Body temperature of Coretta Hayes has fallen below average temperature sustained by the human body. Due to automatic electric compulsion in near-death situations, we expect her arrival soon.

Heart in throat, I closed the AI book slowly after reading the message that had popped a week ago.

Damnit was I so close to going back?

I shook my head. No. I wasn't going anytime soon. There's so much left to write. More importantly, to know how Julian disappeared.

There wasn't a doubt that those four days in the hut were hell. And I was going to write every detail of this torture that ancient women had to endure.

It was Dimitra who saved my life.

That night, she had heard mistress Ionna's lethal screams at me in the hallway. Amid the darkness of the chilly dawn, she was the one to bring me a warm cloth to cover myself and food. I dared not eat anything that was practically thrown at my feet by the mistress' followers. I feared if they poisoned it.

Every dawn, she would come to take the woollen cloth back for the mistress' suspicion at who helped me. Although what other things I had to do as an impure woman was something, I would never like to recall, I was forever grateful to Dimitra.

But Julian was the one to end my pain.

I leaned against the headboard to stare at the ceiling, hands wrapped around my knees.

The chains I used to keep my heart at bay, to be as humanoid as possible, were broken the second he...

Did that.

A shuddering warmth enveloped me when I thought back to it. I closed my eyes in an unknown feeling, reluctantly trying to recreate the feel, and then, a wave of embarrassment hit me.

Kissing wasn't an easy thing to do.

All this time my imagination of a kiss by kissing my pillow was in vain. Now I realised how difficult it was. For a loon like me, it wasn't a melt-me-till-my-toes experience; it was more like I-hate-you-my-dead-lips.

But he'd had no difficulty in going along. It wasn't a peck or a little kiss of assurance. It was...

I breathed out. It was something spectacular.

Damn spectacular than a Hershey's kiss we singletons cherished.

I buried my head in a sigh. This had to happen. No matter how much I tried to be the same end of the magnet that was Julian, I was the opposite one.

And it was becoming harder to escape his magnetic field.

Calls started to buzz in my head and I let out a little groan of protest, before picking each one of them.

"You damn traitor, Coretta Hayes!" Cheryl screamed.

"Cors, babe, what torturous way of freezing yourself to death were you using to return, huh?" Lorenzo asked, worried, almost spooked.

They all had received the message in their AI books.

"Thatsitimnotgonnabequiet you said you wouldn't die alone, what the hell Cors thatsnotfrickinfair!" Dunkin bawled out whatever he could get out through his panicked state.

Guys, give me a moment to speak...

"Look, no one's gonna leave before informing each one of us. That's a strict order from me," Aarmen butted in.

From the time mistress Ionna had pushed me in the hut, I had disconnected myself, just so they didn't do anything stupid to come rescue me. The nearest one was Cheryl. I could already imagine her come barrelling for mistress Ionna to knock her teeth out.

She still considered me a baby who should be sheltered.

"I had to live in a hut," I mumbled, "You know, to exorcise bloody mary off me. Her monthly possession of the female body is horrendous," I snorted.

Even though they were worried out of their wits for my near-death situation, they burst into laughter.

Cheryl was the quickest to recover, "That menstrual hut shit?"

"Yep, that. And a demoness called mistress Ionna initiated it."

Before she could say anything, Dunkin cut her off, "Oh man, if not anyone else, you could've told Lorenzo!" he guffawed, probably at some inside joke.

"Don't you know? He's boss at seducing older women. So much that they wanna marry him!" He along with Aarmen started shrieking in laughter, "Just ONE look of our sexy-for-oldies buddy, and that mistress Ina mina would've melted to a puddle!"

I hadn't laughed so much in a long time that I was rolling on my bed. Lorenzo grumbled and grumbled, but in vain. Too bad he couldn't punch Dunkin's mouth shut.

"Edit out the 'older' from women, Donut," I could hear the grin in his voice, "At least I'm not drowning in celibacy like you. I hope you are enjoying your PURE life as a little priest to the se- ahem, the lovemaking goddess herself. How ironic."

Cheryl and I cracked up till we were out of breath. They went on without a stop to let us breathe in between the frenzied laughter, their comebacks never halting.

