29 Working For King Ronan

The door had been closed and Arielle was again left with Ronan who never let go of his arms from her. Arielle held her breath as Ronan hugged her body a little tighter one last time he finally let her go.

Having the opportunity to move away, Arielle immediately took two steps back so the man couldn't reach her again.

"By the way, we still have to talk about your work with Priest Elis," said Ronan when Arielle asked the king's permission to leave his room.

"Still? What else is there to talk about?" the princess furrowed her brows. She was confused.

"We still need to talk about your desire to learn how to read and write," answered Ronan as a matter of factly.

"Oh..."

The man walked to the sofa and sat there. Then, Ronan lifted his mask a little so he could drink the potion William had brought him earlier. After downing the bitter liquid, Ronan clicked his tongue a few times so that his saliva could quickly remove the bitter sensation from his senses.

Ronan motioned his index finger to ask Arielle to come closer. The princess complied. However, this time she didn't really come closer. Arielle chose to sit on the opposite sofa.

Ronan fixed his mask and Arielle, who was watching the man intently, could see a thin but long scar that ran past the right side of the man's face, all the way to his chin. Ronan crossed his legs and looked at the girl one more time from head to toe.

"I want you to stop working for Priest Elis," he said.

"But Your Majesty… I already told you that it's the only way for me to earn money so I can pay a teacher after I return to Nieverdell."

"You don't have to worry about that because starting tomorrow you will study here."

"Here? But I still don't have the money to pay a teacher."

Ronan chuckled. He patted his puffed-up chest.

"Princess, Northendell will provide the best teacher in the entire Forseham mainland to teach you," he said smugly, and then he added, "For free."

"For free? Who?"

"I. King Ronan D. Blackthorn will be your teacher."

Arielle was silent for a moment. She batted her eyes, hoping Ronan was just joking. After a moment of silence, she cleared her throat.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. But I can't accept it."

"Huh?" The man's brows furrowed together. "Why??"

"I don't want to trouble you any further. As the king, you must have a lot of work to do. Teaching me would be a waste of your precious time."

"I don't mind at all," Ronan persisted.

Arielle couldn't accept the offer. Being around this man could be very intimidating at times. Also, her heart always pounded so hard whenever she was around him.

Somehow, she thought the pain that Ronan was feeling earlier starting to rub off on her. Arielle got a headache just from thinking about how to refuse the king's offer.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I can't accept your kindness without doing something in return," said Arielle. "I don't want to keep piling up debts to you."

Arielle didn't want to be a parasite. She had accepted the king's kindness many times and still had not been able to pay them back. Ronan was so generous by providing canvases and paints for her to channel her hobby, painting.

"Piling up debt?s" Ronan thought for a moment.

He looked at the princess deeply and realized she was stubborn and prideful, even though she was often treated badly by her family. Arielle didn't want to be a freeloader and rely on other people's kindness to live her life.

Truth be told, Ronan wanted to do so many things for her unconditionally. He didn't want anything in return. However, seeing how uncomfortable she was at being the subject of his kindness without being able to do anything in return, Ronan decided not to insist. He was worried it could end in a misunderstanding that made Arielle feel sad.

Finally, King Ronan cleared his throat. "Well, if my teaching services are not for free, will you accept it? You can do something for me in return."

Arielle didn't answer right away. She thought about the offer carefully. She really wanted to learn to read and write. King Ronan just gave her the opportunity to learn.

Wouldn't it be good for her if she could read and write sooner? Arielle might return to Nieverdell at any time. And when she went back, it was possible that her father would immediately marry her off to some man.

Arielle bit her thumb. It was a bad habit of hers. She did that when she was thinking seriously. Ronan was silent, watching her trying to make a decision.

The king was patient. He didn't intend to force Arielle to answer his offer right away. No matter how long she needed to think, Ronan would give her time as long as the answer was yes.

If Arielle still refused his offer, then Ronan would ask her to give it a second thought. He would continue doing the same thing until she changed her mind and accepted him to be her teacher.

Ahh… Ronan didn't know what he really wanted. The thought of Arielle working as a servant at the Cathedral under Priest Elis greatly disturbed Ronan's mind.

He knew he shouldn't feel jealous of a priest. However, the thought of Arielle working for another man made him grit his teeth.

"What would Your Majesty want me to do, in exchange for your teaching?" Arielle finally asked, breaking their silence.

What would Ronan want her to do in exchange for his teaching? Hm… to be honest, Ronan hadn't thought that far.

"What do you have to offer?" the king asked back.

"Um… I can do several things. I can cook some Southern dishes. I can also make the bed, clean the room, do the laundry… and paint."

Ronan nodded in understanding. "Actually I don't want to ask you this, but since you insist that you have to do something in return, then you can be my personal servant until you are able to read and write."

Arielle didn't know whether she should be worried or grateful. However, after she gave it a good thought, she realized this was a better option than working to save up money for her education and waited to study until she returned to Nieverdell.

She really didn't know what her father planned to do to her after she was back. The money she saved would be useless if she was immediately married off to a stranger. So, it was better to study as soon as possible.

Arielle looked at the king deeply. Finally, she smiled and said, "Then I accept your offer, Your Majesty."

She realized, being a personal servant to the king was not much different from being a regular servant. It was not too difficult. She had been doing servant's work when she was in Nieverdell anyway.

Arielle cleaned and mopped and did many other works. All without pay. So, why not do the same work here but in return she could get an education? It sounded like a win-win to her.

Arielle looked up when Ronan got up from his sofa

"We will start our study tomorrow and you can start working today."

"Today?"

"Uhm-hm," the king replied casually.

Ronan circled the table that separated him from Arielle. The princess looked at him worriedly, wondering what the man would do next.

"…"

Arielle was taken aback when Ronan lay on the same sofa as her and suddenly rested his head on Arielle's lap.

"Your Majesty?" Arielle squeaked.

"As my personal servant, this is your first assignment," Ronan said without opening his eyes.

"But…"

"You were the one who told me to rest earlier, weren't you?"

"Well... " Arielle could only nod weakly. She did ask him to rest, but she didn't mean it for Ronan to rest this way.

Arielle turned to the empty bed and then looked at the man resting on her lap. Wasn't the bed more comfortable? Why was he sleeping here?? She was wondering.

Ronan stretched out his hand. His action made Arielle feel baffled.

What did he want with his hand? She was wondering.

"Give me your hand," the king ordered.

Arielle was moved from her daze when she heard his order. She quickly placed her hand on the king's outstretched palm. Ronan's locked their fingers together and then closed his eyes.

"This is much better," he commented.