Rafael had just come out of his chamber with Alfred following him, holding a bunch of documents and guiding him over the actions needed.
“I think it would be better if we would ask the other councilman before making a decision.” a soft chuckle escaped the lips of Rafael as if he had heard a great joke making Alfred sigh.
It has been enough time since he had started understanding the meaning behind the different kinds of smiles and chuckles of his master who never stops laughing one or the other.
“Since then I have started to take advice and suggestions from others, Alfred. It has been more than enough time since you are working with me yet you are suggesting that to me! I am amazed.” That was a sarcastic comment, Alfred knew yet he could not let the matter go.
“But master…” Before he could speak further Rafael raised his hands in the air and looked to his left side with a smile on his face.
Hazel was coming with a maid following her, she halted in her tracks feeling his gaze and bowed her head.
Holding her dress in her hands, she greeted him properly and only walked forward when he nodded.
“You came early, my dear wife. I was expecting you to be late!”
Not knowing what he meant by that, she only shook her head lightly, “how could i make his majesty wait for me.”
“I am touched with your consideration, my dear wife. Shall we!” she had thought that he would stop behaving strangely and most importantly stop calling her in this strange way after telling her truth.
Last time when they had dinner together, he had called her Hazel all the time, so why did she feel he was getting sarcastic this time. Even that smile, as if he was mocking her and his words!
She shook her head as she knew even if she would try to decipher his thoughts, she was not going to be successful.
Giving her hands in his, she took a step forwards when she saw no one followed them. Even Alfred who was talking to him just a minute ago turned and left.
“Are we going alone?” Her eyes scanned the area and she did not see any horse or knight except a small old carriage.
It was looking rusty and dirty and she must say, she had not seen these kinds of carriages even being used in the town either.
Her eyes turned to look at him to see if he would laugh and tell her it was a joke but he did not stop walking towards the carriage and since he was holding her hands, she had to move too.
The coachmen opened the door of the carriage only for her to see that it was the carriage he always used with luxurious jewels and soft seats, plush cushions and bottles of wine and blood.
Then what happened to the exterior? Could it be that they were going on a mission? A place where they could not be seen?
But even when he had gone to the witches’ land, he had not tried to hide his identity, so what made him do it now?
“You seem to be lost in your thoughts, my dear wife. Care to share it with me?” she blinked and looked at him only to notice that the carriage had already started.
Should she? From the last time, he had been honest to her, so there was nothing wrong in trying.
“Where are we going?”
“To the nearby town. I heard that they enjoy having fair humans. So, I thought that you would like it. Why? Do you not want to go?” a frown formed on her face when he explained and it made him think shouldn’t she be happy that he was taking her among humans.
“I thought you felt suffocating while staying in the four walls surrounded by only night creatures. I think my thoughtfulness was not enough to bring a smile to your face.” she looked away as she knew that she could not act like him.
He was far better at it than her and to be honest she did not understand the need to act in front of each other when they both knew each other’s motives.
But it would be a lie if she would say she did not feel excited thinking about going to a fair.
“I would have enjoyed the fair as I had never been into one. As a princess I have always been confined, so I would not say it suffocates me.
But it could not be as simple as walking and then enjoying the fair. Could it be that we are going to have a secret meeting there?
But no you did not trust me enough to bring me to your secret meeting. It could be you are using me as a shield to hide your reason for being there while collecting information.
But if that would have been the case, you would not be hiding who we are by changing the carriage into a rusty one.
No matter how much I think, I could not fathom what your goal is, my lord. But I do hope we will speak truth to each other before using each other as shields.” his eyes that were looking intensely at her face flickered and a dark smirk formed on his lips.
He was amazed at how she had analyzed each point. Though she was not able to guess it, she was closer to it and after spending only a month with her, it was a tremendous progress.
“I must say you have achieved great growth. From the foolish thought of behaving like a villainess to keep her safe, you have started to analyze things and behave accordingly.
It made me feel proud. If only you were not a human, I would have kicked Alfred and appointed you at his place. That boy is being noisy now. Tsk tsk!
And the answer, we are going on a secret mission as you think.”