Chapter 38
Kingdom of Alba…
Avery's pov;
I wake up and feel a sharp pain in my chest and my head feels dizzy , what's up with me all of a sudden? Maybe because I slept on the couch last night? I really don't know.
I put my feet down from the couch but immediately I feel a grassy surface , weird , the apartment floor is marble, did I sleepwalk ? Why is it different? I open my eyes fully and gasp because I am currently in Ethera 's backyard in her hanging giant couch.
Alba? How am I here?
As I am barely awake and overthinking I slip from the couch and my ass finds a place on the apparent grass. "Ouch" great , who decided it was a good idea to put this here anyway?
Tobias 's pov;
We are off the carriage as Ethera 's house stands before us.
"Your majesty , fancy to have you here . It is quite the surprise" miss Heizel says shocked as she comes to us with her fruit basket , she might have gone to the market.
Tobryl next to me clears his throat and whispers "I thought you were expected" I scratch the back of my head and just laugh it off. Okay maybe I made up the fact I was having a date with Ethera to get him to come along but on the other side I am always glad to spend time with her , now is no different . I am killing two birds with one stone.
"Just go along with it , will you" I whisper back and turn to miss Heizel who is looking at us suspiciously as we are acting pretty oddly . Honestly sometimes I can be an odd type of king but that means more open and approachable right?
"I apologize for my abrupt appearance but I really wanted to visit a certain lady" She smiles at my sentence and shakes her head in disbelief as I probably sound like a hopeless romantic right now , I mean am I not? I am a young man after all. Depending on what you would refer as young but young nonetheless.
"That is understandable your majesty. Please come in" she says escorting us inside .
"Actually miss Heizel" I call out and she looks back at me,
"I forgot to introduce the guest I brought with me" She finally looks at Tobryl as if just realizing his presence.
"This is Tobryl , my bestfriend who also happens to be the grand Duke of Alba . A great official to the court . Tobryl , this is miss Heizel she takes care of Ethera and is her maiden" Heizel bows at him and he acknowledges her as he smiles his brightest smile . Flirt .
"Okay , Heizel I will leave you in my friend's company I will help myself around" I say and give either of them the occasion to refuse as I move towards the back yard of the house.
Since I am here I should check if the swing was built for Ethera . I will go see her later after that .
I am sure Tobryl and Heizel will be just fine on their own , if anything I am offering him a chance at finding a potential match , Heizel is a very capable lady just as much as my dear friend.
As I am approaching the backyard area , I hear mumbling and so I peak a bit to see closer .
To my surprise it is Ethera sitting on down with frown on her face and she keeps talking to herself looking like she is in her own world. I chuckle and then decide to show myself .
"Am I interrupting something here perhaps?" She looks up at me and immediately stands on her feet in amazing speed ,wow maybe I startled her .
"Your grace ! When did you arrive? Why wasn't I informed?" She is for sure panicking . Next time I should maybe inform before coming.
"I planned to surprise you , that is why." I say and she seems more calm now.
"Did you see Heizel when you came in?" she asks and I nod ,
"She is with Tobryl right now"
"Tobryl?" she asks confused
"Yeah , Tobryl the Duke. You know , the guy always loitering around in the palace . The Tobryl" She still looks at me with uncertainity which is weird because she has definetly met Tobryl already.
"Sure , Tobryl . Of course" She says tensely smiling. Odd.
"And to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit your grace?" she asks as she dusts off her dress and I advance towards her a bit and hold her hands ,
"Am I not welcomed in your quarters?" She quickly shakes her head.
"It is not that at all , I just thought maybe there was a specific thing that brought you here , I mean you are the king and so you are bound to be busy and occupied at all times , I don't expect you to come over casually" She says as she lowers her head , cute. I mean when is she ever not.
I stick her hair behind her ear and hold her waist , gasps a little "Am I not allowed to just miss my wife" she lowers her head and gets out of my embrace.
"Forgive me , you are right your grace , there is no need for an excuse to come over" she says a bit tense . What is up with her today?
"Right . I see they built the swing . Do you like it?" I ask as I observe the couch swing hanging behind her.
"The swing?" She looks behind her and says "Oh yeah , the swing . It is really comfortable . I like it a lot , thank you"
"I am glad you do , at least now you won't be saddened by not having it . I am happy that you are happy" She smiles at me and I relax a bit . She seemed a bit tense today but maybe it is because I came abruptly without her knowledge.
"Well we should maybe go find Tobryl and Heizel , I kind of left them alone and I am hoping they are not just oddly standing staring at each other " she chuckles beautifully and nods,
"That was really a bold move your grace. Heizel is a tough one" she answers and laughs to herself.
"Trust me , Tobryl is as tough" we both laugh as we make our way inside the house.
Avery's pov;
We enter the house and found the one I guess is Tobryl chatting with Heizel. They seem to be getting quite well along . You go girl , get your man .
"Ethera , you were outside?" Heizel asks as she comes towards me .
"Yeah I was sun bathing on the swing outside . Imagine the shock when I saw his majesty there unannounced . He could have found me in an inappropriate position , naked perhaps . Imagine the scandal" She looks at me seemingly shocked at what I said , same as the king and his friend .
"What? did I say something wrong?" I look at her and she sighs and looks back at me and shakes her head , oh kay I guess I have to shut it right now.
"Your grace , please have a sit . Have some tea Ethera brewed herself" Heizel says , when did I make tea? she pinches me in the back still smiling , oh I have to go along with her story. Right.
"Yes , please try it out" I go to serve him and Tobryl and do minimal talking because I definitely messed up , Ethera doesn't say blunt stuff like that. Avery learn how to blend in and filter your words please.
We share some tea for a bit , chatting in pairs , me with the Tobias and Heizel with Tobryl .
The discussions come to a halt when an eunuch comes in to tell the Tobias he is awaited in a council meeting. He then bids us good bye and I am now left with Heizel who sighs in relief.
"Avery!" she exclaims and looks at me.
"Bingo" I scratch the back of my neck and laugh a bit.
"I knew it , only you can spill out anything that crosses your mind without filter" she shakes her head and laughs a bit with me.
"Sorry , it came out alone. But I think I broke the king" I shrug and we burst into laughter.
"He looks mortified by such bold words. Be careful next time though , we should not show any contrast between you and Ethera" I nod.
"By the way , how come you appeared out of no where ? Ethera didn't mention wanting to switch" she says thinking to herself.
"I don't know either , it happened out of no where" I explain.
"Avery , what did you do?" Ethera asks in my head,
"What do you mean?"
"You acted weird with the king today and you were disgraceful. What will he think of me now?" she voices out desperately with a hint of anger , but not fully , she is too gentle for that.
"I am sorry Ethera, it just came out . And plus I acted weird because I was pulled here randomly , we didn't have time to catch up so I could prepare how to talk to him. You can't really blame me , it wouldn't be fair" I argue.
"Is it fair that I looked weird to a man I like then?" She asks angrily. She likes him? I didn't know it was already that. I feel really bad.
"I am really sorry okay" I try saying and just then I feel the switch as I black out.