My Charlotte Hates Me

Chapter 93: My Strange Date

"Will you allow me to take you on a date, Lady Charlotte?" King Arundel asked as he held out his hand.

I simply nodded and took his hand as he escorted me to a carriage he had waiting outside.

"We will take a regular carriage to town. It looks normal from the outside, but is a lot more comfortable than it looks," His Majesty said as he helped me up inside of the carriage.

Lady Rosette and two other attending guards rode on horseback from a distance. She did not seem to happy about accompanying me, but it was official business that she would have to attend to me while I go outside especially in front of others.

"Is something the matter?" His Majesty asked.

"...Ah, no. It is a very lovely carriage," I said.

It was certainly roomy, but our knees were nearly touching from the distance of the seats across from each other. I wonder if the last time I shared a carriage with someone...was with Arielle.

"You look as if you have many things on your mind," His Majesty said as the door closed in on us and began moving.

"...I have many things on my mind...especially about you, Your Majesty. I cannot help but wonder. Do you need to put on this much of a show for others?" I asked.

"I am simply showing," His Majesty said as he lifted my hand up towards his lips, "that I deeply care for you."

Liar...you are just using me as much as I am willing to use you.

"...Your Majesty, thank you for giving me a Knight," I said.

"Do you like her?" His Majesty asked.

"No," I swiftly answered.

"Then, why..."

"It is fun," I answered.

"...You are truly an enigma," His Majesty said.

The rest of the carriage ride was filled with silence. Oddly enough, it was not unpleasant...

The carriage came to a slow stop upon reaching town. Just like before, His Majesty helped me down the steep steps of the carriage with his hand. It was only then that I realized that His Majesty was appropriately dressed for an outing in disguise. He wore a loose fitted white shirt with a brown vest and matching brown pants and tied his long hair up into a high ponytail.

"...You dressed appropriately, Your Majesty," I said.

He gave a boyish grin and chuckled softly.

"I was fishing for compliments but will happily accept what I can get," His Majesty said. "Also, please call me Kiren while we are in incognito."

"...Kiren," I said.

"...Yes, just like that," His Majesty said as he continued holding my hand. He used the other to wave at our Guards. "All of you can watch us from a distance..."

"Do you mind me asking if...Kiren has ever gone out of the Castle unattended?" I asked in a quiet voice.

"I have and will do it again in the future," His Majesty answered boldly.

"In contrast to your appearance, Kiren is quite the wild man," I said teasingly.

"I can be quite the gentleman as well," His Majesty said as he ordered two meat kabobs and handed me the other.

"...It seems like Your Majesty is quite used to Commoner pleasantries," I said.

"I added more meat to yours, Charlotte," the salesman said with a large grin.