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"Your majesty, would he be okay?" Len couldn't help but worry for Luci.
He could not fathom him doing so much work alone. But Katherine just smiled.
She knew how smart Lucy was! And she even knows the meaning behind that warm smile. He was snickering at her again.
Though she wanted to improve their relationship; the boy is just getting spoiled with her kind behavior.
In the past when she was unreasonable and cold, he never dared to raise his head in front of her.
He always behaved docile and did whatever she had asked to him but now that she was accommodating his every wish. He was getting more and more rude.
"Lennox, I understand that you do not like me much. But is it necessary to make the excuse of your brother to leave?
I will not take much time for you." embarrassment filled his face that turned instantly red.
He nodded his head as he did not know what else to say. He never disliked her. It was her, who had always behaved cold to him and as a child, he was never able to cross the invisible line she had created around her.
He lowered his head as he did not want to show his vulnerability to anyone, not even her. He could not trust her changing behavior. What if it is just a whim as Luci had said. He did not want to be broken hearted again.
He had lived alone for so long that he was sure he would not need anyone.
He was not going to pay any heed to the small holes she is making in his walls.
"Here!" When have you already reached the gazebo in the garden?
He was so lost in his thoughts that he did not notice how and when they had reached here.
Taking the seat she had pointed at, he stayed silent as he waited for her to speak.
"You are worried about your classes?" her curt voice surprised him, he had thought that she would talk about all the menial things except for his classes!
"Yes, I heard from the maid that you have asked my teachers to make a new schedule for me. You cut my classes in half but I did not understand why?" he asked in a calm voice as he did not want to judge her until she specified her reasons.
"Yes, I think that you have a lot of workload. Your head maid told me that you did not have any time to rest and you did not indulge in any activity related to a child.
That is not good for your age. You are only twelve, Lennox. Not in your 50's." ouch! The way she expressed it, it sounded too harsh.
"...." he continued to stare at her but did not reply. He did not have any word to reply
"Your majesty!" Lia took a step forward to help Katherine. She was worried that her cold and straightforward words would be too blunt and harsh for a kid.
But Katherine raised her head and stared at her with such cold eyes that she was not able to take a single step forward.
She had tried the softer way, but it did not work for her. She wanted the love of the kids but she could not change her basic nature for it. She was what she was!
And they have to understand her intentions and love for them without changing her.
"Since you do not know how a kid should spend time, I will make sure to teach you that.
From now on, you will try every leisure activity until you find what you like." she announced with a tone full of authority.
Her eyes staring straight at his heart when he bowed his head further. He felt bare in front of her the way she had treated him.
"What if I don't like any?" he never had interest in all those foolish activities that his peers do. As a crown prince, he had responsibilities to do.
He did not have time to jump like monkeys or fight like cats and dogs.
But his thoughts had always separated him from everyone. They say that he shone like a star high in the sky.
Everyone wanted to be like him but they were never able to touch him.
But they forgot that stars are not only high but alone too.
He was never able to make friends since he was tagged as strange by all of them.
"Then we will try again. I am sure that if we try together, we will find something you enjoy with your heart." she assured calmly as she stroked his hair.
A strange tranquility was in her voice that shook his core.
He wanted to ignore the scratching feeling in his heart.
"You didn't need to go that far. I am here only sometime. When the renovation of my palace would end, i would return and then things would go as they were in the first place.'' So! Stop treating me like I am special to you.
The warmth in her stroke felt like a burden. But he knew, once he would return she would be back to being a cold and aloof empress who did not need a step son.
"Well, I know that you would return as soon as the palace would be more befitting to you but that does not mean I will stop looking for you.
I know that I have been a cold mother but I am learning to be better. I can't promise that I will be kind or caring. But I can promise that if I make mistakes, I will learn from them and improve myself.
I will try to be better, so can you give me a chance, Lennox. If not your mother, then your friend?"