184 Pleasant Dream

"Why do you ask questions with answers you are aware of?"

"Faustina," the king walked towards her. But Faustina could only see the king's shoes from her lowered gaze.

"D-don't come close."

The king flinched in response, but his expression eventually softened as his eyes caught the red in Faustina's cheeks, which spread to her ears.

"Why?" The king asked.

"I-I might misunderstand, Your Majesty," Faustina tried to answer despite her blurring vision. "I don't… I don't want to misunderstand anything."

The king then lifted Faustina's gaze as he raised her chin with his fingers.

"Misunderstand what, Faustina?" 

"Th-that I... you…"

The king stared at Faustina intently, and then to her parted lips.

With his thumb, he caressed her bottom lip.

"Faustina," the king leaned his lips towards hers, and then he leaned into her ears. "You are not misunderstanding anything."