Chapter 47

Nalani's POV

" Don't you have something to tell me?" The King inquired.

Nalani froze. Her heart started racing. What did he mean?

" Something like what?" She asked, wanting to make sure they were on the same page.

" Argh! What will I do with you, Nalani?" He sighed tiredly.

King Ambrose seized my hand and dragged me to the dining area of the castle. He settled me to his right.

" I don't want to sit so close to you" I jested.

He frowned, then pulled my chair closer to his. Why did I open my big mouth and said something? Aaargh! This was so frustrating.

" I was only joking" I muttered.

" I know" he whispered so close to me.

The heat of his body warmed mine while his breath caressed my neck. We were too close. I needed to flee. I needed space away from him. When I am around him, I can't seem to think properly.

" You are not going anywhere," he said, as if reading my mind " Bring in the food and invite Kellen and Stanley to join us"

After the catastrophic incident Sir Stanley and I, have never been in the same room. We didn't specifically avoid each other but we weren't exactly happy to see each other either. I held a grudge against him and he knew it. It's safe to say we were not each other's favorite people.

He might have had his reasons why he behaved the way he did. However, it does not undervalue what I felt.  I was entitled to feel the way I felt and not even my love for the King will make me forgive him.

" Be nice" Ambrose said suddenly.

I knew what meant, so I rolled my eyes.

The servants brought in the food and suddenly the entire table was filled with delicacies. Why they cooked so much food was beyond me since the King couldn't possibly finish all this food. He wasn't a picky eater but at the same time, he doesn't eat much.

It felt surreal to be sitting on this side of the table. Normally I would be the one serving the King but this time I was sitting next to him. Indeed, Life can change drastically and we have no control over it. How did I even get here in the first place?

Stanley and Kellen arrived and sat on the left side of the King while I was on his right side. Kellen kept smiling at me while Sir Stanley was trying hard not to say what was on his mind. I could tell he wasn't comfortable but I couldn't care less.

" Let's eat" the King announced.

Our food was served and wine was poured. We ate in silence while the King and Sir Stanley spoke about private matters. We could hear them clearly but we couldn't understand what they were talking about.

We finished eating, and Kellen and I excused ourselves. We left the two to continue conversing as it was boring to listen to something you didn't understand. I grabbed Kelly's hand and we headed to her room.

" Where are you staying?" I asked

" In one of the rooms in here"

" Inside the castle?"

" Yes, I was surprised as well. What about you?" She asked

I didn't know. The King must have made some arrangements because I was yet to be assigned a room. Did he expect me to sleep in the same room as him? No, he better not. We went into Kellen's room and it was not a servant's room. Why was she assigned this room exactly?

Kellen and I should be resting in the servant's quarters, what were they thinking? We sat on her soft bed and chatted. She told me she found this castle more relaxing than the other one. I did get what she was saying. The main Castle filled me with anxiety, I have never fully felt at ease since I started staying there.

There was trouble in every corner.

" What do you think of Sir Stanley?" She asked suddenly.

I was puzzled by this question. Why was she interested in that awful man?

" Why?"

" Please tell me"

" You are aware of what happened when I was in the dungeons. So I'm the last person you should be asking that question"

" You hate him that much, huh" she muttered.

" I despise him" I retorted.

I watched Kellen fidget. Something was going on and I was not aware of it. When did these two meet?

" When did you interact with Sir Stanley?" I asked narrowing my eyes.

" When you were in the dungeons, I went to beg him to save your life"

" You might as well could have begged a rock. So futile and useless" I groaned.

" I don't think he's a bad person...."

" And I don't think he is a good person either"

I grabbed Kelly's shoulders forcing her to look at me.

" Promise me you will stay away from him"

" I...I "

" Promise me, please" I begged.

This was the only way I could feel at ease. I didn't want him manipulating my friend.

" Alright, I promise "

Feeling a temporary relief flow inside me, I released a sigh I didn't realize I was holding. I didn't want my friend anywhere near that man. And if I could help it, I would keep them apart. We continued talking about other things while exploring the new room.

" Miss Kellen! Miss Nalani! Are you there?" Someone asked outside our door.

" Yes, do come in" I announced.

A woman by the name of Mrs Meyer came in. She was in charge of this Castle. She has been taking care of it her whole life.

" Miss Nalani, I came to take you to your room"

" I can just share this room with Kellen, you don't need to do all that. The other room can be used by someone else "

She chuckled loudly. I wondered what I said that was so amusing.

" No one can use that room except you. Come along now, let's go"

I said my goodbye to Kellen and followed the strange woman. We walked through so many corridors that I lost my bearing. I thought this castle was smaller, boy was I wrong. We finally reached our destination. The room had a beautiful door, very unique.

She opened the door and I followed her inside. Everything was luxurious. The bed, the chairs, tables, carpets. This was a room fit for someone with more status than me.

" Are you sure this is my room?" I asked

" Yes, these are the chambers of the future Queen"