A DIARY

Days passed, and Kian grew increasingly restless. The only thing gnawing at him was Hazel, and to make matters worse, she seemed to be thriving while he was struggling. Was it meant to be this way? Why did she move through life with such a carefree demeanor, flashing smiles as if nothing troubled her?

He couldn't stand it any longer; he needed to take action. Curiosity about her stirred within him—he found her intriguing, and he wanted to uncover more about her.

Instead of approaching Hazel directly, he decided to reach out to another woman, one he often saw by Hazel's side—her friend, Emily.

****

While we toiled in the bushes, ripping out the overgrown weeds that had begun to overshadow the flowers in the garden, the rainy season facilitated rapid plant growth. Emily and I worked diligently with gloved hands, pulling weeds aggressively. Fortunately, we weren't baking in the sun, or I would have been at my wit's end.

Suddenly, a maid rushed toward us, and I watched her with growing curiosity. She approached Emily directly.

"Emily, the king demands your presence in his chamber," the maid announced. Emily stared at her blankly for a moment, clearly astonished. It was unexpected for the king to summon her. Her lips parted in disbelief before a smile broke through. He had finally noticed her.

She rose almost hurriedly, her excitement visible and I rolled my eyes at her whims.

"I'm coming," she turned her gaze towards me, and I nodded, returning to my work as Emily followed the maid.

I couldn't help but wonder what the king wanted and why he called for her alone. What could be his intention?

Even though I didn't want to feel this way, I could feel jealousy crawling underneath my skin. The thought of them alone and together in his chamber brought a sense of unease. I could only focus on my work as the sounds of their footsteps faded.

****

Emily trailed behind the maid, a smile on her face as she discarded her dirty gloves at once.

She licked her lips, tucked her hair behind her ear, and smoothed down her skirt—a standard maid outfit, featuring a lengthy bohemian-style skirt and a cropped top that reached halfway down her waist, embellished with pearl-like trimmings. As they walked, she caught a glimpse of her reflection and felt a thrill, her heart racing at the thought of what could unfold in the king's chamber.

They arrived at the chamber, and the maid opened the door for them. Emily stepped inside, her gaze lowered respectfully.

"Your majesty, she's here," the maid announced before curtsying and leaving to fulfill her other duties.

Kian stood shirtless, clad only in loose pants—his body emanating freshness after a bath following his daily swim. The scent of wood, spice, and heat clung to him, exuding a magnetic allure.

He shifted his gaze to meet Emily's. "Emily, is that correct?" he asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Emily replied, cheeks flush as he used her name. She kept her eyes cast downward, aware of her position.

"What do you know about Hazel?" Kian inquired, his tone deceptively gentle, urging her to divulge everything about the woman he sought to learn about.

Emily's expression shifted slightly, disappointment creeping in as she lowered her shoulders. So, it was indeed about his mate—of course. She cleared her throat and answered. Why had she gotten all excited for nothing?

"She's nice, likes to help with work, eats a lot, and her farts are quite unpleasant."

Kian's eyebrows shot up for a moment before a faint smirk crossed his lips. He chuckled, surprising Emily, who had never heard him laugh. The sound sent a delightful shiver through her, and she kept talking about Hazel, weaving ever more ridiculous tales, motivated by a desire to irritate him. Instead, he appeared more intrigued.

"She can be careless and slow and sometimes appears dumb. I think she's weak, I mean she cannot work several minutes without getting tired and running to the kitchen to get food"

"That's all I know about her, your Majesty," she concluded, having spun a web of absurdities, but he was only amused.

"Interesting. You may leave," he commanded, but Emily hesitated. She was reluctant to exit, yearning for more time with him despite her fabrications. She craved to hear him laugh again.

"Uhm, your majesty. Please forgive me for this," she ventured, drawing his attention back to her.

"What is it?" he replied, slightly curious.

"If you want to know more about Hazel, she enjoys writing in a book. I could bring it for you if you wish."

A diary? Kian mused silently, his brow furrowing in contemplation. He understood better than anyone the sanctity of such a personal treasure, yet an insatiable curiosity clawed at him from within.

He stole a glance at the woman who had casually suggested the idea, noting her confident demeanor and the flicker of mischief. It seemed harmless enough to delve into her written thoughts; perhaps within those pages, he might uncover secrets or insights about her that he had never known.

"Bring it," he finally said.

Emily's face lit up with a knowing smile, a gleam of satisfaction dancing in her eyes. She understood this was not just a simple exchange of words; it was an invitation for her to return to him.

As she contemplated her next move, a wave of determination washed over her. If only she possessed the allure of Hazel, then things would have been easier.