Alexander was going through some papers when he heard a knock on the door. He was deeply focused on the work that he didn't see who he allowed to enter. It was the time for his meal. He simply told the server to place it on the chess table. He was yet reading the papers but was also aware of his surroundings. When he heard no sound except the breathing and air in the room, he pressed his lips in thin lines, and with an exasperated sigh, he snapped his eyes towards the person only to stop in the middle.
A frown made its presence on the face of Isabella. With a pout, her eyes were looking at her surrounding. She didn't know what the chess table was let alone how it looked. She was looking around with frowned burrows. She was trying to see if she could find some sign for the table but found none.
Alexander was watching her with a small smile on his face. He has never seen her coming to serve him before the incident in the dining hall. He could see the pout and frown on her face.
"Miss Isabella."
Alexander was about to shout at the maid but he stopped himself in the middle. Out of all the maids and service people, it has to be a certain girl. The very girl who he couldn't keep out of his thoughts. A single glance of her has got complete attention from him. His previous squared shoulder and straight back got a little slumped. He leaned back on his chair and raised one of his eyebrows as a response. But the head of hers was yet ducked and hasn't been raised even for a single moment. He didn't need to see her recall her features. It wasn't required for her to stand in front of him to rule his thoughts. She seems to do a fine job at it from a distance and that too from a single meeting.
He slowly got up from his chair and walked towards her. He could see her shifting from one foot to another. He started encircling her.
"Mis Isabella. I believe you got my letter?"
"Yes. Sir."
"I wonder, what brought you here?"
"Y-your, meal sir."
Isabella could feel the power radiating off from him which reminds her she is in the presence of a leader. It made her cower more. Him coming close to her and encircling her was not helping her situation.
Alexander could see her flushed face. It makes his smirk widen and the humor present in his eyes increases. He could see that she has not arise her head for even a moment. He decided to end his games and pointed his finger at the table which was right beside her the whole time.
"The chess table."
Isabella followed the direction of the finger. It pointed to a table that was placed right beside her. It caused her cheeks to become slightly tinted with redness. He observed her movement when she was arranging everything. Everything was arranged in the exact same way they were arranged on the tray. Not even a slight change was made.
Her eyes were focused on the given task and not stealing glances at him like any other woman he has come across. It made his shoulder relaxed and the lips to be arranged at the same time. He doesn't want her to find the truth about him but also wishes to see the bare eyes. She still thinks the king and the 'guard' are different and he decided not to try changing the fact and let it the way it is for now.
"A maiden know about herbs? I wonder how."
By now Isabella was done with arranging the plates on the table. Her head was still ducked with shallow rapid breathing.
"I learned it for me and my family. They sometimes get hurt."
"I believe I should be grateful to them for teaching you about medicines. I have heard highly of you. It was good to put a name to the face."
"X-Xander is a great f-friend of mine too."
"He is."
Although he made his sound calm, the amusement present in his eyes was clearly evident. When he heard her claiming him to be friends, the amusement increased.
She thanked him for his kindness and let her stay in the palace and slowly turned her way around to step out.
"Miss Isabella, please try to avoid mending with the rumors. Please inform the head chef to send usual people responsible for my meals."
"Yes, your majesty."
With her simple reply, Isabella went back on her way. She took a much-needed breath and rubbed her palms on her dress. She was thankful for not messing up. She wanted to prove to him that she was never a threat to him but at the same moment, she wanted to stay away. The aura around the king reminds her of her father. But unlike her father, he was a human. And she could not help a small shiver run through her body. She could not be enough thankful to the moon goddess for keeping her safe from his wrath.
Alexander was feeling at ease. With shoulders slumped he took a deep breath. He couldn't understand why his mind was unable to focus on his work but it has no issue while focusing on the golden-haired girl. He felt as if she is constantly present in his surrounding. His heart shouldn't beat faster and he certainly shouldn't think almost all the time about her. It was not her beauty, he was sure of it. It was the rare beauty he saw in it. Something which needs preserving, care but at the same time does not. She has shown respect for him as a king but the fire of a warrior. In the midst of treachery and chaos among the people, his work needs his time. His people need all attention he can provide. Being a king he doesn't have time to spare thinking about a certain girl. But maybe just maybe he could be a soldier in the night to know more about his rare flower.