The Hero's Forsaken Princess
Chapter 89: The King and The Servant III

Chapter 89: The King and The Servant III

Esmeralda entered the king’s chamber. But to her surprise, she didn’t see the royal physician inside.

She just stood by the door, uncertain what she should do.

’Did I enter the wrong room? Why do I feel like I’m just alone here?’ Esmeralda roamed her eyes around her.

The king’s chamber was so spacious. It was decorated with so many ornaments. Looking around, she suddenly felt the longing for her father, King Arthur.

She missed her royal family and the Kingdom of Zephyra.

’I wonder if I can still go back to my homeland.’ Sadness surged up in her heart as she lowered her gaze, holding back her tears.

’I have to stay alive. I won’t let my father’s sacrifices be put in vain.’ Esmeralda encouraged herself.

With Cristoff by her side, she no longer felt lonely. She was grateful that she found a man who loved her so much.

She couldn’t help but smile as she thought about Cristoff.

Suddenly... someone pulled her, wrapping her in his arms.

"Esme," he softly uttered her name.

Esmeralda gazed up only to see the man she was thinking of.

"Cristoff? What are you doing here?" She asked him in confusion.

"I’ve missed you!" He said, ignoring her question. After saying that, he immediately captured her lips, kissing her passionately.

Esmeralda tried to resist him, pushing him.

"Stop, Cristoff! We are inside the king’s chamber. We can’t do this here." Esmeralda slightly reprimanded him.

But he just let out a husky laugh as he grabbed his shoulders.

"Esme, look at me," King Solomon said with a wide grin on his face.

Esmeralda paused for a moment, her eyes scanning him from head to toe. Then she fell silent the moment she realized something.

Cristoff was not wearing ordinary clothes. He resembled a nobleman at this moment.

Her heart suddenly became anxious as she looked at him.

"What is the meaning of this, Cristoff? What are you doing here in the king’s chamber? Have you seen the royal physician? Where is King Solomon?" She bombarded him with so many questions.

He cupped her face and looked at her in the eyes. "Esme... I can no longer hide this from you. I am here to reveal to you my real identity. I am King Solomon."

Esmeralda’s body stiffened the moment she heard that. Shock and disbelief washed over her. That was something she didn’t expect to hear from him.

’No! This can’t be...’ Esmeralda instinctively stepped back, clenching her fists. Her heart sank almost instantly like a stone in a pond.

"Please tell me you are just joking, Cristoff," Esmeralda said, her eyes begging him.

King Solomon walked closer to her as he shook his head.

"No, Esme. I’m telling the truth. I’m the king of Averion. Forgive me if I lied to you. I’m not a royal servant."

Esmeralda felt like every ounce of her energy was drained from her. Her legs trembled and her heart constricted, suffocating her.

"I thought you loved me..." Esmeralda slammed her eyes shut, trying to calm her raging emotions.

"You deceived me... Everything about Cristoff is just a lie," she murmured, lowering her gaze. She didn’t want to look at King Solomon’s face.

"Esme, please believe me. I didn’t lie when I confessed to you. My feelings for you are real and true! I fell in love with you. I want you to be my woman. Nothing changed. I want to be with you forever."

Esmeralda stepped back once more, distancing herself from King Solomon.

"No. We can’t do that! You are the king of this kingdom. You are married to the Queen. You have children. You and I can’t be together." Esmeralda said in her calm tone, hiding the pain of his deception. She was heartbroken.

"We have to stop now."

Esmeralda was about to leave and run away; however, King Solomon immediately captured her in his arms, hugging her from behind.

"No! Esme. I can’t lose you. I love you so much. We can still continue seeing each other. We can love each other secretly. Esme, you can become my woman. I promise I will protect you. Queen Amara will never know about us. I will let you stay in the Lotus Pavilion and I will visit you every day."

She shut her eyes and gritted her teeth. Yes, she loved him. But she knew that this love was forbidden. He already had a family. She didn’t want to be a mistress. And she would never ask him to choose her.

At this moment, letting him go was the right thing to do. If he truly loved her, then why was he asking her this ridiculous request?

"I will give you everything. You will no longer need to work as a servant. I’ll treat you as a princess. I will make your life easy in this palace." King Solomon continued convincing her.

"Even though I can’t marry you like what I’ve promised, you can still become a King’s woman. You will enjoy the same privileges of the noblewoman."

When she heard those words coming from him, she lost her temper. She turned around and slapped the king.

Pak!

King Solomon was caught by surprise. He didn’t expect that Esmeralda would slap him.

"Is that how low you think of me? Do you think I would gladly accept your offer just because I’m just a mere servant?" She looked at him defiantly.

"I don’t need your power. I don’t want your wealth. And I will never ask you for your love. I prefer to be a servant than to be a king’s secret woman. Our relationship is just a big mistake... and it is a forbidden sin... a crime." She spoke with conviction, not intimidated by the king.

"Let’s forget everything that happened between us. I will consider those moments as a sweet dream. And now, we should wake up. That’s the right thing to do, Your Majesty." Esmeralda was so determined to cut ties with him.

King Solomon felt as though his heart was being pierced by daggers right now as he listened to her words.

"No! Please... Esme. I can’t do this. I love you! I will never forget you. Please don’t leave me. Don’t break up with me," King Solomon begged her desperately.

Esmeralda had strengthened her resolve. Though she was in pain, she had to endure it. She touched Solomon’s face for one last time and planted a goodbye kiss on his cheek.

Without looking back, Esmeralda dashed out of the king’s chamber, leaving King Solomon behind.