Morning came and Azalea woke up, still in the embrace of the king. After his unexpected act of tenderness, all the fear she felt got washed away. Now, she couldn't help herself stare at his beautiful countenance as he slept peacefully.
"You have treated me unfairly and unjustly, doing things that would make me utterly loathe you," Azalea thought in her mind. "But … why? Why can't I bring myself to really hate you?"
Staring at the king with sadness in her eyes, she gently brushed his hair.
"Instead of hate … I feel hurt instead. Somehow I feel that you're carrying a heavy burden in your heart. And I just can't ignore it. Tell me … what is it? What is it that's making you hurt so much?"
Feeling her constant brushing, the king woke up from his sleep.
"Ugh ... you're awake," the king grunted. "Feeling a little better now?"
Azalea nodded. "Ahm, about last night … thank you … for sparing me".