At last, Aarmen kicked them out of the call when their double meanings got too grotesque to hear. He and Cheryl assured one more time if I was alright, after which they went back to their work.

Getting off my bed, I stretched my arms to peep outside the window. The shadow of the pointer on the sundial showed a little before twelve of noon. This ancient stone clock that used the Sun's rays to measure time was amazing. I didn't need to order any watches from the AI book.

During the days in the hut, I hadn't realised I had caught a fever. It was Julian's order for me to take three day's rest before I started any work. I sucked up a breath and sighed, at how the situation was now... with him and the concubines.

I wasn't going to worry about impressing them anymore, because no matter what, their perspective wasn't changing. Especially after Julian's outwardness, I wonder if they could even bear my presence in the kitchen.

The only thing I was glad for was the misunderstanding to fade away. For Julian and me to become normal again.

A bit too normal.

I walked to the door to open it when a knock came. Dimitra stood there, smiling as ever.

"How are you feeling, Althea?" I ushered her in and she touched the back of her hand on my forehead, "The fever is gone," she hummed, "I told you, Gaia's herb selection is wonderful, didn't I?"

I nodded and hugged her, much to her surprise, "Thank you so much, for being there for me."

"Most welcome, dear court writer," she giggled, "So, would you like to continue with your routine? Or... it's alright if you don't want to work in the kitchen anymore," she offered. She understood everything I had to face, working with those vicious women of the palace. Except for a few, most weren't ready to accept my presence.

They chirped about and around Julian as if he had announced a plan of having ten wives.

"I... wanted to start my usual work but..." I hesitated, "The concubines..." I looked her in the eye, "You know well, what His Honour did," I sighed.

She kept an assuring hand on my shoulder, "Don't take it too personally," I faced her wearily, "He believes that his concubines are a representative of him while you,

"As a court writer, you are the representative of his kingdom. And undoubtedly, he values his kingdom above him, that's why he's more concerned about you," she spoke softly as if it was the first thing anyone could think of.

But I didn't think about it the way she thought so naturally. That made me ashamed of my apparently hormone-induced brain.

Not just any oestrogen. This time it was a different type - Hormone Julian. There wasn't a better way to name this outrageous chemical that was spreading in my body like that... virus the department told us about.

It sounded something like my name. Coretta... Coretna... Corena virus something.

Whatever it was, I wasn't safe because a deadlier virus was synthesising here in my body. Hormone Julian.

"Althea..." Dimitra trailed, looking at my stare focussed on the chair, when inside, my thoughts were spiralling, "Don't worry about the concubines.

"His Honour doesn't approve of gossiping so... the ladies have been quiet for most of the time now," she smiled brightly.

With tension trickling down my head, I followed her to the kitchen, too embarrassed to meet anyone's gaze. I remembered some of them had seen Julian carrying me. Oh, Julian, why did you have to go so overboard with me?

I was so uneasy that I didn't even meet Phoebe or Zurin and went to stand awkwardly at one spot near the brick stove.

There I was again. Thinking about their opinions. I told them I had a very professional relationship with him and now...

"Althea!" The two concubines who I'd avoided sprang up and crushed me in a hug together. So much that I wasn't able to breathe.

"We love you so much!" They withdrew, holding my hands, and squealed, "Mistress Ionna is gone from the palace!"

I took a much-needed breath at the surprise, "Oh," I exclaimed, confused at the fact they weren't showing any jealousy toward me.

It should've been there because it was my suffering under mistress Ionna and not theirs that Julian noticed.

Did he say something to them... about me?

I gulped. I hope not. I want to remain as hidden as possible!

They went on lengths at what happened in the meeting hall, and I nodded along, anxious that they would ask about me too.

What he did to me.

To my relief, they didn't bring any such topic and happily went about their work. It was so much easier when everything was in place.

Everything was better if things were good between me and Julian. I smiled as I sat down to cut the veggies. The only person I needed to keep impressed was him.

My eyes moved onto the opposite end of the kitchen where they had placed fresh fish fillets. A smile quirked up my lips.

