‘Humans are so petty. That’s why it’s good to stay away from them.’ Just as she had that thought, he continued saying, “Other than being bold and unruly, I didn’t know you can be even ungrateful.”
“Ungrateful?”
“Shouldn’t you be thankful as I have saved your life? If not for my actions, your frail body would have been the one with these wounds.”He gestured to his injuries, his expression seemingly saying, ‘I sacrificed myself for you so fall on your knees at once and cry out about how heroic I am!’
Esther didn’t know whether to laugh at his misunderstanding or at his expectant face. It was only now she was reminded that although he often acted cold like his father and seemed mature for a prince, Theron Ivanov was a young man at the prime of his youth. Queen Theodora was only in her late thirties, then that would mean the young prince was at most twenty. Under his icy glares and expressionless face, he was still a hot-blooded youth who enjoyed receiving praise and getting good impressions from their peers.
She wanted to tell him that ‘Such weak attacks can only harm humans and they won’t even scratch my skin. You should be the one on your knees to show me gratitude for saving you’ but she chose to keep her pretences. She needed to stay by Queen Theodora’s side for five years as she had promised, and not even a year had passed. She had to continue hiding her identity.
With a practiced polite smile, Esther lowered her head and did an elegant curtsy with the skirt of the baggy robe she’s currently wearing.
“Oh, Your Highness, this lowly one is truly grateful! Thank you so much for saving my life!”
Prince Theron smirked at her mocking act. “We royals always feel indebted to people who save our lives, but ordinary people like you…” He let out a deliberate sigh while shaking his head.
Esther understood he was not content with just her insincere ‘thank you’. No, even if she were to pretend she’s really thankful, she felt that mere words were not enough for this rascal of a prince because he seemed to be scheming something. She pretended to go along with his whims. “As Your Highness has saved this poor life, I owe you a debt for this life-saving grace. Your Highness can ask me anything and I will try to fulfil it as long as it is within my capability.’
Prince Theron’s smirk turned playful, confirming her guess, and he seemed to be enjoying her expression which showed how unwilling she was to say those words.
Esther, the commoner whose fame shot up within the entire kingdom for her act of saving the Queen of Megaris. She was rewarded entry to the royal palace and had thus become a person of interest among people from all walks of life, from the humble commoners who idolized her, to the royal knights who looked at her strength favourably, and then to the noble ladies who liked her after interacting with her whenever they visited the Queen. She was extremely capable and kind, and she’s well-liked by almost everyone in the palace.
However, despite her easygoing appearance, she always seemingly had her walls up, especially when it came to Prince Theron, and he could not ignore it. Although her manners were perfect, she was not like the other royal servants who would submit to him thoughtlessly. No, she would only pretend to be subservient. This young woman had her pride which she could not leave aside. He found it amusing though he didn’t show it on his face. He didn’t know why but he liked to tease her and see such a side of her where she outwardly obeyed his orders but she must be cursing him inside her mind. Such a refreshing person brought colour to the Crown Prince’s stifling palace life.
Prince Theron nodded as he accepted her promise. “Fine! I will keep that in mind. I hope you will remember your words.”
“Though I am a commoner, I never go back on the words I give. So Your Highness can rest assured,” she replied with a humble tone.
“Very well.”
A meaningful smirk flashed across his lips, but it was gone so fast Esther doubted if she saw it right.
Esther felt worried. ‘This human rascal is really—ugh! Is he planning something weird? What is he scheming now? Looks like I need to be careful and do my best to avoid him in the palace once we return.’
The entire underground cabin was awkwardly silent. Esther was comfortable with silence, so there should have been no issue… if only a certain young man remained unconscious. However, she wasn’t so lucky. Not only was that young man awake while sporting an expression that seemed like he was scheming something troublesome, he was also deliberately and openly staring at her face.
“Your Highness, you must be feeling hungry. I will prepare a meal for you,” Esther said as she wanted to keep herself busy and stay away as far as possible from this perverted prince.
