"Your highness, dinner is served," said Penny bowing her head.
In cue, three maids came with dinner, putting on the table near the sofa, in front of my study table.
I was studying the proofs I had against Isabella. I wanted not only the proof to prove my innocence but also some witnesses who could show her real face to the world.
Not even Cassius, but Killian also trusted him unconditionally.
Truth to be told she had gone to Cassius to negotiate as she had promised Killian. But the way he dragged her family in the mess, fanned her anger.
'Did he think he could threaten me by using my family against me, hah! Cruel, and inhumane. If I would have been Marianne from the past then I would have hurt Killian to show him he was not the only one who could use family against the other.
"Your highness, dinner." reminded Daisy this time looking at my lost stature.
"I am not hungry." I denied still keeping my eyes on the files.
"But your highness, you have not eaten breakfast and lunch today," she reminded in a fearsome voice.
"It's fine, I am not hungry. Now don't disturb me for a while."
"Is that so?" I heard the voice that had left just a while ago.
"Killian," I finally looked away from the files. He was standing in front of me, in the same white robe which he had worn in the day.
"Good evening your highness" he greeted me, "I thought we had decided to have meals together," he stated tilting his head towards the meal and then at me.
"Aah, right." that's when I remember that I had promised to have every meal with him.
How strange when I was born again, I was so ecstatic to have these delicious meals again. But within a week, I had started skipping meals again as I did in the past.
'Come to think of it, I was even happy to get another chance, as I tried to bear Cassius' indifference, Isabella's schemes once again. Was this even worth trying? I am feeling tired within a week' my eyes dimmed as the pain-filled my heart.
"Your highness, are you okay." Killian came forward and touched my head gently.
Concern was clear in his eyes.
I smiled and nodded, that was the reply my heart was searching for. I was here for those who loved me and those who had started loving me.
"Just a little tired, Killian. How have you been?" I asked with a smile as I stood up to follow him.
"Penny, prepare the dining room, we are going to have dinner together."
"Yes, your highness," she replied with a smile as the maids took the diner back following her.
"I have been fine, your highness. The second in commandant of the first knight team trained me today for sword-wielding," he replied with a smile.
"He is a fine man, I suppose he is training you well."
"Yes, your highness. We are preparing for this year's royal competition. The winner would get a chance to be a knight before age."
Okay, that stopped me in my tracks, "Killian you are too young, to be a knight." I said strictly.
He laughed. "Your highness I am 11, and I will be 12 at the end of this year."
"And you think it's enough! at least wait till 15 years of age.'' I strictly denied his ideas.
"His highness is training me for a year now, at the age of 15 I had to be the head of the first order of knights," he replied, shaking his hands.
"Then wait for two more years." I negotiated.
"Alright, I will try to do that, your highness." although he replied affirmatively yet I could see he was not taking the matter seriously.
As we reached the dining hall, we sat there in silence having our dinner, thanks to my instructions to Lina, Kate and norma.
No mistakes ever happened after the first incident.
"Your highness, why were you looking so worried?" he asked, about the time when he had entered the office.
"I am good, Killian. Just some normal work pressure." I lied, but I don't want him to enter in the mess especially when he had a soft corner for his so-called aunt.
He looked straight into my eyes, sometimes I feel he knew more than he showed. His sharp eyes could bore holes in anyone's soul.
Though his face show that he did not believe a single word I said, he still nodded,
"Come let's have dinner, I have asked the chef to make everything of your choice," I said as the maid put the steak in front of us.
"Did you like it?" I asked as he started eating in a good mood.
He nodded and smiled,
"So tell me more about your study."
"Oh, but we are eating your highness," he replied confused,
Damn rule to stay silent while eating,
"It's fine Killian, only we are here, and I feel bored all day. Sitting upright, straight, making the straight face and following norms. I don't want to do it anymore." and to prove my point I leaned on my chair in an unladylike manner.
The maid widened her eyes and so did he. He looked around as I tried my best to not laugh. He was behaving like his mother had stolen something and now he had to keep guard on the eyewitnesses.
"Come on, it's not that difficult. Try Killian." I encouraged him, as he bit his lip.
Slowly his body twitched as he tried to move back and dropped his shoulders. His expressions and posture were like someone had put a sword on his neck to force him to relax a bit.
I laughed, as I could not control any more and he immediately sat straight like an arrow darted cutting the air.
"Oh my haha" all the tensions and insecurities left my body at his funny acts.
"Don't laugh at me," he said to me with a pout.
And I laughed more, this time he followed too.
We were so immersed in this moment that we didn't even notice that he had forgotten the formal greetings.