"When we were at the bamboo forest, I asked you if you're from Rian Kingdom. You still haven't answer me."
Hariah stopped on her tracks and looked back. The night was dark but lanterns were hung on the streets, illuminating every corner of the Guzheng Port.
She thought this time won't come where she will need to lie again about her identity. But if she doesn't what will happen to her? she didn't even know.
"I…" she looked into the ground. then back to his waiting blue eyes as she bit her lower lip. "Indeed. I am from Rian Kingdom."
"Then, whose family do you belong and why were you flown by the sea?"
"I vaguely had any impression of my family." That was one probably the only truth she uttered now. "I was locked up for a long time so as you see, I am a strange one. Then, I escaped through the sea but I fell into the water. after that, you already knew what happened."
With a faint smile on her lips, she looked at his eyes again and was surprised to see the intensity his stare was. It's as if, he's trying to pry into her soul. Was he doubting her?
Sighing, Cavi looked away and walked towards her. "Let's go. I know you're hungry now. I heard of famous restaurant nearby. Let's try it together."
Silently, she nodded.
'Did he believe me?' she wondered. But still, no matter how she tried to ask it herself, she won't get an answer but from him.
***
"Wahhh!" Hariah sniffed the scent of freshly cooked foods in front of her, making her stomach growl. It was even loud enough for Cavi to hear it.
This made him look away. why was he even the one who's embarrassed instead of her?
"Please forgive me, Gege. I'm just too hungry, I can't control it." with a grin, she looked at him.
Cavi still didn't look at her, but just waved his hand to tell her to eat ahead. At the next table, he saw some men watching at them. Though when they saw him glaring, they pretended to eat again.
He shook his head. Since he was crowned king, he never saw secret guards annoying. Yet now, with them following him and this girl around, he felt like every move he makes was being watched. And he never liked that feeling.
But, wasn't he being watched by these secret guards for almost seven years now? Why was he feeling this way only this time?
"By the way. I'm wondering. Why do you want to take Nanny Elis outside?"
Hearing his interrogating question, Hariah stopped gobbling the foods up, and carefully placed the chopsticks on her plate. She stared outside the window, towards the bustling and happy people outside.
She smiled but with a hint of sadness.
"Look. The people outside are full of happiness because of the feast, your majesty. they're laughing. Dancing with the music and singing songs. I want Nanny Elis to experience this again."
Her answer made him huff. "But she's old. She can't tire herself anymore or else, her health will be harmed."
"No. it's because she's old that she needed to experience this. while we were talking, she was so happy as she told me the story of this feast. She obviously wanted to experience it again. or even just watch it from afar…"
Underneath the table, Cavi's hand crumpled into a fist.
"Your majesty. Mortal life is always short. And it's because it's short that we needed to cherish it and do the things we wanted as much as we can. Nanny Elis had short time left along her life. And I only wanted to make her experience the things she wanted but had never had the chance to do-"
"Stop. Stop."
Hariah was surprised, hearing his tone. Did she heard pain in it? yet, when she looked at his expression, it was the same as usual. Still emotionless and cold.
Cavi waved his hand and immediately, one of the secret guards nearby approached.
"Your majesty," the man softly greeted as he bowed.
"Bring Nanny Elis here."
"Yes, your majesty!"
In an instant, the man disappeared. Knowing she's again curious, Cavi told her, "They're my secret guards."
"Ow…" Hariah just replied and stared at him. she didn't expect that he will head her words. She thought she might be subjected to torture after this meal since she offended him.
Yet, she was probably mistaken. Either way, she was happy.
***
"My king! You're really unfair! You brought this lady to have fun here while I am stuck in my room. Look! My fingers are now sore!"
Adil frowned as he stared at Hariah with sharp eyes. though he was sulking, nobody seemed to take him seriously as they just laughed at him.
"You're here. Did you finished writing 100 copies?" Cavi asked, as he took a sip of tea.
"Of course, my king! I never even gotten any sleep."
"Nanny Elis. Here." Hariah helped her take the seat she sat on before. The old woman smiled as she watched her sat beside Cavi which was across the side she's in.
"Hey! why are you sitting beside my king?" Adil confronted with creasing brows.
"Why? are you sitting beside him? But I already placed my plate here…" Hariah pouted as she looked at the foods in front of her. while ago, she really endured only because she wanted to eat together with Nanny Elis. Yet, her hunger couldn't be suppressed anymore.
"Little Adil. Just let her sit there. Come beside me now so we can eat together," the nanny defended the young lady, laughing as she spoke.
"But Nanny Elis… the only woman who can sit beside the king was suppose to be his wife only. What right does that woman have to sit beside my king?" stomping, Adil sat on the chair beside her.
He felt a soft tap on his back but it didn't make him feel any better.
"Be good, Little Adil. Who knows that she won't have the right to sit beside his majesty in the future?"
Clearing his throat, Cavi interrupted their uncomfortable conversation. though it seemed like he was the only one who's uncomfortable. The woman beside him wasn't even listening but just staring at the food.
He shook his head.
"Let's eat."
Hearing the signal, Hariah started gobbling up the foods again. the tastes of different foods melted in her tongue, satisfying her but at the same time, making her want more.
Seeing the way she ate food, Adil felt competitive that the next few minutes were filled with their unplanned competition of eating the most food.
Watching her was making Cavi even more surprised at her strange behavior. She wasn't even conscious of herself or care about how people were looking at her now. In all his life, all ladies he saw were all trying to act prim and proper, especially when they ate. Yet, this woman…
He sighed.
As the night drew deeper, with lanterns floating at the river and sea, Nanny Elis was the happiest. She never expected seeing such scene where she can see Cavi stare at a woman in a different way. Though the fun in the feast made her happy, seeing Adil ate and bicker with someone as he was supposed to be in his age was what she was making her smile even more.
Especially the man whom she treated as her son already. Watching him escape his king-roles even for a day was what she hoped for all her life. She wanted him to be free and happy. Just like now. Even though he wasn't smiling, his eyes' coldness had melted a little.
And sure enough, it's because of her. this woman…
As her eyes traveled to Hariah, it was met by those pair of sparkling velvet eyes. Hariah smiled at her. she smiled back.
She's the warmth that her Little Cavi needs in his life.
***
It was near midnight when they gone back to the palace. After sending Nanny Elis to her room, Hariah told Cavi that she can go back on her room in her own. Yet, he still followed her behind.
One. Two. Three. Hariah counted her steps until they reach the porch of her room. As she stared at her feet, she noticed how bright it is even though they weren't holding any lamps.
She paused and looked above, gasping at the sight of stars and the bright full moon.
"Wahh… I never saw such beautiful sky…" she breathed with her eyes reflecting the constellations.
Cavi looked up too, intrigued by the beauty that she saw in the sky. Yet, perhaps, he had seen something more beautiful that he was a bit interested in it only.
"Your majesty…" with that soft voice, he glanced at where it came from and discover a pair of velvet eyes staring at him.
The corners of her red plump lips were curved upwards though it wasn't seen by him because of the mask she was wearing. "You still haven't asked my name yet."
He didn't reply but just stared at her. removing the cloth mask from her face, she smiled again at the man before her.
"Hariah," she said. "It's my name."
Cavi watched the lady's back disappearing from his sight. He couldn't help but wonder. Did her parents named that to her? did they even knew what that mean? Or does she know?
His felt his ear heating up as he remembered an ancient book of languages of that perished kingdom.
"HARIAH…meaning… 'my wife'."