46 Heart-to-heart Talk

Freya put the tray of pastry and tea on the table and retreated two steps. Sensing a cold gaze pointing at her, she shifted her eyes to the king. And for sure, he looked at her as if she owed him gold.

She frowned and looked away. Over time, she gained a better understanding of the king's character. His behaviour was unpredictable and often dictated by his moods. Despite this, she grew accustomed to him. Initially, she found him to be irritating, but as time passed, she learned that he was a diligent and dedicated ruler.

He never got mad at the servants and mistreated them. Except the one when he took her to the prison. Moreover, he seemed to enjoy taunting her a lot. However, he was not close to any maidservants. 

Raising her head, her gaze locked with the little princess, who cast a smile at her while eating dessert. Her white pinch-like cheeks bulged. Freya's lips curved. Rubella extended her hand and handed her a strawberry tart. 

"For me?" Freya asked, and the princess nodded. 

She accepted the tart, put it on the table near her and retreated to her place. Her eyelashes fluttered as memories of the past flashed back. 

"Sit and eat," the king ordered coldly. "The princess offered you dessert so you have to eat it or Ruby will be sad," he added.

Freya gazed at the child who pouted pitifully and her eyes glistered upon hearing the king's word. 'She knows how to act cute too.' Taken aback by the princess' act, Freya sat two chairs away from the king.

As she took a bite of her dessert, Freya couldn't help but think of Lady Eferhon's excellent baking skills. Whenever Freya had a practice session, the sweet old lady would bring her special treats, especially on days when Danny wasn't around.

Lady Eferhon always spoiled her with kindness. Freya had a particular fondness for desserts made with strawberries, while Danny preferred those made with other types of berries. Unfortunately, it was during these sweet indulgences that Freya discovered her allergy to berries.

Although Mr. Eferhon appeared stern and cold, he treated her better than his grandson. He was kind and patient with teaching her. 

She treasured the memories of her childhood when life was simple but happy. Her focus was on her town and its people, and she held great respect for the elderly. The gatherings they shared at weddings, festivals, and parties were full of laughter and joy.

She strongly opposed the tea parties held at the Valian palace, where noble women would smile at each other while gossiping about someone's misfortune or divorce.

These women eagerly waited for someone's downfall to criticize them, forgetting that they had once shared the same table, eaten the same food, and discussed the same things about other people. It was a difficult way of life for her, and her brother, the king, closely monitored her every move. She was not allowed to smile unless he signalled for her to do so.

The gatherings were filled with deception, betrayal, and dishonesty, and corrupt nobles continued to increase in power during her brother's reign.

And they dared to call themselves nobles and bragged about their wealth! Is it how many coins someone had determined the nobility of someone? 

  "You like disobeying my orders, don't you?" 

The king's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Noticing that she held the fork without eating the dessert, her heart throbbed. Stuffing nearly half of the tart in one go and gazed at the king who frowned, throwing a napkin at her. 

"Wipe your mouth," he said, glancing away. The princess giggled upon seeing her.

Freya chewed slowly until her jaw ached. Swallowing the food, she drank water, feeling better. 

"What happened to you today?" the king asked. Freya looked ahead. "And do not tell me you want a leave because of your sickness. I had heard enough of your lame excuses," he remarked.

She smiled. "I heard terrible news, so I was in a bad mood," she whispered. Her eyes filled with tears. The king stared at her. Her heart throbbed. 

Why I am feeling afraid? The surroundings became cold as the king continued glaring at her. 

Freya suspected that she had said something weird, but he was the one who asked and she answered what she felt! 

"What is the bad news?" he asked. Meanwhile, Fraser asked to examine her if she was exchanging the news with her kingdom. 

"Huh?" she gasped, shifting her gaze to the king. Not believing that he wanted to ask about her life, but seeing the expressionless face of the king, she sighed. "Someone dear to me died," she answered, lowering her gaze.

"Condolence," he said.

Freya forced a smile. "Thank you," she murmured, swallowing the lump in her throat. "He was more like a family. I am sad that I didn't know when he died. Even if I knew, I wouldn't—it already happened so I can change nothing," she stated, pressing her eyes tightly to prevent tears from falling.

"There were times when we lost a close person. We would feel weak and like our hearts were being crushed to pieces. Even so, we continue living, carrying that person's memories till our last breath," the king said, patting the drowsy princess' head. 

She got a clear idea that he was talking about the crown prince. She felt grateful that the king understood her emotions.

"Why are you holding your tears? If you want to cry, do that. It will help to vent your sadness," he added, carrying the princess away.

Freya's tears fell as she cried hard. 

'What are emotions? It was what linked all the living beings with each other.'

  Freya went to her quarter for the rest of the day after the king allowed her to leave. She dropped her body on the mattress and soon fell asleep, dreaming about her childhood and wishing she could travel there as soon as possible.