13 "Elizabeth sings for the King"

"Maro… Please don't!" Ely stood beside King Maro, looking all worried. "What if someone gets wounded… Like the last time?" Seeing that his hand was already coming loose, she carefully took the wine glass from him and placed it on the table.

The Ministers and Clan Leaders were all dumbfounded by the lady's actions. The last time someone stopped him from breaking the wine glass, that person got thrown into the thieves' prison and died a slow death because of their violence.

"Ely…" King Maro had quickly calmed down at the sight of the beautiful woman. "Ah… That's right, I remembered calling you here."

While both Minister Anna and Clan Leader Owen went back to their respective seats, Minister Rowan gulped at the sight of Ely, who wore an off-shoulder, satin gown, exposing her flawless, light skin. He asked the King, "Your Highness… Isn't she the spy? Why is she… wearing clothes as if she's a noble-"

"You still do not know, Minister Rowan?" Minister Holter uttered, "She's actually the Queen of Ballad, a foreigner queen. She's His Highness' guest."

"If you were always in your workplace, I am sure your servant had informed you about her. I made sure to let all Ministers and Clan Leaders know," Then, the King asked, "It is very obvious that you are unaware of the current affairs. Where have you been going these past few days?"

"Apologies, your Highness…" Minister Rowan was perspiring nervously and could not look at the King's eyes. "I was… I was collecting taxes…"

"You were collecting taxes for a whole week without going back to your workplace? How suspicious."

"I… I…" he stuttered, "I apologize, my King, it will never happen again."

"It makes me want to investigate what you were doing. Minister Holter, add him to the investigation list."

"Yes, Your Highness…"

"Your Highness! I-"

King Maro raised his hand, gesturing to him to stop talking. "This topic is done."

Minister Rowan lowered his head and quietly sat in his seat.

"Now, Minister Anna, I want you to continue to look for the hidden temple and the artifacts."

"Yes, my King."

King Maro turned his head towards the clan leaders' seats to his further right, "As for you, Clan Leader Owen. Improve the Old Palace's security. Hire and train more mercenaries."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The King stood up from his seat, "That's it. We're done for today's meeting." He then looked at Ely, held her wrist, and pulled her out of the assembly hall.

Ely noticed that he was holding her wrist tightly as he walked briskly in the hallway.

"Maro… Hey..."

But it seemed like he couldn't hear her. Soon, they reached the King's chamber. He dragged her inside, and told the guards not to let anyone in.

When the King finally let her go, Ely asked him with a worried look, "Uhm… What's the matter?"

King Maro stood beside the large, open window. As the breeze blew his long, silky black hair, he stared at the glistening sea, and started telling Ely what was on his mind, "There are fifteen artifacts in the Old Palace. All of them were acquired during the journeys of my parents, the late King and Queen, and our ancestors. Each artifact holds different magical powers, so they are forbidden to be used."

"Magical… powers?"

He nodded at her, "It makes me very anxious that out of the fifteen artifacts, four were already lost. If those were used for selfish reasons by the bandits or whoever took them, I'm afraid that it might disturb the nation's peace that I have been working hard for."

Ely saw how uneasy the King was. She approached him, then held his trembling hands, making him look directly at her blue eyes, "Maro… Whatever happens, I'm always here for you, okay? After all, you're all I have right now in this place unknown to me. As much as I rely on you, you should rely on me, too."

The King felt touched by her words. Ever since his parents died, he took the great responsibility of being the King. He was taught not to show any weaknesses. He felt alone all this time, so Ely's comforting words made him think how nice it would be if she'd be there beside him… forever.

While still holding King Maro's hand, she asked him, "What do you plan to do now?"

The King held her hand as well. "I want to see which of the artifacts were lost. It's only Kaio and me who knows what those are, but it is my responsibility as King to keep them safe."

"But why didn't you just stay at the Old Palace?"

"Ever since I was a child, I never felt free in that place…" The King remembered the hard training he had as soon as he became the crown prince back then. Aside from being able to memorize the map of the whole nation, he was also taught about politics, war, and combat.

Ely sensed the sadness in his voice, so she just held his hand tightly to comfort him. Honestly, she didn't know the King that well, and even though she knew he had fallen for her, she wouldn't dare to utter careless words, scared that she might say something that might hurt him more. He's not just anyone; he's a king known for being ruthless. And she's just a random foreigner girl who hid herself in a title called "Queen of Ballad", and she couldn't help but think, what if he had gotten tired of her? Would she be kicked out of the palace? At least before that happened, she wanted to be the King's ally. So she decided that at that moment, the only thing she could do was to be there for him at times like these.

"Can I sing for you?" she asked him. If there was anything she's the best at, it would be singing. She hoped that her song would somehow uplift his spirit.

"Yes. Of course, Ely."

Ely started singing one of the songs on her first album, "Love at First Sight". Compared to her latest album, "Crying at Dawn", "Love at First Sight" had a lighter feel and was more inclined to teen romances. But she also felt that the song reminded her of the King.

Together with her angelic voice, the sound of the waves was heard, as if it served as her accompaniment. And even though the King never uttered a word, holding Ely's hand was enough to make him feel relaxed.

Her song had ended. Realizing how much time had passed, he then let go of Ely's hand and walked towards the door.

"Maro, where are you going?" Ely worriedly said. "Do you not like my song?"

He stopped his tracks, "No, I love it," then faced her, "I shall tell them to prepare our carriage and the other things we'll need for our journey."

"Hmm? Our journey?" she asked, and saw him nod.

"Yes, I've thought of my next plan. Hearing your voice makes me feel like I can't part with you even just for a day..." He grinned at her, "I'll take you with me to the Old Palace."