The King's Unbreakable Wife-Chapter 34: Why me? (2)

"I forgot about how many spies the palace would have. There must be more for families wanting to know how their daughters are doing in the selection. My father might even have his spies looking around to see if Helena and I were fine. I hope the palace doesn’t expect that no one will be paying off maids," said Hazel as it was likely the maids serving them would soon be in talks with their families.

"We know that it will happen. The rule about speaking with the women without sending a letter for the palace to read first is a warning that anyone found doing it will cause the young woman to be taken out of the selection. It is a secret, but someone from the first group was taken out of the selection for this reason. Don’t spread this with anyone," Tobias said, placing his finger over his lips.

"I will keep it a secret. I can’t imagine what it would be to have to watch out for your servants passing on what you do or say to someone. Forgive me, but the queen must be one of the people using the maids to spy. Do you think she likes me?" Hazel asked, wanting to know the reason behind some of the queen’s stares her way.

As far as Hazel knew she had not done something to make the queen think she was not a good choice for Tobias. She had always behaved like a lady and it wasn’t her fault Tobias wasn’t spreading his time among other women. She was starting to think the queen didn’t like she was getting in the way of her favourite pick, but still, that wasn’t her fault.

Tobias thought over what he should tell Hazel. He wouldn’t let her know about his mother’s interest in her sister. He was still yet to see why his mother preferred Helena over Hazel. Since Hazel questioned if his mother liked her, she probably noticed that his mother was upset, but it wasn’t what she thought.

Tobias didn’t think his mother disliked Hazel. She simply favoured Helena more and wanted the younger Wallace to be picked tonight. Whenever his mother’s plans never went as she wanted, she always looked upset, but then hid it with a smile until they were alone for her to scold whoever messed with her plans.

"My mother doesn’t dislike you," Tobias answered, hoping this would help her relax. "Do you not know how everyone always compliments you? I was growing tired of hearing it."

"I know of the compliments given to me, but those people are not the queen. Should I not be picked to be your bride, I hope to have a good relationship with the palace. Be in the queen’s circle and be invited-"

"What is so special about it aside from bragging that you were invited? Why do you desperately want to be here?" Tobias questioned, not seeing why everyone loved being in the palace when he wanted to get out.

He would gladly trade places with them to get far away from this place. Everyone let beauty and wealth fool them. Tobias had many good memories of living here in the palace, but there was too much responsibility coming his way.

"It is good for my family if I were to be close to the queen and also for my children should I have any. There is much to gain from being close to those in the palace. If not for thinking of my family, I might not be bothered to attempt to be one of the young women the queen invites for gatherings. I would love to be at home, covered in a warm blanket, and reading a book," Hazel confessed.

She had been going to many parties since a young age and was becoming tired though she loved looking around at how each home was decorated. Hazel wanted a break so as not to have to worry about picking out a dress and everything to match and then spending hours getting ready.

"You must be looking forward to these seven days being over quickly. Should I ruin your day when the time comes and pick you?" Tobias asked, laughing as Hazel glared at him.

"Do not pick me when the seven days are up for a foolish reason. I still do not understand why me. You could talk to the other young ladies to see if they could hold a conversation with you and if they do not, move on. I still feel like you are playing with me," Hazel said, looking beside her at Tobias. "I don’t want to be led on if you have no interest in me as your wife."

They weren’t the best of friends and suddenly he was picking her. He expressed that it was because she wasn’t fawning over him, but this was a competition to find his queen. He shouldn’t be wasting time picking her over and over when he was to end up with someone else as his wife.

"It can’t be possible that you like me?" Hazel asked, taking one step away from him without thinking.

Tobias looked down at the space Hazel created between them. "I do not and why did you step away from me, Hazel? I will not do anything to you. When you act this way, I feel inclined to pick you more. I feel comfortable with you. Even when you think I am a flirt. I cannot help that women love me."

"You could help not spending time with them. Most only wish to spend time with you to use you because you are the prince. You need to be careful," Hazel warned Tobias.

Tobias touched his chest, feeling happy to have Hazel worried for him. "You care for me? It pleases me to know this."

Hazel rolled her eyes. What she said wasn’t to have this reaction. She only wanted to avoid him feeling used though she knew he thoroughly enjoyed his time with these women. She hoped that in years to come the kingdom would not have to hear about Tobias having a child from these quick relationships with these women.

"Oh!" Hazel exclaimed, grabbing onto Tobias when she almost slipped. "I’m sorry," she apologised and started to let go but Tobias held her hand and tucked it away for her to walk with their hands linked.

"You should hold onto me from now on. Wouldn’t want you falling when we are almost there," said Tobias.

Hazel was fine to walk on her own, but she didn’t try to pull away her hand from Tobias. He was kind and helping her right now so she wouldn’t fall. His behaviour was confusing her even more because why was he treating her this way?

Suddenly going from the two of them muttering sly remarks under their breaths to walking like this. If she brought him comfort in this competition, she didn’t mind it, but she didn’t want to be confused about how this would all end. Was he truly going to choose her to remain in the palace after the seven days or will his interest finish in a few days?

"Tobias, if you are not going to pick me to be in the second part of the selection, please do not continue to pick me to get my hopes up because I can only think you will pick me at the end if this continues," Hazel said as it was normal for everyone to think after picked twice she had a strong chance to become queen.

"I have been surprisingly enjoying our conversation and I would hate to be led on to think I have a chance to become queen. Please tell me what will come from you picking me over and over again so I can know whether to give you all my attention or look elsewhere for my future," said Hazel.