Chapter Thirty

I cleaned the room in silence while Jonathan just laid on the bed, his eyes closed. I had no idea of what he was thinking or doing but I could care less. I was still reeling from the fact that Jonathan had thanked me, thanked me in a way that wasn’t repulsive. He hadn’t sounded sarcastic like he always used to. He sounded genuinely grateful and that was enough to make my day.

I finished cleaning and I realized that Jonathan was still lying down on the bed. I didn’t know whether he had fallen asleep or if he was just meditating. I stared at his face, his soft and clear skin.

Jonathan would always look good, I told myself. Whether he hated me or not, the slight arc of lips and his bridged nose that stood prideful, his brows were full and for a man, Jonathan did have really long lashes that was very noticeable. His bandaged arm was resting beside him quietly while the other one was thrown mercilessly underneath his head.

He looked almost peaceful, almost perfect, almost ordinary but I knew the man he would become the moment he opened his eyes, he was the devil and the devil alone, even though he just admitted that he was grateful to me, the daughter of the man who killed his father.

“Do you not know that it is rude to stare at someone like that? So shamelessly?” His mouth opened as he spoke and I blushed in embarrassment as he opened his eyes.

“Please don’t tell me they somehow skipped that in your palace lessons” he added with a raised eyebrow and I shook my head.

“My apologies your Highness, I was just wondering if you were sleeping or if you needed me for anything else but clearly you weren’t sleeping and you certainly don’t need me for anything else” I quickly replied as I grabbed my tools.

“Then, I will take my leave” I added and Jonathan’s voice stopped me again.

“Did I allow you to go?” He asked as I raised my head to face him wondering what sort of evil thing he was about to do or say. Our eyes met mid air and for some reason, everywhere seemed to be frozen but I was quick to lower my head.

“Apologies, Your Highness,” I replied, staring at the floor. The crisp, clean floor stared back at me and I immediately gave myself thumbs up for being so good at cleaning. The thought made me laugh.

I had given myself thumbs for cleaning well?

I had gone from being a Princess who never touched rags or mops before someone who was so good at cleaning, how ironic.

“Is there anything else you’ll say asides Apologies Your Highness?” Jonathan asked, mimicking my voice as he scoffed.

“That’s so boring” He added, sighing as I slowly raised my head to glance at him to know if he was being serious or he was joking but his blank face gave nothing away. He took another glance at me and sighed.

“You know what Princess? You can leave” He finally spoke and I nodded my head, “Yes Your Highness” I replied grabbing my tools and exiting the room and I refused to look back even though I could feel his eyes boring holes to the back of my head.

I had dropped the tools and was heading back to the room before I realized that Jonathan for the second time had called me Princess and yet there was no spite or repulsiveness or sarcasm in his tone. A small smile spread across my lips as I recalled his words again and shook my head, who would have thought.

I pushed the door open and Serena immediately jumped to her feet, “You are done?” she asked and I nodded walking towards my bed.

“What happened?” she asked, her face unsure but clearly apprehensive. I knew that Serena even more than I was, was more apprehensive about me going back to my duty post.

“Nothing serious happened right?” She asked again and I shook my head.

“Nothing of such” I replied, patting her arm as she sat on my bed, “So?” she asked, urging me to continue and I could almost burst into laughter.

“Well I thought I was just going to clean and you know leave but someone said that I have to clean the King’s room” I started explaining and Serena furrowed her brows, “The King doesn’t let anyone near his room” she stated as a matter of fact as I nodded agreeing with her.

“But i did not have a choice so I went and he was having a hard time cleaning up, the bandages and everything so I helped out and he thanked me” I said and Serena stared at me blinking as though she hadn’t heard what I said.

“He thanked you for helping him?” Serena asked in sheer surprise and I nodded, a smile blossoming on my face.

“Wow. That was so unexpected” Serena continued and I shrugged.

“I was pretty much stunned myself. I couldn’t believe my ears and twice did he call me a Princess without the usual repulsive, spite, hatred and sarcasm dripping all over it, I was so surprised. Was very quite unlike him, never seen him look or talk like that before” I admitted and Serena chuckled.

“Actually, His Highness is like that. He’s kind and he’s nice and I know you won’t believe me but he’s sweet too and he’s kind and all of that. The circumstances surrounding the both of you are just… well you know” Serena said and I nodded.

“I know right” I replied, a small mirthless chuckle escaping my lips. I could understand what Serena was saying and even what Juniper had been saying all this time, that the way Jonathan was to me was different  from the way he was to other people and for some crazy reasons, I understood it even though I didn’t accept it. There was no way I was going to accept it.

I tried to imagine what it would be like to be an ordinary person, if that was the way I had met Jonathan, would we be friends? Maybe our kingdoms would even have a marriage alliance but most likely the marriage would be bequeathed to my younger sister then he would be my brother-in-law and we would get along well and good.

“But why was he cleaning up by himself?” Serena’s words cut through my thoughts and I blinked, shrugging my shoulders.

“I have no idea, I didn’t see her through the time I was there and there were potions and drugs all over the place, she couldn’t have just dropped them and left” I replied and Serena nodded.

“Something wouldn’t be wrong with her because while I took over your duty, I never saw her either” Serena chipped in and I wriggled my eyebrows at her.

“How would you see her when you were busy seeing the commander?” I teased her and Serena blushed, swatting my hand playfully, “How did we get to that conversation again?” she asked but her lips had already formed a soft smile.

“I hoped that I would see him today but I didn’t so don’t worry next time I do, I'll direct him to your duty place after having a word with him” I replied and we both burst into laughter.

“Not a word Amira” Serena playfully warned, “We are just friends” she added and I nodded my head, a knowing smile on my lips.

“Friends?” I asked laughing, “That’s amazing”