How fascinating_

   " Morning Alicea!" 

   Ah! A bit startled I turn to see who greeted in such a cheerful manner. I quickly inspected where the sound might have come from. I set my gaze to a dresser. His majesty's head popped up from the dresser. 

   "Good morning your majesty" I bowed as I greeted back.

    He bore a sheepish smile and scratched his head. 

    " I startled you didn't I. M-my apologies" he apologized. 

    " Oh no your majesty. Your maidservant should have noticed his majesty when entering" I said trying to smile a little.

     I managed to get a faint smile. I have to admit that I am still trying the waters. For I have been betrayed by gentle smiles and kind gestures. I won't repeat the mistake. I approach the king still smiling faintly. Then I stopped so that there would be a respectable amount of space between us.  

     " So uhh... What do you think would suit me better, this white outfit or this dark emerald outfit?" the king asked. 

     I look to the outfits that he mentioned. The white outfit consist of a long tunic like dress, an underskirt, a shawl of sheer gold fabric then it was accompanied by simple yet stunning gold jewlery which contained a simple diadem adorned with rubies and leather sandals that had scarlet embroidery. The dress was ligthly embroidered with gentle curls of ruby coloured thread and made of silk. The other was the emerald outfit. That was clearly a two piece outfit. It consist of a loose semi sheer dark emerald coloured drapey croptop that tighten nearing the abdomen, drapey bell shaped pants made of dark bluish green silk then accompanied by silver and platinum jewlery. Hard to decide since both of the outfits are rather pleasant to look at. 

     " In your maidservant's humble opinion it depends on what his majesty is going to do today" I answer his majesty partly averting eye contact. 

      His majesty nods in understanding. He then asked a servant about his schedule for today. Apparently the servant told him that today there wasn't much to do today.

       "So how about now Alicea, which outfit should I choose?" he asked whimsicly. 

       What on earth?! I must admit that the information didn't make this any easier. Is this some kind of a trap? How much would it matter if I choose any of the two outfits? Even though I don't trust him I still want to serve him properly. If I don't I would bring dishonor to my mentors and mother who have taught me to be honourable. I look to the outfits again. 

       "Hmm... In your maidservant's opinion the white outfit would fit best for today. Since it is less body hugging and loose " I finally answered.  

       I look to his majesty. I hope I chose the right outfit and pleased him. His majesty was considering my suggestion a bit- 

       "Then I'l choose the one you suggested Alicea" his majesty said smiling and his eyes gentle. 

       Phew! I chose the right outfit. While holding my arm I nod to him. Then the servant takes the white outfit and gives it to his majesty. His head disappears behind the dresser. After few minutes he slides out from the dresser. He then did a.. little happy dance? It made the the seravant gently giggle and his majesty giggled along. What a peculiar king. He had a happy smile. Content with the choice of clothing that was chosen. To my own surprise the short underskirt was actually an overskirt. Then put some jewlery on. The simple diadem I mentioned beforhand then a necklace and some simple bracelets. He was now fully dressed. Then the servants exited the bedcamber. Maybe I should go too to leave him alone to enjoy his breakfast. I started to also get out- 

       "Wait Alicea!" his majesty called. 

       I stopped midway and turned to him. 

       "Yes your majesty?" I asked.  

       "Could you keep me company" he asked with and awkward smile while fidgeting with his hands. 

       "Why yes your majesty" I answered him.  

       Sweat trickled my back and my hands started to also get sweaty. Oh how unnerving this is. I am still getting used to this since I'm still recovering from what happened the day before yesterday. His majesty then waived me to come to him. My heart was racing like an fleeing horse. I barely managed to some what confidently walk to him. He then got to the balcony where the breakfast I brougth was. He then sat down to the table. Conveniently there was two chairs so I sat down on the chair opposite to him. I looked out to the scenery. I looked out to the whole kingdom how as far as my eyes could see. Wow! This is such a vast kingdom with colourful architecture unlike at home where the architecture was mostly white, gray or beige with little pops of colour from flowers and wood accents. 

       "So, have you eaten anything yet?"his majesty asked. 

       I turned my head at him. 

       "Oh. Uhm. Yes I have your majesty" I answered.

"May this king know what his beautiful maidservant ate for breakfast?" he asked leaning back on the chair relaxed. 

He was smiling trying to withold his laughter but gradually failing. Hahaha, how silly. A smile blossomed on my lips from his majesty's way of asking. 

