Chapter 32: Chapter 32Rose was intrigued by everything that Zayne spoke of. She couldn’t believe how far he had travelled as he represented his kingdom on behalf of his king or how he just sailed when he had the time to do it himself.

    She was jealous of the wonderful life Zayne had. If she were in his shoes, Rose would spend the rest of her life sailing out at sea. Other than the field she dreamt of there wasn’t anything important for her to see on land.

    Rose imagined listening to the waves as Zayne described and having a far better view of the night sky. She wished to better understand a map now so she might one day turn her adventures to the sea.

    "And it goes beyond what is drawn here," Rose said, touching the edge of the map.

    "Yes. Some people make it their life’s duty to map out the entire world so there are far larger maps. Ones you can hold in your hands. There is a big world out there to be explored and some of my things here are what I collected from my travels to get here," said Zayne.

    Rose looked away from the map to the things piled up in the room. "Do you want me to put them away or are they not to be touched?"

    "You can put them wherever you see fit. If it is left to me, they will be in their crates until it is time for me to leave," Zayne answered. Sёarch* The n?vel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Rose tried not to jump for joy that she would get to look around at his things. "There is one thing that I do not understand. You have to leave at some point so why didn’t you leave your things on your ship? Would they be stolen?"

    "No. We have a crew on the ships and staying near the docks. It is unknown how long I will be here so it is best to get comfortable. This is little in comparison to what I normally gather from my travels. If you weren’t fleeing from that fool, I would pay you to give me a tour," Zayne said, watching as she carefully put down the small ship.

    Rose was treating it like it was glass. It was easy for him to get another replica made but that would require her going home with him to get it.

    "I need a map to get around so I wouldn’t be of any help to you. Still, it is good to know there would have been another way for me to make money. If I were bold, I might tell you lies as I took you around on a tour," Rose considered.

    She couldn’t see herself doing it to Zayne as one look at him and you felt like confessing all the bad things you did so he wouldn’t punish you. Despite his scary appearance, he was nice so far. Maybe he would be less intimidating if he smiled more or at all.

    "Is there something on my face or have you started to notice how handsome I am?"

    Rose frowned, surprised to hear his cocky side. "I don’t know you well but I didn’t take you for someone to boast."

    Zayne shrugged his shoulders. "Well, you were staring at me and I know that I am handsome so it could be the reason."

    "It was not the reason. I was thinking of how scary you appear. What it would take for you to be less intimidating but even then, I have found myself comfortable around you. Don’t change as you are," Rose said as she had a good idea.

    Zayne didn’t appreciate the comment about him being intimidating right now. He was often told it but considering he had been gentle with Rose as opposed to how he was with his soldiers, he was expecting something different. "Because I am nice?"

    "If there are any visitors and you are here, one look at you and they would lose any interest in coming inside. Many haven’t enjoyed your soldiers’ visits but they are not fools to pick a fight with you. So, there is a benefit to looking scary," Rose muttered.

    Zayne closed his eyes as he took in what felt like both an insult and a compliment. After getting over the strange request, he opened his eyes to look at Rose. "If you are thinking of becoming scary, it is best that you do not try. It is impossible."

    Rose didn’t think so. "I can become scary. I’m sure it just takes some practice."

    "As much as I would like to be humoured by you trying to look scary, I wish to save you from wasting your time. The only thing that scares me about you is your love for setting things on fire-"

    "I do not have a love for it!" Rose argued.

    "Right. I must stop here before I find myself bitten by a bunny. Dinner for tonight will be rabbit stew and maybe some rice. I hope you aren’t so mad about eating a rabbit that you try to attack my soldiers. Little scary one," Zayne taunted as he walked by Rose. "Maybe I should have warned them about the dangers that linger in here."

    "I know that you are mocking me," Rose said, finding him to be annoying now.

    "See, I told you that you are smart and Rose, you don’t need to start cleaning right away. You can walk around to get familiar with the rooms and then start to work from tomorrow. Even my soldiers got to settle in before I had them get back to training. Or did you think I wanted you to rush because I am scary and cruel?" Zayne asked.

    "I didn’t say cruel and I am doing this because I want to show that you will not regret bringing me here. There is much to put away," Rose pointed to the crates.

    "It can wait. That was all there before you arrived and it did not bother anyone. You are to start work tomorrow unless you want to argue with your employer about it?"

    "No," Rose softly replied, disappointed that she couldn’t show how determined she was while he was here. ’I can surprise him by how clean it is when he returns,’ she thought, trying to remain positive.

    "Oh! Which room belongs to you so I can pay careful attention to it when I clean?" Rose asked.

    "It is around here somewhere," Zayne replied, continuing to keep the location a secret for now. "Shouldn’t you place that somewhere safer before it falls and breaks?" He pointed to the ship, using it as a distraction.

    Rose panicked as she did not want to ruin it already. "I should! Excuse me."