The King's Unbreakable Wife-Chapter 70: Sneaking around (4)

"Please refrain from saying things that have another meaning behind it. And no, I am not a prude. I only want to avoid anyone overhearing the things you say," Hazel said, slowing down her pace to put more space between them and the group.

"You have to further explain this to me. I was thinking that any nickname you have for me would sound good to my ears. What were you thinking?" Tobias asked.

"I am not a fool to fall for that trap. We both know that the way you drew closer to saying what you like has more meaning than what someone innocent might think at first. If you think that me not having a relationship with a man makes me oblivious, you are sadly mistaken," Hazel replied.

Unlike most of her peers, she was well-informed in many things between a man and woman to know what Tobias was hinting at sometimes. It came from her and Linda being curious in the past.

Their parents and tutors always watched what was spoken of around them, but between Linda’s brothers and what the maids spoke, they knew enough. Then there were books floating around that they could get their trusted maids to buy for them.

Not all spoke of intimate moments between a woman and a man. Some were just filled with drama which Hazel knew her mother wouldn’t like her getting so caught up in.

"I assume that what you know has something to do with you having some experience sneaking around. I look forward to learning more about your adventurous side. I wonder where you would sneak out of your home to run off to. Are you sure it wasn’t a secret lover-"

"Of course not," Hazel quickly denied the assumption. "I am never meeting with a man late at night. No," Hazel sighed, closing her eyes as she realised her mistake.

Tobias was quick to catch on to the mistake. "And yet, you were going to see me in the middle of the night. Climbing out your window and sneaking around like a thief. You certainly know how to move a man’s heart."

"Shut up," Hazel muttered, walking ahead of Tobias to join the group.

"Ah ah," Tobias said, holding her hand to make her slow down. "Don’t run from me now. It’s not like you to run away. Don’t start doing it now. "I’ll forget what you said so you don’t die of embarrassment."

"What is the catch?" Hazel questioned as he couldn’t be doing this for nothing. Not when he had been speaking of getting kisses for the things he did.

"I didn’t want anything but since you asked, I will think. Bring a coat tonight. That is what I want," Tobias answered. "Going to the garden with you will be the event for tonight."

Hazel was surprised to hear that he didn’t ask for a kiss. "My dress has sleeves so I won’t need a coat."

"Good. You look like you want me to say something more. Did it disappoint you that I didn’t ask for a kiss? Sometimes it would be good for you to ask for one instead of me asking. The day you do, I might get down on my knees and propose to you, ending this selection," Tobias said.

He was joking, but if Hazel wanted to surprise him with a kiss, she was free to do so.

"Do not hold your breath waiting for it to happen. I will only kiss you if your feelings are true and you propose. I am saving the next kiss I share with my husband," Hazel said, continuing to walk as the others were getting further away from them.

"The next? There’s a story that I must find out in the future. Did you learn more about your sister? She will be staying in the palace with my mother finding her a husband. I would have preferred that she be sent away. I was hoping that my mother would have changed her mind. Did you speak to her?" Tobias asked as he didn’t know what happened during the time Hazel left him.

"I did not. I had to get back to the garden and we were not allowed to have conversations with anyone outside of the selection. I may not be able to speak to her until the selection is over. It is much to ask, but can you please watch over her for me?" Hazel inquired.

She feared Helena was more likely to get herself in trouble in the position she had now. Helena was not close by for Hazel to keep an eye on her.

"From a distance, I can. I don’t want to get too close to have your sister misunderstand why I am near her. To have her thinking there is something between us when I want her sister," Tobias said, wanting to turn Hazel’s face back for him to get a better look at her blushing.

Instead, he moved her hair to be behind her ear and felt her flinch.

"Do I scare you, Hazel?" He asked, putting his hand back to his side. "That was not my intention."

"No, you didn’t," Hazel tried to clear it up. "Your touch did startle me, but it is not like I fear your touch. You should be mindful of touching since there are eyes on us. The head maid is near and you don’t want to hear her making her presence known."

"Don’t remind me," Tobias muttered.

He had quickly grown to hate it when Hazel had purposely tried to upset him by clearing her throat.

"Prince Tobias and Lady Hazel," Valerie greeted the two.

"Of course," Tobias said, looking away from the head maid.

Hazel bit her lip to not laugh as Tobias was facing his greatest enemy. She would pay for the head maid to clear her throat once more to see Tobias be annoyed.

"It is Hazel’s turn to join in answering questions so it is time for her to leave your side. You should use this time to speak with the other young women," Valerie said, repeating the queen’s words. She was not to let Tobias know that the queen wanted him to socialise with others. That was to come off like her idea. "Follow me, Hazel."

"I look forward to speaking to you again, Prince Tobias. Excuse me," Hazel said, stepping to the side to curtsy. She enjoyed her conversation with Tobias but she was a fan of history and wished to hear what was being said.

Hazel welcomed the challenge of testing her knowledge about the kingdom. She did not suffer through many lessons when she wanted to go out to play all for nothing.

Valerie watched as Hazel walked away, leaving her alone with the prince. "I apologise if I did something to upset you. I was only following my order to keep you two from touching. It was all to protect Hazel."

Valerie didn’t want to start Tobias’s coming rule with him disliking her.

"I know that. It can’t be helped that you ended up creating a sound that I dislike. Should there be anything caught in your throat in the future and I am around, please step to the side as I am now," Tobias said, walking around Valerie to rejoin the group.