"Are you okay, my dear? What's wrong?" He walked over to me, examining my reaction.
My eyes met his. "My purse... my clothes. My things from my planet are in it, and none of it look like it's from here. They’re somewhere in your castle. What if one of your servants finds any of it? What will happen to me if someone finds out?"
He wrapped his arms around my shoulders. “Auri, my people are used to travelers and such. I have had portals opened in the foyer when they worked. Besides, they are under my employ. They would come to me before anyone else if they had questions. But I do believe Sarah placed all of your things in our room. She is the only person allowed in there aside from me… and you now, of course.”
Allowing myself to relax a bit, I exhaled. "Okay. That's good." I attempted a smile, realizing I was wringing the strap of the bag I had been holding.
I went to put it back on the rack, but he held his hand out to take it. "You know you can keep that bag as well right? I am fine with that. You will need and want things. And I want you to have them.”
I held out the embroidered bag hesitantly. "Yeah? I mean, you've already bought me a few outfits, jewels, food, a weapon. I mean, if this were a dream? I'd get a few more outfits like this and lots of bags, accessories, some pretty things for the room in the castle to make it feel like it's part mine and on and on and on. But this isn't a dream. And I'm sure your money has limits. And that's not my room, let alone my castle."
“Clothes, bags, jewelry, shoes, brushes, undergarments. Hell, you can decorate rooms if your heart desires it. I can buy you three of everything in every one of these shops and still not feel it financially. Shop away." His fingers traced my jawline.
A man nearby chuckled, waving to Kane. "He's pretty much the richest being on this planet. He has funded wars for centuries. I think he can spare a few coins on clothes and baubles for his lady."
A silence fell between us all as Kane debated how to respond to the man speaking out of turn in his presence, knowing who he was. Kane centered himself with a slow breath and shrugged it off, accepting its truth. "I made a few fortunes over the years and stolen a few more on top of that. I have enough, and I do wish for you to be happy. If you want to by a few things for our room. Then do so. If you want to decorate the entire castle, do so. As long as you do not remove my collection entirely. If you want clothes, shop or have Sarah make them. If you want jewels, I’ll have them mined for you if that is what you wish. Like I have expressed, cost is no concern of mine."
"His lady?" I was stuck on that observation. "Does it appear as if we are together, sir?" I directed my question to the man who had brashly spoken up.
The merchant set down the small box of trinkets he had been setting out and smiled wide. "I cannot remember the King walking around with a woman before. Especially not one on his arm such as you are. And definitely not one dressed in Queen's robes."
I blinked, my gaze diverting to Kane. "Queen's robes, huh?" I fanned my skirts out, lifting it slightly and kicking a foot out enough to see a single shoe. "Is that what all this is? Queen's robes?"
"All that it is? My lady, those are exquisite. Those stones grow so rarely in this world. He is dressing you like royalty!" The man crossed his arms and looked offended by what he perceived was my dismissal of my attire.
Kane waved his hands. "Roman, I don't think that is what she intended. And I would give a word of warning that if this is how she is dressed, and I have chosen that attire, then you may want to speak to her with the respect of that station. Should you not?"
The man slunk back behind the counter, bowing his head. “Yes. Thank you for correcting me.”
Kane turned his attention to me. “Your attire was selected to suit you… who you are. Take that as it may be.”
I looked to the merchant and cocked my stance, a hand on my hip. "What I said was 'what all this is', not all that this is, sir. And if I'm in queen's robes? As Kane pointed out, I am pretty sure lecturing me would not be the correct choice of action. Tact is an underrated asset. I suggest you use it." I whipped back to Kane, tugging him out of earshot of the embarrassed and slightly scared merchant. "You're right. But are you dressing me like your queen? Should I be conducting myself in a different manner than just some female guest? Considering the fact that you said our room, am I supposed to act more appropriately?"
“You are supposed to be you, not someone you’re not.” When he saw that I was staring up at him, confusion pulling at my brow, he tried again, “The kind of person you are describing? I have been around many. You do not see any one of them by my side because they are not who I want. You are by my side. And I do not wish you to behave like someone you are not just because you are wearing some fancy gown and stones.”
My entire body warmed with his words, my heart thudding harder in my chest. I smirked in a very obvious way and stepped closer to him. "You really don't care
