The King's Unbreakable Wife-Chapter 39: Disappointing (1)

"You don’t need to go so far," Hazel said, looking beside her at Tobias who had not gone about his way after dinner was over. "I will make it back to my room safely."

"That I will know only when I walk you back to your room," Tobias answered.

He was not leaving until he saw her walking down to her room.

"I recall that you are not allowed to enter where the women are staying. I hate to bring up your past, but I must remind you that there is talk of you being caught alone with a woman. It is understandable why the queen would forbid you from coming around this group. You have the maids behind us looking scared out of their minds," Hazel said, turning to look at the panicked women.

There were many signs that Tobias shouldn’t be walking back with her no matter how sweet it was. Tobias was going to drive the queen mad if this continued for much longer.

"They are walking with us so they shouldn’t be so concerned. It is not like I would touch or kiss you with an audience. Unless that is something-"

"Please do not finish that sentence. Your boldness amazes me, Tobias. I want to be confident like you one day to blurt out certain things and not be worried about what others around you think. Maybe it is because you are the prince, one of the most powerful people in the kingdom, that you are so confident. I wonder if I touch you, your confidence will rub off," Hazel said, tempted to touch him, but walking beside him was already scandalous.

"It’ll be pricey if you want to touch me and it depends on where. Look at you getting upset over something so playful, Hazel. You are so easy to upset and it only makes me want to upset you further. I was referring to if you want to touch my head where my crown sits, my shoulders, or my hands. It will be expensive if you want to touch my head," Tobias said, laughing as he didn’t believe his own words.

"I am not a fool to fall for that. Tell me honestly, does this work for other women?" Hazel questioned, curious about if this was how he flirted.

"I am being playful with you, Hazel. If I tried to court you as I would with other women, you’d be quick to become my wife. Do you want me to seriously court you, Hazel? Test if it works or not?" Tobias asked, up for the game.

"I do not though I wouldn’t mind seeing less of your playful side. Helena," Hazel muttered, hoping she was seeing wrong that her sister was waiting by the door leading into where their rooms were. "Is she waiting for me?"

’Great,’ Tobias sighed.

Just when the conversation was getting back to something he could have fun with the younger sister was here. This had to be punishment for walking with Hazel when he should have returned to his room.

Hazel watched as Helena stood up from the little space on the wall she could use. Instead of Helena looking at Hazel, her eyes went to Tobias. It was surprising to see the prince when she was only expecting Hazel.

"Prince Tobias," Helena greeted him with a curtsy. It proved to be a good idea to sit and wait for Hazel to return.

Helena had many questions she needed answered by her sister so she came here instead of waiting in her room. Hazel had much to explain about her relationship with the prince, but as of right now, Helena had a small opening to make herself known to the prince again. For him to remember that they shared a dance.

"Helena," Tobias returned the greeting. Now that Helena was here, he doubted Hazel would allow him to walk her any further. He had to wait until tomorrow when he would pick Hazel again to continue the conversation about seriously courting her. "With your sister, I know that you will be safe. Until tomorrow," he said, picking up Hazel’s right hand to kiss the back of it.

’What is with this?’ Hazel asked herself since Tobias had never parted with her this way. Was he acting as the charming prince now that someone was with them? Making Helena think they had a romantic night together?

Hazel also realised from his words that he would be choosing her tomorrow. He would unintentionally make her hated by all the other women and she didn’t look forward to it. She would have liked for a more peaceful time in the palace but she was foolish to think the selection would be peaceful.

Hazel tried to pull her hand out of Tobias’ hold, but he would not let go of her. Hazel smiled, trying not to let it show how annoyed she was with the prince. He had a talent for making those around him want to give him a good kick.

"I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Prince Tobias," Hazel replied and only then did Tobias let go of her hand.

"I also look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I am curious about what the next part of the selection will be and who you will choose. Surely you will surprise all of us again. I also hope to hear about your time out fighting. We haven’t had the chance to continue where we left off at the ball," Helena said, hoping this would remind him that they had spoken.

She lost count of how many times she asked him about war and didn’t receive an answer. She thought this would be a topic the prince would enjoy speaking about. Didn’t men love to boast about their fights?

"Right. I will take my leave now," Tobias said, turning around to escape something he didn’t want to talk about. Had he known Helena was waiting for Hazel, he would have taken a longer path to get here.

"Wait!" Helena called, reaching out for the prince.

Tobias continued on his way with the maids trailing behind him.

"I had more I wanted to speak about," Helena said, disappointed that she had not gotten the chance to speak with him when there weren’t many women around for him to spread his attention. "I do not understand why he is so quick to avoid me. Did you say something?"

Hazel looked up from the hand Tobias kissed to her sister who was already annoying her. "Yes, because I would stoop so low to get closer to the prince that I would badmouth you. I am so desperate to become queen that is what I did. Are you satisfied now?"

"I do not need you to joke when I expect an honest answer. Oddly, I have not had a moment alone with the prince. I danced with him at the ball. Everyone was looking to me to be the star of this selection so why is it that my sister is suddenly getting all the prince’s attention? I do not know what to say when the other women ask about it," Helena said, letting her frustration out.

The prince avoided her like she had done something to him.

"You do not need to explain anything to those asking about me. You shared a moment alone with the queen and I was nothing but happy for you. Didn’t ask you what was said or dare question what you did for her to show interest in you. Show me the same respect that I give you," Hazel said, tired of Helena’s behaviour since they came here. "It cannot always be about you."

"It was finally about me which is why I am upset," said Helena. What was so hard to understand?