Chapter 45

Ayla's face turned scarlet in a moment. She could not believe that Daya said something like that. The princess was curious about men's bodies because she had never seen a naked man, but it wasn't something she would willingly admit.

Rhobart chuckled, "I never thought you would be this naughty."

"I am not naughty! And I wasn't curious about your… Your… Anatomy!" Ayla said and stood.

"It's called a cock, not anatomy!" Rhobart said, and when Ayla turned an even darker shade of red, he laughed.

Ayla walked away. She needed to put some distance between her and Rhobart because she might end up asking him to – gods! Rhobart was right; she was naughty.

She went to look for Kerra and found her sleeping next to some blue flowers. Ayla kneeled next to the snowcat, picked up some flowers, and braided them in her hair. When she was done with her hair, Ayla made bracelets from the flowers.

Rhobart came and sat next to her.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Bracelets. I used to make them all the time when I was little. Do you want one?"

When Rhobart said nothing, she looked at him. The King was staring at her hair.

Ayla grabbed his left hand and put a bracelet around his wrist.

Rhobart looked at it for a long time, his eyes shining like two pools of darkness. He swallowed hard and placed his right hand over the little pink satchel – satchel that the King never took off. Not even for bathing. She never understood why the King liked it so much. If she were to be totally honest, it was a hideous satchel.

When Rhobart kept looking at his wrist, Ayla finally said, "If you don't like it, you can take it off."

He looked at her and said in an angry tone, "I should have never brought you here!"

Ayla felt hurt, "Why? Did I do something wrong? If that is so, I am so–"

"Because you remind me of things I had and will never have again!" he said, ripped the bracelet, and stormed off.

Ayla looked at the place the King threw the bracelet. A sharp pain pierced her heart, and a tear fell down her cheek.

"Love is always painful," Daya said. "But after a storm, there will always be a rainbow."

Ayla wiped her tears away, "Who said anything about love? I am just upset that he is always snapping at me for nothing."

"He is suffering. Thirteen years ago, his heart got broken. But your love will make things right again."

"You are wrong. I don't love him!"

Daya looked at Ayla, "Listen to your heart, Ayla. It sings for him."

Ayla shook her head, "You are mistaken. I don't love the King."

"You are as blind and deaf as he is!" Daya said and disappeared.

Ayla remained in the same spot for a long time and thought about what Daya had told her.

'Who could have broken Rhobart's heart so badly that even thirteen years later, he is still suffering?' Ayla thought.

Ayla's heart hurt for the King.

She kept looking towards the tunnel, hoping that he would return soon. She already missed him.

Ayla kept herself busy in his absence. She took another bath, and after that, she tried washing her clothes. When she finished with her clothes, she prepared something to eat but ended up not eating anything because she was feeling very worried.

Where was he? Did something happen to him?

She even paced in front of the fire. Kerra kept looking at her with sleepy eyes.

"Where is he?" Ayla asked, looking at Kerra. "Should we go look for him? What if something attacked him, and he needs us?"

Kerra closed her eyes and slept, leaving Ayla to worry over Rhobart.

It was about an hour later when he finally appeared. Ayla sobbed with relief, and happiness spread through her whole body.

"Where have you been? You have no idea how worried I have been!" Ayla said in a shaky voice when Rhobart was in front of her.

His eyes shined like the darkest night, "I am sorry for making you worry. And I am sorry for earlier. I shouldn't have – "

Ayla put a finger against his lips, silencing him, "It does not matter anymore. I am just glad you are here now. Let's eat! You must be starving."

Rhobart nodded and let Ayla lead him to a rock and sat down when she told him to do so.

After they ate, Ayla gave him some tea. Then she sat next to him.

Rhobart looked at the tea, then at her, "What did you put in it this time?" And he took a sip of it.