"I ca to discuss the King’s... abnormality."
He made to close the door but Rory stepped forward.
"You have to tell her... please. She’ll go mad and die early if you don’t."
Andon paused, his hand on the doorfra. Sothing glinted in his eyes - sothing akin to mischief.
"Go mad and die early? That doesn’t sound like the Miss Stenly that I know."
Aurora brushed a loose strand of hair out of her face. "It doesn’t sound like my sister to either, but she hasn’t been eating or sleeping well since the King disappeared. You can trust her... she won’t tell anyone."
Claire coloured as Andon’s piercing gaze shifted to her.
Her sister sold her out! It sounded like she was smitten with the blasted King! But she wasn’t. She told herself.
"I didn’t know you had the King’s best interests at heart, Miss Stenly." The silly grin that she despised so much was back.
But part of her was glad to see it - she recognized this version of Andon better than the serious one who was trying to balance the weight of the Kingdom in the King’s absence."
"I am his Cupbearer, after all. It is my duty to ensure the well-being of the King I serve."
He leaned against the doorfra, crossing his legs at the ankles.
Her eyes fell to his chiseled and well-muscled chest and arms before she dragged them back to his face.
He followed the brief direction of her gaze and winked at her.
Her colour heightened. The man was... simply insufferable.
"Even if he is the sa King that supposedly killed your father and took away your family’s lands?"
She instantly paled.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
His smile slowly began to fade.
"It does. Or does it?"
"And what do you an by ’supposedly’? Was there any other King that gave the decree?"
Andon’s eyes darkened.
Aurora stepped between them.
"Let’s not forget why we’re here, Claire." She turned to Andon. "My Lord, forgive my sister... she gets quite offended when our family matters are discussed."
Claire watched him, her gaze burning.
He nodded at Aurora, reaching out to pat her head softly.
"I wish your sister was more like you. She took beauty and you took common sense. Sotis I find it hard to believe that you are barely ten years old." He said, a hint of a smile in his voice.
"Barely? I will soon be turning eleven."
His eyes widened.
"I do hope I can present you with a gift when that day cos, dear."
Rory bead at him.
"Thank you."
Claire cleared her throat loud enough for both of them to understand her intent.
"About the King’s health, my Lord."
His sharp gaze flicked to her as if just rembering she was still there.
"What about the King? I thought you saw him for yourself?"
Claire fiddled with her feet, preventing herself from stomping them as she so badly wanted to do.
"I saw him... but I want to know what was wrong with him."
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
He nodded. "He is perfectly fine."
"No. He is not."
Andon pulled her inside and closed the door, leaving Aurora inside.
She slamd into the wall before she realized his intention.
"I don’t know what you’re trying to achieve, but stop asking questions, Miss Stenly. There are eyes and ears everywhere. The minute soone knows about the King, it would spread. And like it or not," his gaze pinned hers, "the outco will affect you. Keep whatever you saw to yourself and go to bed. You can’t be trusted, neither can your sister or anyone else. Do you understand that?"
All she could do was blink.
"But..."
"But nothing. Just accept the fact that so things just don’t concern you. Once the blood moon cos and is over, everything will go back to normal."
He let her go.
The impact of the slam had bruised her back.
When he saw her wince, he laid a hand on her arm.
"Forgive , Miss Stenly. I didn’t an to be so harsh... It’s just that a lot of people are beginning to ask questions and I am running out of lies to tell them. I have so much to think about. If you want to help, just leave everything as it is."
She gulped.
Leave everything as it is? Part of her could not. Any ti she rembered those yellow eyes that swallowed her with its gaze, she wanted to know the reason behind her.
"Is he possessed, then?"
Andon swatted his forehead.
"Were you even listening to a word I said, woman?"
She backed away, arranging the folds of her dress as she moved.
"I was. But, I can be trusted. I have no one to tell."
"You could - if the bag of coins is heavy enough."
For money? Was that what she was reduced to? No matter how badly she needed money, she could never resort to doing such a thing.
"You’re wrong. I’ve co to enjoy serving the King his wine. I would never want to throw away such an opportunity for a few pieces of silver."
"Words. Those are just words. Imagine your life if you were thrown out at this very mont. Wouldn’t you be desperate enough to betray the King so you could afford food for your sister and yourself?"
Claire fell silent. He knew exactly where to strike.
"I haven’t been in such a position before."
He placed a finger on her lips.
"Then, don’t pledge loyalty to soone unless you served them at your worst without flinching."
She averted her gaze.
Loyalty to the King? Was she loyal to Yeren?
"I only know I don’t wish him any harm that wasn’t inflicted by ."
Andon laughed out loud, tilting backwards and bending forward.
"What makes you think you can inflict harm on the King, Miss Stenly?"
She looked up at him, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Because I’m his ’esteed’ servant." Her eyes darkened.
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