Chapter 25: Pure Intentions

"What do you mean, aura?" Ayla asked him.

"What I mean is that you were radiant in the crowd of women," Luke said as he brought out a bottle of wine and a wine glass.

"Do you drink?" He asked as he gave her a glass.

"I can manage," she said as she tilted her wine glass so he could put the wine.

"You are very bold to ask for a king to be at your service," Luke said as he smiled.

"You told me to be myself, and I am making you my friend." She told him, which always keeps him smiling.

"Unless you don't want to be my friend?" Ayla asked him.

"Of course! I want to be your friend," He said as he poured wine into her glass.

"What is that?" Ayla asked as she saw a tube-like object in his bag.

"Oh, that! I think you might not like it because girls in our place find it a bit nonsense," Luke said as he grabbed the object that Ayla mentioned.

"Believe me! I am not like other girls," She said as she wanted to satisfy her curiosity.

"This is a telescope if seafarers have them to view a very far ship. This is used to see what's beyond the sky," Luke said as he set up the telescope he acquired.

"You mean you're obsessed with the stars?" she asked, making him laugh.

"I just find it intriguing as I can only find peace of mind seeing the skies above," Luke replied as he finished setting it up.

"This kept you busy while waiting for me?" Ayla asked as she went closer to him.

"Yep! There are a lot of stars today," He said as he looked at Ayla's eyes and enjoyed his view.

"Can I try?" She asked for his permission first.

"Of course!" he said as he gave him space.

"Don't go away! I need someone to assist me with this because if I break it, you might take my head," Ayla said as she held his arm, making him smile again.

"Okay then, focus on a star you want to see," Luke guided her.

"Hmm... I want to see the brightest star," She said as she pointed at it.

"Okay then... We will direct the telescope to it, then look at it," Luke said as he gave her a space to take a look.

"Wah! It's so beautiful!" She said as she saw what goes beyond the sky.

"Who even came up with an idea like this," She said as she directed the telescope into another star.

"I hope I can get one for myself. I also adore the stars," Ayla said as she looked at the sky full of stars and looked inside the telescope again.

"It's a bit fluttering as someone has the same character as mine," He said as he focused on her.

"We don't fully know each other yet, but your device is indeed marvelous," She said as she slowly moved away.

"You want it?" He said as Ayla was shocked by his sudden question.

"Why? Would you give it to me willingly?" Ayla said as she smiled.

"Then it's yours," He said, which shocked her as no one dared to give her a precious gift except her parents, friends, and Michael.

"Are you sure?!" She was amazed by the King's sudden gift.

"As I told you, you were the first woman who admires this kind of creation, and I am giving it to you as a gift," Luke said as he was so happy looking at her.

"Thank you!!!" She cheered and hugged him out of excitement.

He was shocked by the sudden hug he received, but it made him smile.

"I-I'm sorry," Ayla told him, distancing herself again.

"That's okay," He said as he fixed the telescope in his bag again, and Ayla's stomach grumbled.

"and that," She said as she was embarrassed.

"I was going to bring out the food, but your stomach is faster than my hands," He said as he genuinely smiled.

"It's just that I haven't eaten anything for today," She shared.

"Then let's eat," King Luke said as he brought the food into the basket.

They enjoyed their time together; King Luke's assistant fixed everything while the King insisted on carrying the telescope he gifted her.

"I should be the one carrying that," Ayla said as she reached out to the bag he was holding, but King Luke immediately raised it so she would not take it.

"It's okay. I saw that you are injured because your walk is a bit impaired," King Luke said.

"You had a wife for ten years, but she died of a disease?" She asked him.

"Unfortunately, yes," He replied

"You had a child?" Ayla asked.

"No, she can't bear a child because it might put her and my child in great danger. Her disease was rare and new. That's why she responded to every treatment the doctors gave her, but there is no exact solution," King Luke told her.

"But you're a king. You must provide your people an heir to the throne," She advised.

"Yes, but my marriage is not just to give the people an heir, but I marry for love," King Luke said as he accompanied Ayla to her chambers.

It was an incredible sight on an evening walk, but they never knew they were being observed.

The ladies of Egothedia were happy seeing Ayla with the King, but the Princes and Carlyle didn't like the view.

The Crown Prince saw them on the balcony in the east wing. Carlyle saw them entering the gates, and Prince Elijah saw them as they entered the castle. Seeing Ayla laughing and enjoying her time with the King of Losman is a bit unpleasing for them.

Ayla and King Luke reached her chambers.

"Don't forget my gift," He said as he took her hand and gave her the bag.

"I will keep it safe as it is a precious invention," She said as she hugged the bag.

"Then I shall go back to my chambers," King Luke said as he turned around, and Ayla bowed.

"Had a great time?" Carlyle said as he walked out from the shadows.

"You scared me! And what are you doing there anyways?" Ayla asked as she looked at him.

"I saw you were entering the gates, but I thought I would be able to see you after you two go on separate ways, but it took you a lot of time to walk towards your room," Carlyle told her.

"I have an injury in my left foot, and King Luke is very patient in walking me to my chamber. The King of Losman was telling me about his life and his country. Oh right! What are you going to tell me? Is it something important?" She said as she went towards her door.

"Ye---" he was stopped from talking.

"Ayla! I was thinking!" Elijah said as he walked fast towards her.

"Wh--What's wrong with all of you? You are all acting strange," She said as she opened her door.

"Can you go to the ball with me?" Both of them told her in chorus.

The crown prince heard them in the distance, so he stopped walking toward them and went in the opposite direction.