Heart of Darkness

Angelica studied the silent exchange between the two men. They glared at each other and at last the King won the glaring contest. She could see him daring Lord Rayven and even though Lord Rayven was fearless, he wasn't reckless enough to defy the King.

The King looked down at William. "Taking care of your body is equally important as training. Without good health and strength to carry on, you can't become the fierce fighter you want to become. Also, remember physical strength is only half the strength. Train your mind as well," he advised him.

"I will, Your Majesty."

The King squeezed his shoulder encouragingly.

Lord Rayven gave William a nod to follow him and left without another glance at her or the King.

"Would you like to eat some sweets?" The King asked, turning to her.

"I would love to," Angelica smiled.

He took her to the parlour and they were served some coffee and sweets.

The King watched her in silence as she sipped her coffee. His gaze was distracting her while she tried to think of what to say to him. Many thoughts were going through her head. Could the King help her get away from Sir Shaw? Was he interested in her as a woman? Was it a good idea to marry him?

She glanced over at him and their eyes met. She had to say that she had never seen eyes that were so blue and surrounded by the thickest and darkest lashes she had ever seen. But it wasn't the beauty of his eyes that had her attention. It was the way he looked so deeply into her eyes.

"Angelica," he said her name so delicately that it touched a deep place in her heart. "Do you feel what I feel?" He asked.

"What do you feel, Your Majesty?"

"The more I talk to you, the more I feel like I have known you."

She felt the same way. She felt as if she had known him longer than she actually knew him.

"I feel the same way," she said.

He narrowed his eyes, "but you have never met me before the day we met on the ball?"

Angelica took a moment to think, but she was sure she had never seen him before that day. She would never forget such a face.

"No," she replied.

He nodded acceptingly with a sad smile.

"Is that why you were curious about me?" She asked.

He shook his head. "No. I thought you were… something special that could save me, but it seems you are not."

Save him? From what?

"Are you in trouble, Your Majesty?"

He chuckled. "A little."

A King couldn't be in a little trouble, especially a king as powerful as him. Something told her he was in deep trouble if he was in any trouble.

Could that be the reason he stopped for her? Because he realized she wasn't the special person who could help him. But then why was he still curious about her?

"I am getting engaged soon," she began.

He didn't look surprised as she expected. "To Sir Shaw?" he asked.

He knew? Did father tell him?

"Yes."

He pressed his lips into a thin line. It made him look displeased.

"Is he the ideal man that you were looking for?" He asked.

She shook her head.

"I don't want to marry him but I have no choice." She became surprised by how honest she was with him.

"You don't look like the kind to give up easily," he said.

"I care for my brother. Father knows how to punish me if I do something wrong."

Now he looked more than displeased, and then he averted his gaze. He focused on the empty wall far ahead.

"Angelica," his tone changed. He became serious. "Don't worry too much about marrying Sir Shaw. I'll speak to your father," he said, still looking away from her.

Angelica should have been relieved, but she wasn't. The king's expression worried her. Did she make a mistake by telling him?

He stood up from his seat with a sigh. He seemed frustrated or angry about something.

"Your Majesty, did I say something wrong?" Angelica asked, standing up.

He shook his head with a forced smile. "No, Angelica. You did nothing wrong. I have a lot to do so I'll have to leave you here."

She nodded with the feeling that he was running away from her.

"Thank you for everything, Your Majesty," she said.

Slowly he turned his gaze back to her.

"May I ask of you something?" He said hesitantly

"Of course, Your Majesty."

"Could you call me by my name once?"

His request surprised Angelica.

"Of course, Your… I mean Alexander."

"My birth name is Skender."

"Skender," even though the name sounded strange, it felt familiar on her lips.

"Yes," he replied, as if she was calling for him.

Then he frowned and his gaze searched hers. Angelica felt like she was sucked into his eyes until he abruptly stopped looking at her. "I'll let Lord Rayven know you are waiting here." He said and then strode out of the room in a hurry.

Angelica was left confused. Slowly, she sat down again, not knowing how to interpret what just happened.

"Skender," she whispered his name again. Why did it feel familiar?

As she waited for her brother to finish his training, all kinds of thoughts went through her head. Since the King didn't ask her to marry him when she told him about Sir Shaw, she knew he wasn't interested in her as a woman. She couldn't deny that she felt a little disappointed and that annoyed her.

William came to the parlor with Lord Rayven, again covered in dirt, and his trousers were torn on the knees. That didn't seem to bother him. He looked happy as he walked in.

"Did your training go well?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Good. Let's go home now." She said, ignoring Lord Rayven, who stood at the entrance and leaned against the wall.

She took her brother's hand and walked to the door nervously. She could see that Lord Rayven stood still, as if he wouldn't move out of the way to let them leave.

When she neared, she was forced to look at him. He stood up straight and gazed back at her.

"I would like to speak to you alone, Lady Davis."

Angelica blinked in confusion, and her brother looked up in surprise. "I don't think that is appropriate, My Lord."

"William, why don't you wait in the garden?"

William hesitated, but Angelica gave him a reassuring nod. Once he left, she turned to Lord Rayven. "Is there a problem, My Lord?"

"Yes. Your father." He said, and Angelica's breath hitched. He knew. "You said he was ill. I hope you can help him get better or his illness might lead to death."