"She's too weak to do that 'thing', Your Majesty."

"She's fine now that she had woken up. You don't need to fret anymore, your majesty. She just needed enough rest and care."

"Thank you, Imperial Doctor Jin. You've worked hard these days. I will surely reward you when we're back at the palace."

The old doctor bowed to the king as he paused in fixing his materials. "It's my work, your majesty. I will be glad to do my best."

Again, King Derian stared at the sleeping woman. Unlike the way he stared the past days, he was more relieved now and less anxious. Looking at his action, the old doctor couldn't help but smile.

"Let me just remind you, your majesty. Never let this woman be exposed to the cold again. she had been drifting in this freezing weather on the waters and it may affect her health in the future. Especially if you're planning to take her as your woman."

With the doctor's playful advice, King Derian's face flushed like a teen-age boy; making the people inside his cabin giggle. Even the imperial guards were having hard time suppressing their grin. It was just hard to find a chance to tease this king of theirs.

"It wasn't like that, doctor!" the king protested but the doctor only raised his brows and picked up his medicine box.

"I will take my leave now, your majesty." Though he said that, he actually wasn't planning to leave without teasing the king again. "Oh. By the way," he said, making the young men which includes the king look at him. "My king. Please be careful with the young woman. She's still weak and if you do that 'thing', she might not be able to take it. I understand a young man's desire but… tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Goodbye, your majesty."

This time, all the imperial body guards and some servants giggled with the old doctor's teasing and their king's reaction.

Remembering the scene his people saw when they entered his cabin, Derian couldn't help but feel heated up. "What thing? What thing are you talking about?!" he protested by it was only heard by none.

Actually, the old doctor was the royal family's doctor. Thus, he grew up with him. the reason why the old man could tease the king without fearing he might be beheaded if he would felt insulted.

"What?" he mouthed to his imperial guards with a raised brow and though they acted stiff again, still the smirk and the grin on their lips didn't fade.

Though unlike them, there were only two souls who wasn't happy with what's happening.

"Lady Hailey. I didn't expect you here. What is it that made you come?" Derian asked, noticing the eldest lady of the noble family, Porta.

Aware of the situation between the king and the noble lady, the imperial guars and the servant all went serious as they sensed the tension in the air.

"I have something to talk to you, your majesty. In…private if you allow."

Thinking for a second, Derian nodded and turned to his subjects. "All of you may leave."

"Yes, your majesty!"

***

"I think it's not appropriate for that woman to stay in your cabin your majesty. Both of you are still unmarried and it may create rumors to spread." With a concerned look, Lady Hailey commented. Her tone admitted her carefulness as she observed Derian's reaction though in any occasion, he was never irritated or got angry with her. he's just the gentlest man in the world.

Though inside her, she wished he would stop treating her like she's always a guest.

"You're right, Lady Hailey. It is indeed inappropriate. Rumors might get spread and it will damage her reputation."

'I wasn't caring about her reputation! I was talking about yours!" Hailey wanted to shout at him but she only ended up gripping tightly at her dress.

"Why don't we let her stay in my cabin your majesty? It will be more appropriate than staying in yours?" she suggested, a fake smile on her lips.

Derian shook his head. "No. It's better for her to stay in my cabin. She's still weak and needed more attention and care. Instead, I'll move to another cabin."

"You're majesty! That's-"

"It's already settled, Lady Hailey. Don't speak anymore. still, I'm grateful for your kindness." With his smile, Hailey could only nod and stare at the floor. He shouldn't see her grim reaction.

"By the way, I need your help with something."

Lifting her head, the idea of being needed by the king instantly change her mood. "What is it, your majesty?"

"I want you to arrange a feast. It will be held when the lady had enough rest. It's a miracle that she escaped death's claw so I want everyone to celebrate. Besides, I want to welcome her…" with a little smile on his lips, Derian glanced at the lady sleeping on his bed. Though she wasn't too visible because of the silk curtain.

"You mean, that lady?" her bitterness was even greater but Derian was just too mesmerized by the sleeping lady that he didn't noticed it.

"Yes. I'm counting on you, Lady Hailey. I know you're the best in this area." Hailey almost jumped when he suddenly tapped her head lightly, just like he does when they were still kids.

Nodding, she bowed and take her leave. She was walking on the hallway with Anne behind her when she stopped. Placing her hand on her head, she looked back; staring at the door she just walked from.

"You patted my head again after seven years. But you only did it because that woman made you happy…" biting her lips, she crumpled her fist and marched away.

***

Shore of the Western Sea, Guzheng Port-

"Why is King Derian still not here? The celebration for the end of Sea Hunt is weeks away."

"Reply to King Cavi, king of Frost Kingdom. A letter from our ship who was following their vessel reported that the king of Rian Kingdom had saved a woman from the sea. It was said that he was smitten by her because of her beauty so they are slowing down. They will be holding a feast tonight."

"A feast?! For an unknown woman? That's interesting… Isn't it, King Cavi?" The sudden interruption of a man's voice almost made the governor of Guzheng Port jump from his seat. Unlike the ministers in this hall, Governor Almar served no king since the Guzheng Port was owned by no kingdom. They were the only independent state in the whole continent.

When he glanced at the hall's door, he was surprised to see a silver-haired man. 'This man is wearing a royal suit and with the same hair color with king Cavi. Is he perhaps, his brother?' the man wondered.

All the ministers rose from their seats and greeted the newly arrived man. "Greetings, Crown Prince Razier of Fyr (pronounced as fire) Kingdom."

"So, he's from the Fyr kingdom…" Governor Almar thought. He watched the grinning crown prince walked towards King Cavi without being intimidated by his presence. Out of all the kings in the continent, king Cavi was the most fearsome because of his authority and coldness.

Raziel sat on the seat beside the king though supposedly, the three seats on the hall was intended for the three kings of the three kingdoms.

"King Cavi, look. Aren't you curious? What kind of beauty does that woman have to make a king fall for her? why don't we join their party?" his grin was only on one side, as he signaled the servant to pour him a liquor. When he accepted the glass, he purposely touched the servant's hand, making her blushed.

This behavior of him made King Cavi shook his heads and look away.

"Tell King Derian that he can take his time as much as he wants but he shouldn't be late on the celebration."

"Understood, your majesty!" replied Governor Almar as he bowed.

Glancing at the man beside him who's busy flirting, Cavi cleared his throat and said, "As for you, Crown Prince Raziel, I know that you are already bored. I will soon deliver women to serve you in your hall."

With a smirk, the crown prince bowed to the king. "Thank you, King Cavi. I know you care for me but I have other plans." With an excuse, the young man left the hall; earning rumors from the ministers.

"How arrogant! What do we expect from a crown prince of a wasted kingdom?!" they could only shake their heads in dismay.

Cavi rose from his seat too and left the hall. As he was walking on the hallway, he stopped on the terrace where he could see the blue sea. It was reflecting the color of the sky which was a wonder since when you were actually in the sea, the sky was nothing but gray.

"A woman? That's unusual…" he whispered. Though he doesn't admit it, he's as intrigued as Crown Prince Raziel. "I wish I could attend the party, too. Raziel might be sailing to the sea by now."