The King's Unbreakable Wife-Chapter 37: Feelings (2)

"I hope you aren’t the type to starve yourself because you think my mother will think poorly of you for eating," Tobias said as the food was placed on their plates.

"I’ve never been concerned about overeating around someone. I eat what satisfies me. The only rule I have for myself is that I never ate as if I didn’t know how to use a knife and fork, creating a mess all over my mouth, hands, and dress. I take it that you have seen many not eat when your mother is around," Hazel replied, curious about it.

"I have. Like this morning when there was so much on the table yet none of you made any efforts to eat. Is it because you are waiting for my mother to eat? She won’t eat either, but if there is a rare chance she does, it will be little. My mother doesn’t like to eat around anyone that is not family. That is why she is not eating with the other candidates tonight," Tobias explained.

His mother always spoke of it being a privilege for the people to eat with royalty. Only the woman to become his wife and future queen would get to eat with the royal family. It was an honour for the women in the selection to be living in the palace for a few days. Some of them might never step foot in it again.

"The prince doesn’t seem happy about what happens in the palace. It is making me nervous about what to expect should I become your bride. It is already hard to follow what I was taught growing up. Then I would have to learn more when I enter the palace. Tell me honestly, would your wife be happy here?" Hazel asked, hoping for an honest answer.

To most, the palace was a dream place to be. Hazel knew differently because her father stopped her from coming after she reached a certain age for her safety as he said. She didn’t know exactly what kind of schemes were happening here.

If the prince wasn’t too happy while living in the palace, it made it a little hard for her to become excited.

"I cannot speak on what your experience would be here. It is different for everyone. People are desperate to get here so they don’t see the problems I have. You can like it or end up wanting to get out like I do. I don’t want to make you fear living here because of my experience. It is up to you to decide in the next few days if you could be happy here," Tobias honestly answered.

"If you were to pick me, it would be hard to say no to you. I have to think about my family. How people would call me crazy for missing out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity or think that I believe I am above royalty to turn you down. I don’t want anyone to start avoiding my family. I believe that if I have one person here to lean on you can find happiness," said Hazel.

"That sounds like you look to me to be that special person. Already seeing yourself as my wife?" Tobias asked, hoping it was the case.

Hazel shook her head. "You have this strange talent of twisting what someone says to your liking. I was trying to start a conversation with you. Get to know more about your life in the palace and tell you to find someone who can make your time here better."

"Won’t that person be my wife? The person I can share my concerns with and rest my head on their lap at night. Do you want to be that person, Hazel?" Tobias asked jokingly, but if she said yes, he might consider going through with it.

Hazel kept telling him to spend time with the other women, but Tobias didn’t think it would get any better than her at the moment. He was going to try speaking with the other women at other times, but as of right now, Hazel was at the top of his list. He looked forward to her potentially being angry if he were to pick her.

"See, you are using your talent again. I still think there will be a twist to who you pick and I pity her for having to put up with you for the rest of her life," said Hazel. She hoped that she wouldn’t later eat her words and end up being the one to have to put up with him.

"Aside from all that you heard about me being with women, why wouldn’t you want to marry me? I am rich, handsome, fun, handsome, a good fighter, handsome-"

"You adding in that you are handsome over and over might have something to do with why I would be reluctant to marry you. We are all aware that you are handsome. There is a reason why so many portraits of you sell in the market. I’ve decided to look beyond what I have heard about you and women. I don’t know anything else about you to be certain I wish to marry," Hazel honestly replied.

She looked around at the maids standing by to help them. "I mean-"

"Don’t change what you really think because you fear what they will run back to tell my mother. I already know that if not for the palace calling you here and your parents wanting you to give it your all, you would not be here. I wonder what little Miss Perfect Hazel would be doing if there wasn’t so much attention on her family. Find yourself somewhere with a big garden?" Tobias inquired, finding it unlikely her future home wouldn’t have one.

"Perhaps. If not here I would have gone wherever my parents sent me. I know that sounds foolish, but I trust they both want the best for me so I wouldn’t need to worry about where they chose. They’ve taken care of me long enough so I will follow what they want and get married. Are we close enough to being friends for me to ask you a favour?" Hazel asked.

"If I want to try on my crown, that thing is well guarded and I only get it when I have to be with my parents on the throne. If you want to see my wing of the palace, you’ll have to-"

"Not that," Hazel interjected, her voice coming out louder than she wanted. She tapped her shoe on the ground twice, imagining his shoe was beneath her own. "Please stop picking me, Tobias. I don’t think I would have the strength to put up with you until the day I die."

"Want to make a bet and see? The more you get angry the more it pleases me, Hazel. You remind me of Edgar and that is why I am starting to like you so much. Why didn’t you show this side of you when we were younger? We could have been closer. We should eat before the food gets cold," Tobias said, picking up his knife and fork.

Hazel didn’t see how she was similar to Edgar. Many times she thought that Edgar bullied the prince, but the two were still so close. "Forgive me, but do you think the person you have feelings for is Edgar?"