Chapter 9
Amelia woke up, stretching out her hands.
"Oh my goodness… today is going to be a great day," she muttered as she stretched again.
"Good morning, my lady," Maya greeted with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Maya."
"How are you feeling? The King was here," she said.
"The King?" Amelia asked, staring at her in confusion.
"Yeah… yeah, he was asking about your health. He wants to see you in his room. I guess it's another discussion," Maya replied with a playful smile.
Amelia looked at her and sighed.
"Silly! I thought he was genuinely concerned about my health. But no! What else does he want this morning?" she thought.
"My lady… I think the King is being a little soft on you. He takes good care of you, you know," Maya said gently.
Amelia looked at her and smiled faintly.
"Of course, he takes good care of what he uses every night," she thought bitterly.
She walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. The water was warm. After several minutes, she was done. She walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her body. Maya had already laid out her clothes on the bed. Amelia dried herself and applied a sweet-scented body lotion. She got dressed and made her way to the King's room.
When she arrived at his doorsteps, the guards made way for her. She entered and saw him. He was just stepping out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. Water dripped from his hair and trailed down his chest to his abs.
"Oh my goodness. This man is freaking cute and hot," she thought, quickly looking away as soon as he looked in her direction.
"Stop drooling, Princess," he said with a smirk.
She wanted to reply but didn't. She stood there like a statue. Omega had been in the room when she walked in, but she hadn't noticed him because she had been too lost staring at the King. Omega helped him into his royal robe.
"You may leave now," the King said with a smile. Omega nodded, bowed slightly, and left.
Amelia watched him leave and smiled. She then turned her eyes to the King, but when he looked back at her, she quickly dropped her gaze to the floor and then the bed.
"How are you feeling this morning?" Henderson asked with a small smile.
"I'm fine, my Lord," she replied without meeting his gaze.
"Let's go downstairs for breakfast," Henderson said.
"What? Pardon?" she muttered, looking up at him. She had assumed he wanted to have sex with her.
He took her right hand, and they walked out of his room. She kept stealing glances at him, wondering what was going on.
"Stop looking at me like that. You're scaring me with that look," he said calmly.
She quickly turned her eyes forward. They arrived at the dining room. Henderson took a seat, and Amelia did the same. This was her first time sitting with the King at the table. It was only her second time in the dining hall, and it felt like heaven. Her heart ached as she remembered sitting at the table with her parents and brother—who were now gone.
Suddenly, Saanvi walked in. She stared at Amelia with disgust and rolled her eyes. Their eyes met, and Saanvi quickly looked away in anger before sitting down.
"Good morning, my Lord…" Saanvi greeted sweetly, clearly trying to make Amelia jealous.
"Good morning," he replied flatly, not even looking at her.
Saanvi was about to say something else, but the maids interrupted as they began serving the food. She was angry but forced herself to remain calm.
Meanwhile…
Omega left the palace. He was in search of a woman who once lived in the palace. He traced her to a small village. Though he had only met her twice, he remembered her. When he arrived at her house, he stepped out of the car and walked to her doorstep, then knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's Omega."
"Oh, my son. I'm coming," she called out, rushing to open the door.
When she did, he smiled upon seeing her. She looked so much like his mother—but he wasn't sure. He had lost his mother during Grayson's reign.
"Please come inside, son," she said kindly.
He stepped inside.
"Please, sit," she said, pointing to a wooden chair. He looked at it and smiled, then sat down comfortably.
"What would you like to eat?" she asked, smiling.
"I'm good. Please don't stress yourself," he replied with a gentle smile.
"Alright, if you say so."
"Ma'am, I want to know everything that happened in the palace. The princess is suffering."
"Omega…" she sighed, and he looked at her with pleading eyes.
"I've told you all you need to know," she added.
"Ma'am, I know. But I believe there's more. Something is missing. Her brother, Richard… is he really her brother?" Omega asked.
"He is not her brother. It's a story for another day," she replied and stood up.
Omega stood up too, wondering if his question had upset her.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to upset you," he apologized.
"No, I'm not mad at you."
"Alright. I was wondering… would you come with me to the city?" Omega asked.
"Son, I know you're a good man. But I can't go to the city."
"Why? What if the King wants to see you?"
"I will come and answer him. He is a good man too—not like that heartless Grayson who chased me out of the palace," she said. Omega sighed softly.
"Alright. I'll be here tomorrow," he said.
"I hope you'll be at home?" he asked, looking at her.
"Yes. I'm always at home," she replied with a smile.
He nodded and headed to his car. He had brought lots of items for her, and before leaving, he carried them into her house. She was very happy and blessed him as he left in his car. Sitting back inside, she thought about her life. She never imagined that help would come one day.
They had finished eating. Amelia left the dining room. Now, only Saanvi and the King remained in the sitting room. Saanvi did everything she could to get his attention, but he was too focused on his phone.
She moved closer to him, placing her hand on his arm, then slowly onto his chest. He looked up at her, and she gave him a flirty smile.
"You've been giving me attitude these days. You don't talk to me. I'm sorry about the other time," she said calmly.
"I'm very busy right now. And I'm not mad at you anymore. I shouldn't have shouted at you," he replied without using the word 'sorry.' He stood up and walked away.
Saanvi, furious, smashed a glass cup on the floor.
"Amelia! Daughter of Grayson. Daughter of a traitor! How dare you? I warned you, but you wouldn't listen. I won't spare you. I'll make sure you regret ever coming to this palace!" she screamed and stormed off. A maid walked in and began cleaning up the mess.
The King walked to Amelia's bedroom. She was laughing and talking with her maid, unaware that he had opened the door and entered. Maya turned toward the door and saw him standing there. She immediately stopped laughing and looked at Amelia, who then turned to look at the door too.
Maya stood up and greeted him. He responded with a smile, his eyes now on Amelia.
"She is beautiful," he thought, smiling to himself.
"You may leave," the King said to Maya. She bowed slightly, smiled at Amelia, and left.
He walked toward Amelia and sat beside her on the bed. He touched her thigh.
"Your Highness!" she called, glancing at him and then the door.
He scoffed. "Let's go to the garden," he muttered.
"Huh? Garden?" she asked, confused. But she knew she couldn't say no to him. He didn't take no for an answer.
She stood up, and they walked out together toward the garden. His hands were behind his back. The garden was filled with flowers. She plucked a flower and soon noticed a butterfly. She began chasing it, laughing and smiling. Henderson sat on the wooden bench, watching her. The joy on her face reminded him of his childhood and the memories tied to the palace.
Suddenly, he stood up and left.
When Amelia turned around and didn't see him, her smile faded. She walked away with the flower in hand, heading to her bedroom. She had wanted to give it to him.
"One minute he's happy, the next he's sad. Why is he always moody?" she wondered.
"I thought he was trying to make me happy. I know I don't deserve it, but… he should stop making me feel this way," she whispered to herself.
When he returned to the garden and found her gone, he felt bad. He hadn't meant to leave her like that—he only needed to clear his head.
He walked to her room. She was sitting with her back to him, talking to herself. He saw the flower she had brought lying on the floor. He picked it up and walked over to her.
She looked up and saw him. Quickly, she wiped away her tears.
He crouched beside her and handed her the flower.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to leave you alone," he said softly.