"It's fish day today!" Agnes, who was more vocal now, cheered, looking lovingly at the pieces, "They are my favourite!"

"What type is this?" I crouched to inspect the pieces. They looked somewhere near common carp.

"It's the Nile tilapia," Zurin offered, "We will make it with green onions, lemon powder and a lot of salt and pepper, with some bread. A soup of sorts." Agnes couldn't help but lick her lips, "For the winters, it's an amazing sweet and sour dish!"

My mouth watered at the description, but more so at what I was thinking. I looked down at the fillets again.

I will make fish fingers for my ancient buddies.

"I'll prepare the side dish," I told Dimitra, but added quickly, "Uh, I don't know how it would turn out... so, should I make it only for the women?"

She shook her head in denial, "I know whatever you make will be good, so make it for everyone. Haven't you passed my trial already?" She grinned.

For the next few hours, the kitchen sizzled with a mouth-watering aroma. We had additional helpers too, and surprisingly, most of them were huddled near me as I made the twenty-first-century dish.

"Ah, it's called... Macademian fish!" I explained awkwardly when a woman wouldn't stop praising and bombarding me with questions, "It is a famous dish of my hometown, Macademia," I giggled, rolling the breadcrumbs over the fillet.

It felt unfair to not let these ancient folks have a taste of the future, despite me knowing it. The dish was subtle and not too fancy so I was more or less sure, I wasn't altering historical events.

Deep inside, I also wanted to see how Julian would react to it...

"Ah, Althea, a word with you," When I was done with the side cream for the fish fingers, Zurin dragged me to one corner, her mouth next to my ear, "If you don't want to make Phoebe jealous, don't serve Ashtor today," she whispered.

It took some time to process what she said, and when I faced her, astonished, she was already leaving with a wink.

A chatterbox for a chatterbox, I chuckled. What a great coupling.

As we filled everything in plates and bowls, Dimitra looked anxiously at the dining, where the men were already seated.

"Ladies," she faced us, "Did Caspara inform, that she wouldn't be coming for the serving today?" she frowned. No one replied.

"Who will serve... His Honour, then..." she paced across the kitchen, mumbling to herself, looking around at any suitable woman.

"Phoebe," she came up to the concubine who was staring at the fish fingers as if she'd gobble it all anytime, "Can you serve His Honour today?"

At that Zurin leapt up, leaving her serving preparation, "She will serve Ashtor!" Phoebe gawked at her as if she couldn't imagine. Her face going red.

A laugh was bubbling up my throat, but I kept it at bay. These concubines were real quick in finding lovers when Julian... lost interest in them?

"I believe Althea serves Ashtor... no?" Dimitra crinkled her brows in thought.

Zurin looked at me, accusatorially, "Do you have a problem, Althea? If she serves Ashtor?" she jutted out her chin, but her eyes were begging me to say no.

She was like that best friend who deliberately pushed her friend to her crush.

"No, no problem. I will do as everyone wants," I shrugged with a smile. Phoebe stood frozen in her spot and I spotted her lips twitching on repeat.

There was a strange joy whenever someone was paired with their crush. But it was odd, though, that none of them was panting after Julian anymore. I wondered what happened suddenly, to swirl their mind off him.

Then it dawned on me that I had to serve the holy king today. Just like he'd demanded.

You'll serve me now.

I took a peek of the dining, hiding effectively behind the door frame.

He was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed as he talked to a warrior. The arms that screamed power and comfort at the same time.

A sigh escaped me. I couldn't deny the rising euphoria whenever his arms were enclosed around me. The way he looked so strong, killing anyone with a single hand still, the same hands so gentle on me, it seemed impossible for a warrior of his built to possess such contrasting traits.

Just... who are you, Julian?

His hair was slicked back as if he'd just had a bath. The royal red velvet material draped over one of his arms.

He has to look so good in such loose clothing too...

After a minute, he went back to looking at no one in particular, his expression oddly pleased. Even when his eyes were fixed on the walls of the dining, his mouth curved into a smile.

My heart lurched, and I rushed back in. Hormone Julian made me forget, there's something called looking-from-the-corner-of-the-eyes too.

