The Lycan King's Puppet-Chapter 63: Not Himself

His servant?

What wouldn’t he tell her? But the look in his eyes made her feel like they weren’t just words.

"Being your servant doesn’t make me a Lady, does it?" She couldn’t hide the sarcasm in her tone.

His hand fell away from her arm. His breathing was ragged, his eyes distant.

What was wrong with him? She wondered.

"Is anything the matter, Your Grace?" The concern in her voice was evident.

"Leave." The words weren’t cruel. They sounded like a plea.

Was he alright?

The veins in his neck were bulging.

"Your Grace?"

"Leave!"

She backed towards the door, fleeing the room in search of Andon. She didn’t even have the slightest clue where to find him. He could be anywhere.

The guards at the door blocked the entrance as soon as she came out.

Why were they doing that? Was it some form of ritual?

"The King needs help." She said to no one in particular.

None of them acted like she’d just spoken to them.

Cursing under her breath, she ran down the hallway.

Andon was coming towards her, bearing a handful of scrolls and sealed letters.

She was out of breath when she halted in front of him.

"The King is..." She paused to draw in a deep breath. Her lungs were burning.

"Calm down." He gestured for her breath.

She followed his calming motions before attempting to speak again.

"The King is... not himself."

"What do you mean ’not himself’?"

"You should see for yourself."

He started moving before she could finish talking.

When they got there, the guards let him in, but kept her out.

Why won’t they let her in? What was happening?

She paced the space around the door for near an hour. When she realised she wasn’t helping herself, she went to her chambers.

As she reached the landing, she saw Zach standing there.

He was dressed in a new coat and breeches.

He patted his lapel to ease his nervousness.

"Zach?"

Aurora came out of her room just then, bearing a half-finished shirt.

"This is for you." She showed it to him.

"It’s pretty." He said, running his hands over the smooth stitches.

"You did this yourself?"

Rory nodded. "I hope to finish it very soon."

"Thank you." He pulled Aurora close and embraced her.

Claire moved closer. She needed a hug as well. After everything Aldrich had told her the previous night, she feared for the King’s life.

He pulled away from Aurora, ruffling her hair.

"Is everything alright?" He cupped her face.

Aurora started grinning sheepishly.

She moved into his embrace, savouring the familiar warmth he always offered.

Please don’t let it be poison, she was praying.

They stayed together for a while, until he pulled away to fish something from his shirt’s pocket.

Her eyes widened when she saw the object in his hands.

"Where did you find it?"

He placed a finger on her lips.

"Say thank you."

"Thank you."

She took it from him. It was her father’s watch. In her escapade with Arlan, she’d somehow lost it. The watch still worked.

"Please, tell me where you found it."

"I didn’t find it. It seems you forgot it on the boat you boarded and the boatman claimed it as his. I saw him with it when I went back to look for you and I..." He trailed off, averting his gaze.

"You did what?"

"I knocked him out and took it back from him."

His story reminded her of when she had done the same thing.

"I hope he doesn’t lose his memory." She finally said, holding back laughter.

"I hope so too."

She turned the watch over in her hands.

"I never meant to lose it." Her voice wavered.

He rubbed her shoulder. "I know. Just don’t lose it again."

She nodded.

Aurora squealed, clasping her hands to show her delight.

"What a cute pair the two of you make!"

Both of them coloured.

"So, what has happened with you since the trial?"

"I was appointed as the King’s Cupbearer."

His jaw hardened. "A Cupbearer? That role befits someone much lower than you!"

"The role is supposed to protect me."

"From what? Your uncle? The role is meant for a man, not an unmarried woman such as yourself, Claire."

Unmarried. Another reminder of her status.

She found herself comparing the way he said her name to the way Yeren did. The sound of it didn’t make her want to hear it over and over.

"What else has happened with you? Being the King’s Cupbearer cannot be the only thing surely."

What else happened apart from being caught fleeing the King’s private chambers with a torn dress and receiving a marriage proposal on the condition of spying on the court? Nothing. And she could not tell him either of those things.

"Nothing else happened. You look happy. Tell me what happened."

"We should sit down somewhere."

"Let’s go to my room."

She took him to her room and closed the door. Aurora preceded them, perching herself on Claire’s vanity stool.

When they both settled down, she turned to him expectantly.

"I bought a boat of my own in the Crow sea."

He waited for it to sink him completely. Claire couldn’t believe her ears.

"I used all my savings and got a boat from a popular seller there. Now, I row things and people back."

Her eyes fell to his new clothes. "I’m happy for you. I’m so glad you’re following your dream."

He nodded. "You always encouraged me."

"I did? Perhaps I did."

"What about me? I encouraged you, didn’t I?" Rory asked, pouting.

"You did."

She was all smiles and cuteness.

"If all goes according to plan, I will get a bigger boat."

Aurora clapped at the idea. "Would you take me on a ride in it?"

"If your sister would let me." He responded.

Rory shot Claire a pleading glance.

"You can go, only when the weather is suitable."

"Have you heard from Jarren?"

Claire and Aurora shook their heads at the same time.

His smile faded.

"I’m glad to hear that."

"Why do you ask?"

He leaned close to whisper. "I saw him kneeling at your mother’s grave."