Chapter 40: Asael just admitted that you love me

Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Asael just admitted that you love me The next day, Isabella was the first to wake up. Stretching with a yawn, she quickly freshened up and changed into fresh clothes from her space. But as she glanced at Ophelia, still curled up in her old, worn-out clothes, a pang of guilt settled in her chest. There has to be a way to introduce stylish clothing into this world. She considered giving Ophelia some of her own, but they’d be far too small. Maybe I can figure something out later. Once Ophelia woke up and got ready, the two set off for the palace. When they arrived, Shelia was already there, waiting to greet them with a grin. "You made it," Shelia said, her eyes flicking between them. "Now we just have to wait for Kian." Meanwhile, Asael, Kian’s most trusted guard and closest friend, made his way to the king’s room. His steps were steady, but internally, he was dreading this task. Pushing aside the hide curtain, he sighed. "She’s here again." Kian, who had been lounging on a wooden log, rubbing his temples, groaned. "That strange woman?" "That strange, scary woman," Asael corrected. "You know how she is." Kian let out a deep breath and leaned back. "Do you think I don’t know? That’s why I mentally prepare every morning for her visits." Asael crossed his arms. "Then why do you even let her in? Every time she talks, it’s about things no one understands. It’s—" "I know," Kian cut in, exasperated. "Do you think I like hearing her talk about strange things? Half of what she says sounds insane." "Then—" "I am your king," Kian interrupted again, fixing Asael with a firm stare. "And I am giving you an order." Asael scowled. He knew Kian was just as wary of Isabella as he was. And yet, he was the one who had to stand in the throne room, enduring her intense stares and unpredictable words. Reluctantly, he turned on his heel and pushed aside the hide curtain, stepping out. Kian exhaled in relief as soon as Asael was gone. He rested his chin on his hand, thinking about everything his friend had been saying. How can a woman know so much? And not just common knowledge—things he had never even heard of before. It was unsettling. And yet, for reasons he couldn’t explain, he found himself listening. Believing. Was he making a mistake? He didn’t know. After several minutes of deep breaths and mental preparation, he finally stood up. While they were still waiting, footsteps echoed down the corridor—Zara was on her way to the throne room. Asael, ever watchful, spotted her instantly and stepped in her path before she could get any closer. She frowned. "What’s the meaning of this?" "You can’t go in," Asael stated firmly. Zara’s eyes narrowed. "And why not?" Asael crossed his arms. "Kian doesn’t like you around when Isabella is here." For a moment, silence hung between them. Then, Zara’s expression twisted with fury. "You’re saying that strange woman is the reason I’m being kept aside?" she hissed. Asael sighed. He could already see where this was going. The last thing he needed was Zara throwing one of her usual tantrums. "If you don’t listen," he warned, his tone clipped, "and Kian finds out you disobeyed his orders, he will have a reason to cast you out of the palace. Zara froze. She stared at Asael, disbelief flashing across her face. Had she misheard? But no—the sharpness in Asael’s gaze told her he wasn’t bluffing. She wanted to protest, to argue, but the words refused to leave her throat. Asael, seeing that she finally understood, gave her one last look before turning on his heel and walking away, leaving her standing alone. Zara’s hands clenched into fists. She hated Isabella. That much was clear. But this? This was a new level of humiliation. For the first time, she felt something deeper than hate—threatened. No, this wouldn’t do. Kian belonged to her. She would either have to turn him against Isabella... or get rid of that woman entirely. Jaw tightening, she spun around and stormed away, her mind already scheming. Isabella saw Asael approaching, his usual expression blank and unreadable. He entered the room with the same stiff posture, no hint of a smile—just like always. But she wasn’t about to let him go unnoticed. "Asael!" she called out playfully. "How are you doing?" Asael immediately regretted everything. He had tried to be invisible. He had hoped she wouldn’t notice him. But no, of course, she did. He swallowed back a sigh, his face betraying nothing. With the dignity of a man who had long accepted his suffering, he gave a single curt nod and walked straight to his usual place beside Kian’s stone throne. Isabella, of course, wasn’t done. "Tell me, Asael," she mused, arms crossing as she turned to him with a knowing smile. "Why does Kian love to keep me waiting?" Asael stiffened. Was this some kind of trap? If he answered, he might somehow offend Kian. If he didn’t, she might keep questioning him until he gave in. He chose the safest option. "I do not question my king’s decisions," he said flatly. Isabella gasped dramatically. "So you admit it’s on purpose?!" Asael sighed internally. He should have just pretended not to hear her. Asael clenched his jaw, knowing he was in dangerous territory. If he answered wrong, Kian would punish him later. If he didn’t answer at all, Isabella would drag it out until he wished for death. Ophelia and Shelia, sitting nearby, exchanged amused glances, clearly enjoying the show. "So," Isabella leaned in, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Are you saying Kian deliberately makes me wait? Is that what I’m hearing?" Asael refused to make eye contact. "I said no such thing." "Oh, but you didn’t deny it either." Isabella smirked. Ophelia giggled into her palm, while Shelia outright grinned. "He does have a point, Isabella," Shelia teased. "He didn’t exactly defend Kian either." Asael exhaled through his nose, wondering why he even got out of bed this morning. Isabella gasped theatrically. "Asael, I never knew you were on my side!" "I am not on your side," Asael muttered, staring at the ceiling like it could save him. Isabella ignored him. "So tell me, as my new ally, do you think Kian is avoiding me because he’s afraid of my genius? Or," She tapped her chin, pretending to ponder, "do you think he’s secretly in love with me and just doesn’t know how to handle it?" Ophelia clapped a hand over her mouth, shoulders shaking with laughter. Shelia actually let out a snort. Asael, meanwhile, looked like a man on the verge of spiritual collapse. "I think," he said slowly, choosing his words like a man defusing a bomb, "that I should not be part of this conversation." "Oh, but you are part of this conversation," Isabella said sweetly. "And you know what? You’re actually really fun to talk to! I should do this more often—" Before Asael could reach the point of no return (which in this case meant running out of the room and abandoning his duty forever), the heavy curtain at the entrance finally shifted. Kian strolled in, dressed in his usual regal furs, his expression cool and composed. "Thank the gods," Asael muttered under his breath. Kian raised an eyebrow as he approached. "What is happening here?" "Asael just admitted you love me," Isabella declared dramatically. Kian stopped mid-step, then slowly turned to Asael. Asael, for the first time in his life, looked genuinely distressed. "I did not!"