Chapter 38

The sun was shining down the corridor. A woman like a willow tree stood in front of a door.

She swallowed a long sigh. Ashite entered the dining room. Lu Havre stood up and greeted her. The gentle attention of his was still the same. There were no words, but his eyes only looked toward her.

Ashite pretended to be calm. She had never had to try this hard before. She greeted him gracefully and sat down. Lu Havre began eating his soup first, then Ashite began eating.

The thick soup made with sweet pumpkin, flavored mushrooms, cheese, and other ingredients, and was excellent. The salad with yellow and red bell peppers, croutons, and romaine had good colors and was very appealing. The finely chopped fish smelled savory, and the steaks made from the finest sirloin looked very tasty. There were many delicious dishes on the table that would make people’s mouths water.

Ashite ate her salad and reached for the fish.

“Ashite,” Lu Havre called.

“Yes, Your Majesty?” she answered.

“What kind of book are you reading these days?” he asked.

He was very obviously giving her attention. Ashite immediately felt thirsty. She was really not sure how she could get out of answering. It was not just a question about a book; it was a question that would help him find out what she was thinking and what she was interested in. She wanted to drink some water at the moment, but she felt that she should not.

So, she endured his attempts and answered him, saying, “I’m reading books about the political situation and history of Monterobis.”

“Why?” he asked.

Ashite had learned about the history of Monterobis before. She had enjoyed reading history books in Wroclaw, and Lu Havre, who knew that already, showed his curiosity.

“It is one of the subjects for the exams to become a professor, so I want to learn about it properly,” she answered.

To become a professor at the Royal School of Monterobis, she had to take a written and practical test. She also needed to go to an interview. For the written tests, there were language, history, politics, society, law, and major knowledge sections. They also took practical tests that were suitable for specific majors. It was possible to pass the test with some knowledge and above-average common sense. So, it was a more demanding test for foreigners or low-ranking people.

Ashite found out she would be going to take such tests through the book, and she had just gotten the permission of the king, so she was going to prepare everything she would need.

Her major would be dance. She didn’t worry about dancing, and her interview was not going to be a problem, either. She had perfect manners, and she could speak Moniten very well. However, she needed to learn more about history, political situations, law, and other things like that. She grew up in Skara, called the Holy Land of Scholars, and she also went quite often to the philosopher’s library, but she was not a Monterobis person. So, Ashite spoke with the librarian these days and was borrowing history books that she could learn from and review.

“I see,” Lu Havre nodded.

He looked down slightly, like he was thinking something, and smiled back at Ashite.

“Ashite. Why don’t you come to my office in the evening?” he asked.

Ashite’s casual face faded for a moment. She had no idea what to do.

Lu Havre looked at her face and added, “I am the king of this country.”

It was a voice and a face that said no one knew the history and situation of this country better than he did. “He is the one who knows the most, and he speaks like that? And he’s looking at me like this? I feel dizzy,” she thought.

Ashite quickly straightened her thoughts and opened her mouth.

“If it pleases you, Your Majesty, I have something to tell you. Would you please allow me?” she asked.

“Go ahead,” he answered.

“As you said, Your Majesty, you are the king of this country. You will have a lot to look after. I dare not visit your office with my trivial reasons. Also, I don’t want to interrupt your precious time. I can’t be rude to you,” she said.

It was a polite and indirect rejection.

Lu Havre smiled and said, “As you said, it is not a big deal, and it is not rude at all.”

“Your Majesty, that can’t be true,” she said.

“You already know somewhat,” he said.

“But I am not good enough, so that will give you more concerns,” she said.

“You? No,” he said.

“You also have a lot of work to take care of,” she added.

“I can make time in the evening,” he said.

“I can’t dare go in and out of the office like that,” she continued.

“You visited there before. Also, it is a suitable place,” he said.

“But, Your Majesty,” she said.

“Ashite,” His smile vanished. “Is there a problem?”

There were lots of problems, but Ashite swallowed the words that hung on her tongue.

His bright red eyes were also a problem. The fact that he kept trying to help her with this trivial matter even though he probably very busy with his own work was also a problem. He didn’t only ask her to come for one night. If they started doing this, she probably would need to visit the office quite a few times. She was not sure how long they would meet for, so that was another problem. But the biggest problem was the king’s attitude.

“Or my mind could be a problem,” she thought.

In fact, she was not sure what the problem was anymore. She felt like everything was a problem. After she realized his kind and generous interest, everything felt like something was wrong.

She had dinner with him yesterday, too. The fact that they were eating together almost every day was not surprising.

His favor and consideration were embarrassing. No, it was more than embarrassment. She felt all sorts of emotions that were so intense it was hard to express them. Her heart was pounding. She could not look at the king properly. She felt like her hands and feet had gone numb.

Ashite looked away. She looked down at the table.

“I don’t know why you are saying no to something so small,” he said.

It sounded like he was talking himself.

But she could not let it pass. What he said was right. Ashite swallowed her sigh again. If she rejected him on this, she should have rejected everything from the first day.

The king was almost expressionless. He was not accusing her of having received so much already, but of refusing it. What he meant was that he wanted her to accept it.

“Are you rejecting me?” he asked.

She could not do that, although she knew he said that intentionally.

“…No,” she answered.

“Then, just do it,” he said.

“Yes,” she said.

Ashite finally accepted his offer.

She was not in a position to refuse the king in the first place. And she did not dislike him.

However, she had no idea as to why this king showed this clear favor for her. So, she had no idea how to react to it. The only thing she could do was to put on a casual and elegant mask.

“Your Majesty, I’m sorry… that I dared to reject your offer,” she said.

“No, it is okay.” He smiled.

The lunch was over, just like that. Ashite quickly left the dining room as if she were running away, and she headed to the dance room. She wished the time would pass slowly, but with dancing, singing, and playing the piano, the sun was already setting. Ashite had briefly eaten. She hadn’t felt hungry, but she felt very thirsty.

That night, the palace was quiet.

Ashite stood in front of the office. The servant opened the door.

“Your Highness. His Majesty has allowed you to enter in advance,” the servant said.

“Ok,” Ashite replied.

It was a room that resembled its owner. Ashite was left alone in the gorgeous, neat office.

Ashite sat down on the couch and put down two or three books that she had brought with her. Her legs felt weak. She gently massaged her calves. She brushed her hair with her hand a few times, spreading the train of her dress. She rubbed her cheeks. Her throat was dry.

When would the king come? She was like a child waiting helplessly. In the end, Ashite took a deep breath and sighed.

The wind swirled. It was a little chilly, and it seemed to calm her mind a little bit. Ashite took a long breath. She looked around the office. At that moment, there was something that caught her sight.