Chapter 18 - Rumors

Stefan's face was so calm but Rose felt a little blush. The fairy girl even wondered if the man didn't feel ashamed at all about what he had just done.

"Sorry, Your Majesty. I must return to my room immediately." Rose wanted to leave to cover her nervousness.

"Feel uncomfortable?" Stefan asked.

"Not like that, Your Majesty. I just want to rest." replied Rose giving an excuse.

"Then sleep here." Stefan made the decision.

"But Your Majesty..."

"Today I feel very tired. Being with you makes me feel more comfortable." Stevan cut off Rose's words and laid his muscular body back on the bed. His stout arms wrapped around the fairy girl and led her to lie down next to him.

"Sleep Rosalia." Stevan whispered to the owner of the slender body in his arms.

He had just massacred the Vansizger residence. As long as he smells thick blood, the curse within him will be more active. His head was buzzing loudly from the many voices whispering to him.

Initially, he wanted to quickly end everything. He didn't expect that the girl in his arms could stop the noise. He didn't want to be crazy like his father or his other predecessors. However, the desire to continue living began to germinate in his mind. Perhaps, he could take full advantage of the fairy girl.

***

"What is this place?" Rose still hadn't fully awakened from her dream.

"Oh.. I slept in His Majesty's room last night." the fairy girl closed her eyes again because she was still very sleepy.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

"His Majesty's Room?" Rose immediately woke up as her mind began to clear.

The pretty fairy got out of bed and found that the sun was already high. She was surprised because she wasn't usually one to sleep so late.

Rose rushed out of the large room but was stopped by two female servants who she knew one of them was Zizi. The maid who served her not too long ago.

"Please clean yourself Princess. I have prepared warm water for the Princess." Zizi spoke in an even tone.

"We have prepared dresses and accessories. Would the princess want us to help you take a bath?" said another maid.

"Thanks. But I can do it myself." Rose answered politely.

The fairy girl rushed to the bathroom and cleaned herself by soaking in the warm water. She smelled the masculine scent of a man from some things in the bathroom that made her cheeks turn red.

It made her think that the ruler of the Dragon Race was bathing with her. Not wanting to get too lost in her thoughts, Rose cleaned herself up quickly.

The maid who introduced herself as Hena earlier gave her a navy blue dress. The shiny fabric had intricate folds on each side. The dress was paired with a white fur scarf that kept her warm. For the final touch, the accessories used are blue hairpins in the shape of small stars that are pinned to her blonde mane.

"This way please, princess." Zizi told the fairy princess.

Rose arrived at a place that was familiar to her. Dining room. The place was still as big and luxurious as it was in her memory.

The fairy entered the room alone without being accompanied by the two maids who had been escorting her. Rose looked at the dishes that were served on the table.

Unlike the first time she ate and was served dozens of sumptuous dishes, this time there were only a dozen dishes. But all of the foods are dishes in which she had tasted the first time she was here.

The pretty fairy didn't waste time eating all of her favorite dishes. She didn't wait for anyone else. She remembered her first experience in this place. No matter how long she waited, no one else would enter.

Having finished replenishing her fat reserves, Rose exited the dining room. The pretty fairy frowned when she didn't find the maid waiting for her.

"Maybe they'll be here in a minute."

"I'd better take a walk around here to help with digestion." Rose muttered lowly.

The girl walked slowly while enjoying the scenery she passed. Unlike the fairy race palaces which were filled with life energy, the dragon race palaces were filled with sinister sculptures. Although the place looked luxurious, the fairy felt that the word horrible was more suitable to describe it.

"You know, that girl sleeps with His Majesty."

"Really? Then will she become our empress then?"

"I heard she's from the Fairy Race."

Rose heard the voices of several people whispering to each other behind the wall where she was standing. She stopped her footsteps to listen to their conversation because she felt the person they were talking about was her.

"I don't agree. Although she is very beautiful, she looks very weak."

"Will she be able to provide a strong lineage to continue the throne?" a sarcastic voice rang out from one of the maidservants.

"Ahem" came a coughing voice which interrupted their conversation.

"It's not good to spread rumors in His Majesty's Palace." a man's soft voice was heard.

"Forgive us Mr. Teodhore." the maids who were gossiping bowed when they saw the person who came was the king's right hand man.

"Don't do it again."

"You can go." Teodhore gave orders to expel them.

Teodhore stepped through the concrete wall and met Rose's blue eyes. He smirked a little when he saw the fairy had started to show her true appearance. Not using anything to cover up the girl's natural beauty which was so stunning.

"Forgive our maid's rude treatment, Miss Rose. Don't take their words to heart." Teodhore spoke politely to Rose.

"It's not your fault Mr Teo. There's no need to apologize to me." Rose replied kindly.

The girl hid her suspicions well and didn't ask why the maids didn't get the punishment they deserved. She didn't see anyone else the first time she came here. But as soon as this person came, there were several maids who were found gossiping about her.

"What is Miss Rose doing here?" Teodhore asked gently.

"I was just taking a short walk after eating, Mr. Teo."

"It's about time I went back. I believe Zizi and Hena would be worried if they didn't find me." Rose wanted to leave Teodhore immediately.

"Let me escort Miss Rose. I will also pass the dining room on my way to see His Majesty." Theodhore volunteered.

"Sorry to trouble you Mr. Teo." Although Rose wanted to avoid the silver haired man, she didn't have a good enough reason to deny the king's right hand offer.

The two of them walked together towards the main dining room. There, already stood two maids waiting for Rose to finish eating.

"Greetings Mr. Teodhore." Zizi and Hena bowed respectfully at the same time as they greeted Teodhore.

"Enough." Teodhore let the two maids raise their heads.

"Then I'll leave you with them." Teodhore spoke gently.

"Of course Mr. Teo. Sorry to trouble you." Rose answered politely.

"That's not bothersome at all."

"I go." Teodhor left after giving the fairy princess a meaningful look.

Rose turned her head to look at the two maids who served her. Not wanting to find out what the man's gaze meant. Her heart rate was even stable. She had neither good feelings nor admiration for the man at all.

It was different if the one giving that gaze was the young ruler of the dragon race. Somehow she thought that if that man did it, her heart wouldn't be this calm.

"Take me to a place where no one is inside." Rose ordered the two maids.

The girl wanted to find a place where she could freely ask them. Although there is no one around them at this time, but the walls also have ears. She didn't want their conversation to be overheard.

"All right, princess." Zizi replied respectfully.

The maid took Rose to the east wing library. A place vacated since the king's late mother died. The empress's palace has a protective shield made by the late king.

The shield allowed him to see and hear outside, but people outside the shield could not see inside the palace.