Gossips

The carriage came to a halt, a soft knock on the door breaking the stiffening silence inside. The door slowly creaked open as the coachman leaned in, his voice polite.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, we have arrived," he announced with a bow.

Azrael barely acknowledged the old man's presence, his mind elsewhere, likely on matters more pressing than a trip to the market. However, he gave a slight nod, signaling for the coachman to proceed. The coachman stepped back and stretched out his hand toward Princess Renata, offering his assistance.

Renata took his hand with a smile, descending from the carriage. Her blue eyes brightened as she took in the scene before her. The market was bustling with people of different ages, the air carried different aroma, the smell of freshly baked bread being the most persistent. It made her stomach growl, as if she hadn't just had food before leaving the palace.

Azrael followed her out, his towering presence commanding attention. His dark, brooding eyes scanned the crowd, although they remained calm.

Renata glanced at him, the corners of her mouth curving upward. "I must say, it does feel refreshing to be among other people for once. Don't you think so, Your Majesty?"

Azrael arched a brow, his eyes not meeting hers. He nodded his head, his gaze pointed forward.

"Do you come here so often, to visit the market?" She asked, her blue eyes gleaming as she looked around. Azrael and Renata looked out of place with their expensive clothes. People who passed by bowed deeply to their king, along with the woman beside him.

"Rarely," Azrael commented.

"Ah," she laughed lightly, stepping closer to him. "You've grown too accustomed to the cold walls of the palace" she commented, her eyes looking away from him.

Azrael's lips twitched, though he remained impassive. He turned his attention to a nearby vendor selling freshly baked breads. The merchant, an old man with a bushy beard, noticed their approach and instantly his face brightened up.

"Freshly baked breads, Your Majesty! Finest in the market!" the merchant bellowed, holding up a round loaf of bread.

"You seemed to be eyeing the breads earlier, do you want some?" He asked, striding toward the merchant's stand. Renata's face turn red instantly, the king was indeed observant, even when it seemed he wasn't paying attention to her, he was. How many times did she look towards the bread vendor for him to notice? She asked herself, she didn't want him thinking she was a glutton.

"Your Majesty, My Lady" the man greeted with a bow. "we have all kinds of bread, which does His Majesty prefer?" The merchant asked, his cheeks red from excitement.

Azrael turned his gaze to Renata, who blushed instantly. "I would appreciate anyone King Azrael chooses," she said, clutching her dress in a tight hold.

"Choose which ever one you want, Princess. I have no interest in eating bread," Azrael replied, his tone cold as ice.

Renata blinked, a little bit caught off guard by his bluntness. Her cheeks flushed even more, but she quickly composed herself. She stepped closer to the vendor, scanning the breads displayed before her. The aroma of the freshly baked loaves wafted toward her, tempting her stomach.

"I'll take this one," she said, pointing to a round loaf dusted with flour. It looked soft and inviting.

The merchant eagerly wrapped it up and handed it to her. "A fine choice, Your Highness! This one is made with honey and a bit of cinnamon.

Renata smiled warmly at the merchant. "Thank you. How much do I owe you?"

The man waved his hands frantically, shaking his head. "It cost two silver coins, Your Highness."

Azrael watched the exchange, his expression still unreadable, but his eyes narrowed slightly. He stepped forward, his towering frame casting a shadow over the merchant. "The princess offered to pay, and you would accept it?" he asked, his eyes darkening further.

The merchant's face paled, and he quickly shook his head. "Of course not, Your Majesty, I didn't mean to offend—"

Azrael placed a few coins on the counter, before hearing Renata say in a small voice, "Thank you again."

"Do you think that is our future queen?" Azrael heard a women whisper to the other one seated next to her.

"Who is that princess?," one asked, her voice evidently curious.

"I am not too sure, I haven't seen her before," one replied.

"She appears to be a human. Perhaps, the princess of Arcadia?" Another woman asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.

"A human?" Two of the other women asked synonymously. If the king was to marry a human, it would mean she was going to die before him, as it appeared to most that the king was an immortal dragon. Azrael had been King of Valeria for over a six hundred years, it was said that he was one of of the seven most powerful dragons to exist.

"There were even rumors, saying the King has been alone ever since the Queen's passing,"

"Some say it is far from the truth."

"Don't you think it is high time the King finds us a Queen?"

"I really have no idea if King Azrael would make her Queen, it appears to me that he is only using her to pass time. We all know the King has become heartless after our Queen passed away, " the other one said, her voice even lower.  But that did not matter as Azrael heard them clearly, he clenched his teeth in anger, walking away in long strides as Renata hastened to follow, clutching the loaf of bread to her chest.

"I wasn't expecting you to pay for the loaf, Your Majesty," she said lightly, walking beside him. "It seems you're more generous than you let on."

Azrael glanced down at her, his lips pressing into a thin line, he said no words, but continued to walk forward.

"Where are we headed now, King Azrael?" She asked as the King continued to take long strides, forcing Renata to quicken her steps to keep up.

"To the tower," he replied without any further explanation.