was cruel to her. Punishing her every now and then as he pleased. However right this moment, he didn't look like the cruel King, he looked handsome, laid back and curious.

The King chuckled again. His chuckle was the most beautiful sound Nalani has ever heard. Today he has chuckled atleast four times while normally he doesn't make a sound except when he is disapproving of her actions. She somehow liked this side of the King.

' Like....Like? No. No. She should not be liking the king at all. Has she forgotten why she was here?' she thought.

The King watched her facial expressions while she was deep in thought. She was blushing a second ago but now she was frowning. Her brows were crunching in a really cute way that the King ended up smiling. Whatever she was thinking was not making her happy.

A knock interrupted their moment.

" My king your breakfast is here" the guard announced

" Leave it at the table near the door" said the King while he looked at Nalani.

Obviously Nalani was worried that someone will see her and get the wrong idea. He didn't want to put her in an akward situation, so he played nice for now.

He stood up and headed for the door.

" Your highness you don't have to do this, I can get it for you" she said quickly.

An annoyed expression flashed on the King's face making her stay quiet. He opened the door and walked outside. In a second he was back, carrying a big tray.

" Why is the tray bigger than usual?" She asked out loud before she could stop herself.

"I asked for breakfast for two. Remember?" Answered the king.

He didn't sneer or anything, he answered normally. The King moved the vase on the small table near the bed and replaced it with the tray of food. He removed the cover exposing the food to Nalani.

Nalani's eyes widened in excitement as she looked at the delicious food. Sausages, bacon, bread ,tea ,grapes and sliced oranges. The perfect breakfast for a royal. It has been years since she ate some of this food. She used to eat like this when she was a noble, but not anymore. She could barely afford it now. Sausages and bacon were not cheap, they were only purchased by rich people.

Farmers did rear pigs but they sold them at a high price. So the pigs were mostly purchased by rich households like the castle. The King watched Nalani look at the food with so much longing in her eyes. He smiled at her genuinity, something he hasn't seen in a while.

People in the castle were far from genuine. They all have their agenda when they meet him. Mostly he can tell right from the start, from their deminor and the way they talk to him. Some even think flattery will get them what they want. Clearly they don't know the King very well.

He prefers honesty to flattery. Perhaps that was the reason why he found Nalani so exciting and mysterious. Her honesty was refreshing even though it was unwanted sometimes. He found it extremely attractive how she was genuine all the time.

He has been watching her. Even when he wasn't around, he had others watch her. She was an interesting woman. Kind , collected, proud but very wise. He liked her. He has been trying not to acknowledge his feelings but maybe it was time he went with the flow.

He picked the plate of sausages and cut them into smaller pieces. With his folk he gave one to Nalani. Nalani was confused as to why the king was trying to feed her a sausage.

" Open your mouth!" He ordered

Nalani opened her mouth instantly. The King kept feeding her. From the sausages to bacon to grapes. He made sure to give her several bites of each.

" My King you need to eat, you have been feeding me too much" she said in concern.

" You are the sick. You need this more than me"

" My king I am almost full. Please eat" she begged.

The King ate a piece of bacon to ease her concerns. She smiled at him and he smiled back as he chewed. Her smile was the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. She looked so beautiful and carefree as she smiled.

" You are so beautiful" he whispered.

Nalani was taken back by the King's complement and couldn't stop smiling. The King has never complemented her or anyone in the castle. Perhaps was he a softie underneath all the cold attitude?

" Thank you" she blushed

The King remained silent after that. He ate his breakfast and would occasionally fed her . Once the food was done, he took the tray back outside. While he was outside Nalani could hear him speak but she couldn't understand what he was saying.

When he came back he want to his work desk. He had one placed in the room to use at night and early mornings.

" I called the doctor to check you up." He announced

" My king you don't have to "

" I'd rather you don't faint on me again"

In the blink of an eye he was back to his old self. The kind man who fed her a few moments ago was gone and was replaced by the cold King.