Collateral damage

"Can I ask if you can send a carriage to my maid to lead her on the beach we previously visited? I want her to see that spectacular view. I'm sure she'll enjoy it as much as I did." She asked resentfully as she pictured her friend and she tried to imagine her reaction in front of the heavenly sight.

John was playing with a gold coin, he was making it jump and grabbing it on its way down to just launch it in the air again and again.

"Why do you care about making her see it?" He asked, keeping his gaze on the coin. She turned around to look at him.

"Because she's my closest friend. And having lied to her broke my heart into a million pieces."

He took the coin on the fly to pay her full attention. "I see, you shall get used to hurting people. The sooner you learn to stop caring about the collateral damage the easier it will be to prevent yourself from getting attached easily." He said, meeting her gaze, then hitting the coin with his fingers.

"I don't want to stop caring, caring makes us vulnerable and gives access to other people's emotions. It is indeed the reason that drives our existence pushing us at the search of the beautiful things in life."

He chuckled at her statement, then seeing her seriously he raised his eyebrow. "Caring about someone is just going to hurt you. Are the pain and the suffering worth the few joyful moments that it procure you in the way toward an eternal delusion?" He shrugged. "just like love. It is not worth it."

"According to that." King John leaned closer to her, as his voice became low in a whisper. "I saw the way you looked at me earlier. I hope you don't let my appeal enchant you. I want this to work." He snapped his tongue. Roselyn widened her eyes, surprised by his lack of tact.

"King John, I appreciate your high self-esteem, but don't fancy yourself. I was genuinely interested in your tattoos and I wondered what meaning hid behind those, but your appearance does not affect me at all." She replied in his same tone of voice. The coachman slightly smiled.

When John noticed him from his angle, he cleared his voice. "Good then. I don't want to give you any sufferer."

"You won't." She replied right away.

"However, I will consider your request."

As he replied, Roselyn said nothing as she limited herself to nod her head yes.

The carriage stopped in the middle of the beach. Roselyn smiled as if it was the first time she saw it. She opened the suitcase that she had neared her. She removed some warm coats, fur gloves, and collars that could be useful in case the weather became cold.

"We're not heading to visit the North Pole," John exclaimed with a voice full of sarcasm and a toothy smile.

But Roselyn didn't hear his humourous remark. Or she ignored it purposely as she found her way out of the carriage, walking toward the sea to sit on the shore. The sand wasn't hot anymore; it was almost fresh to her touch.

She stretched her legs and laid the blanket she carried upon her legs.

John went to lie near her. Putting his hands under his head he gazed at her who was very attentive to the way the sea's waves were dancing.

She noticed the color of the water differed from earlier; it seemed darker, probably because it was almost midnight. The sea was agitated and was crashing against the rocks.

John followed her gaze, leading him to stare at the sea.

"It always gets agitated at night. It seems like it has two personalities, one during the daylight, which is calm and relaxing, and another one in the night, uncontrollably agitated. I like this one more."

Roselyn didn't doubt his preference, even if someone didn't know he would easily figure that out.

"I like the other one more." She said, provoking the escapement of a chuckle from his lips as he imaged that.

"I figured it out," he commented, sinking his feet in the sand. "The official marriage will be on Friday. I will send a letter to all the guests. So you can write your list of people you want to involve and my servants will get the letters sent."

He gestured with his hand. The way he spoke was secure and convincing, like he had been planning that for days.

"Most of the guests will be from your side so you can invite as many people as you want." He continued. Roselyn showed a pensive expression as she was considering whether to ask for further information about the reasons he wouldn't have many guests or not.

As she didn't like to be left in the wonder she took a breath and asked, "what is the reason you don't want your family members to be present? It's supposed to be a joyful day for both our sides."

His jaw tinkled a movement as if it was a nervous tic as he heard her question. Keeping his gaze set on the sea he replied, "because they stopped to be my family at the moment I was born. We don't have a good relationship. That's all you can know. For your safety and mine too."

Her safety? Was he subtly threatening her?! She questioned herself, she shook her head at the thought. It couldn't be possible. Maybe what he meant is that his family was very dangerous and the best she could do was to stay away from there. From what Roselyn saw the only thing she figured out was that they were very violent with each other and they didn't think twice before killing someone.

"My safety?" She dared to ask. Her voice came out as a squeak.

He nodded, finally meeting her gaze. "You don't have to worry. As long as you stay with me I will protect you."

His answer didn't dissolve her concerns. "but you won't always be with me. You said yourself you will spend some days away from the Kingdom."

He shook his head, feeling almost pity for all her overthinking and concerning. It must be hard for her to spend all her life living in the concern. He didn't know that feeling. "I have guards and an army who will protect you. Moreover, I can always come back if needed." He replied in an unworried calm voice as if he was reading the grocery list.