'Why is this woman looking at me with eyes such as those? Like as if, she recognizes me.'
Clearing his throat, King Cavi pulled his hands into his back and stepped towards them.
"Lady. the way you're looking at me, it seems like you had seen me before."
Hearing his words, Ria was snapped out of reality. She noticed the squinting eyes of the man before her, making her heart race. He seemed pissed by her. why?
Bowing again, she kept her head low. "Please forgive me, your majesty. I was just fascinated by your beautiful hair color. It seems unique so I couldn't help but stare at you."
'Fascinated by my hair color? Liar.'
He took another couple of steps towards her, waving his hand to Adil. The young guard knew in an instant that his master wanted to talk to the lady privately. Thus, he quickly scrammed off. Not that he actually wanted to be near that woman again.
"Oh? You're fascinated by my beautiful and unique hair?" Cavi continued walking towards her, but stopped when she stepped back when he was near her.
'What is he planning?' she wondered since he just kept approaching her. she was able to breath in relief when he stopped. But then, she was surprised when he again took another step. one and that single step will cross the only space between them.
She attempted to step away again. However, her foot stumbled upon a rock, causing her to lose balance. It was only her instinct to grab into something to prevent her from falling. Yet, she wanted to hit herself.
"How could you grab into the king's clothes?" she scolded herself. Yet, it was too late.
King Cavi never met such an impudent woman who will grab his clothes. At first, he wanted to just push her away, not wanting to fall in the ground with her. or even touch her. Yet, when he saw a sharp rock on the ground she's about to fall into, he grabbed her waist and upper back, pulling her into him as they switch position before falling.
Ria didn't know how that happened but she when she opened her eyes, she was on top of King Cavi. Her soul seemed to abandon her for she couldn't move her body. Her widened, surprised eyes just froze into his own.
she didn't expect to be this close to him. and his eyes… they were like the ocean. Breathtakingly captivating. Yet, cold and emotionless.
Cavi groaned at the pain of her weight, pinning him down to the rock at his back. "Are you just going to stare at me until we both freeze here?"
At his cold tone, Ria immediately got up. "Please forgive me, your majesty! I didn't mean it to. I just accidentally tripped into something…"
Obviously, he wasn't as kind as Derian. So in her mind, Ria kept telling herself to be careful. Yet, the worst still happened.
Cavi sat up too, looking at the lady who now couldn't look at him in the eyes. just after she stared at him for almost a minute?
"Are you from Rian Kingdom?"
Ria stopped bowing and looked at him. Her forehead creased. "What do you mean?"
He seemed to be irritated by her, indicated by his lips pressing firmly. Yet, he still replied.
"You're bowing is the same as a Rian people does."
"Ow…"
'I didn't know they have different styles of bowing,' she thought. Should she lie? But if she doesn't, he'll probably ask more questions.
"Are you really gonna answer me with 'ow' only?"
"N-no, your majesty. I mean-" Ria's brows met. "Your majesty! You're injured!"
"I am fine. Now, answer me-"
"No. I know it's because you saved me again. how could I not repay you back? Please get up and let me treat you."
"N-no. I said it's fine-"
To Cavi's surprise, the woman didn't even listen to him but pulled his arm up, even though she's so little. How could she even lift him up with those tiny and skinny body of hers?
At last, he gave up and just let her be.
Ria led him into the pavilion and made him sit. she knelt behind him, checking the bleeding that stained his white robe. Pulling out a handkerchief which Nanny Elis gave to her, she placed it into his wound and pressed it lightly.
Glancing at where they've fallen into, she discovered a sharp rock which had a blood on it. It was so sharp, that it was no wonder if his wound was deep.
"D-does it hurt?"
Cavi was surprised hearing the pain in her tone. Was she even the one who got wounded? And why was she even sympathizing him?
"No."
Ria frowned at his answer. "Nonsense. No bleeding person would feel no pain. wait for me here."
She was about to stand, however her eyes widened when her wrist was pulled down, causing her to sat back.
"Where are you going?"
This time, Ria decided. This king was full of distrust and suspicions. He wasn't as gentle and as considerate as Derian was.
Smiling, she pulled her hand from his grip. Yet, when he only tightened it more, she placed her hand on his head and patted it lightly.
"Be good. I'll just find some herbs nearby. Your palace is too far and I don't think you're planning to return yet. We'll stop the bleeding and treat it so it won't cause infection."
And just like that, Ria was able to break away from him and went towards the forest.
It was about couple of moments before Cavi was back to himself. He touched the part of his head the woman just patted and found himself squinting at the direction she went.
"Did that woman just pet me?!"
Like a silent thunder, he uttered under his breath.