Prince Theron nodded, permitting her and was about to stand up—
“What are you doing?!” Esther exclaimed when she saw him move. Realizing she raised her voice in front of royalty, she then hurriedly lowered her voice. “I apologize, I mean, Your Highness should not move and continue resting, or else the wounds will open and bleed again, especially the one on your waist.
“I am fine.”
He was about to leave the mattress again, but Esther was having none of his pretentious nonsense. The herbal paste was only for treating infection and temporarily preventing bleeding; it had no herbs that relieve pain. The fact that he was already sitting was a feat in itself, and if Esther had her way, she would even give the stubborn prince a sleeping concoction so he could peacefully sleep to recover from his injuries.
“Your Highness,” she said, trying to sound as polite as she could, but inside she was starting to lose her patience, “this is not the palace and there is no need for you to keep up appearances. You just need to focus on recovering so that we can return to your family. I am sure the entire capital is already in an uproar with you missing.”
“Then, what are we waiting for? We should go back now.”
Esther willed every bit of patience she could squeeze out of her body and forced a smile. “If you try to walk in your situation, it will not even take five minutes before you pass out. May I remind Your Highness we are deep inside a forest outside of the capital? I do not even know where exactly we are, or how far we are from the official roads. Outside, where can we get supplies in abundance like we do here? Do you want me to pack more of the old woman’s clothes to cover your wounds and use up all her supply of herbs? What, you will pay with another of your rings?”
At the end of her speech, she realized she forgot her status again as a servant and her words turned into a rebuke. She took a backstep and lowered her tone, softening her stance. “Your Highness, I request you to continue resting. At least eat something first so you will regain more strength to move around.”
Contrary to her expectations, Prince Theron did not get angry with him. Perhaps on another occasion, he would have frowned up her trying to tell him what to do, but what Esther said made complete sense to him. He didn’t want to be a burden and thus, he kept himself seated on the mattress without another word.
Esther let out a small smile, relieved that at least he knew when to listen. She then started searching around the shelves and drawers for whatever ingredients were available to cook. At first, she thought there would only be bread or dried meat, or perhaps forest berries, but she found vegetables and even rice in one wooden container. Although she was living in secrecy, she seemed to be trading resources with the nearby villages.
‘This old woman is well-prepared with food,’ Esther thought and went to the fireplace carrying everything she needed to cook. She found the clay pot to cook the meal and cleaned it with water, thinking that with the ingredients she found, she could make a simple porridge. She started a small fire, and put the pot filled with water on top of it.
While she was busy preparing food, Prince Theron was observing her. Just as she was skilled in treating injuries, he noticed the young lady was also adept in housework. Being a prince, he had never been to the royal kitchen—or any kitchen for that matter—and thus, he had never seen any lady cooking in front of him. Seeing Esther busy and dedicated to her work amused him.
Soon, the food was ready and Esther served it in one clay bowl for Prince Theron. She carried it to him and put it on the mattress beside him. “Your Highness, I made you a porridge for breakfast. There are no tables or chairs here, so I’m afraid you need to eat like that. Please bear with it for now.”
He looked at the midsize flat clay pot, then at the mattress that was on the floor, and hummed in agreement. It didn’t matter much to him; in fact, he was used to eating like this on the ground whenever he was travelling outside on a horse.
“Please enjoy your meal.” After saying those words, Esther was about to stand up and move away, but he looked at her with a puzzled expression, causing her to pause. “Do you need anything else, Your Highness?”
“Where are you going?”
His question puzzled her. “Um…I will wash the things I used to cook?”
“You can do that later.”
“But I need to let you have your meal in peace—”
“How can I eat with my injured hand? Did Lady Tyra neglect to educate you? Is this the way you have been taught about your servant duties in the palace when a royal is sick?” he asked with an expression that deserved a beating. Esther closed her eyes to keep her temper in check.
‘Now he wants me to spoon-feed him. This human…ugh! If only he knew I could make every prince like him kneel in front of me and make them work like a servant,’ she frowned inside and sat back. “Apologies, Your Highness.. Let me help you eat.”
