The King's Unbreakable Wife-Chapter 62: Confession (2)

"Did I finally break you? If I had known this would make you silent, I would have told you I liked you years ago. It wouldn’t have been true, but I would have won our arguments. Hazel," Tobias called again as the silence started bothering him. "It cannot be that surprising. Look at how much I have gone out of the way to be near you."

"I had the thought you might like me, but then I dismissed it. It still felt like you picking me was all a game. You are so playful that I don’t know if I should believe you now," Hazel honestly replied.

She didn’t feel the same way to respond that she liked him. She only felt comfortable around Tobias. There weren’t any sparks that she had noticed.

"I’ve never faked my feelings for anyone, Hazel. I will never say that I like someone that I don’t. I like you," Tobias repeated, this time as serious as he could.

Other than the times in his youth when he had started to take an interest in girls and spoke of who he liked, this was the first time at this age that he had told a woman he liked them and it wasn’t in bed.

"Then I will take what you said seriously. I’m sorry that I can’t say I like you back just yet. I don’t want to lie to you," Hazel said, feeling sorry that it didn’t go as he wanted.

"Hazel, the reason I like you is how you are honest. When you are upset with me, you let it show and don’t put on that smile I hate. I’m surprised you rarely do it when my mother is around. I only see it when she asks you something you don’t want to answer. Never do it again," Tobias said as it would greatly annoy him.

He had to witness fake smiles from many who entered the palace. Hazel had become sort of a safe space in the selection with how genuine she was. Never had anyone kicked the prince other than his few male friends.

"You fake smiles all the time. I’ve seen you do it even with the queen. How is it fair for you to do it but not me?" Hazel questioned, finding it to be unfair. freewebnøvel.coɱ

"I do it to everyone but you and others I care for. That’s what makes it different. I save the real smiles for you," Tobias said, tempted to touch Hazel to see her get angry, but then he would have the head maid who was yet to clear what was in her throat make her presence known.

He had a list of people who he planned to get rid of when he became king and in one day the head maid had managed to put herself at the top of the list.

"How kind of you," Hazel sarcastically replied. "Would it be alright for me to have more time getting to know you? Since you like when I am honest, I will say that I like you when I do."

"That is fine though I’m a bit surprised the flowers didn’t get you to start liking me. Would a dozen bouquets sent to your room-"

"No!" Hazel exclaimed, horrified by the idea. "Think of what I have to bear if anyone sees that I am getting flowers from the prince. Do not suggest that there isn’t a note attached. It would only put me in hotter water if it appeared that I have some mystery lover. I still have the flowers you sent in water. They will last."

Tobias rested his hand on the table and used his hand to prop himself up as he stared at Hazel. "So that means you care a lot for them. Should we meet in secret for me to give you more? If you like, I can have the garden below my bedroom have more flowers added to it. You can come by and pick as much as you want."

"I see how women fall for you so quickly. You know just what to say, but as I said, the flowers you gave me will last. I must prepare myself for you to be more annoying now that you are smitten by me. Regardless of your feelings, you should try to have a good time with the other women," said Hazel.

"There you go again mentioning others when my attention is on you. Why can’t you be the type to jump for joy that the prince likes you and you might be queen? I would like to see you excited outside of speaking about flowers or the books you read. I plan to disappear before the next candidate arrives,’ Tobias said, pointing to the window that would be his way out.

"How many times must I explain that I came into this palace knowing that I had to share your time? I would like for all of us to enjoy this experience. To look back and think of how fun it was. I have made great memories so far. I also want you to speak to the others so you know you aren’t making a mistake by picking me so early. I would love for you to have someone you fall deeply in love with," Hazel confessed.

Even if they had not become as close as they were now, she would have wished for Tobias to find a woman he could love forever. He would still be her king and that woman her queen so she would have wished them happiness. Hazel wanted everyone to find their happily ever after.

"Oh, you are one of those. I didn’t take you for the kind to love all those sappy romance stories," Tobias said, intrigued by this side of Hazel.

"Did you take me as someone void of any emotion? I want a happy marriage and I hope those around me will experience the same. Then I won’t have to keep hearing of their problems," Hazel muttered, thinking of her aunt who came every two weeks to speak of her husband.

Hazel didn’t want her life to be like her aunt’s. Travelling to her family to rant about her husband and then going back to him when the day came to an end. She hoped to never fall out of love with her future husband.

"How much of a troublemaker could you be, Hazel? There is somewhere in the palace that I would love to take you if you’d be bold to come along. Perhaps tonight so I can sneak you out of your room. It involves seeing a garden only my family and a few gardeners have the privilege of seeing. Care to join me?" Tobias asked, holding out his hand for Hazel to shake to make the deal she’d be there.

"It is forbidden for me to wander off from where I stay. If I am caught, you’ll have no one to speak to," Hazel said, fearing what would come from her sneaking out.

"I’ve sneaked around this palace all my life and never got caught. Most of the guards are loyal to me because I fought beside them. You won’t get in trouble and if we are somehow caught, I will threaten to give up becoming king for you. Live a little Hazel. You can’t enjoy the palace by staying in your room," Tobias said, pushing his hand closer to her.

Hazel thought about it. It would be crazy to disobey the rules when the punishment could have her the talk of the town, but she strangely felt pulled to saying yes. "I must be crazy," Hazel muttered, shaking Tobias’s hand. "You will not be alive to become king if you let me be caught."