"You did not tell me the king was this smart," I paced about the room, my gaze traveling to Adum who leaned against the wall close to the window.
Her eyes darted from me to the open window, her mouth had formed a thin line. "I did not think he would be too smart."
"Or perhaps," I stopped pacing, my hand rubbing my chin, "I must have done too much. But you see, I did as you told."
Adum sighed, "I know, but perhaps I must have said wrong. Might we try something else, my queen?" She asked, a new gleam shone in her eyes.
My mouth parted in disbelief. Thank the gods she had been present during dinner to see everything that has happened. "You do not expect me to try something else after what has happened. It is useless; the king would see through it."
I walked towards the bed and plopped on it. Was I doing too much? Maybe I should focus on something else instead of trying to know my husband, for the king did not seem to be known. He had already declared by not trying to show his face. That was enough to know he was keeping a distance.
I would not have been bothered if I was not married to him. He would have just made me one of his slaves instead of marrying me if this was how it was going to be. He was, after all, powerful enough to turn anyone into his slave.
"We could try something else, my queen," Adum walked in front of me, her eyes still beaming. "Perhaps what we ought to do should be natural."
"And what is it that is natural?" I questioned, finding nothing natural that wouldn't come as odd to the king. He was the most uninterested man I have met.
"There is an annual festival where the people of Zephyria usually gather to feast and drink, and there are other fun things to be seen. The king has never attended before."
I gazed at her, almost laughing with disbelief. Was she telling me to make the king go to this festival? That man was so adamant about doing anything of no interest, and hearing that he had never been there, it would be difficult for him to even listen to me. "You want me to take him to this festival?"
"Not just that. If the king listens to you, then it will actually bring the both of you closer."
"That would be difficult. How can I convince him?" I asked.
"That would not be so hard." She walked towards my window where there was a calabash pot on the floor, a small rose plant growing from it that had yet to sprout its fruit. After admiring the garden, I had asked Adum to keep one for me. The room was quite empty and plain after all, a little bit of plant to beautify it won't be bad at all.
She began to water the plant, her gaze solely fixed on her task.
A sigh escaped my lips as I watched her. "When is the festival?"
"After the first moon cycle," she replied, turning to me.
"That is not quite far. How can I convince the king to come during such a short time?"
"I do not know, but it seems being yourself and naturally telling him would work. I do not know if the king would agree to that, but..." She walked back towards me. "I will try to help you two get to interact more, but I must confess it is your place to take the next path."
I nodded, biting on my lip, my gaze fixed on the watered plant. "Do you think after all of this he would tell me about him and eventually show his face?", this is all the reason why I am trying to know him. "What if the king still locks himself from me?"
"We must try," Adum gave me a reassuring smile. "It is better than doing nothing. I do not like that you are married to him and get to be in separate rooms. You will have to try, Queen Dalia."
I nodded. So far, she was taking the form of Keturah. It was the kind of reassurance Keturah would give to me in this kind of situation. I can no longer escape, and I have somehow become curious about the king, especially about his given name. This was the only thing to do since I am in his palace. I must try to know him no matter what.
"What else can I do before the festival?" I asked Adum. I did not tell her where I should visit, for the king would not like that I was away, and I doubt he would let me without having his eyes on me.
"Have you been to the palace rooftop?" Adum asked. "No one goes there, not like anyone is prohibited, but it is usually empty."
"A rooftop? What is the specialty of a rooftop?" Even my place back at home had a rooftop, and there was barely anything there.
"There is a little terrace up there, where one could watch the setting of the sun and see more of the moon and stars. It is lovely, the most lovely place where one can seek peace and quiet."
"I do not know what you mean, Adum," I questioned. I could definitely have my peace and quiet in this room without any disturbance.
"I think it is the best place to hold a conversation with your husband," she came up to me and squeezed my shoulder. "Do visit there sometimes and take him up there with you."
"You want me to have my own moment with the king? Will it be enough to convince him to go to the festival?"
Adum shook her head. "It is not only about the festival, it is more about knowing him naturally."
Oh! This is harder than I thought. But I am not a good converser, especially to someone whom I still fear.
"I will try my best," I told Adum, even though I am not certain. For I still fear him, the rumors still lingered, for all I know. Despite trying to know him, he has still killed people, and nothing in this world can justify it.