Chapter 66 - Don't Mind Me
Adeline was surprised when she saw Easton. Jean and Jenny had just finished dressing her when there was a swift knock on the door.
"Easton," she said in a curious voice.
"Princess," he warmly said with a large smile.
Adeline glanced at his expression. For once, she saw his true colors. It was a forced smile that strained his good-looking face. She hadn't realized it before, but the twins were quite handsome. He had hair the color of dark chocolate, but his eyes were a striking grey, like the roll of the skies before a storm cloud.
Maybe this was why so many women were staring at the twins. They were a pair that was difficult to look away from.
"His Majesty is preoccupied. You will be dining alone if that's alright with you?" Easton asked, but it came out like a definite command.
Adeline slowly nodded. That was fine with her. There would be fewer people watching her.
"Lead the way then," she said without much enthusiasm in her voice.
Easton quickly nodded. "If you will." He gestured for her to step out of the bedroom.
Easton swiftly observed her outfit. She wore a lovely white dress that flowed with each step she took. It was cinched on her waist, with puffed sleeves that reached her elbows. The dress was elegantly paired with selective gold jewelry that enhanced her beautiful eyes.
He noted Jean and Jenny's excited expression. They must've enjoyed dolling the Princess up. It had been two days since she was in the castle, and there was already a lot that changed about her.
"Why isn't his Majesty joining?" Adeline curiously asked. He was staring at her intently, and she was beginning to feel weird.
Adeline liked today's outfit. Whether or not he also liked it, she couldn't care less. It wasn't like she was going to be seeing someone of importance today. Speaking of which, she heard about the council that dictated Wraith. However, they all had to answer to His Majesty. The council always made a decision first before they requested anything.
"He's occupied by personal business," Easton responded with ease. He didn't even hesitate as he masked the truth. It had become second nature for him to fluidly lie.
"I see," Adeline said with a nod.
Adeline wondered about Elias's "personal" business. It was early in the morning, but he should've begun working by now. With his busy schedule, it would be impossible to tend to personal business.
"You didn't have to lie," Adeline commented with a slight smile.
"I—"
"This way to the dining room?" Adeline asked whilst already beginning to walk down the hallways.
"You're quite intelligent, Princess," Easton commented. He effortlessly caught up to her, until he was just half a step behind her. It wasn't an entire step, since he was also from a prestigious family.
It was custom for no one to walk in front of the Queen, except for the King himself. She was supposed to walk behind her husband. It was custom to do so.
But Adeline always had a mind of her own. Easton remembered seeing her tirelessly catch up to His Majesty's footsteps. She was adamant about walking beside him.
"It's just a quick observation, that's all," Adeline said in a soft voice. She wasn't offended by his lie, since the King lived a personal life of his own. Besides, it was a guess made on a whim. Easton's reaction revealed the prediction was true.
"On the report, it mentioned your private tutors always spoke highly of you, so I shouldn't have been surprised, Princess."
Easton kept his eyes forward whilst guiding her to the dining hall. Though, she didn't need anyone's help. It seemed the Princess had memorized the path there. She turned the corner without him telling her too.
"I suppose so," Adeline said.
Adeline had little to no intention of revealing anything about her personal life. Not unless he revealed the reasons for being so kind to her. She also didn't feel the need to mention anything about herself. It seemed like Easton already knew too much about her.
"You're very cold to me, Princess." Easton lightly laughed, his eyes curling a bit. It was rare for women to resist his boyish charms. With his smooth talk and bright laughter, even the strictest of women would smile his way.
Easton wasn't familiar with someone like the Princess. She seemed like the easy type, the one who'd blush when shown attention, or nervously laugh when he flirted with her. Though, he'd never do the latter, for he valued his useful tongue.
"Was I rude?" Adeline asked in a light voice.
"No, of course not, Princess!" Easton said.
If she had been rude, Easton would've reacted differently. "You're very pleasant Princess, but it's just… you speak so little."
"What's there to speak about?" Adeline said. She had set the trap again.
