Chapter 21

Nalani spent two whole days confined in the King's Chambers. The furthest place she could go was the balcony. She was not allowed outside the King's chambers. She tried to reason with the King on countless occasions but the king was an unreasonable man .

He refused to hear her out, even when she presented a good case. He simply didn't care for her opinion and that frustrated her. The two days were both bliss and irritating. Spending time with the king is not exactly a gift. He does whatever he wants, whenever he wants it and the rest of you are supposed to follow and fall in line.

Nalani was not one to fall in line easily. So you can imagine the arguments they got into when one ordered the other. The king wondered what was so hard about following orders while Nalani wondered what was so hard about being flexible.

The two are total opposites. The king dominant and forward in his ways while Nalani was more laid back and easy going. It wasn't her fault she was like this. She had to adapt with how the world changes. Ofcourse that was not the case for the king, he was the one changing the world.

On multiple occasions they almost bit each other's head off. It was a miracle they were both alive and no one was hurt. Concerned by the rumors that would spread when she spent time in the King's chambers, she asked the king to reconsider.

Atleast this was the only thing he was open to suggestions. He didn't want to put her life at risk. If word got out that he indeed favoured her, she would get in trouble immediately. Some people would hunt her for sport. That was how precious they would think she is to the king.

The king listened to Nalani and called for Mrs Smith. She was the only person they could trust in the castle. Not even Kellen was informed of what was happening. The same day the doctor checked Nalani out, Mrs Smith was summoned by the king.

No one suspected anything since she has been in the King's life the longest. And through the years the king has seek her council on more than one occasion. His enemies didn't see the value of kidnapping or tourtuing her since the King was not emotionally invested in their relationship.

Mrs Smith saw the king as his son while the king viewed Mrs Smith as his nanny. A woman who raised him. He did respect her and to some degree he loves her but he never shows it.

Mrs Smith knocked on the door and she was asked to come in. Once inside the room she bowed her head before she stood up straight.

" Have you seen Nalani?" The king asked her

" No. I am worried that she is missing. I was about to dispatch people to look for her"

" No need"

" What? What do you mean?" Asked a confused Mrs Smith

" She's behind you"

Mrs Smith turned to look behind her and indeed Nalani was there but she was sleeping on the King's bed.

" Nalani get down from there" ordered a flustered Mrs Smith

" I can't Mrs Smith"

" What do you mean you can't!" Frowned Mrs Smith " you shouldn't be here. Everyone is looking for you. Get down now!"

" I can't "

" I don't understand what is going on"

" She is to stay in this room and sleep on that bed until she recovers " the King said casually as he looked through his papers.

He seemed uninterested in whatever was happening.

" But my king" Mrs Smith started to object

" My words are final" he said in finality

Mrs Smith sent a inquisitive look at Nalani but she only shrugged.

" I have tried already, you won't win this one" Nalani explained.

Mrs smith's head was filled with thoughts. What were they thinking? If at all he was thinking. Why would he risk his reputation like this after all this years of being perfect and matriculate in his moves. Couldn't he see this was a risky affair.

" My King, Nalani staying here is very risky. Not only to you but also to her life"

" I already told him that" pipped Nalani

" If people find out about her , they might try to hurt her"

" What....what do you mean hurt me?"

" Nothing will happen to her"

" You can't guarantee that my king"

" I could die...for sleeping here. No! " Said Nalani as she tried to get off the bed.

" You! get back in bed" the king pointed at Nalani " and you, announce to all the servants that Nalani went to see her family for two days"

" But I don't have any family"

" How will people know that Nalani?"

" Mmh...I ...I don't know"

" No one will know. Now stick to resting like I commanded you"

" What about your meals my king? If someone comes in and sees her, rumors will start spreading in no time"

" You will bring all my meals until she has recovered and back to working. Understood?"

" Yes your highness " Mrs Smith bowed again

" You are dismissed. Don't forget to deal with the servants"

" Yes your highness "

Mrs Smith left quickly after. Nalani shoved the duvet back on her body and fell on the bed with a huff. She was tired of sleeping and it was barely one day. 

As the two days passed, the two got in a routine. They slept on the same bed and Mrs Smith brought their meals. The king prefered to work in his room as opposed to the throne room. He suspended all his meetings and rulings to ensure no one had access to his chambers while he was gone.

You can call him paranoid, however this was not the first time someone tried to break into his chambers. At the time it was a woman sent by one of his enemies to seduce and drug him. When he found her in his chambers, he decided it was best to play along.

She drugged his wine and offered it to him. But while she looked away he exchanged the wine glasses and ended up drinking the one that was not drugged. The woman ended up drugging herself, how karmic. Anyway he investigated and found he had quite a substantial list of enemies, especially nobel men.

Apparently his people loved him but the noblemen who were his right hand men hated him. They thought he didn't deserve to be king. And the worst part of all they had a replacement for him. A man they kept on saying would make a great king. Over his dead body will he allow anyone to take his crown.

The only person who will be getting his crown is his future heir. He will give it to his heir wholeheartedly and happily. But the rest of the blood suckers will not even get to smell the crown.

He knew they were glad he was yet to marry. They have tried to match him with their daughters but he refused. He has nothing against their daughters but everything against their fathers. He had no desire to have a greedy father in law who could kill him anytime to ursup the throne.

Most of the noble ladies were boring to him. All they do is play instruments, shop, drink tea, gossip and put on heavy makeup. The most annoying thing is the way they try to out laugh each other. It was so annoying and distracting that he left as he had no patience left. He had no desire to make that kind of lady his wife.

If he was to marry, he will marry someone he liked. Someone he knew, at the very least their character. Someone he could trust with his affairs. In short not anyone. And definitely not some airhead lady. He wanted a tough, strong, mature and exciting woman.

A woman who would tell him he is wrong and share with him the alternatives without getting scared. A woman who is courageous enough to face court when he is sick or incapacitated. A woman who would treat everyone equally and value each and every person's contributions. Finding this woman was the problem.

How could he find a gemn in the rock ?

However he has been seeing signs of that woman in Nalani. Although he wasn't sure, he was yet to see. He insisted that she stay in his room as he wanted to observe her closely. He wanted to be in her presence and watch how his body reacts to her and how her body reacts to his.

Two days were enough to make them be at ease with each other. Although Nalani didn't view him as her friend, she also didn't view him as her enemy which was a good start.  They ate meals together, shared some stories and played games to pass time.

They even watched the garden together, something the king has never done with anyone. They watched the sun rise and the sun set and lastly they slept in the same bed . Now the two days were over and Nalani had to go back to her reality. The reality she has been on was not her on, it was a dream.

With the help of one guard she was sneeked out of castle inorder to pretend she was coming back . She was taken away from the castle and after one hour she was driven back in. This time in public so that everyone can see she has returned. Their plan went smoothly and Nalani was back to the castle again as a servant.

" So you were here all along" a voice said out loud as the stranger looked at Nalani.