The picnic

The place was a meadow to the south of the Cobalt palace, to get there they needed to pass through a not too dense forest and a clear shallow rippling river.

Short grass and growing flowers perfumed the warm air with a natural green fragrance.

The sun that shines brightly makes the atmosphere of the place very suitable for this kind of family activity.

Coupled with various small cute animals such as wild rabbits, butterfly and free-roaming birds, this place is a garden that is very popular among the children.

It was evident that it had only been a half an hour since they had arrived and Averio was already running here and there in pursuit of the small mammals and the beautiful insects that were flying in the air.

Ophelia watched the boy worriedly while Cassius had lost focus on his son as he was now mesmerized by the sight of this human girl in front of him.

They had laid out their mats under the green apple tree and arranged their lunches. The girl sat slightly away from him. Though it would be even better if they were a little huddled together.

Ophelia kept a safe distance from him. She still felt really stupid for her mistake regarding the tea she gave him.

"Dad! they run so fast!" the boy shouted as he failed to catch the rabbit.

"Keep the spirit buddy!" Cassius encouraged him.

Looks like he should take his son out of the palace more often. His busy work and the child's education schedule make the two of them rarely have quality time like this.

Especially because Cassius was overprotective of his only son considering that there had been several attempts to kill Averio.

Ophelia ventured to glance at her king. Today king Cassius only wore a casual black shirt and trousers. He looks more comfortable and relaxed.

'Verity and Felyn are right' the girl thought 'Everyone will think they meet the most attractive human until they meet a vampire. Never had she seen a man like King Cassius in Fallside before'

She immediately shook her head 'what is she thinking! She must look like a flea admiring a gem now'

"Do you like this place?"

The voice pulled Ophelia out of her reverie, the king was already staring at her deeply.

The girl nodded "It's a beautiful place. I'm happy to see prince Averio being cheerful like this. Your Majesty"

Cassius snorted "I was asking your personal opinion"

The girl nodded. 'why does the king ask like this?'

His invitation for a picnic today alone had confused her.

'Is she so insensitive? I'm looking for a reference about her favorite place so that next time I don't choose the wrong place when I take her out again' Cassius grumbled inwardly.

"Lia mommy look what I found!" Averio trotted over to them with his hand raised high holding something.

"Look I found a baby bird!"

The boy cupped a small green feathered bird in his palms, he approached Ophelia "does he also have parents?" he asked innocently.

The bird is very small, its wings are short. seems to fall from the nest "where did you find it?"

The boy pointed to a bush where the bird's nest was located.

"You will return him later right?" Ophelia didn't know why she was asking this, the prince could of course get anything he wanted.

Averio could have brought the bird to the palace if he wanted to.

"His parents must be looking for him" The boy mumbled in a sad tone.

Ophelia nodded. It seemed he did want to take the bird as his pet.

"I'll return him back to his home" The boy jogged to the bush.

Ophelia smiled faintly.

"Lia" Cassius mumbled.

She gasped. Cassius looked at his son then to her "my son has a special call for you"

"I.....I didn't mean to" she never asked Averio to call her that.

She became so worried. The king would surely find her presumptuous! Especially he must have heard that his son called her 'mommy'

Ophelia bit her tongue.

The man seemed to consider "I will call you that from now on"

Ophelia blinked.

"Not only my son who can call you like that right?" He smiled, a smile that made her heart want to jump out of her ribcage "Lia. I like it"

*****

Hour after hour passed until on one realized that now it was not only the little prince who was chasing the small animals. But his human nanny, and his father, the king of Cobalt also suddenly realized that these cute animals were very interesting to pursue.

Ophelia failed to catch her target, the white rabbit again. 'Huh, it is really cute' she though. The girl pouted and sighed in disappointment.

"Lia"

She turned her head and her eyes widened when she saw Cassius who was already holding a chubby brown doe. The man's lips formed a smile like the handsome devil.

Her stomach churns.

The doe looked calm and docile once in the blood-sucking king's arms. The doe seemed completely oblivious to the fate that lurked her.

Suddenly Ophelia's chest is beating twice as fast.

Should it be in front of her own eyes?

Will the king suck the blood of this rabbit in front of her right now?

Ophelia had to run. She was so scared. But what if the king is offended?

"Why is your face like that?" Cassius' voice sounded displeased.

Calm down Ophelia. Calm. But she can't! Especially when the pair of the doe eyes looked at her as if asking to be saved. Poor bunny.

"Your Majesty..." she tried to find her own voice "please don't"

The king's handsome face looked confused. Shouldn't this girl be happy?

"Look at her" he rocked the doe like he's holding a baby "she's so cute. She looks like you"

Ophelia gave a confused look.

"Would you like to take her home and look after her?"

Did she hear wrong? The king just offered to keep the bunny?

He.... Doesn't want to eat it?

Cassius snorted in disappointment to see her even silent as if frightened. 'Why is it that every time I try to flirt you shuffle around like I'm about to devour you?'

The king looked at the twin of the girl he was carrying.

The doe's fur was the same color as her beautiful hair. Their wide eyes are also similar.

That's why when he caught this rabbit earlier he was sure Ophelia would be very happy.

"Your Majesty, is this for me?" she looked utterly incredulous "not to be eaten by Your majesty?"

Now it's his turn to give a confused look. He glanced down at the small animal in his arms and tilted his head "for me to eat?"