Awkwardness

Jerome's surprised voice wrung loudly across the room.

They turned around and find Jerome, Rico, and Trina rooted on the ground.

They couldn't believe what they were seeing, even hearing their conversation felt like a whole new thing. Has he become a normal person now?

His father has always taken that chance away from him, he has always taught him how to become a cruel and cold king in the future with no heart, he wanted his son to follow in his footsteps.

"Don't worry tell me you are jealousy Jero?"

" Who would be jealous of you my King, do you not understand? Seeing a heartless man having a heartbeat is just a miracle!" He retorted back at him with a surprised tone but still...

All along, even if he was elated only the corners of his mouth would curve a little upwards most of the time. But now...

They were seeing a whole new transformed person, it's like meeting a devil for the last time and you are in awe at how handsome he is not as he is portrayed to be.

The maids didn't even raise their heads, but they were really surprised, though they were treated better than the maids in other kingdoms they have never witnessed the king's display of affection before. The heartwarming laughter was a site to be remembered.

His rosy cheeks, handsome and beautiful face, and white chisel teeth it was well imprinted into her mind. She was jealous of this.

To Rico, Jerome and Trina their once-forgotten prince was back, their hearts warmed up to him, at last, he had found someone who could tame him and affect him this much.

This side suits him more.

God knows how long they have been standing there, they didn't even want to disturb their harmonious lunch at least not until Jerome couldn't control his curiosity.

Drey looks at Jerome in disdain this great and mighty commander never knew manners he still looks like his childish fashion who always finds trouble with everyone. And asking the questions even if he sees them in front of him.

Why did even Richy inform him he was here, he search for Richy and found him rooted at the door too, he glared at him and the young man shivered.

" Don't scare him, Drey, Trina wanted to see her and have lunch together since she refused to take it earlier and waited for her," Rico said pointing at Kira as he proceed to sit, Trina's hand intertwined with his.

"I think am the only one here yet to display my love affections! I know you all will be jealous of me at that time?" Jerome boosted his ego higher than the two people in front of their women shamelessly.

" I have always thought you are the masters of their hearts when you visit the brothels. I didn't know you are still a one-man soul," Drey hit him hard.

He assumed he and his gaze settled on the plumb woman, with ice blue eyes, slight plumb, and long curvy hair she was a breathtaking one, he has never thought a woman adding weight will look this attractive until now.

'So this is where he has been disappearing to, he has eyes for a gem,' he thought as he moved forward to greet the lady he stretch his hand. "Am Jerome Martins, what's your name, beautiful?"

"Huh!"

"Why do some people like coating death?" Trina couldn't believe her ears and whispered to Rico.

"Should we be helping him?" she asked again feeling pity for him.

"We have warned him earlier not to interfere, let him taste the mixture of his poison," he replied to her as the maids served them lunch.

"Kira Winger."

A slow yet dignified voice came up.

The atmosphere in the room turned tense.

They look at him but he pulls her plate and adds more food to it.

Jerome's hand remained hanging in the air, such a possessive man indeed. Find a man's weakness and you will see he's the true self. They all said that.

Rico heard that but comment nothing, however, he still wondered how come he never thought he will beat him in claiming someone publicly.

"Since when Drey?"Jerome didn't accept defeat that quickly.

"Since the day you found it out."

"Hmm"

He proceeds to sit with a sullen expression.

"How are you feeling now Kira? I came looking for you earlier but someone was so possessive of your beauty sleep and chased me away," Trina break the silence at last.

"I heard about that am sorry, and am feeling less tired now," Kira responded to her as she put a piece of cake in her mouth.

She has eaten all the food he had put on her plate, and she wanted to walk out to take some fresh air now.

Drey looked at her and was satisfied by the view of her round cheeks. He smirked proudly. The food in his mouth was tastier today.

"I heard you are going to stay here in the castle, I will be taking you around after this," Trina added happily at least he has a woman now as a friend in here.

"Yeah, for three to four days at most," she answered wiping her mouth.

Rico and Jerome both look at Drey but the King was busy with his food, let her plan but he will be the one with the last stand.

"Did the manager at the farm be informed about you being absent? Richy replied to Trina while eating quietly beside Kira.

"What about the grandfather he is going to feel lonely plucking the wild fruit alone in the mountains?"

"What?!"Jerome exclaimed.

Kira looked Jerome's way and her gaze came to settle on Richy she knew he work extra hard he must already inform the people she cared about.

"Did you just say at the mountains?"Jerome still wanted to know.

"Yes, what's wrong with that?" Does look looks at this dumb man why come he can't keep his mouth shut?

"Has she already been introduced to grandfather as a future queen of Rivea and I haven't?"

"What grandfather? Do you also know him?" Kira asked surprised that all of them are acquainted with that old man yet he has never seen Jerome visiting him before.

'Or maybe he does come when am not around she thought.'

Drey's eyes flew to Jerome's questioning eyes, he quickly put the pieces together and he couldn't believe it,' hasn't he told her about his only family yet??'

This felt awkward Kira felt the gazes on her as she turn into Drey's face, he looked apologetic towards her but she has already guessed what was happening.

"Excuse me," she said politely as he move out of the room. Her mind was so filled up and adding another mystery to it felt like it will soon explode.

She moved out not knowing where exactly she was going but still she proceed, the hallway was way too silent and this gave her lost brain a break from the glares of the maid.

******

Inside the dining room.

The people inside seemingly forgot to breathe wordlessly and stared at Drey.

Drey looked back at them, his firm gaze void of any emotions.

They felt a sudden surge of emotions and their heartfelt pounding so hard. They were struggling to breathe. Their eyes turned scared how come his only happy day comes to an end even before it started?

Drey didn't even know how to react to so many emotions.....more than two decades had passed without introducing someone to his family. Grandfather has always warned him not to hide things from himself

He was hoping to introduce her soon after the whole killing has calmed down. Even grandfather was yawning for a granddaughter-in-law.

He has always been on his neck fearing her grandson doesn't know how to approach women, he didn't say this aloud but Drey surely sees it when he will always about Trina and Rico's relationship.

He walked aimlessly up to the top floor and the balcony. He breathed in the fresh air as he closed his eyes. No one knew what was going on inside his mind. When he opened them again the dark eyes were filled with loneliness she felt too far yet near but he can't even touch her.

He yawn for her so much, he still remembered the young girl who was hiding in the bushes with a small boy when the fight broke killing everyone in her family.

When he arrived there with Rico they were too late but still, they saved those two and a few people in their kingdom before bringing them to Rivea.

The young girl looked brave at that time, she was adamant and stayed in the mountains where she met with her grandfather to pluck some wild fruits. When the old man saw he hasn't introduced him as his family he just sit back and watched the show.

Drey knew very well the old man was not dumb but he was still full of himself and continues to play hard but now, 'aaaahh!' He screamed inside his head.

'It's so hard'.