King | j.b

XXIII

Whispers. Stares. Looks. They were all what Ariana was receiving that day. People knew what had been going on. It was all clear to them now.

Ariana sighed as she scrubbed a bowl clean. She had heard that Edward had been sent back to his castle where he would finish his recovery. She was glad he left. She felt much safer without him in the castle.

She thought about Justin. He seemed like he truly cared for her. Never in a billion years would Ariana ever imagine falling in love with the king. The king for heavens sake! But what surprised her most was that the king liked her too.

She thought about his overprotectiveness and how he wouldn't let anyone touch her. But his protectiveness frightened her. She knew what he was capable of doing. He almost killed King Edward and even Harry! He was dangerous.

"Hey." Ariana heard a voice beside her. She slightly turned her head to the side. She noticed the person's large hands and cracked knuckles. Although she knew who was standing beside her, she didn't dare look up. Instead, she continued to scrub, rinse, and dry the bowls and plates.

A sigh, then a warm hand her shoulder. Ariana unhesitatingly shrugged the hand off. She did not feel like talking to anyone at the moment.

"Ariana, please," the voice of Ed spoke. At this, she slowly picked her head up and faced the servant in front of her.

"I just want you to know that I don't judge you or think of you any differently," Ed said softly. Ariana firmly grasped a glass cup in her hand and squeezed it tight out of anger. It almost seemed as if she would crush it between her fingers. But she loosened her muscles and let out a breath.

"Thanks," she breathed. She had to be nice to Ed. He was the most forgiving person in this castle.

Ariana turned around to see if anyone had been watching her as if she was dangerous, a disgrace to the kingdom. As she had expected, she caught a few glances from around the kitchen. She wanted to yell, to scream. Anger rose through her like a volcano.

"Hey," Ed soothed her. Ariana quickly spun her head back to her work. "Don't pay any attention to them."

Ariana stared in front of her, unblinking. She needed some comforting right now. And thats exactly what Ed was doing. Comforting her. And without thinking, she embraced him in a large hug.

She didn't care who was looking. Ed was the only one to care for her. Not Rachel, not Harry, but Ed. He lightly returned Ariana's hug. She squeezed her eyes shut as a small tear drop seeped from her eye. All she wanted was to be accepted, for everyone to be on her side. All she wanted was... a friend.

She slowly departed from Ed and ignored the people staring at them. She continued work as if nothing had happened and Ed had done the same. How could people be so crude? So quick to judge one of their own?

Ariana didn't know.

* * *

Walking back to the king's bedroom was almost frustrating to Ariana for some reason. Her next session was cleaning in the king's room. She didn't want people to see her walking over there, to judge her even more than they already had. She even noticed the way the guards looked at her: with enmity and loathing.

She turned another corner. She was getting close.

The walls seemed to rise above her higher than ever, as if they were avoiding her. A breeze swept through the air sending chills down her spine.

She turned the final corner and approached the two large doors. She watched as they got closer and closer. Finally, she halted before them. She firmly grasped the cold handles as she usually did. She slowly swung the door open in a smooth manner and quickly slipped inside, shutting the door behind her.