The next moment, before Melina realized it, she was walking beside the guard who led her to the King's chamber.
Alarm bells rang in her head at the thought of why the King would send for her. She knew he had to be aware of what Sir Julian had done to her since the physician had begged her to eat because it was the prince's instruction but what she didn't understand was why he would send for her.
What did she do? Was he going to punish her? Or was he as well planning to do what Sir Julian did?
The thought of that made her halt abruptly, causing the guard to stop and stare at her.
"Miss?" came his questioning gaze.
"She looked at him warily, "Sorry but D-do you maybe know why the prince has sent for me?" her voice filled with fear which the guard noticed.
He was a young lad, just like Tynan and they both seemed to share a similar aura as they never spoke lest they needed to.
The guard stared at her with furrowed eyebrows before he shook his head. "No, Miss. I wasn't told anything and I am only following instructions."
Melina could now feel her palms turn cold as she held them together in nervousness, wondering what could have made the prince send for her.
The guard urged her forward and they began walking again.
He led her to the quarters where the King's chamber was located. As they walked through the hallways, Melina suddenly had a flashback in her head.
It was the first day of being assigned to this place. How she had eagerly come here intending to help the sick King Lucas but had only been greeted with the sight of a knife stuck in his throat and blood everywhere.
Her nausea suddenly came back again as she felt the sudden urge to throw up from the memory. That day was the unveiling of troubles and problems for her. She couldn't believe that she had been accused of something she knew nothing about until the prince had gone to the dungeon to help her.
Now that she thought of it, there had been times when the prince had helped her but she had never once thanked him, had she? She couldn't remember but she knew from the way he had constantly helped her that he deserved her gratefulness.
A loud knock on a door pushed her out of her thoughts. She immediately looked up and straightened herself.
"Come in," a voice inside replied and Melina's uneasiness resurfaced.
The guard turned the doorknob before he pushed the door open and gave way for Melina to step in.
With both her fingers entangled, she carefully stepped inside the chamber and heard the door close behind her.
She could feel butterflies in her stomach as she surveyed the large room filled with lavish things. The interiors had changed completely so it didn't ignite any more memories from that fateful day she was sent to King Lucas's room.
Her heart stopped when she saw a standing figure with its back facing her and she didn't need to be told that it was the prince.
But he looked... different, Melina noticed.
His hair usually cascaded down majestically to his back but was now just at his neck level. It was evident he had cut his hair... but why? His longer hair suited him better, especially for his position.
Leon suddenly turned around, making her leap as she did the same and reached for the doorknob when she heard,
"Don't try that." and her hands paused in their movements.
It was a warning not just a statement and Melina quickly grasped it.
She turned to his direction again, taking a deep breath and tried to steady herself.
"Your Highness," she bowed with her hands shaking as she clasped them together to stop them from trembling while waiting for his reply.
Meanwhile, Leon properly drank in her appearance.
He had seen her earlier when she was with Cinna in Matthew's quarter and had been shocked to witness that she was already working. It hadn't been his intention to make her work as his goal for sending Carlos there was to calm her down.
But Carlos, of course, misunderstood his intentions.
Nevertheless, his shock was soon replaced with annoyance as he stared at the girl that morning.
He was annoyed that the person he had been worried about for hours after the incident didn't even think to thank him for his kindness extended to her. She simply went about pursuing her daily tasks and ignoring him. So he felt it was time to confront her squarely.
Not just for her lack of gratefulness but for the uniform she had stolen from his chamber as well as why she had been eavesdropping on his conversation with Matthew that night. She owed him an explanation for everything and he would get his answers tonight.
Though he claimed these were the reasons why he sent for her, he refused to admit to himself that he did want to see her. He yearned to meet her and gaze at her face. See all her reactions and be entertained by her fright as well as her ridiculous boldness... something he just found out was now a hobby of his.
However, as he looked at the girl who stood in front of him, he swallowed and his eyes darkened at how she was dressed. Her shoulders were completely exposed, the dress sleeves reaching just above her cleavage, reminding him of the night he had seen her...
He suddenly stood straight and cleared his throat which caused Melina to raise her head and look at him. Her earlier gaze had been lowered for a while out of tension.
Was this prince just planning to make her stand here, doing nothing? She asked herself, still feeling nervous.
"Trying to run away?" Leon's dark eyes scrutinized hers as he tried his best not to run them down her body.
He was trying so hard.
"No," came Melina's answer but she instinctively stepped back, hitting the door when Leon took a step towards her.
"You had better not..." his words taunted her as she began sweating when he took another step closer to her.
What was this man doing?!
"...because you would only provoke me further..." His next words made Melina pause in her thoughts as she narrowed her eyes at him in confusion.
Provoke him further...? She would provoke him further...? What was he saying?
"I-i'm sorry, Yo-your Highness but what may I have done...," she hesitated gauging his expressions before she continued, "...to provoke you?" she asked.