"I…I…" Hariah could only bit her lip since she only kept on stuttering. How was she suppose to talk back to this mad king?
"Little Cavi, calm down. Lady Hariah only wants to show me around. She meant no harm. Besides, she told me she never experience a feast like this." Nanny Elis stood before him, protecting the lady who was now at the edge of tears.
His brows knotted, hearing the name she called the woman.
"But you're already old, Nanny Elis. How could you tire yourself? There are too many people out there. what if something happens?"
"I understand your concern. But, Lady Hariah told me she never experienced these feasts. What about this? I won't go. But you'll take her to the town and show her around."
At her suggestion, Hariah peeked from Nanny Elis' shoulder to check Cavi's reaction. Yet, she instantly lost hope after seeing the coldness of his eyes as he glared at her. why was he even glaring at her with such kind of eyes?
Cavi huffed as he left. As soon as he was gone, Hariah fell on her knees.
"Why was he so cold on me? Now, I couldn't bring Nanny Elis to enjoy the streets…"
As the lady sulked on the floor, face buried on her knees, a pair of shoes stopped before her. looking up to know who own those, Hariah's eyes widened in horror.
"Y-Your majesty!"
Nanny Elis and Adil who was watching them secretly laughed at her.
"So unlady to sulk on the floor." Though he said those harshly, he still offered his hand to her, only to make Hariah scared even more. His moods were hard to follow that it was scary.
'So, he left while ago because he's only getting a coat on?'
Seeing her just staring at him, leaving his hand on the air, Cavi's eyes squinted again.
"Don't you want to go anymore?"
"N-No! I want to. I want!" panicking, she held unto his hand tightly, letting him help her up.
To Cavi's surprise, she wasn't releasing his hand anymore but was instead just clinging into him.
"Aren't you going to let go of my hand?" he asked, making her glance at it.
Yet, she just looked up to him and grinned. "I'm making sure you won't left me behind and go to enjoy the feast on your own."
With her reply, even the guards stationed near the hall couldn't stop their laughs anymore. Cavi could only close his eyes firmly to control himself.
This is bad. This woman just kept on testing his patience.
"Let's go!" she said, pulling him towards the gate. Again, he lost towards her.
***
"Your majesty look-"
Before she could attract many people because of her loud mention of his title, Cavi pulled her to the side as he covered her mouth.
"Don't call me with that if you want us to still walk in this crowdy streets," he scolded at her in a whisper.
After being released, Hariah pouted and glared at him. "Then, what should I call you?" she replied back, whispering like he did. As if, she was teasing him.
Annoyed, Cavi looked away. "Anything but something silly that will expose us here."
Hariah looked up, trying to think of the most proper name to call him. "Cavi? What about it?"
With her suggestion, a man behind them laugh, making her wonder. Though after Cavi glared at the man, he suddenly walked away. Hariah didn't know that the man was a disguised secret guard of the frost kingdom. And he just heard his king being called intimately by a woman by his first name. since in this continent, only close family could call you by your first name or your wife.
"Impudent," he grumbled making Hariah only think harder.
What should she call him? father? Grandfather? Guard? Or should she make a nickname for him? but if she does that, he may even get mad at her that he'll abandon her alone in the streets.
"Oh! I already think about it!" she declared, grabbing his arm and tiptoed as she smiled at him.
Cavi waited for what she's going to say next and again, it only made him close his eyes firmly.
"Gege!" (meaning; older brother)
***
"Gege! Look! At these things! They're beautiful."
"Gege! Look at these toys. Do you want it?"
"Gege! Look at these foods. They look delicious! Are you hungry? Shouldn't you buy at least two? One for me, one for you?"
Really, Cavi couldn't get this woman's thinking. She already knew that calling him by his name annoyed him. yet, she still called him 'brother'?! just how more offensive can it be to call the king your brother?!
From his sleeves, he took out his money pouch and gave a gold coin to the vendor.
"Eat as much as you want."
He turned his back from her, not wanting to see her for the moment. Yet, when he was looking at the bustling crowd, sticks of unknown street foods blocked his sight.
"Don't you want some?" he was on the verge of letting his rage out. Yet, when he turned to her, he was met by a pair of sparkling adorable eyes.
He bit his own tongue. Closing his eyes as he breathed in and out, he glared at her.
"NO. I'm. not. hungry."
Hariah stepped back.
"Boss! Why won't you just let your wife feed you? She's just worrying about your health. You look so slim and weak. Will you even have the strength to…," the vendor purposely let his words trailed off as he laughed and teased them. And this pushed Cavi to his edge even more.
And what was this vendor saying about wife and strength when this stupid woman was listening?
"Weak? That's what you only think, mister. But he was very powerful and strong. Tsk. Tsk. Looks like you aren't skilled in judging people." Hearing those words coming out from her mouth made Cavi's lips fell apart.
'Does she even know what she was saying?' he wondered, tempted to abandon her in this street and let her wander like a lost cat.
The vendor laughed at her words, looking at him with playful eyes. "Ow? Is that so? Then, how strong is he?"
"Hmm… I don't know but he can fight off many men and- h-hey! why are you pulling me? I'm still talking to-"
One glare, and her mouth was sealed. Cavi sighed heavily and threw her arm away. he couldn't stand this woman anymore.
"Stupid," he grumbled and walked ahead.
He still heard her calling him 'Gege' so loudly that his ears hurt with it more than the noisy crowds.
"What? Gege? She sees me as brother?!" he scoffed and walked even faster.
Hariah paused and watched his back fading to the crowd. With a pout, she uttered, "Gege is mad at me again."