Seeing that the king didn't recognize her, Izrina's fear vanished. Leaving on her lips traces of a smile. Mocking smile. The king wasn't just cruel. He was an idiot amongst others. Not being able to recognize someone he had seen twice and even called a friend.
"You look better now." Neron's steady voice broke into the girl's bliss. "Not like a scared dumb lizard sitting on the fence."
Izrina heard him clearly without having to follow his lips. She forced a smile. He was still a king after all, even if he was an idiot.
"Run along now and get to work." He leaned closer, making a shoo gesture with his hand.
Izrina turned to leave, but realized she had to bow. Doing just that, she proceeded to run towards the stable. On her way, she gave the prince a knowing smile.
Aldrich gave her a little wave as he struggled to lean on the courtesan's body. He glanced at Neron before grabbing his crutches. Earlier, Aldrich had been sure his brother noticed something was off, but seeing that he just stared at blank space. Maybe he was wrong.
"I will have the maidservants bring breakfast to your room." Lady Feyrne muttered, picking up the second crutches which he handed to the young man. The woman turned her head to the side as if to look at someone, but she didn't. She continued on her way.
"Get some girls to the king's room once he is done with his horse-riding." Feyrne ordered the courtesan.
Izrina watched as the prince and the fox-looking lady left the stable. Her worst fear had come and gone, and she hadn't gotten purged to death as she had imagined. This was so far, one of her best luck. Shifting her attention from the fading group, Izrina noticed the king was still standing at the spot she left him. And he was looking at-
Her.
Their eyes locked at same moment, but Izrina quickly diverted her gaze. Going to one horse, she began patting its back just to look occupied. She noticed from the corner of her eye the king making his way towards them.
Izrina wasn't the only person who did, the other servant rushed out to meet with the king.
"Your Majesty, Zeke is a good boy...he eats very healthily and is always on his best behavior."
Izrina heaved a sigh of relief. She was glad this servant wanted to find favor in the king's eyes because that way he hid her without knowing it. Izrina made a conscious effort to avoid being caught staring at the king. It was almost as if he had a third eye that made him notice when someone stared.
"Zeke is the most beautiful horse here in the-"
"Prince." Neron corrected.
The servant blinked. "Your Majesty?"
Neron rubbed his forehead tiredly. "It's Prince Zeke to you...."
"Oh... uh..." The servant stammered. "I mean Prince Zeke...he is the best." The excitement in his voice expired.
"Now bow to him and apologize properly."
Izrina narrowed her eyes, but she didn't look up. The King was really going to make a human bow to a horse?
The servant opened his mouth to chuckle, thinking it was a joke, seeing the resting face of the king that showed no hint of smile. Slowly, he turned and bowed to the horse.
"I apologise for my impudent behaviour, Prince Zeke."
Izrina covered her mouth with her hand, smearing on her face more dirt. She couldn't believe she was alive to witness an animal being treated more than human. The princess couldn't wait to tell Spinola everything she'd just witnessed today.
"Now get out of my face and quit ruining my morning with your face," Neron muttered with a faint sigh.
Izrina was quick to see the look on the servant's face. He was one step away from crying and laying curses on the king, but he didn't. He muttered something like a pledge and, with a bow, backed away from the king's way.
This man was barbarous. Izrina said in her mind, though she had established that fact ever since she arrived, but he still didn't cease to amaze her with the new ways he looked down on people. Like they would never rise against him.
"You need your morning walk, don't you, Zeke?"
Izrina listened as the king continued with his horse. She couldn't hide the judging look that turned her lips. The king wasn't a gentleman at all. Someone like the Duke's son would never do this... with his clear blue eyes and perfect smile.
Izrina smiled when she remembered the young marquis. If things were right and she was still in Ziadne, they'd be happily married and maybe have their marriage consuma-
"Lizard boy."
Izrina's imagination fell to pieces when the King called her. She hated that she even recognized that he meant her. Slowly turning around, she bowed.
"Your Majesty."
Neron tilted his head slightly to the side. He stepped away from his own horse, sauntering towards the girl. "What is that look on your face?" he hummed, one brow perfectly arched. "Is there something you find unpleasant?"
Izrina opened her mouth to talk, but the King beat her to it.
"Oh, I know it!" he snapped his fingers.
Izrina had to pinch her palm to avoid rolling her eyes at him. He might as well not have asked her a question if he had the answers.
"It's the name, eh?" Neron nodded at his own conclusion. "You don't seem to like the lizard boy. So tell me, dear one, by what name shall this king know you?"
Izrina's lashes fluttered. Spinola and Cora hadn't considered a name when they thought of her disguise. She shuffled her feet on the ground. The king stared intensely at her, making her uncomfortable and unable to think.
"I am..." Izrina's voice croaked.
Neron nodded slowly, giving a smile of relaxed patience, meanwhile his eyes gave away a spine-chilling aura. "Go on...don't be shy. I'm sure Lizard Boy isn't your name," he encouraged with a grin.
Izrina took one step back, her eyes still lost in those dark fields. It felt like she would disappear if she dared look away.
"Disappointing." Neron tutted. "I'm sure the servant over there knows your name." He turned to get the sulking servant's attention.
Izrina moved reflexively to stop the king. The servant didn't know her, and bringing another person's attention would cause a bigger problem. It was wiser to get the king say her name, that way others will think she belonged here.
"Raymond....I am Raymond," Izrina blurted. She didn't know why she chose the name or who it belonged to, but that was her first idea.
"Raymond... Ray..." He dragged the name, his eyes dropping from her face to his arm where the girl held tightly.
Izrina let go like she had grabbed a burning wood.
"Ray Ray..." Neron smirked. "Cute name." He complemented with a blank face.
Izrina rubbed her clammy palms together. She could feel her shirt soaking up sweat and her thighs too. More than anything, Izrina couldn't wait to have the king leave her presence, or she might as well do the honors.
Neron was about to say something, but his eyes suddenly darkened as if he had seen something. Instead, he pointed at his horse. "Take Zeke for a walk," he ordered.
Izrina was about to bow, but she felt a huge palm ruffle her hair.
"See you around, Ray Ray," Neron remarked, exiting the place.
Izrina slopped onto the ground when the king left. Sweat from anxiety completely covered her face. Her whole body won't stop shaking despite how she tried bouncing her feet to calm herself. She had escaped the king...
It was a narrow escape, but she had done it. Beginning with her quick thinking and smart moves. Izrina now felt even more confident. In her thoughts, if she could deceive the king, then she was safe.
"Zeke...you poor horse," Izrina stood up, going to take the horse out of the stable. "It must be excruciating having that volatile man as your owner, right?"
She rubbed the horse's body. "My name is..." Izrina paused, thinking of the name to tell the horse.
"Ray... Raymond," she finally settled. "And I'll take you with me and free you from the shackles of your tyrant owner."