19 Riddles

My spirit was dampened after the phone call. I curled up into a ball on the bed as I let hot tears streaming down my face. Darkness began to consume me as I rocked myself in comfort.

When I felt all alone and lost, something warm comforted my head with a pat. I looked up even though I knew who it might be. Blurry as my vision goes as a result of my watery and swollen eyes, I was already too overwhelmed with my feelings.

The instant he sat beside me and rubbed my back, I let out a bawl. I indulged myself in self-pity.

"Why is Papa doing this to me? Don't he love me anymore?"

"I'm sure your father has a reason."

"But he's casting me aside!"

"I'm sure there's a good reason for all this."

"Do you know what it is?"

He pulled my arms to his neck and wrapped his around my back. Wystan ceaselessly rubbed my back and pat my head like a caring adult calming a child in a tantrum. But I was inconsolable. I got into terrible sobs and hiccups the more he allowed me.

Once I have gotten calmer, he laid me down to rest and excused himself to get me a glass of water. However, I did not get to see him return. For I have fallen asleep.

* * * * *

I woke up to the wonderful smell of bread being baked in the oven. In an instant, it built up my appetite. I walked out to see a smiling Wystan who greeted me, "Ready for breakfast?"

I nodded my head and went for a quick wash up. How surprised was I when his towering body awaits me right outside the washroom?

Like a gentleman practising chivalry, he asked for my hand and led me to the dining area. I couldn't help but giggle at the absurdity.

"Here we are, milady. Breakfast will be served shortly." His green smiling eyes twinkled as he gave a slight bow.

I let out a chuckle and commented, "This is getting ridiculous."

His charming aura bedazzled me as he placed the wooden tray filled with assorted bread and jams. It looked appetisingly delicious and very well baked!

"Did you baked all this?" I was too much in awe as my eyes widened with his amazing talent.

"Haha... Sorry to disappoint you, milady but these are store-bought."

"So the oven...?"

"Just reheating," he answered with a naughty smirk.

For the first time in that queer and quaint house, I filled the place with echoes of my laughter.

"Do you want to go to the city again today? Or would you prefer to tour around the Palace?"

Oh, that reminds me! I forgot to ogle at my purchases yesterday!

"Since I kind of seen the city, can we go to the Palace instead?"

"Anything you wish, my Queen."

I giggled at his attempt at 'role playing'. It was silly beyond words but it cheered me up. There wasn't even a hint of annoyance but only sincerity.

Right after breakfast, Wystan helped me to the car as we enjoyed our ride to the Palace. It was a long stretch driving out of the dense forest. My curiosity piqued and there were so many questions I wanted to ask.

"I'm curious." I began as I turned my body to the right to face the charming driver.

"Go on."

"Why are you picking such a difficult place to live? I mean, how do you know the direction and all? What if your people need to find you?"

"I personally don't think it's a difficult place to live and considering it's my place, I'm already accustomed to the area. If my people need to find me, they can just ring me up."

Right! I smacked my forehead with my hand. I can't believe I have forgotten about the very purpose of a phone. Alexander Graham Bell would be writhing in his grave at a bimbo that I am, especially when I have been using it my whole life.

"But how would you know which treehouse belonged to you?"

"300 acres."

"What 300 acres?"

"For 300 acres, these are my land. Even if we entered the wrong place, they still belonged to me."

My jaw locked open at his weirdness and I could feel cramps coming up. I stared out at the forestry but I couldn't see any treehouses on any trees.

"Are you planning to build treehouses as big as 300 acres?"

"No."

"Then? As far as I have seen, there's only one treehouse in this jungle."

His boyish grin carved handsomely on his face as the morning sunlight reflected against the beautifully combed golden hair.

"Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there."

What a cheeky man!

"I still don't get it."

"Let's just say anyone who stumbled into my land will only see the dense forest."

"So you're building treehouses unnecessarily just to confuse trespassers?"

Instead of receiving an answer, he winked at me.

Boy oh boy, this man truly loves riddle!