SMITTEN

"I haven't seen you in a while, my lady," King Leandro started the conversation as they were already seated. 

King Leandro's familiar deep voice lifted Aisha from a trance-like state. 

She immediately recalled what happened the night she was intoxicated with the Prunum wine. All the blood in her body went to her face making her cheeks as red as blood itself. 

She squirmed in her seat as she tried to find a comfortable position that will stop her from running away. 

He didn't know how she could talk to him after revealing the wanton side of her. 

"Yeah, I've been busy with the classes," Aisha stuttered in reply, but she didn't look at him in the eye. 

Just then, the music background changes to a more vibrant one. The music was unfamiliar to her. But it sounded like a merry one that can be used as a piece for dancing. 

The moment that the guests have heard this song, some Gaeans went to the dance floor and formed two lines. 

Like what Master Aurelius taught her, the Gaeans love dancing. Aisha would have been pleased since she loved dancing herself, but their steps are different from what she knew. 

"I see, I thought you were avoiding me because of what happened the other night," King Leandro said. His facial expression was serious when he said that. 

'Oh my gosh, he remembered it!' Aisha's jaw dropped as she heard the King's response. 'How could I have even thought that he has forgotten?' 

Perhaps she thought that the King's numerous experiences with women were enough to make him think that his experience with her was just an ordinary night to him. 

Or because he wasn't really into love that's why he must have forgotten about that night when she was remembering the details so clearly. 

Or he has chosen to think that he has forgotten so that she wouldn't be so ashamed of herself. 

But all those excuses were negated by the King's statement. He surely recalled what happened that night! 

To add to his statement, he faced her and tilted his head down in a slight bowing position, "I know this is not the right time to talk about it. You probably can't recall anything. But I want to ask for your forgiveness, my lady." 

The dancing couples continued to enjoy the fun moment with each other's arms as the music kept on playing in the background. 

But the King and she were having a heart-to-heart talk! Her heart was completely racing right now! 

But she didn't say anything. She didn't know what to say! 

It was King Leandro who spoke up again, "I've been meaning to tell you this. But you are always unavailable. Now that I finally have a decent conversation with you, I want you to know that I regret what I did. I hope you could still trust me." 

She didn't expect that coming from the King. For her, she was at fault. She was the one who went inside his Chamber, drunk. The King was just a man who has needs and desires. If she didn't go there in the first place, that wouldn't have happened. 

But now that he mentioned it, he was right. She didn't intentionally go there in the first place. And she did tell him to stop a few times. Though the wanton side of her caved in. 

With that, she asked him, "Why did you do that then, your Majesty?" Aisha faced him and asked him straightaway. 

Leandro's amethyst eyes widened in surprise as he was not probably expecting to hear that question from her. 

The servants came in to save him just in time and offered them some wine and food. Again, the servant members of the Kimero Clan made a show as they breathed fire into the food containers. 

Now it was Aisha's turn to be surprised as she gazed at the menu on the table. It was rice! And the Gaeans were not eating that kind of food just yet! 

Some guests were scratching their heads as they pointed to what it was, doubting whether they would eat it or not. 

The others were trying to taste it. Some who nibbled it alone have crumpled faces. While the others who munched it with meat and vegetables nodded their head in delight. 

Her bewildered face glanced at the King. He nodded as if he was confirming what was going on in her mind. 

He stood up, making the audience go silent as they stopped from whatever they are doing, and attentively listened to their King. 

"What you have in your table right now is Riso," King Leandro explained to them. 

"Riso?" They uttered in unison. Some of them even pushed their plates away. 

But King Leandro wasn't at all intimidated as he continued to explain. 

"Riso has been known to us as preservation ingredients. But with meticulous research, I have learned that it can also be food that could satisfy our hunger. Lady Aisha has also confirmed it, as it was their staple food in their world. Please try it and give me your feedback, even through letters after you have gone home. Perhaps this could be the solution so our children and grandchildren will not grow hungry again." 

He said this with heartfelt sincerity mixed with kingly authority, making the people obey him willingly. 

Aisha couldn't help but gaze at King Leandro with admiration. When he sets a goal, he will make sure that he will do it without delay and hesitation. 

What better day to propose a new product than now when all the buyers are here? If he was the CEO of a company in her former world, he would be one of the top in the industry. 

As they have been instructed by their King, the lords and ladies tried to eat Riso again. There were a few who don't. But when they saw those who agreed with the King, savoring the food, they started trying it out, too. 

And most of them enjoyed it, to Aisha's relief. She was a part of that plan, too. 

She smiled as she tried to eat the rice, too. She knew that realistically, rice was bland. Without combining it with meats, vegetables, and other scrumptious foods, it would taste blah. 

But there must be a reason why her ancestors couldn't live without it. And she hoped that the reason could also benefit the Gaean people. 

Her mind was completely engrossed with the introduction of the new product that she wasn't aware that after the meal, the music played again, inviting the couples to dance in a slower motion. 

"May I invite my future wife for this dance?" King Leandro offered his hand to her. His smoldering eyes were both commanding and pleading her to accept his offer. 

Aisha froze for a few seconds as she thought of what to do. 

Why would she not dance with him? As he said, she would be the next royal wife in 24 hours. No matter what her inhibitions are against him, he was still King. 

And to be honest, she did want to feel that physical intimacy with him again. 

She was not really lusty before. But he gave the feelings that made her feel complete whenever they were physically close. 

And being attracted to anything fun that she was, he was like a magnet pulling her in. 

She immediately nodded her head and laid her hand on his. 

As they walk to the dance floor, all eyes went to them. Aisha gulped as there were those whose foreheads were scrunched up, seeing them together. But they were obviously trying to keep it secret as not to offend the King. 

The hand that was holding King Leandro trembled with her heartbeats. 

The King must have noticed that, as he stopped midway and put her hand and her other one to the back of his neck and pulled her closer to him. His hands flew to her back as he started to sway with the music. 

Aisha couldn't help but gaze up in astonishment. There was the feeling again. The feeling that everything will be all right even if the world looked down on her as she gazed at the calm purplish seas in his eyes. 

He was also gazing at her in a loving way. It seemed perfect. But Aisha couldn't help but be reminded that the King in front of her wasn't capable of loving. 

As she thought about that, her shoulders slouched down with her head. 

However, they immediately shot up again when she heard the King's profound statement. "I would like to answer your question for me a while ago. I like you, Lady Aisha. I like your physical appearance. I like your personality. I like your heart. I like everything about you. And I couldn't control myself from showing it to you." 

******* 

When you love someone, you love the whole person. 

Just as he or she is, and not who you want her or him to be.