"I will protect you no matter what."
"Are you still cold even though I'm already right beside you?"
"Hariah…"
Silver-haired. Branch-like tattoo. Cold…
Hariah jolted out of bed. When she looked around the room, everything was so silent. Was it still night?
She got up out of bed and opened the window. She was welcomed by the darkness and light fighting on who to dominate the sky.
"It's still dawn…" she said, going back to bed. Yet, after few minutes, she still couldn't go to sleep again. her mind was filled with the image of that silver hair and the vague memory of the imprint. She wasn't even sure until now what the imprint was.
After deciding she couldn't sleep anymore, she wore a robe and went out for a walk. Though she was surprised to see the royal guards stationed outside.
She was hesitant at first. But when she noticed they won't mind her, she gone outside her room and wandered around. She wasn't sure where she was going. She just wanted to walk and try to think what to do next.
It's not like she can stay with King Cavi all this time. Maybe in these next few days, the king will return to his kingdom.
A deep sigh escaped her lips as she thought about it.
"Hariah… Hariah… Hariah…" and that man! Just who is he? Why does he kept appearing in her dreams?
She sat and hugged her knees, not even realizing where she is now.
Shall she find him? what if he's the key of finding her real identity is. Or he's someone important in her life in the past? That's why he's the only one she was seeing in her dreams.
Pondering about it, thinking of how she really knew nothing of how this world works was scaring her deep inside. Now, she's lucky to have met two kind kings who saved her. but what if it wasn't them whom she met?
"But it's not like people doesn't have any goodness in their heart, right? surely, they won't hurt me unless I hurt them… Right. right… I just need to find that man. Know why I was floating in the sea and asked him to send me home…"
"But…how was I supposed to find him-"
"Find who?" Eyes widening, Hariah looked up and discovered King Cavi behind her. he was on his usual white attire though this time, his long silver hair was down.
Silver… just like the silver-haired man… The more she stared at him, the more her heart thumped. 'Was it possible that he's that man?!'
Realizing he was waiting for no answer, Cavi looked at her with knotting brows. "I'm asking you."
"Oh? Oh!" Hariah immediately stood up in surprise. "Good morning, your majesty. I didn't know you were here, too. about your question…. Uh…"
Cavi saw her turning towards the sky with an odd look in her face. she seemed to be longing for something or someone.
"I'm trying to find a man that was important for me." her voice was soft as she answered.
"A man…" Cavi repeated, looking at the flower in front of them that was slightly covered with fog.
"Return with me in my palace."
"Huh? Where?"
"In Frost Kingdom. I'll help you find that important man for you."
***
"Your majesty. I heard you asked Lady Hariah to come with you in our kingdom."
Pausing for a moment, Cavi immediately continued stroking the brush on the paper as he drew something on it. he didn't even open the memorials from the palace that was sent here. it's because he already knew what they contain. The ministers were all urging him to return.
"Trey. I never knew you're interested in my business now except protecting me. why? I thought you're only interested in things that involve my older brother?"
The royal guard clench his jaw and sat at the king's side. He started grinding ink for him. "Your majesty must be joking. You're my only master now. I should only care about you and your safety."
Cavi smiled inwardly after hearing the word 'should' in his phrase.
"Your majesty. is that why your delaying your return to the palace? Because you're waiting for Lady Hariah's reply?"
The brush was purposely dropped on the table, ruining the unfinished painting. Trey immediately bowed as the king looked at him at the corner of his eyes. Though he wasn't speaking any word, he knew he was clearly upset by him.
"Please forgive me, your majesty. I won't question your decisions again."
"Good that you're aware. Or else, I will send you back to my brother."
Trey's body tensed. "Yes, your majesty."
***
"Does his majesty still refuse to eat?" Lady Hailey asked the servant who just came out of Derian's study. She looked at the tray she was holding and discovered untouched dishes.
"Lady. it has been a week since his majesty lost his appetite. We really couldn't do anything anymore. he just kept on reading book, checking the report from our kingdom or stare at the window. We're already worried that he's depressed about that woman who-"
"Shut up!" Hailey snapped at the servant with a sharp glare. "Don't tarnish his majesty's reputation. Do you think a great man like him will lose himself just because of some lowly woman?!"
"Forgive me, my lady…"
Though Hailey said it herself, she knew what the truth really was. She thought that Derian will be back to himself again after few days since that woman had fallen into the sea. Yet, she was wrong.
"Just continue taking care of his majesty. I'll… I'll talk to him."
"Thank you, my lady."
After the servant left, Hailey took a deep breath before knocking on the door.
"Come in." the deep and gentle voice spoke behind the door.
Entering the hall, she immediately spotted the man in blue royal robe; sitting in front of a desk. He seemed busy at first that he didn't even noticed her approaching.
What was he even doing? Writing? Painting?
"Greetings, your majesty!" she greeted as she bowed, stopping Derian in what ever he's doing.
"Lady Hailey? What are you doing here? please rise quickly."
"yes, your majesty." As she rises, she used that opportunity to peek at what's on his desk that he's so overwhelmed at. and in an instant, her face turned sour.
It was a painting of a woman. 'That' woman.
"Your majesty, I was told your appetite isn't goo these days. I'm here to check on you." though she was hurt because of what she saw, her concern for him was greater. Even with just a glance at him, she could already notice how his face turned thin and pale.
"Thank you for your concern, Lady Hailey. But I'm fine." With a quick smile at her, he again continued his painting.
"Are you still thinking about her?" her bold question made Derian pressed his lips in a thin line. Hailey also noticed how his grip on the brush had tighten. Yet, she still continued.
Walking towards him, she sat across the table, staring at him intently. "Your majesty. why don't we return to the palace tomorrow? That way, you won't think about her again and be sad. Your people are still waiting for you."
Though Derian didn't liked what she said, the last sentence was what stopped him from getting mad at her. after thinking for a while, he answered without looking at her.
"Fine. We'll leave in three days."
Hailey stood up and bowed again. "Then, I'll prepare for it, your majesty."
Derain only nodded. He thought Hailey will immediately leave. Yet, he still heard her spoke.
"Oh. I just remembered, your majesty. there's a hot spring at the west of the Rian Camp Palace. You may check it out before we return. It will be good to your health."
The doors were heard closed. As he lifted his face towards the door she disappeared at, his hand on the brushed tightened even more.