SMITTEN

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He has just come back to the Castle after visiting the noble men and women who got sick during the wedding ceremony. 

He didn't believe their reports at first. He even doubted that the royal physicians were colluding with them to slander their reputation. 

But he saw with his naked eye how they appeared with their sunken eyes and nauseous state.

It was indeed a disease, which was unfamiliar to him, and absolutely for them. Sickness is very uncommon in Gaea given the rich fertile land and the conducive atmosphere for health and wellness.

Even with his invigorated life lately because of Lady Aisha's presence, he couldn't help but have an inch of doubt. 

'Have I trusted her too easily?' He was pondering before Lady Aisha's servant informed her that she was in Anderida, and she didn't ask for his permission, making him doubt her all the more.

Just then, he heard noises from outside the window, which was a meter away from him. 

His heart thumped as he expected that it was Lady Aisha. He immediately went there to verify. But to his dismay, it was just a group of servants who were laughing at a joke.

It was not surprising since their work hours were already finished, and they were about to retire for the day.

The bell would soon ring, announcing the desired hour of every working servant. 

But Leandro was not in the mood for fun and laughter.

"If you have nothing else to do, go back to your quarters!" He boomed, making the servants jump to their feet in response.

They glanced up and saw the irritable King glaring at them. He was too high up to hear them. But they were not surprised. Their King was a supernatural being after all.

They immediately scrambled to form a line and bowed down to him before they dispersed like lightning.

"Why is the King back to his old self again? Does he have issues with his new royal wife?" One of them whispered to another.

"I don't know. The King's attitude indeed changed because of his new wife. I wish they would solve it quickly. I like him better these past few weeks," the servant that she was talking to replied. 

As they were on their way to their rooms, the cause of everyone's anxiety finally appeared.

Lady Aisha seemed to witness everything. She immediately went upstairs and bowed down to Leandro, "Forgive my actions, my lord. I should've informed you of my whereabouts even if Lord Emilio was already with me."

Leandro couldn't help but feel at ease knowing that Lady Aisha was finally within his line of sight. 

He has no idea if he wanted to see her just because he desired to see her. Or because he wanted to know that she was safe since she was still a female human. Or he wanted to confirm to himself that he made the right decision in trusting her.

He glanced at Lord Emilio, who was also bowing down to him behind her back. 

'If he was with her, then I don't need to worry, don't I?' he pondered before he faced her again.

"Where have you been?" he asked in a serious tone. But it was gentler than when he talked with the servants a while ago.

"I helped a lady give birth to a child," she lifted her head, revealing her beaming face. 

Then she added, "I also bought some herbs for the sick nobles. I already gave them to the lady. But since there were too many, she only used a few of them. Here. I hope these could help."

Her lips lifted into a sweet smile, slowly melting Leandro's skepticism against her. 

"Are you certain this would work?" he asked as he gazed at the herbal plants. 

They were brown, with a corky outer layer and pale-yellow scented center. These were Gingiberis. They were commonly used as spices. But he didn't know if it could cure their illnesses. 

"I don't really know. But you could try. I read that in one of your books. We also have that plant in our country which could cure common stomach illnesses. I remember our butler used to give that to me when I ate a lot of candies," she chuckled, being back to her bubbly old self.

A corner of Leandro's lips twisted up just as a calming wind seemed to pass through him. He didn't know why he would always be affected whenever she was cheerful. 

He drew in a deep breath before he put his hands behind his back. "Thank you for your warm generosity, my lady. What would you like in exchange?"

He was expecting her to ask for more freedom, since it is what she seemed to want at that moment, getting out of the Castle and exploring Gaea. 

He even recalled her saying that before and asking him to accompany her, which he refused because of traditions and his obligations. 

Lady Aisha peeked at Lord Emilio as if she was thinking if she would state her desires out loud.

She made a conclusion to just go over to him and whispered in his ears, "I want to see you enjoy your life, your Majesty. Not as a King, but as a person. I want to see you happy."

Her words seemed like a spell that froze Leandro at his feet. In his entire lifetime, no one has ever cared for the person behind the crown.

His amaranthine eyes gazed down at her. Her lips were not grinning from ear to ear. It was more of an expression that even when the whole Gaea would be furious with him for being a useless King, she would still be by his side. 

Leandro unconsciously nodded his head in response to her request. 

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Sometimes people only love you for the masks you put on every day.

Treasure those who love you, even without the mask on.

They are rare.