-33-
"Really? You're lying, Manda! How can there be a woman more beautiful as a goddess?!"
"Tss. You won't understand and believe until you see it for yourself." Like dreaming, the royal maid looked above as she remembered the scene in her mind when she saw a glimpse of the beauty that their king had brought in the palace. "It's true. I just saw a glimpse of her when I help nanny Elis bring food in her chamber. Though she was sick and fragile in just a sleeping robe, her face… her face seems…"
She squealed as her cheeks blushed, making the other maids impatient and irritated anymore. besides Nanny Elis and this maid, no ever saw the beauty which now disturb the always silent palace of the Frost Kingdom.
For besides the unwavering silent fight between the Queen Dowager and the King, there were no other interesting happenings to be talked of. So, with the sudden news, everyone seemed interested. From servants to the ministers and even the other royals.
"Why do you stop?! Just tell us!"
"Right! just tell us…"
The maid smiled naughtily at them and flipped her hair as she grabbed the vase of flowers. "Just wait for your luck to see the goddess. For I should hurry now to send these flowers to Lady Hariah," she proudly said, letting them envy her because she was the only one who was able to enter them main hall of Plum Palace.
As she was about to walk towards it, the door of the main hall where the lady stays opened wide, revealing a woman standing beside Nanny Elis. In an instant, all the maid's jaw dropped to the ground with the beautiful scene they just saw.
It's the goddess!
***
It had been at least a week before Hariah recovered. Thus, she always stayed in the palace Cavi had brought her into. And besides Nanny Elis and a maid, she saw nothing else.
She didn't even know that she had such a weak body until the doctor came to check on her. He said that too much coldness had accumulated in her body so she needed a long rest.
Now, finally, Nanny Elis let her went out after days of strict monitoring.
The cool breeze welcomed her as soon as the door opened, and she didn't waste a second to inhale some. She had been inside the warm walls of this palace that she almost forgotten how being cold means.
Moments later, she realized she's being watched by many eyes for when she opened he eyes, she saw several maids eyeing her with surprised eyes.
"Nanny Elis. Why are they looking at me like that? And…" she glanced at the maids again and back to the old woman beside her. "…what goddess are they talking about? Was it some interesting tale in this kingdom?"
With her whispering words, Nanny Elis laughed at her. "Silly girl. They're taking about you."
"Me?" Hariah pointed herself.
"Yes. Since you came here, you might not know but you caused a big stir in the capital. Especially in the palace."
Hariah grinned in confusion, not believing what she just heard. "How could I cause a stir in this big capital when I've never been in here?"
The old lady sighed as she tapped her back and softly pulled her into a walk. "Rumors had spread that Little Cavi had brought a beautiful lady in the palace. At first, it was just like that. But then, it was soon about you. Being an exceptional beauty, which made our cold king fall in love with you. then, they also call you goddess and such…"
Hariah burst into a giggle. "Pft! Now, I really knew what it meant by rumor. How could King Cavi fall in love with me? I think he's actually always mad at me… by the way, why didn't he visit me all these days?"
Hariah pouted but Nanny Elis only smiled. The girl had no idea.
As she walked with nanny Elis on the surroundings of the palace, she passed by the maid she recognized as the one who was bringing foods to her in the past days.
Thus, she smiled at her which made her almost fell on her knees in surprise and admiration. Servants rarely received a smile from their masters. Especially coming from such a beauty…
Now, other servants were jealous of her. while Hariah just walked passed them, having no idea of the impact she could make with just a single smile.
***
"Is there anymore reports today?" Cavi asked his ministers, becoming impatient since they just kept exchanging looks. Both his people and the Queen Dowager's people.
Until one of them, the Ministers of Rites, spoke up and went to the center. He bowed to him. "Your majesty. a week ago, after you came back from the Guzheng Port, a rumor stared to circulate in the whole capital too. saying…saying…"
"Continue!" with Cavi's knotted brow, the minister panicked in nervousness.
"Your majesty. they said that you had brought a lady in the palace."
Cavi's cold stare went down to him, making the Minster of Rite bow down to avoid his glaring eyes. even the other ministers were anxious too. yet, all were curious as to what their king will say.
"Minister Li. Since you said it's a rumor, why bother saying it? if there's nothing else, then let's dismiss now."
Cavi stood up, preparing to leave. Yet, suddenly, more ministers approached the stage too, all bowing to him.
"Your majesty! You already reached the right age of marriage. Isn't it time for you to take a concubine and produce an heir?"
With squinting eyes, Cavi looked at the one who spoke. Minister of Justice, Queen Dowager's people.
"Concubine?" there was a sarcasm in his tone when he repeated what the ministers just said.
Just thinking about asking Hariah to be his concubine, Cavi already knew what she will think about it. firmly closing his eyes, the king left the hall with a silent fury.
Now, all ministers were getting anxious.
***
Adil looked at Cavi for the tenth time, making the king sigh. Still, he continued writing a reply to the reports that were passed to him.
"If you have something to say, just say it."
"My king. It's now passed midnight. Aren't you going to visit Hariah Jiejie?"
The innocent tone of him made Cavi stopped as he remembered her face. he continued writing again. "I heard she went out this morning."
"Yes. She had stayed outside with Nanny Elis for two hours. If Nanny Elis didn't scold her, she would have never returned to her hall again. she said she's bored inside so she's so happy when she was allowed to go outside."
Cavi huffed. "Such a hardheaded woman."
Adil frowned at his reply, sympathizing with her. "But my king, I think she's really awesome. She can stay indoors for a week. While me, I can't even stay for an hour inside while doing no fun."
"I think you only liked her so you're saying that."
"My king! What are you saying!?" Adil suddenly blushed, and Cavi saw it from his peripheral vision. This made him smile secretly.
The young guard frowned. But only a minute passed, his grudge seem to disappear. "My king. I also heard her asking Nanny Elis why you aren't visiting her."
Cavi was halted. "Did she really ask that?" to his wonder, something in his chest seemed to thump.
"Yes. I heard it with my own eyes. my king, when will you stop visiting her at night? I don't even understand why you will only go to her palace at midnight and just stared at her for an hour. Haysss…"
Clearing his throat with ears turning red, Cavi glanced at Trey who was guarding at the door. Indeed, he heard what Adil said judging by his expression.
Continuing his work, he told Adil, "I will visit her tomorrow."