Silver hair. Mark. The mark wasn't branch but a frost. And it was on Cavi's chest.
"Who's going to sneak in my room tonight?"
"H-huh?" Hariah breathed as her eyes went back to his waiting eyes. Her body shivered at the way he looked at her. Yet, at the same time, she felt her face hot knowing he's naked and was carrying her.
"King Derian. Please tell us if you need anything. We'll be outside the hot spring."
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Ian?" Hariah's eyes widen as she turned to where the voices were coming from. And at the clouds of smoke, a familiar shadow was approaching.
She didn't want to see him again. though she was thankful at him for saving her, she didn't want to cause a fight between him and Lady Hailey who obviously liked him. she didn't want to face him and explain what actually happened to her.
She knew that even though Hailey pushed her into the sea, it's only because she loved Derian so much that she was threatened by her presence. It's not like she was a bad person.
Her heart raced even faster as the shadow approached even closer.
"Let me go. I need to-"
Hariah was planning to run and hide from Derian. Yet, before she could free herself from Cavi's grip, she felt herself being turned around from Derian's sight.
She looked up at Cavi.
"King Cavi?" Derian's gentle voice was heard. He sounded confused especially when he saw a lady being carried by the king of Frost kingdom. Though her face wasn't seen by him. "Who is-"
"King Derian." Cavi's tone was dismissive. "Enjoy your bath." After saying that, he climbed up from the hot spring while still carrying Hariah.
'Did he tried to hide me from Ian?' Hariah thought as she stared at Cavi's stoic face. with a smile breaking on her lips, she looked at the mark on his naked chest and smiled even wider.
"It's really you…"
As the king left, Derian was left bewildered. Though he was intrigued that Cavi finally had interest in a woman and wanted to meet her, he knew this wasn't a proper place to do that. Looks like he disrupted an intimate meeting.
Sinking his body in the water, he closed his eyes. immediately, the image of Ria appeared before him.
"Ria… where are you?"
***
Watching a King Cavi carrying a woman from the hot spring, a silver-haired man grinned who had been watching the whole scene from the beginning. He was at the end of the hot spring pool that no one even noticed him.
As he looked at the woman with wet clothes that her voluptuous yet small figure was easily visible, the corner of his lips raised into a curve.
"Naughty woman…" he chuckled and took a sip on the wine that his maid handed him. "Only you would dare to sneak into a king's bathing area… hariah."
***
Until they arrived at the palace, the smile in Hariah's lips didn't fade. Not only that. She even kept staring at Cavi's face or purposely brushing her fingers into his chest. Though he couldn't even do anything with her since she kept saying 'sorry' immediately after doing the crime.
"Aw! Your majesty!" Hariah frowned, toucher her back that feel like broken when the cold king just threw her on the bed with no reluctance.
Cavi gave her a death glare that made her only pout. Turning around, he walked away with no word uttered again when suddenly, he was halted by a warm body embracing him.
His body tensed at the softness of her body.
"I'm glad I finally found you…" she whispered by it wasn't clearly heard by him since his heart beat seemed louder.
What was happening to him? why was his heart abnormally racing? Did this woman drugged him or something?
The door flung open with Adil followed by Nanny Elis barging in. and all their eyes, including Cavi, widened in surprise. Only Hariah didn't care.
"I…I didn't see anything, my king! We will go out now!" Adil stuttered as he pulled Nanny Elis out of the room.
"Why? I heard Hariah fell into the water again…" the worried voice of the nanny was heard.
"Hey… don't…" it was hopeless. Cavi knew his explanation won't be heard anymore. Sighing, he removed Hariah's arms on him.
"Don't do that to me anymore," he said without turning to her, fist crumpled tight.
"What? Embracing you?" Hariah asked in an innocent voice that made him glance at her to give her a glare. Yet, it seemed useless.
Sighing deep, he turned around again. "Don't do that to any one else."
Leaving, Cavi walked in a tensed motion out of the room. He was welcomed by Nanny Elis at the door while Adil who was blushing was hiding on the post.
"Nanny Elis. Please take care of her."
The old woman, who's face was worried at first, turned into a smiling one after what the king said.