Soon I walked with the ladies to serve. The vibe of raw male amusement thick in the air made me focus on the food in my hands instead of looking at anyone.

Gingerly, I stepped next to Julian's seat and placed the big bowl of fish fingers in the centre. Callie brought another bowl of herb-cream that would go with it.

It wasn't the main dish, still, everyone was hooked on this never-seen-before food.

"Greetings, my Lord," I said the customary salutation as I arranged the plate and cutlery in front of him.

"You're glowing today."

Impossible heat surged my cheeks, making me halt for a second. Did he...

I looked down. His arms were still crossed, eyes moving on the warriors sitting across from him. I heaved a sigh of relief. Lunatic me making things up.

"Like the Sun's rays."

This time I jolted. The blush fighting back on my cheeks.

It would've been easier if the heart wasn't an involuntary organ.

"Y- You are... glowing too, my Lord," I replied.

He chuckled, pressing a fist to his mouth to seize it, so the others don't notice. I stifled a laugh myself.

Intricate pitchers lay on the table, each containing water and wine. The concubines went about asking the warriors and serving them the said beverage.

No one looked, but I surely caught Phoebe lightly smacking Ashtor's head. My eyes bogged out when she literally glared down at him, then expertly took the goblet of wine back to place another one with plain water. He huffed.

"What would you like to drink... my Lord," I asked cautiously.

"You."

My breath clogged in my throat. This time Phoebe's eyes flicked to me, looking curiously at my flushed face. If only I could hide my cheeks with my braid!

"What do you drink?" he asked again. I was dumbfounded. Did I... did I listen to an incomplete sentence before?

"W- Water it is," I mumbled and hastily poured it for him before he could start playing with my sanity again.

Throughout the lunch, the warriors ate and chatted. Ashtor was his usual self, laughing without a care. Judging by his stance, he appeared to be a major warrior, to be this reckless in front of their king without getting fired.

Julian was silent as he ate, just like his mom. Only listening to what others had to say. I wondered if he got any trait from his father, maybe just the colour of his eyes that didn't match his mother's. It would've been amazing if I get to know about his family.

The women started serving the side dish, explaining to the men how it had to be dipped in the cream and eaten. They nodded in childlike curiosity.

Ashtor made an indecent noise from the back of his throat as his eyes closed in the food's bliss. Phoebe shook her head. Guess he was too vocal about his feelings.

"Mate, you're in the dining, not your bedroom," a warrior nudged him. Everyone roared in laughter.

"Hands down, man, hands down. What in heaven is this delicacy?!" he yelped, looking starry-eyed at the fish fingers.

"Something so mind-shatteringly delicious is made with, as simple as a fish? I wanna kiss that person's feet who made this, seriously!"

The warriors laughed in understanding, appreciating the dish subtly. Good thing they weren't as dramatic as him.

Hesitantly, I looked down at Julian, who was eating as I'd explained him. While others were fumbling over the snack, scraping out the crusty cover to look in awe, he ate unaffected, like a man of my century would.

Without surprise.

He moved the piece over the cream and bit on, mouth working silently, "What's added in the cream?" he questioned, "I sense a herb."

I opened my mouth but closed when it occurred to me what he was implying. My mind began to spin again. Here I was. Tangled in yet another one of his tricks.

"Rosemary herb it is, my Lord," I mumbled. His low, deep chuckle reverberated my entire poor body.

"Rosemary is delicious," he hummed, dipping a finger to suck the cream alone. I grew hot. Hotter like I'd never been. Was it possible for someone's sexiness to increase as they ate?

He didn't even have to look up to see the tomato I had become.

King of Romanos was the king of flirtation.

I thought I could take a much-needed breath, but he spoke again, "Who made it?" This time, he said it aloud, and the women straightened up. The men lowered their voices.

"It's Althea, my Lord," Dimitra bowed.

Ashtor looked on as if a child was handed a candy. I knew he wanted to pour out another string of praises because he'd loved the Ishtar cream too, but chose to be silent, given their king was talking.

"Who told you to make it?" Julian inquired, and I grew stiff.

My heart thumped against my chest. He wasn't seeming angry, only a curious smugness hung in his voice.