Reyna's opinion

"Milady, I will prepare the bath for you. You must be cold after standing in the rain." Not intending to continue speaking about the King, Reyna changed the topic swiftly before her mistress could ask another question.

Irene realized what Reyna was up to and how sneakily she changed the topic lest she should ask her more. Now her curiosity grew, and she wanted to find out about the enigmatic King who had caught her attention at first glance. He sure was not a normal human for him to have lit the fire just by snapping his fingers.

'What is he?' She wondered as she thought about all possibilities. 'Is he a wizard?' She recalled the movie she had seen where a young boy joined a school filled with witches and wizards as he learned magic and various spells.

But as soon as the thought came to her more, she shook her head at once. 'The man resembles nothing like a wizard, not even like Voldemort. He is more like the devil out in the open to suck my soul away. Though he knows magic, there is something more to him that I'm unable to discern. He was more mysterious than the castle in my dream.'

"Milady?" Reyna's voice brought her out of her stupor. "I have filled the bathtub. Please tell me if you need anything else." She stated politely as soon as she turned towards her.

"I don't need anything. Now, you too go and take a good bath. You must be cold too." Irene pushed the thoughts about the King towards the back of her mind and stared at the girl before her.

"But, Milady. I..."

"Go," Irene ordered sternly, and this was enough to make Reyna give up.

"Yes, Milady. Please take care. I will come back once I am done." She smiled at her while Irene waited for Reyna to leave before she entered the bathroom.

Submerging herself in hot water, Irene's thoughts once again went back to the King, his red eyes flashing before her the next moment. Irene jerked suddenly in shock and she blinked in fear, trying to get the image out of her head. But irrespective of her actions, she could not force him out of her thoughts. Every time she closed her eyes, the King's face appeared. His red, alluring eyes, charming jawline, and attractive face hidden behind the silver mask kept popping up continuously.

But what stunned her was that he would be staring at her intensely every time she saw him, even though it was only her imagination. His deep, soul-sucking eyes would never leave her gaze, pulling her in and forcing her to lose herself altogether.

Irene could not decipher why she was feeling that way and why she could not shake him out of her head. He had not only occupied all her thoughts, he even kept appearing before her whenever she closed her eyes. The feeling was so terrifying that she did not know what was happening to her. It had been just one glance at him that had rendered her this troubled.

Irene was frustrated, and she groaned in despair. Finally, after a long time, she finished her bath, forcing herself not to think about the devilish man, only to fail every time. Reyna was already waiting for her, and the moment she saw her, she rushed to help her with her dress.

"Thank the heavens I do not have to wear heavy and flamboyant gowns at night. I don't know how long I'll be able to survive in them." She mumbled, ignoring Reyna's perplexed gaze on her.

'I need to do something about my dresses.' She thought to herself and made a note to visit the tailor soon to get some comfortable clothes.

"Milady, shall I get your dinner here or do you want to go down to eat?" Reyna too did not probe onto the matter. Instead, she stood still and observed the way her mistress' expressions kept changing every moment.

Irene was in no mood to entertain the other servants. She was exhausted mentally after what had transpired at the ceremony. Moreover, her father too had gone out. So, she decided against the idea of going down to the dining hall.

"I will have my dinner here. Bring your food too. Let's eat together."

Reyna could only nod and get to work while Irene made her way towards the balcony of her room. Even from where she was, she could see the red flames burning bright as they rose higher and higher in the sky. The heavy rain had not diminished or killed the fire, and it stood strong, going against the harsh weather brilliantly.

Irene was in awe of the flames and her lips parted in shock. This was her first time seeing such a fantastic phenomenon where the rain could not kill the fire. Just the mere sight was enough to make her tremble. 'How powerful must the King be for him to create such a wonder?' She pondered, staring at the bright red flames adorning the night view.

"What the hell is he?" She thought again, forcing out all possible scenarios her brain could conjure. But she could not conclude much and eventually, gave up even though she could not stop thinking about him.

"Milady, I have brought your food," Reyna called from behind, and Irene walked away from the balcony with a frown. She could still not shake away her thoughts, and she realized that they would keep her mind occupied for a long time or until she got her answers.

"Reyna, you did not answer my question," Irene recalled how she had been unable to listen to what Reyna thought of the King. Right at that moment, they got distracted, cutting their conversation short.

"Which question, Milady?" Reyna swallowed a spoonful of rice before she gave out a confused look. She tried to recall what question her mistress was referring to but in vain.

"You only spoke about what the people think about His Majesty. You did not tell me what you think about him." Irene iterated her question again and observed Reyna closely, focusing on her expressions more.

Just as she had expected, Reyna's expression changed completely, and her face lost color. She had a strange look, and Irene wondered what had happened for her to behave this way. "Reyna, are you alright? Is something the matter?"

"Milady, I am fine. I am fine." Reyna assured her, but Irene was not convinced, and she raised her brows questioningly.

"You are not fine, Reyna. What is the matter? Is it about the King? What did he do?" Irene's eyes changed suddenly and she let out a fierce aura around her, completely startling Reyna. She had never experienced anything like that before, and for a moment, Reyna completely forgot what she wanted to say.

"Reyna?"

"Yes, Milady?" Reyna replied in a trance.

"Speak." She ordered, and Reyna sighed in defeat.

"Milady, unlike what the people say, I do not believe His Majesty to be cruel. Though he looks devilish, he actually has a soft heart." Reyna replied with her eyes lowered.

"Why do you say so?" Irene tilted her head in suspicion.

"Milady, His Majesty once saved me from someone who attacked me when I was returning home."