Chapter 155: Meeting The King (2)
"Pardon my unforgivable manners, Your Majesty, I..I didn’t know.... actually I thought.... g... greetings." Madeline bobbed her head in silent despair when she could no longer hold in the embarrassment. She felt like slapping her mouth shut due to her sudden stuttering, not liking how horrible she presented herself before someone like His Majesty.
She’s heard relatable news of how strict and decisive the King of Carmarthen can be, and Madeline feared for her life as she waited for him to say something regarding how she had misbehaved with him.
She anxiously pressed her lips into a thin line with her head still lowered, finding it disrespectful to meet His Majesty’s gaze without permission, but to her relief, she heard him laugh softly, indicating he wasn’t offended by her actions in the slightest, rather, he found it amusing.
"You can stand properly." He gave her the orders, and Madeline, although still found it awkward to be in front of him like this, had to raise her head up since it was an order from the Majesty himself, but her gaze was still meekly lowered since she felt comfortable in that posture.
"I’m honestly sorry, I.... I didn’t know you were...."
"It is alright." Alaric’s usual stern expression softened into a charming smile, finding it humorous that a wild tiger had shockingly mellowed into a bashful kitten. "I can’t remember the last time I got smacked with a stick, it takes me back to my Younger days when I had to join the military to help my father protect Carmarthen. Anyways, since I couldn’t make it to the wedding and the celebration, I thought I should stop by and see the lovely woman who has captured this man’s heart, but I completely understand why he fell for you, you are... pretty skilled."
"Please come inside, I’ll check for any wounds and promise to tend them before you leave." Madeline gestured for him to come in with them with the hopes of repaying him back for his Mercy, but Alaric shook his head apologetically, ignoring the fact that he was still hurt from the beating he got, but then it would be unmanly of him to reveal it.
"I have urgent matters to attend to." He stated his reason. "My times are monitored strictly, and it would be improper if I had to show up late in a meeting I assigned for myself with the officials at court. But before I go, I have one harmless question to ask if you don’t mind."
Madeline, who finally smiled in relief at his Majesty’s reassurance, nodded her head obediently, prompting the King to ask what he had in mind as he shifted suspicious gazes between Madeline and Cassian.