The Ash-Haired Lady

Guzheng Port-

"My king. She's still unconscious."

The man, dressed in a plain white robe of a royal with few silver jewels to adorn it glared at the one who spoke. "I didn't ask," he muttered and continue reading the book he's been holding. He had been reading it for the past couple of hours since they found the woman.

Adil whistled and grinned as he crossed his arms; mumbling. "You're obviously waiting for her to wake up. You're holding a book but you kept glancing at her. In the past, you can read a book in just half an hour. And yet, you're holding that book for more than two hours already. Then, you're saying you're not waiting for her to wake up-"

His eyes widened and lips glued immediately, finding his master glaring at him with creased brows.

"I…I remembered you order me to feed the horse, my king. I shall do it now! Please excuse me!" And there, he run as fast as he could to escape the threatening death glare his master was giving him.

"Silly boy. He really couldn't stop his habit of mumbling just anything to himself," the old woman in plain clothes commented as she chuckled. She went to the table where the king was and served the desserts she made.

"Nanny Elis. You're already old. Stop tiring yourself anymore." though he said it, the king still dropped his book and took a bite on the desserts she made.

And this made the old lady smile approvingly. "Little Cavi. It's because I am already old that I want to make your favorites as long as I could. I don't even know when I could do this no more."

Her words made King Cavi pressed his lips together as his brows knotted. He again continued reading his book, and instantly, Nanny Elis knew he didn't like what she said.

"Also, if I don't cook for you, you'll barely eat anything. You're the king of our homeland, Little Cavi. Take care of your health more. Or take a woman that will help me take care of you even if I die…"

A tea cup was hardly placed on the table. Cavi didn't want this conversation anymore.

"Nanny Elis. Since you already knew I am the king, please stop calling me 'Little Cavi' anymore. Cavi will do."

Though his tone was too plain and cold, no hint of joke, the old woman laughed. She stood up and walked towards the bed where a woman was sleeping.

"She's a beauty, isn't she?" she asked, intently observing the king's reaction. However, like always, there was nothing to see. She could only shake her head by then.

Looking back to the girl, she sat to the bedside and held her hand. "Not bad. A soft and delicate hands. Looks like she's from a noble family at least. Her hands didn't show any signs of having tasted work."

She waited for Cavi's response but still, the king kept his silence.

'Still pretending in reading his book,' she thought and grinned.

Her eyes wandered towards the girl's face and couldn't help a gasp. "Though she's a beauty, this hair color of hers looks like…"

"Ash hair," Cavi continued, his eyes diverted towards the lady. "And the only one with this hair color is the royal bloodline of that perished empire. Or at least their people." Finally, Cavi's remark about the lady was heard. Like Nanny Elis, he was staring at the lady now; observing and thinking.

Though unlike her, he didn't show any signs of admiration to the girl's beauty just like everyone else who saw her.

"You're right." Nanny Elis nodded. "But that empire and the imperial bloodline was wiped off many centuries ago. How could there be any descendant left?"

"That's why she's suspicious."

Nanny Elis snapped her head towards the king. "Are you planning to investigate her?!"

There was no response. At last, she stood up and collected the plate of desserts. It was empty.

"I shall take my leave now, your majesty. It's already near noon. Please don't skip your meals anymore."

As soon as the nanny left, Cavi walked towards the lady who's unconscious. Though she seemed peaceful, her hands were tightly gripping at the blanket like as if it will save her life from a danger that was chasing her.

His brows knotted even more. "Who are you?"

***

"My king! My king! She's a…wa…ke…" Adil's words trailed off as soon as he found out that his master wasn't the only one in the meeting hall. He thought the meeting was over. Or perhaps, he was just too excited to report the news.

Discovering he just made a mistake, he covered his mouth and turned back. Yet, King Cavi spoke.

"Come here. Tell me about it."

"Y-yes, my king!" hurrying to his side with eyes watching them since he just interrupted an important meeting, he knelt beside King Cavi and whispered in his ear.

"She just woke up, my king. She said she was thankful that you helped her. But she needed to go to…to…whatever. She said she was finding someone."

'Escaping so soon?' he thought sarcastically and his lips pressed in a thin line.

"Adil. Don't let her go. Tell her to meet me first at the Yuan Pavilion and I'll help her find whoever she's looking for."

"Understood, my king!"

As Adil left, one pair of eyes met Cavi's eyes which he knew had been staring at them since his guard arrived.

"Who is 'she' that waked up that your guard is so excited about, Your majesty?" Crown Prince Raziel asked with a grin playing in his lips. He was leaning into the table with an elbow on it, a glass of liquor in one hand. Again, he was causing unfavorable comments about him in the meeting hall.

Cavi planned to ignore him and continue the meeting that he was leading. Yet, the naughty crown prince wasn't just stopping.

"Perhaps, did you also find a beauty? Just like King Derian? Oh! How lucky for both of you. I hope, I will find a beauty too!" grinning, Raziel teased. He really wasn't planning to let him off just like that.

"Crown Prince," King Cavi spoke with an obvious distaste in his tone, making Raziel enjoy it even more. It was just rare to make him show his emotions. Especially when he's mad.

"I'm sure you won't need to find a woman anymore. Cause they will find you instead."

"Thank you, your majesty for praising me. though I don't deserve such honor."

"Hmp! Such a disgrace!"

"Jerk. How shameless is he really?"

"For sure, the Fyr Kingdom will only stoop lower when he becomes the king. What a pity…"

Though hearing the ministers' comments, the grin in his eyes still didn't fade. Sometimes, Cavi was wondering. 'Is this man really doesn't have a dignity or pride in himself?'

Clearing his throat, King Cavi raised his hand to silence them. "Just like our ancestor's custom, we will hold the cerebration of Sea Hunt three days later. It's good that King Derian will arrive tomorrow. As for the others, prepare yourselves."

Standing up, all officials rise too and bowed to the king.

"Take care, your majesty!"

Without looking back anymore, Cavi went towards his palace. It's time to interrogate that woman.