SMITTEN

"Go to Lady Aisha's Chamber and see if she has woken up," King Leandro ordered Lord Emilio.

The King was already seated at the dining hall but he hadn't even touched his plate.

Lord Emilio glanced at him with furrowed eyebrows. This was the twentieth time that he was going to Lady Aisha's Chamber to check on her.

He stretched his wrist at his back as he recalled how the King didn't retire according to his regular schedule just to personally search for the female human.

He hasn't even eaten breakfast yet and Lord Emilio's stomach was already growling. He couldn't eat unless the King had already had his fill.

The scrumptious meal prepared by the servant was also torturing him, making him gulp a lump in his throat.

"Yes, your Majesty," Lord Emilio still bowed his head in obedience and was about to go back to the female human's Chamber when the King said something that astounded him..

"Lady Aisha is not as bad as you think. I hope you could give her a chance to prove that. If you could not do that for her, then do it for me," King Leandro said in a serious tone as he earnestly gazed at him.

Lord Emilio was taken aback. He was not aware that the King knew what was going on in his mind. 

Why would he be surprised? He was the King of Gaea.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I am not confirming it but I am grateful that you were sensitive to the concerns of your people. I will go now to her Chamber. Please have your breakfast now," Lord Emilio bowed again before he left the dining hall.

As he walked, he couldn't help but recall the advices of his great grandfathers. He must serve the King and Gaea even if he sacrificed his life. That's the only way that Gaea will be protected.

"But what if the King's decision will destroy Gaea? Could I still support him?"

Still, Lord Emilio continued to walk towards the object of his contempt. 

To his surprise, Rosalia was already at the front of the door. That means Lady Aisha was about to go out, too.

The other servants also bowed down to him. They were also waiting for Lady Aisha to come out of her room.

The morning sun was cascading its rays on the hallways, giving the cue that it was time for the breakfast of the Royals.

Lord Emilio was surprised because he knew that Lady Aisha was gone the previous night and he expected her to be snoring at this hour.

"Greetings, my Lord," Rosalia bowed down to her as soon as she saw him.

Her hair was neatly tied in a bun revealing her fresh morning face. She even smelled like the daisies in the summer seasons.

Her voice sounded like she was joyous. Does that mean that she has good news for the King?

He couldn't even get to her last night as he asked Lady Aisha's whereabouts. She was horror-stricken as she blamed herself for not taking care of Lady Aisha well.

Lord Emilio was glad to see her finally at peace even though it is bad news to him. He was still hoping that the wedding would not proceed.

He also bowed down to her and asked, "Is the Lady awake? The King is looking for her."

"Yes, my lord. She will be out in a minute," Rosalia answered in a cheerful manner.

She gave him a warm smile making her face appear more lovely than before.

Lord Emilio cleared his throat as he was distracted for a minute. He must remain focused on his task.

"It seemed that the Lady Aisha was well judging from your pleasant countenance," Lord Emilio hinted, hoping he could have an idea of what happened last night.

The last moment that he saw the Lady was with King Leandro on the dance floor. 

Who would have not noticed them as they were the only couple in the dance floor left, seemingly obviously of the people around them?

He has no idea why she would disappear last night. And it was the night before the wedding ceremony which will be later in the evening.

Anyone would think that she has backed out including the King, which made him anxious as he was now.

Fortunately, he was able to dilute the issue so only a few Castle people knew of what happened. 

The King made sure that the guests wouldn't know.

"Yes, my lord. I am glad that Lady Aisha was fine after what she encountered last night. She didn't tell me what happened, but I think Lady Marina has something to do with it. Her face frowned as I mentioned about her," Rosalia babbled as her hands shot up in the air.

Then she continued, "The kitchen servants also told me about their conversation last night. Lady Marina sent them away but they were able to eavesdrop in their conversation –" Rosalia stopped immediately then she pressed her lips as she realized that she was getting ahead of herself. 

"Please forgive them, my lord," Rosalia said in a softer volume as she realized her mistake.

However, Lord Emilio rubbed his chin as he thought about it. 

He knew that Lady Marina would not allow the female human to be a royal wife too. But he wasn't aware of her schemes.

If he would guess it referring to Lady Marina's personality, Lady Aisha would not be here right now and run away.

But it looked like Lady Marina's prowess could not defeat the determination of the female human.

Just as he was thinking about what Rosalia just revealed to him, Lady Aisha came out of the room. 

Her eyes bulged out as she saw him but she immediately bowed down in respect to him, "Greetings, my lord. Forgive me for the ruckus I caused last night. It will not happen again."

She seemed sincere as she didn't lift her head until he replied.

"It is fine. But are you alright, my lady? Did you have a bad encounter with Lady Marina?" He asked in a straightforward manner.

Lady Aisha froze for a few seconds before she answered, "I couldn't say that it was a bad encounter. She was just concerned for the welfare of Gaea. She truly has all the right to be in the Tribal Council." 

Lord Emilio's forehead scrunched up as he glanced at Rosalia. She just shrugged her shoulders as if she was saying that she didn't understand too why Lady Aisha was acting nicely to Lady Marina.

He gazed at Lady Aisha again. She was not frowning or rolling her eyes. She was just acting normal as if she was waiting for what he would say next.

Lord Emilio narrowed her eyes at her because she thought that she would rant against Lady Marina. 

He was a hundred percent certain that Lady Marina had either physically or emotionally hurt her. Why is she talking about her in a positive light now?

He drew in a deep breath and answered her, "That is good to hear, my lady. If ever you have problems with the Gaean people, you can ask me about it. I will try my best to help you."

It was sincere because even though he was against Lady Aisha as being a wife of the King and much worst, the queen, he doesn't like terrorism.

"Thank you, my lord. I truly appreciate it. Please help me be a good citizen of Gaea and a subject of the King and the Great Theos," Lady Aisha humbly bowed her head.

Rosalia and the other female servants bowed as well.

Lord Emilio almost gasped at the sudden change in the female human's responses. It appeared like she had transformed overnight. 

He recalled how she first stepped foot in the Castle. She was so different, it was obvious to anyone that she came from another world.

She didn't even shed her former world's influence on her as she stayed in Gaea during her first few days.

But now, she was submitting under it's leadership.

Lord Emilio just decided to let it pass since the King was waiting for him.

He immediately cleared his throat and told her of the reason why he was there.

"I will be coming with you then, my lord" Lady Aisha said in response.

Lord Emilio led the way to the dining hall. He was hoping that the King had already left since it was already past breakfast time and he had to do his other kingly duties. 

The less time they have with each other, the less involvement they would have with each other's heart.

He has seen husbands and wives who were just living together because of responsibility. Both of them remained in their beliefs and values without affecting each other.

If the wedding will be inevitable, that's the best that could happen. Lady Aisha's set of values must not affect the King and his decisions in any way.

"My lady," King Leandro immediately stood up as soon as he saw her.