Chapter 18 - Dragon Beard Candy.

Ben's farmhouse, the King's room.

"Eh? You went to the carnival street to buy this for me?" The King exclaimed in slight excitement as he stared at that box of dragon beard candy Rei had just given him.

"Nope, I went to the carnival street with Holly to have our breakfast, this dragon beard candy is a free gift from the breakfast stall owner," said Rei who pretended that she didn't even care about that box of dragon beard candy.

"Hmm... I see. Since this is the kindness of the stall owner, maybe we can share this kindness with everyone in the house." said the King in a joking manner as he had seen through Rei's little prank.

"Heh? But didn't you say that you want dragon beard candies yesterday?"

Rei asked with a slightly surprised look that mixed with a dash of disappointment, this small unexpected twist caught her unprepared that she didn't even notice that slightly teasing smile on the King's face.

"Hmm? I did?" said the King, pretending to be confused.

"Yes, I clearly remembered that you asked Dr Ben to buy you some dragon beard candy and... Ah... I..."

And she finally noticed that obvious smug smile on the King's face.

"Ah... Your Majesty!"

Realising that she was once again tricked by that childish King, Rei exclaimed in slight anger as her face blushed due to the embarrassment, her small hands clenched into petite fists of cotton, she waved her little fists a bit, kind of trying to hit the King but stopped immediately after she saw that slightly pale face of the King.

Seeing that adorable reaction from Rei, the King laughed out a bit before grabbing her small fist and 'guiding' her to 'hit' him on his face and chest. Slightly shocked by the sudden move from the King, Rei hastily tried to retract her hands but failed. The King wrapped Rei's petite hands in his hands and landed a kiss on her fingers...

.

.

.

"Your Majesty..."

"Hell like I am going to share these with anyone else, these are all mine."

Hearing that declaration from the King, Rei blushed even more, she had a strong feeling that, what the King just said didn't solely mean the dragon beard candy.

"But... I would want to try it too... Holly said the other box is hers, so..."

With a really soft tone, Rei carefully tested him to prove her wild thoughts.

"Ah... Hahahaha... Like I said before, that 'anyone else' doesn't include you." said the King with a happy laughter.

Then, he let go of Rei's hands and took the box of dragon beard candy from the tea table at his bedside, he opened the box and stared at the light golden dragon beard candy for a short while.

"Ah... What a fine craftsmanship..."

The King murmured in awe as he carefully picked up one piece of the dragon beard candy with his slender fingers.

"Would you want to have the first bite?" He asked in a gentle tone with a warm smile.

"Ah..."

Despite this was not the first time Rei faced such a situation, she was kind of unprepared for it mentally. From her previous experience, Rei knows that he has good intentions to let her have the first bite, but due to her former lifestyle, Rei was having a hard time getting used to this behaviour of the King.

Seeing that slightly panicked reaction of Rei, the King feels like teasing her even more, thus, he holds the dragon beard candy near Rei's mouth.

"Here, don't be shy, have a bite." said the King with a doting tone.

With her face flushed, Rei sheepishly nodded and opened her mouth as the King stuffed the dragon beard candy into her mouth. Due to the large portion of the dragon beard candy, Rei is unable to fit the whole candy in her mouth, thus, she has no choice but to bite away half of it from the King's hand.

"How is it? Is it nice?" The King asked.

Rei did not give him any response, she was stunned and overwhelmed by the wonderfulness of that half piece of candy in her mouth. The first thing that caught Rei's attention was that rich flavour of the soybean powder that coated the nearly thousand stringy strands of hardened maltose. Then, it's the amazing texture of the stringy strands of candy that melted almost immediately when in contact with the moisture of the mouth. And finally, it's the gooey sweetness of the maltose that blended well with the flavourful soy bean powder forming a nice symphony of taste of the tongue.

Noticing that Rei giving him no reaction at all, the King gave a funny smirk before popping the other half of the dragon beard candy into his mouth.

"Ah... Your Majesty..."

"Mhmm! It is nice indeed." said the King with a slightly childish smirk...

***

Later.

"Ah! I see! So that Benjamin Hua has indeed lied to me! That idiot doesn't even have any outfit that fits the dress code!" The King exclaimed in slight anger after Rei told him about the special dress code for the Fire Dragon Carnival.

"Mmm... Holly said that as well. But... Your Majesty, there is something I am curious of..." said Rei who suddenly looked at the King with a somewhat anticipating look.

"Hmm? What is it?" The King asked.

"Do you have any outfit that will fit the special dress code for the Fire Dragon Carnival?" Rei asked.

"Heh? Why are you askin... Ah... Hold on... If I am not mistaken, I do have one that might be suitable for the dress code. So... Are you inviting me to go to the carnival market with you?" The King asked while staring at Rei with slightly intimating eyes.

"Well... I would be happy if you could... But..."

Rei's voice getting slightly weaker she glanced at the King's legs that are nicely tucked in the blanket. Rei was really concerned, ever since the King regained consciousness, Rei hadn't seen him moving his legs even for a single bit.

"Ah... Right. This could be a problem." said the King...