"There's a lot to talk about," Easton responded. He noticed the same tactic being used.
"But you seem bored with me, Princess. So I won't talk anymore and tire you out," Easton said. He fed her, her own medicine.
Adeline finally smiled a bit wider. It reached her eyes, softening her dreary expression. As the sunlight danced upon her beautiful features, she momentarily captured Easton's attention.
"You should smile more, Princess," Easton blurted out.
Adeline blinked in response.
"I-I meant, your face looks brighter if you smile," Easton added on. He didn't want to make it seem like he was flirting with her. He'd rather die than take the King's woman.
"I see," Adeline said in a neutral voice.
Easton couldn't read her. He couldn't predict her next move or phrase. It was a strange realization that worried him. Her face was always blank as if her head was in the clouds. It was her eyes that revealed the truth. Her eyes were clear and earnest, showing she was always on high-alert.
"Will Jean and Jenny always serve me?" she suddenly asked.
Easton's brows wrung together. "Yes, they're one of the best maids in the entire palace. Is there something wrong with them?"
Was the Princess finally going to reveal her true colors? Easton had been waiting to see her nature.
Adeline simply shook her head. There was a gentle smile on her face, as she spoke highly of her maids.
"Jean and Jenny are lovely and competent. But I fear there would be a bias between the maids if they're always serving me. Perhaps a rotation of helpers would clear any doubts or hesitations," she calmly said.
"That is a wise decision, Princess. I will instantly relay it to His Majesty," Easton said. She was smart, he'll give her that.
If Adeline were to familiarize herself with all of the servants, she could get the majority of the people in the palace on her side. They were used to serving the fussy and sardonic King. A woman like Adeline would be a kind and refreshing start for them.
However, wouldn't it be better if she was closer to a specific set of servants? Since it was not his place to ask, he did not voice his concern.
"Oh, it seems we've arrived," Easton said.
Just in time, the guards stepped forward and bowed their heads in greeting. "Sir Fitzcharles, Princess Adeline."
Easton nodded in response whereas Adeline gratefully smiled.
The guards pushed the doors open. Adeline was the first to take a step forward. Easton followed suit but rushed forward to pull out her chair.
"Thank you," Adeline quietly murmured.
Easton allowed her to take a seat, and then he pushed the chair in for her. She sat by the corner of the enormous dining table. It was a seat to the right of the King.
Watching her willingly place the freshly baked bread onto her plate, he wondered why the King was so worried about her diet. She wasn't throwing a fit about the food, nor did she refuse to take a bite.
"Is the food to your liking, Princess?" Easton happily asked. In his opinion, a talkative meal was better than a quiet one.
Adeline nodded. "There's a dish from every cuisine I like. H-how can I not enjoy the food?"
Easton brightly grinned in response. He heard His Majesty had pestered the chefs and bakers to prepare these specific sets of breakfast. There was chicken bacon, scrambled eggs, poached eggs with hollandaise, spring salads, rice porridges, and everything that one could imagine for breakfast.
"Will you join me, Easton?" Adeline asked, gesturing to the empty seat in front of her.
"No, Princess. I've already eaten," Easton lied.
Adeline slowly nodded. She lifted her utensils and sliced through the poached eggs with freshly made hollandaise sauce over a toasted butter bun.
"But the food is very fresh," Adeline said just as she lifted the fork to her mouth.
"Indeed. Unfortunately, I've already stuffed my stomach and there's nothing else I can eat," Easton said with a small laugh.
Adeline nodded. She settled the fork down and moved the food off of the utensil. She began to cut her food again, and bring it to her mouth.
"Are you certain you wouldn't like to join?" she asked, whilst resting her utensils since it was rude to eat and speak.
"Of course, Princess. Don't mind me." Not wanting to bother her, Easton began to bow his head. "Please enjoy your meal, Princess. I will be in the corner of the room, awaiting your concerns if you need me."
Adeline's shoulders relaxed a bit. She nodded. "Alright."
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