"Goat cheese tomato soup with flat bread and tea your majesty" I answered smiling. 

"It's just that there's enough for both of us since I thought that incase you haven't eaten yet you could eat with me" he expained.  

"But of course you've already eaten" he added his voice hinting dissappointment. 

His majesty looked out to the scenery. I also look out. The town was bustling, the cool morning breeze balancing the scorching sun. Birds singing gentle songs. The ravishing smell of the heavily seasoned food travels up my nose. His majesty has started to eat. I am still admiring the scenery to distract myself from him. As I look out I observe the people of this apparently great kingdom. Men, women and children smiling in the bustling town. That was my goal before being conquered due to ten years of national debt. I let out a deep sigh. But now the only thing I must do first is to survive in here. 

"Awwichia, mwu shr ju nnt hungwi? (Alicea, you sure you're not hungry?)" his majesty asked his mouth full of food. I turn to him. 

"Pardon?". I can barely understand what he said. 

His majesty swallows his food. 

"You sure you're not hungry?". 

Hhmm... Should I just decline his majesty? But since he prepared so much food, it would such a waste to throw it out. Or is this some kind of a test? Would it just be wiser to just decline? Wait! His majesty did say that he prepared on purpose for both of us. But I don't think I am exactly hungry per say. 

"Your maidservant is fine since I have already eat---" 

*Alicea's stomach rumbles.....Oh goodnes gracious!! I quickly turn my head to my right. My cheeks start to burn and I clench my hands. Oh the great shame I have brought to myself. Will I ever recover from this humiliation? At the heat of my embarrassment his majesty was chuckling. Okay now Ally, brace yourself. Don't let your pride take over. Reluctanly I look back at him. 

"Here, try some" his majesty offered me food happiness beaming from his face.  

It was some kind of bread dipped in some thick chunky paste. I take the bread he offered from his hand. This isn't poisoned right? Well, I can't smell anything fishy. So here we go then. I guess. I eat the bread. Oh! This-This tastes rather scrumptous! The paste on the bread is some sort of bean paste. The bean paste is strongly seasoned with various spices and the blandness of the bread balances well with the paste. This tastes surprisingly blissfull. 

"Sooo...How does it taste?" his majesty inquired rather excited. Like little boy full of excitement, his majesty's fists cupping his face and...Wait! Are his legs wiggling?! Yes..They are. Apparently.

"It's scrumptous your majesty" I answered him calmly.

I wasn't lying to please him. I genuinely liked the taste. A breath of relief brushed by him. Then his smile just widens more revealing his dimples. His majesty's mouth must be quite wide since he already bore such a cheerfull smile. Somehow the corners of my lips perk up upon looking at him. Then his majesty picks up bowl filled with some sort of meat stew that also smelled ravishing. Then he offers it to me. 

"Here, try this also" he said.

I receive the bowl. Then I taste the stew. The stew contained vegetables and chunks of beef and pork. And my goodness! The taste of this stew is just heavenly. I savour the stew in my mouth before swallowing. This time it seems like his majesty didn't need to ask me how the stew was. He just smiled contently. Well to be more specific, he was also eating a mouthfull of food so it kept him quiet. I look at the big tray to see what I should try next. My eyes spotted some interesting buns. I take one of them to try. Then I inspect it more. Turns out it was shaped like a desert rainforest frog! Oh how adorable! Normally I would have started to do a small dance due to it's cuteness. But because I am with a king I must refrain from it, for it is improper etiquette before a king to act like that...

Alaric's pov: Last night after Alaric has gone to his bedchamber

Ooh... Today was a good start. I hope. Alicea seems to have warmed a bit to me. I go to wash up before going to bed. Y'know what? Sometimes wearing elaborated outfits can be such a pain in the butt. Today I wore so much dangling jewelry that it takes forever to take them out without tangling them. An absolute pain when tired. You must be wondering that since I'm the king, why don't I have servants helping me undress. Whelp! The reason is simple. I hate night shifts! So I don't want my servants except me (when needed) and my soldiers to work night shifts. Plus I like the peace and quiet before going to sleep. After finally finishing undressing myself wash myself up. After that I plop on my bed and close my bed curtains making two meter radius of space around me pitch black. I lay my head on my pillow. The cool night breeze blows to my room as I was pondering how I should get closer and to know her better. Hmm...Oh! Now I know. I'm going to invite her to eat breakfast with me. I'll prepare enough food for both of us and have her taste the dishes since I doubt Alicea has had any of them.