Louis: Please. Don't go, Ariana.

"Are you always this careless, Ariana?" asked Louis with a grin.

Glek..!

Helena swallowed her saliva. Somehow, Louis's voice made her body respond uncomfortably. It was as if she felt a tremor, which made it difficult for Helena to speak clearly.

"Th… thank you, Your Majesty," Helena replied, and she immediately took the ice bowl that was in Louis's hand.

Helena cleared her throat as she looked busy, taking some of the spices that were in the small bottles. Then she put everything back in the brown wooden basket. But strangely, Louis was still in the soup kitchen.

"Your Majesty, why are you still here?" asked Helena with a straight face.

"Can I not be here?" Louis actually asked back.

"I can't stop you, Your Majesty. Sorry for my rudeness," Helena made a forced smile. Refrain from looking annoyed or angry in front of Louis the King.