Chapter 26

Court day......

Nalani rushed to the King's chambers, with his food in her hands. Yesterday the King was too quiet. Since she recovered from her illness, the King has been chatty in the mornings and evenings. However yesterday he was silent. He looked through some documents while he ate and after he finished he dismissed her immediately.

Nalani found it strange that he didn't say a single word to her. He seemed deep in thought the entire time. Perhaps something or someone was stressing him out but she didn't have the courage to ask him . She wondered which mood he will be in today.

Shaking her head to clear her head she proceeded to knock on the door.

" Come in," the King said as usual.

Nothing was different in his tone. Nalani walked in as usual and placed the tray on the dining table. To her surprise the King was bathed and dressed, ready for the day.

" Good morning your highness" she said bowing

" Good morning" he gruffed

He sat down and ate his breakfast.  She wanted to ask what was happening but she stopped herself.

" Today we will have court at midday. I want you to attend. Make sure I take my lunch before it starts" he ordered

" Yes your highness"

He finished his breakfast and left Nalani to do her chores. Nalani was the King's personal maid and her duties were to take care of the King, however what was she supposed to do in court? If her parents didn't die, she would have inherited her father's position and became a noblewoman.

Although the country sconnered upon women having such positions, if her father allowed it, then no one could take her position away. Thankfully, King Ambrose was a progressive man, he didn't care who was in position, as long as they performed their duties well.

Nalani remembered the first noblewoman in the country. She was the eldest daughter of a retired nobleman who sired only daughters. When she attended the court proceedings, the men sneered and spat at her. They demanded the King to remove her from her position and give it to a man in their extended family, if they lacked an heir in theirs.

While they made their wild demands the King observed the noblewoman. She was strong and fierce . She ignored the old men's insults and spoke to the King. Her voice was authoritative and powerful that the King was impressed. He knew the others would not be able to push her around, as they do to noblemen from small districts.

The King didn't understand their anger and disgust directed towards the young woman. Was it because she was a woman? or was it because she was strong? He didn't understand them but he liked her. So the King as the supreme ruler, allowed her to keep her position and forbade the others from insulting her otherwise they would be punished by loosing their positions .

However, Nalani didn't actually see all these with her own eyes, she heard the stories from the streets of Florrin. The gossip lasted for days. Each time she heard the story, a new piece of information was added. The women were proud of the King for allowing a woman to lead while the men were angry at the King . They detested the idea of a woman leading them. They claimed a man should lead, not a woman.

People ended up debating about this for weeks. The debate was not only confined in Florrin, it was held all over the Kingdom including the castle. The King found it amusing everytime he heard people discussing the issue. Even though they didn't like his ruling, there was nothing they could do about it.

Nalani finished her chores and rushed to the kitchen to deliver the King's lunch. She only had an hour before midday. She found Mrs Smith tasting the food before serving in small bowls and plates.

" Oh, you're here, I'm just about to finish. Why don't you take a bite of the bread over there" said Mrs Smith

Nalani took a piece and started eating while she watched Mrs Smith do her thing. When she finished she took the tray and headed to the King's office. As usual there were knights stationed outside and the announcer Harry was with them. Nalani nodded her head to signal Harry. Harry opened the door and announced Nalani's arrival.

Nalani walked into the office. She has never served the King in his office so she had no idea where to place the food. On his desk or on the table near the couch, she was confused. The King noticed her confusion.

" Place it on the table near the couch. Just remove the vase and move it to the front of the couch" he ordered

Nalani was surprised by his order but she followed it. She didn't expect the King would notice her confusion.  The King organised his papers before he moved to the couch. He ate his food while he thought of today's court proceedings. He was sure some of the noblemen will hate him after this, but he didn't care.

While he ate he noticed a crump of bread on Nalani's cheek. He motioned for her to come closer . When she did , he signalled for her to bring her face closer. When she did , he removed the crumb on her cheek. Shocked by the king's actions Nalani lifted her face and looked into the King's eyes.  She found the King already looking at her and their eyes locked.

His hand continued caressing her cheek while they stared at each other. None of them looked away. Nalani noticed the King's beautiful brown eyes that flickered to a lighter shade when exposed to too much light. The King was indeed handsome, how did she not notice this before. His brown eyes, his straight nose, pink lips and chiseled jaw. This man was attractive.

Nalani pulled away, when she broke the trance the King had on her.

' Get it together, Nalani' she thought.

The King smiled at her reaction and went back to eating as if nothing happened. He was delighted that he had an affect on her just as she had an affect on him. The King finished his food and stood up.

" Let's go" he ordered

" I have to take the tray back to the kitchen," Nalani explained

" Someone else will do it. I told you, you will attend court today"

" Your highness, about that, I don't think it will be appropriate for a servant to attend court"

" Who said it wasn't appropriate?" He demanded

" No, it's just that....." She fumbled

" Come along Nalani, the noblemen and women are waiting" the King said with a smirk.

Nalani followed closely behind, but not too close. Harry announced the King's arrival and everyone was on their knees. The King walked in confidently, with a nervous Nalani behind him. She walked right behind him to hide herself from the prying eyes.

The people could not hide their shocked expressions from their faces. They all looked at her with alot of interest. The King has never been seen with a woman before, unless it's his servant. Who was she? And why was she in the throne room? They all were dying to ask but they couldn't.

" You may rise" the King commanded.

They all rose. The noblemen didn't stop staring at Nalani as she was standing close to the King's throne.

" Your highness, what is she doing in the throne room?" One of the noblemen asked and the rest nodded their heads.

" Yes, we would like to know" said another

" Yes"

The King raised his hand and they were silent.

" She is my servant, don't mind her. Nalani sit down" said King Ambrose

Nalani timidly sat at the foot of the throne, making herself as small as possible. Sir Carl couldn't help smiling. His plan was working. He could tell that the two were getting closer. The King has never shown interest in anyone and he has certainly never invited a woman or any servant to court. He couldn't tell which stage they were at but they seemed close.

Sir Noah on the other hand ,was trying to hide behind some noblemen. He didn't want Nalani to recognize him. He was surprised and caught unaware when he saw her come in with the King . He couldn't leave court once the King arrives. He thought of ways to hide through the whole proceeding as he still had to stay in the castle undetected.

The noblemen couldn't help glaring at Nalani. They didn't understand how the King could bring a lowly servant to court. It was disrespectful. Although they felt insulted, they didn't show it. However the King noticed their uneasiness and the glares they sent at Nalani. He felt energised by their hate. He thrived in their discomfort.

The King held out his hand and patted Nalani's hair. A gasp and then murmurs were heard all around the throne room. The noblemen couldn't believe their eyes. The only person who was smiling was Emmah ,the only female noblewoman. It was time for the King to find his Queen. From the looks of the two the King was marking his territory, showing his affection for her and making a statement, all by a single gesture.

When the King rubbed Nalani's hair, he had a smirk on his face . However when he looked at the people in court, his expression changed to that of anger and fury. He stopped caressing Nalani's hair and sat upright.

" We may begin"