Claimed By The Tyrant King

Later, Rosalind and Nathan had their meal outside at the gazebo, as neatly arranged by the maids, while the scent of seasoned chicken drifted through the air alongside rice and other main dishes, creating a comforting and delightful atmosphere.

Rosalind could not help but glance around as she sat down on the chair Nathan had just pulled out for her, her eyes scanning the space instinctively. "Where is Marek?" she asked after a moment.

Nathan took his seat opposite her after ensuring she was comfortable, and only then did she settle properly before speaking again. "Is he really going to miss this?" she said aloud, more to herself than to anyone else.

"He said he will join us later," Nathan replied simply, and Rosalind nodded at that, accepting it without further complaint as they both began to eat.

For a short while, the only sound between them was the quiet clinking of cutlery and the soft rustle of the air moving. Nathan’s gaze lingered on her occasionally, steady and unreadable, before he finally spoke after swallowing his food.

"That minister today..." he began smoothly, setting his cutlery down slightly as he continued, "he would not even understand what struck him. He is clearly not on your level."

Rosalind let out a light chuckle at that, shaking her head slightly. "Now do not say that," she replied gently. "Even though he sounded harsh, I am certain it came from a place of concern. He simply wanted what he believed was best for his kingdom."

Nathan narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly unconvinced. "Not many of them think that way," he said, leaning back a little. "And the king was right as well, he should not have challenged you like that when you were directly asked for your opinion."

Rosalind said nothing in response, though her thoughts drifted away briefly, slipping back to Rowan and the memory of what had happened in the garden the night before, a memory she was certain no one else knew about. Yet as that thought crossed her mind, a faint warmth rose to her cheeks without her permission, something Nathan noticed immediately even though she did not notice his change in expression.

After a brief pause, Nathan spoke again, his tone shifting slightly. "Last night I came looking for you."

Rosalind looked up instantly. "Why?"

"Marek wanted to discuss today’s council session with both of us, so I came looking for you...But you were not in your chamber." He answered

Her movements slowed slightly, her focus sharpening on his words as he continued.

"Then I searched for you until I ended up near the garden."

At that, Rosalind held her breath for a brief moment, her grip tightening slightly on her cutlery as the realization settled quietly between them. Nathan, however, simply glanced down at his meal as though recalling it casually, "I was not expecting to see that," he admitted quietly.

Silence stretched between them for a moment before Rosalind swallowed hard, setting her cutlery down slowly. She had believed no one had seen them.

Nathan finally looked up at her again, his expression more serious now. "Why do you keep going back to him?" he asked, his voice lower but firm. "Are you really going to give him the chance to hurt you again?"

Rosalind met his gaze then, steadier than before. "I know you are worried," she said carefully, "but I know exactly what I am doing. And I never said I was giving him another chance."

Nathan watched her closely as she spoke, listening without interrupting.

Meanwhile, Rowan, who had been walking through the corridor that overlooked the gazebo, suddenly slowed his steps when his gaze landed on them.

He could clearly see Rosalind seated with the blonde-haired man, speaking in a way that seemed far too familiar. The royal attendant stopped behind him as well, sensing the shift in his silence.

Something tightened in Rowan’s chest as he watched them, a feeling he could not immediately name beyond the sharp edge of jealousy that settled uncomfortably within him.

After a moment, he tore his gaze away and continued walking without a word, the attendant quickly following behind.

Back at the gazebo, Rosalind reached across the table suddenly and placed her hand lightly on Nathan’s, drawing his attention back to her.

"I know you mean well," she said gently, "but I am a grown woman, and I am allowed to make my own choices."

She paused briefly before continuing, "You have been a good friend, Nathan. You are kind, helpful, honest, and straightforward, and I appreciate everything you have done. But I can only see you as a friend."

Nathan froze at her words, his expression tightening slightly as if the meaning had not fully settled until now. After a long silence, he finally asked quietly, "Did you know about it?"

Rosalind let out a soft scoff, withdrawing her hand. "It was obvious," she said simply. "You tried very hard to hide it, but I noticed. Still, I do not feel that way about you... not in any way."

Nathan swallowed, his throat tightening as he looked down for a moment, his Adam’s apple moving with the weight of his silence. When he finally spoke again, his voice was quieter. "I understand," he said. "I will not force you into anything you do not want."

Rosalind gave a small nod in return, her expression softening slightly.

"I just hope this will not ruin our friendship," Nathan added after a moment.

"It will not," she replied gently.

Then, leaning in slightly, she added in a lower tone, " Also, people are already beginning to make assumptions from seeing us together all the time and I don’t want that to affect either of us."

That sentence seemed to settle something heavier between them, though neither of them spoke about it further.

"You are probably right," Nathan said after a moment, forcing a faint calmness into his tone.

Rosalind nodded once more, easing back into her seat. "Can we just continue eating and forget this happened?"

"Yeah," Nathan agreed quietly. "That is the best."

They resumed their meal, though the atmosphere had shifted slightly, quieter now in a different way.

It was then Marek finally arrived, stepping into the gazebo with an easy expression. "You are all eating without me?" he asked as he took his seat beside Rosalind.

"I knew Rosalind would not wait," he added jokingly, glancing at her, "but Nathan, really?"

"Why would I wait for you?" Rosalind replied with her cheeks slightly puffed from food.

Marek chuckled. "Exactly my point."

"I’m not even eating that much" she countered, though she had already finished what was on her plate, which only made Marek laugh louder, followed by Nathan’s quiet amusement.

And just like that, the moment returned to normal again, as though nothing heavier had passed between them only minutes before.