"I thought you''re just going with the flow, my lady. It seemed like you are already in love with the King," Rosalia teased Aisha, making her come back to her senses.

    "No, I''m not. I just have a crush on him because he looks so hot, that''s all," Aisha retaliated back to Rosalia, who stepped backward while still stifling a smile.

    Aisha immediately cleared her throat and answered his question in a determined manner.

    "No, it''s fine, your Majesty," Aisha bowed down to him before she lifted her head and chuckled uncomfortably. "It''s better than staying inside my room. May I?"

    She thought that King Leandro would just hand her the rake.

    But he went over to her back and put his arms around her before putting the rake on her hands. "Allow me to help you, my lady," he said to her.

    Aisha''s lady servants'' eyes went wide in surprise. They haven''t seen their King act in such physical proximity with another person.

    But they giggled afterward, seeing a loving act between a couple in front of them.

    However, Aisha was oblivious to all of them. She, too, was surprised at his actions.

    She knew he was a cold man, and the only time that he expressed his soft side was when they were alone together.

    There were even times that she also experienced that aloofness herself.

    Aisha gulped as his warm breath grazed on her ears, sending shivers down her spine.

    Her eyes unconsciously closed as she felt the warmth of his body again on hers. She couldn''t help but recall their moments together, in his Chamber.

    She glanced at him at that position. Her heart was pounding, so wildly she could almost hear them.

    But he was not looking at her. He was focused on the rake that they were both holding. But she could see his throat going up and down.

    She didn''t know what he was thinking. But she couldn''t help but remember what Rosalia told her last night.

    She, the lady servants and the King would support her all throughout her childbearing preparation.

    ''Was he expressing his determination to do just that right now?'' Aisha''s lips lifted in a smile.

    "You should hold it firmly like this and lift it using your shoulders, not your arms," he instructed her, making Aisha come back to her senses and focus on the task in front of her.

    She nodded her head and tried to do it again, as he instructed. And she was able to break through the piece of hardened soil.

    "Yes, I did it!" she blurted out, grinning from ear to ear as her balled-up fist shot up in the air.

    She just didn''t know if she was able to do so because his hand was on the rake, too. Or she really did it by herself.

    Her supportive servants clapped their hands in glee.

    "This is fun," she said as she held the rake firmly again. She thought that King Leandro would let her do it by herself this time.

    But he didn''t. He circled his masculine arms around her again like a loving boyfriend who was teaching his girlfriend how to play golf.

    This time, Aisha didn''t mind. She even leaned her back to his chest, so she could feel his warmth more.

    "Why are you doing this, your Majesty?" she thought out loud, feeling like a teenager at that moment.

    As she did so, King Leandro whispered in her ear, "I am making myself happy, just like you said."

    Surprised, Aisha turned to face him. As she did so, she saw that soft gaze again, melting Aisha''s resolve to stay focused on what she was doing.

    "Oh my gosh, you really know just the right words to say, do you?" she couldn''t help but smile at his flattery.

    She was pressured with all the childbearing tasks that she has to do. But he was like a clear sky, and she was like a bird that could fly freely whenever he was around.

    His presence made her feel that she can do impossible tasks and enjoy them at the same time.

    His gaze darted down to her lips, and her eyes landed on his.

    They were at a public place and within the sight of both her lady servants and the King''s royal guards.

    She wasn''t expecting him to make an intimate move. But with the silent conversation of their bodies, it seemed like there was a possibility that they would both ignore the warnings in their minds.

    Fortunately, a messenger came in with an envelope in his hand, making them separate from each other quickly.

    King Leandro immediately opened the envelope and read what was written in the letter.

    As Aisha was hoping, it seemed like it was good news, as King Leandro''s face brightened up.

    "This is from the ill servants who have tried drinking Gingiberi tea. They said that they don''t feel nauseous anymore," King Leandro told her the content of the letter with his face still in his solemn look, but his eyes were obviously gleaming with excitement.

    Aisha responded with the same enthusiasm. "Wow, that is so great! I can''t believe that the same method worked for different realms."

    Her eyes darted to the sky as she thanked God for the natural cure that He has provided for His people in times of need.

    The servants'' faces were also beaming, as some of them personally know those who were having the disease.

    "Why don''t we have breakfast now and let''s celebrate this event?" Aisha suggested to the King with her flashing set of white teeth.

    She was anticipating him to agree with her, as she was witnessing his uncontained joy.

    But King Leandro shook his head in refusal. "You go on ahead, my lady. I have to go to the Royal Chancery and write a letter first to the nobles, so they can be treated as well."

    Aisha''s previously upturned lips went neutral as she heard his response.

    "Of course, you must do that. They must be cured at once," she quickly bounced back with a forced smile.

    Aisha knew that it was the right thing to do.

    But she felt sad because she really wanted to be with him at that moment. And she wanted him to enjoy his time, even just for a few minutes, too.

    ******************************

    The greatest gift that you can ever give someone is your time.

    Because you are offering them something that you can never get back.