The King's Last Heir

Page 14

Keith sigh, after trying to shoot the arrow like Rose had taught him, he wasn't able to give one clear shot at the board..

After many trials and errors, he decided it was time for him to stop.

He had lost track of time and it was so late at night already.

He decided to return to his room, barely able to stand straight due to exhaustion.

Just as he walked into the mansion, he came across the maids carrying food from the dining area to the kitchen.

He stops her midway..

“Can I have that?” Keith asked.

“Why would you eat something off of someone else’s plate?” 

The Master's voice echoed from a nearby room.

There was a huge wooden table that sat on the floor. The Master, his daughter Rose, Ellinor and Paula, are sitting around the table.

They were settled on the pillow cushion set beside the table.

“Come and join us” the master said with a broad smile on his face.

Keith was hesitant.

The sort of people seated by the table… he wasn't quite sure he will be welcome there..

“Sire, you don't have to. I'll just get my food and it's on my way to my room..”

“It's okay Keith. You can join us” Rose said with a big smile on her face.

Keith smiled and nod in return only to meet Ellinor's death glare. He was sure to be an overprotective fiance!

Keith made his way towards the table and settled beside Paula.

He could see the man beside him was irritated but it was the safest place to sit right now.

“I had one of the Maids to call you but you weren't in your room” the master said.

“Yes, I was outside”

He exchanged a quick glance with Rose, it was clear that they had to keep this a secret between the both of them.

“Master why is this boy joining us at the table? I still don't understand why he is being assigned to Ellinor! He has no respect just like him!”

Ellinor said nothing , his concentration was on the plate in front of him. Keith could see just how upset he was!

Keith wondered if Ellunor was upset with him. Is he safe right now?

“Ellinor said the training with you has been quite progressive. I'm guessing that is a good sign”

As much as Keith wanted to complain and tell the Master that he has been doing nothing but counting beans, he decided to keep his mouth shut and nod instead.

“I told you that overtime, you will learn from the best. I tell you!” The Master laughs heartily.

He offered a weak smile, not sure if that was a good thing or not..

“Master, I want to understand why he's at the table with us! This boy is as rude as his instructor!” Paula said again as though no one had heard the first time..

“He's at the table because I said he is going to be at the table. Is there a problem with that Paula?” 

Paula glances at Keith and then back at the Master and shakes his head.

“There's no problem at all, Master. No problem at all” Paula said, staring at Keith as he stabbed his chopping stick into the beef in front of him.

Keith clears his throat, refusing to meet his gaze. He really shouldn't be at this table if his presence hot , Ellinor upset and Paula, annoyed.

Keith wasn't sure how to tell Master Warden that he needed to get away from this intense table.

“Finally” 

Keith glances up to see another round if meals being brought into the dinning area.

The delicious aroma filled the room and Keith found himself staring at the meals like he'd found his long lost love…

“Shall we?” 

Keith waited until everyone had their plates of meal before serving himself.

Rice balls, his favourites! Bacon, grapes, apples, all kinds of fruit…

This was like the table befitting for a king! 

Keith forgot all about the people on the table and fed himself to his satisfaction. He was in his own world of comfort and food was the next beautiful thing in his life! 

Warden, Rose, Ellinor and Paula couldn't help but stare at Keith as he ate. To one person, Keith ate with the grace of a king, to another, he looked really charming, to the next, he looked like a hungry buffalo and to the last person, he seemed really hungry..

“Eat slowly” Warden said unconsciously.

Keith bowed his head in acknowledgement, still stuffing his face. 

Ellinor glances at Rose and notices how she stared at Keith with amusement.

She taps Rose's leg under the table who composes herself almost immediately.

She didn't realise she was being so obvious. Ellinor rolled her eyes, what was so charming in Keith anyway? He looks like a stray dog that needs some special care!

Finally they were done eating and the plates were cleared by the Maids.

“Thank you so much for the meal sir, '' Paula said in gratitude.

They don't get to eat from the Master's table very often and those once in a while should be appreciated…

“We should do this often. It's really nice to eat with people” Warden said 

They nodded in agreement.

“I'll be on my way master, I do hope you have a lovely night” Paula said and Warden waved him goodbye.

Paula left almost immediately.

“I would like to speak to you Keith. Come with me” 

Warden heads out of the room and Keith follows, not sure what the master wanted to talk about..

“Wh6 did you teach him how to hold a bow?” Ellinor asked 

Rose sighed, of course Ellinor had seen them both.

“I was trying to help” 

“He's my student Rose! Not yours! If I don't teach him how you shoot an arrow, it's because he's not ready for that yet!” 

“Are you sure? Are you sure it's not because the Master wants to put him in charge of a mission you've trained for all your life?”