Chapter 52: What did you do?

Aaron cleared his throat.

Before him, the woman spoke. "D-do have a seat, Your Majesty, Sir," she looked at Charles.

He and Charles took their seats on a sofa and she too, sat on the opposite one.

"What is your name, miss?" Aaron

asked her.

"Tamira, Your M-majesty."

Tamira. A pleasant name.

"Don't you have a family?"

She shook her head. "My mother p-passed away last year."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Aaron decided to speak genuinely to her. "Miss Tamira, why do you think those people suspected you to be a witch?"

She averted her eyes. Her posture straightened like a tree. Aaron could say that the queation took her off guard. He dragged his eyes to her ankles which were covered by her long skirts. Now that he paid attention there, he realized she wore skirts lengthier that her height. Even yesterday, her skirts had easily hid her ankles.

Aaron leaned forward, placing his hand on his kness. "Miss Tamira, just a few days ago, I found a few families of witches in the forest".

She straightened even further.

"They told me that people in my kingdom harms them and didn't let them be in peace. I gave them a job and a home to stay, away from the town."

Tamira's eyes shot up at him. She wrinkled her brows. It looked like she wanted to say something but couldn't decipher what.

"I am the king, Miss Tamira. And this kingdom is mine. And so, every person who lives here is under my shelter and is my responsibility. I assure you, no matter what you are, if you haven't harmed anyone, you are safe."

Miss Tamira kept looking at him with wide, fearful eyes. Aaron decided to be patient amd let her speak when she was ready.

And then she did.

"I-I have heard about your k-kindness, Your Majesty. You never let in-injustice befall upon a-anyone."

Aaron softened his gaze. She was trying to talk to him freely. "I give you my word, Miss Tamira. I won't let any injustice befall upon you. But I would like to know the truth."

She averted her eyes again and fidgeted with her hands. Aaron looked at Charles who sat and stared blankly at the room. When he met Aaron eyes, his gaze told him that he was going on the right way.

Aaron sighed and waited until she spoke.

"I-I-have a-a"

Aaron nooded, encouraging her.

"I have a-a s-symbol on my ankle. I w-went to the m-market to b-buy something and -"

The woman began to shiver. She clutched her shawl tightly. It seemed even her legs were shaking. Aaron alertly looked at Charles. The old man shook his head, not knowing what's happening.

Was it because of unease?

"Miss Tamira," Aaron stopped her, raising his palms up. "If you are not comfortable talking now, I can come later,"

Perhaps it was too hard for her to speak just now.

"You have a rest," Aaron continued. "No need to stress yourself." He and Charles stood up. They began to move towards the door.

Before Aaron could touch the latch, the door burst open and Miss Mariana's beautiful face greeted him. He blinked.

What was she doing here?

What was he doing here? Mariana blinked and then her eyes widened. Was he here for the woman?

Oh no! Was he really a womanizer?

"Your eyes will pop out if they widen more," the king said with a smirk.

She blinked. "Why are you here, Your Majesty?"

She looked at Mr. Charles behind. The king wouldn't bring him if he had any bad intentions, would he?

Then, she looked inside and she found the woman, shivering to her core, her skin had turned crimson.

Mariana threw a glared at the king. "What did you do?"

"What-"

Mariana pushed the king's shoulder aside and ran towards the woman.

She sat beside her, caressing her shivering arms. "Are you alright? What's wrong?"

The woman clutched Mariana's hand tightly, holding her in a death grip.

Mariana glared at the king again. He eyed her, frowning. What did he think of himself? Being a king didn't mean he could do anything with anyone?

"How can you be so indespicable?" She couldn't help but say.

He parted his lips as though he was listening something unbelievable..

"And you, Mr. Charles," she looked at the strict man. "You could've stopped him."

He looked at the king and blinked.

"Miss Mariana, you-"

"I do not want to hear anything," she stopped the king. Unable to contain her fury, she pointed a finger at him as she continued speaking. "Do you even know how people praises you behind your back. But just like all men, you too, are a pervert. You don't-"

"No", the woman clutching her hand spoke in a low voice. Mariana looked at her. She was now a bit stable.

Mariana patted her back. "Are you feeling alright?"

The woman swallowed and nodded. Her trembling lips parted trying to speak. "Y-you are m-misunderstanding, M-Miss M-mariana," her wide torquiose eyes looked at her. "T-the king was here t-to ask about my i-injuries."

Mariana froze.

All rage she was feeling for the king after seeing a helpless, shivering lady evaporated with a jerking speed, leaving behind a bitter shame.

Did she just blame the king for a totally filthy thing he didn't do?

She swallowed. Grasping some strength, she dragged her eyes at the king.

His lips were pursed in a thin line, his eyes were looking elsewhere. Everywhere but at her.

The woman squeezed her hands. "It's okay. Anyone would have t-thought the same t-thing after seeing me so."

Mariana smiled at the woman.

"Your Ma-majesty", the woman spoke looking at the king. "Forgive me, I -I got upset recalling yesterday's events."

The king raised up a palm. "No need to ask for forgiveness. It's completely understandable."

"P-please do have a seat."

"It's alright, Miss Tamira. If you are not comfoftable about sharing that now, then I can come later." He looked at Mariana and that gaze told her he was to ask the woman, Miss Tamira, as he had said, something very secret.

Perhaps, Mariana should leave them alone. "I can go, you can talk privately."