Facade

His mask was still on; this time it was black steel adorned with intricate gold designs, creating cross lines.

It covered his whole face, leaving only his eyes and lips visible as usual, with his black hair let loose, almost reaching his shoulders.

I gulped, halting myself as he watched me. His eyes seemed to narrow at me, taking in every part of my body. This was good. He was beginning to notice me. The king had never really given me a long look, especially not all over me.

I took a deep breath and started to walk slowly, my steps changing as I almost mimicked Verina, crossing one leg in front and bending my waist seductively.

The king's eyes did not leave mine as he kept watching me, and neither did mine leave his as I walked towards him.

Reaching the chair, I instantly, I looked away from him, purposefully touching a small strand of black curls that had fallen on my temple, then I sat ever so carefully on the chair, licking my lips.

He still felt his eyes on me. Good. Notice me all you want. Get closer.

'This is your plan all along, to make sure he notices you,' my inner voice screamed at me, giving me the go-ahead.

I took another deep breath and turned to him just as his eyes were fixed on my face. I licked my lips, and there was a slight shift in his gaze.

For a moment, his mouth slightly parted. 'Ah-ha, I've got you there, husband. The seduction is working well,' I thought to myself with a small smile creeping onto my face. Then, I turned to look at the table to make it less obvious. Adum had warned me that the king was quite smart. I would have to act as though this wasn't intentional, just to stir his interest, to make him aware of me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as he set down the stone tablet on the table. The food was already prepared, covered with stainless steel bowls.

The maidens stood silently behind us, ready to unveil the dishes at his command. However, I felt that wasn't necessary, it was just a small gesture that I could handle on my own.

"I can see that you are no longer scared," he drawled lazily, causing me to turn to him.

He was still watching me intently, as if trying to see through my facade. Oh no! Did he realize what I was doing? No, he must not have caught on.

"Scared?" I scoffed, waving my hand playfully before using it to fix the strand of hair that had fallen behind my ear. "I was never scared, Di," I called him by the name I had promised to use.

"Di hmm," he smiled shortly, shaking his head. "You, my dear wife, are the most scared little trouble I have ever met. How did that change?" His eyes remained stoic, but the tone of his voice seemed more playful.

I cleared my throat, composing myself. "I was never scared, you see. I am in a strange land with a strange man whom I do not know. Of course, I would be frightened at first. But trust me, I am not entirely scared."

I quickly averted my gaze, hoping he wouldn't see through my eyes. 'Liar,' my inner voice screamed at me. 'You are so scared that the beat of your heart is about to fly out.' That was true, I wouldn't even lie. But I must not let the king see that, so I will have to hide it at all costs. Only with this facade will I allow the king to notice me.

He nodded, his gaze now fixed on the covered food. As he raised his hand to instruct the servant, I quickly interjected, "I am sure taking these off myself would not be so bad."

I removed the steel covers from each dish, occasionally glancing at him, hoping his eyes were fixed on mine.

The king's eyes widened this time, as if he was seeing someone else instead of the timid wife who had almost ran away. 'Yes, think all you want, Di, for this is now my new mission.'

"You should not have done that; there are servants..."

"I know," I smiled widely, perhaps a bit too widely, showing off all my teeth.

'Ah, Dalia, maybe that's not how to smile. How could I have forgotten how to smile?'

"But this," I added, "is a small task that I can handle on my own. Let your wife do it."

As I removed the last steel cover, I was greeted with a variety of foods and fruits. There was a flat plate filled with pawpaw, coconut, and banana, all cut into small pieces. Another plate held cassava flakes, and a bowl of steaming soup, among many other dishes.

All of this for breakfast?

"Wife," he suddenly drew my attention towards him.

"Dalia," I smiled warmly. My given name sounded far better, "call me Dalia."

The king shook his head, his mouth turning into a curve. "Dalia," he drawled. "What are you doing?"

"Pardon?" I gave him a curious, innocent look, as if unsure of what he meant. Hopefully, the king had not seen through my facade.

No, I must do something else. I turned back to the table, picked up an empty plate, and began to spoon cassava flakes onto it.

Placing it in front of him, I then picked up another bowl and filled it with hot soup, placing it in front of me.

Taking a spoonful of soup, I brought it towards his lips, saying, "You wouldn't deny this, dear husband, would you?" I cocked my head, smiling.

From the corner of my eye, I saw the maidens blushing but quickly hiding their faces.

Di watched me, his gaze still fixed on my face before it traveled to the spoon that was just inches away from his lips. I couldn't read his expression with his annoying mask on, but I was certain he must be smiling or amused by what I was about to do.

"Wife," the tone of his voice returned to being gravelly. Then, he turned back to me, completely ignoring the spoon and my raised hand. His eyes narrowed again, but this time they darkened, causing me to flinch slightly. "Are you trying to seduce me?"