"Yes, your majesty. I will surely take care of her," she replied with a big naughty smile. As she watched his back leaving, a tear escaped from her eyes.
Her little Cavi is a grown-up man now.
***
This was the first time Derian had left his room and enjoyed the scenery in the palace at Guzheng Port. Closing his eyes, he felt the soft kisses of breeze on his face. Though the flower's scent dominated the air, the smell of the sea was still evident. It was warm and briny.
"Your majesty." his servant spoke behind him, catching his attention.
"What is it?" he replied, eyes still closed.
"A woman asked me to give this to you. she seemed suspicious so I asked the guards to check it. yet, nothing harmful was found. So, I brought it to you."
"A woman?" Derian's heart immediately raced with the thought that it was Ria. Still, the thought seemed impossible even though he wanted to believe it so hard.
He took the box from the servant and opened it. And his face was filled with confusion as he picked it up.
"Purple bell flower?"
"Yes, your majesty. she said, she's grateful of you saving her life. And she can only repay you with this."
As Derian stared at the flower, he spoke unconsciously. "Bell flower. It means gratitude. Yet at the same time, it also means everlasting love… Ria. Is it you?"
***
As Hariah walked aimlessly at the garden at the palace, she bumped into something and realize she's outside her room now. And before her was the king who stands proud and tall.
"Your majesty!" again, her cheerful voice was heard so loud that it reached the ears of all the guards around.
They all smiled secretly knowing no one would talk to their king such manner. Mostly, they talked to him politely or in fear. And she's the only one who would be happy in meeting him without awkwardness.
Cavi cleared his throat as he looked away. "Where did you go in that maid's clothes? Did you sneak into some else's bathing area again?"
Though he intended to embarrass her, it was him in the end who was embarrassed for she didn't even showed any signs of shyness. With his words, it only confirmed the allegations and rumors going around the palace.
The guards and some servants around looked at each other and suppressed a laugh.
"You're mistaken, your majesty…" Cavi glanced at her, hearing the sadness in her tone. She was looking at the ground with hands fiddling together.
"What's wrong?" It was too late to take back what he just said. Why does he even care about what she does?
Hariah looked up and forced a smile. "I just went to thank a friend. He was really good to me. but I just disappeared without a word so I felt bad."
"He?"
"Yes, he. King De-" Hariah bit her lip before she could say something that will make this cold king suspicious again.
Turning to face him, she smiled wide and hold into his arms; tip-toeing like she always does so she could be on the same height as he is. Yet, it was futile.
In a whispering voice, she told him. "Gege. Are you worried about me just now?"
Turning red, Cavi tried wriggling his arms off her. yet, when he did, he realized Hariah would lose balance. Thus, he gave up and just let her be.
"Who would worry about you? and don't call me 'Gege'," he snapped and refuse to look at her in the eyes.
Hariah could only smile as she watched him being defensive and shy. "By the way, your majesty. I have good news. I will return to the Frost Kingdom with you."
This time, it was Cavi's turn to grin. Though it was only in a split of second.
Gently holding her by the arms and pushed her away from him, he placed his hands on his back and looked to the garden ahead.
"Who said it is good news? I changed my mind. You're such a sneaky and impudent woman. You won't follow me anymore."
"Huh?!" blurting, Hariah's face lost hope as her shoulders fell.
And her disheartened face made Cavi contented so much. With a slight smile, he left the hall as the lady watched him helplessly.
"Lady Hariah, you're being fooled." Turning at her back, Hariah saw Nanny Elis coming out from her room. she was holding a big pouch in her hands.
"Nanny Elis…"
"Why do you think his majesty came here? he just asked us to prepare your things so we can depart to the kingdom tomorrow. He's joking with you!"
Hariah pouted as she turned to Cavi though he was long gone to his own study room. "Tsk! I didn't know he could joke too," she mumbled but everyone around had heard it. Causing not only Nanny Elis to burst into a laugh. Even the servants and royal guards suppressed a laugh but they couldn't.
Indeed. Even them, didn't know that the cold king could joke. And it was a spectacular scene to watch. All thanks to this lady who didn't even had a clue of what achievement she did.