Chapter 238: Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 2. Hidden Purpose
Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 2. Hidden Purpose
They didn't talk much during the lunch other than small talk to break the ice between them. But he couldn't complain, remembering what he had just done to her kingdom and remembering Rose's status. After all, this was their first meeting after the war ended.
Angel put the glass in his hand on the table, indicating that the lunch was over and turned to Rose.
"How's the food? Do you like it?" he said in a casual tone. The servants were busy tidying up empty plates and the utensils in front of them.
"It's delicious, Your Majesty. Thank you for allowing me to accompany you for lunch," she said in a formal tone. Even though the tension inside her started to wear off as they chatted, still ... Rose couldn't guess why Angel did this and it made her curiosity grow. Moreover, he chose to do this insignificant thing over his duty as a king after he returned from the war. Of course Rose thought there was something behind all of this.
"What do you think about Euphorion? Do you like staying here?" asked Angel. Even though Claire gave him a lot of reports about Rose's activities, he wanted to know Rose's personal opinion.
"Your kingdom is so peaceful and more prosperous than my kingdom, Your Majesty. The officers, the servants and the maids also treat me well. But for me, no matter how beautiful the other kingdom is, there is nothing more beautiful than my homeland," replied Rose, still in a formal voice. To be honest, she didn't understand why Angel asked her, since with her status she shouldn't have any other choice but to stay here.
Even though the last sentence was unpleasant in his ears, at least Angel knew Rose had a good impression during her stay here.
"Your Majesty, may I ask you something?" said Rose as she couldn't hold her curiosity again.
"Say it."
"Why did you invite me to this lunch? I mean --- I believe your duty is more important than this." She remembered Rai said Angel only lived as a king. Which meant Angel was a person who put his duties ahead of others. And that was clear from his attitude at the war. But now ... His warm treatment and how he held her hand at the entrance confused her.
"I just want to make sure you are ready for tomorrow's event," said Angel in a casual tone. He had to tell Rose about their marriage today and based on Rose's personality, even with King Eudon's letter and the fact that Rose had no other choice, he was pretty sure he would get resistance. But Angel had already prepared something other than the letter, something she couldn't refuse. Still, this was an important event in Rose's life, yet he and King Eudon decide without Rose's consent. This marriage could be a good start for both of them, also a bad start since Rose would likely be angry at him.
Rose frowned. It felt very strange if Angel was more concerned with her condition and his victory celebration compared to his duties.
"Then what made you change your mind?" she asked.
"Change my mind? What do you mean?" he repeated in a confused tone.
"Claire said this lunch invitation was your secret request, yet you asked me directly," she pointed out what she meant. Indeed this was a minor thing, but an unschronic thing like this was really weird since one wanted to keep it secret while the other wanted to publish it.
Angel guessed that Claire was trying to build chemistry between them since he never said his intention to invite Rose for lunch before. After all, it was clear from Claire's enthusiastic attitude as soon as she found out that Angel was going to marry Rose.
"I think it's only a bit of a miscommunication," he said. Even though he knew Claire's good intentions, using the king's name to convey something he never said was a grave mistake. So he decided to cover up her mistake. But of course, he would still have to punish her.
In the middle of their conversation, the knocking sounds came and since they had finished eating the servants let the guard in. The guard bowed.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, the royal tailor has arrived. He's waiting for you in the royal dressing room," he said.
Angel turned to the guard with a frown.
"Where's Claire?" he asked. He remembered Claire said she would report it to him herself.
Trace of hesitation was clearly visible on the guard's face.
"She said she still wanted to check a few things, Your Majesty."
Angel knew it was only Claire's reason to avoid him since she had realized her mistake. But since he and Rose had to try on their clothes, he let it slide for now.
"Fine." He turned to Rose.
"Shall we go now?" he said.
"You want to accompany me for this?" asked Rose in confusion. At this point, Rose believed Angel had a hidden purpose. It was impossible for a king to accompany his political prisoner to try on her clothes without a purpose.
"Yes, I also ordered him to make my suit. So I also have to try it." Angel got up from his chair. Again he walked to her and extended his hand to Rose.
Rose looked at his hand in clear confusion before returning her gaze to Angel. His over-friendly attitude alarmed her. She knew Angel covered something from her yet she didn't know what. Her mind sank into some wild guesses but none of those guesses fit with this situation.
"Shall we?" Angel's voice broke her reverie.
In hesitation, she took his hand and stood up from her chair.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After that, they left the dining hall to the royal dressing room. As soon as they entered the room, the servants and maids who had been neatly lined up with Claire and the royal tailor bowed to them.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness," they said.
Rose's gaze fixed on the two large objects covered in a cloth in the middle of them. Judging by their shape and height, they should be mannequins.
The door behind Rose closed and both of them walked over to the servants and maids. Their steps stopped not far from the mannequins.
"Your Majesty, this is an honour for me to make these for both of you. This is the most luxurious and beautiful clothes I've ever made," said the royal tailor politely.
"Open it," he ordered.
The servants and maids opened the cloth. Rose's eyes widened in surprise as her sight caught a beautiful dress with a matching suit beside it. Her heart was pounding wildly. The dress colour was white with a V-shaped neckline covered with thin lace fabric at its shoulders and arms. Flower and crystal ornaments adorned the dress from shoulders to waist. The dress bottom was covered in organza which fell like a waterfall, making it look elegant. Although Rose couldn't hide her amazement at the dress, it was clear it was a wedding dress.
"Your Majesty, what does all this mean?" said Rose as soon as she could make her voice without taking her eyes off the dress.
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