Chapter 9 Admiring Her

• Catherine shifted her gaze back to the man standing tall at about 6ft3 meters in front of her. Only after hearing the voice of Sir Bradley did she realize this wasn’t an illusion at all, the man even knew her last name. She quickly fell to her knees and bowed her head towards the king’s feet in a state of panic.
• “Greetings to the Great King of the golden lands, master of the endless skies and boundless seas. Blessed with the strength of the sun and Southern Cross, ruler of the vast and bountiful lands of Australia, beloved by all who dwell beneath your banner, I am your loyal subject”, Catherine said in one breath as her head remained bowed. She heaved a small sign of relief thanking God she still remembered the “King’s Official Salutations” which was taught in middle school.
• “Rise”, she finally heard his deep and authoritative voice. She raised her head to look at him while still kneeling as if pinned to the ground. She could not find the strength to stand back up as he had commanded, she just kept looking up at him in awe. His gaze was intense, and it made Catherine feel even more anxious.
• What was the king of Australia doing at her house here in America? Moreover, his chiseled features, his broad shoulders, and his tall frame all appeared too good to be true. He looked so much more ethereal than what she had seen on TV and the internet. He was like a sculpted celestial being surrounded by an air of elegance.
• “You may rise my lady, and may we come in? Please don’t keep his majesty waiting outside for too long”, Sir Bradley added calmly, jolting her out of her wandering thoughts.
• Catherine then tried her possible best to calm herself as she proceeded to get up, but she continued to tremble due to anxiety. She held the wall to steady her shaky legs from falling back down as she attempted to ascend from her kneeling position. After barely standing up, she looked up immediately and met his eyes once again. His piercing sky-blue eyes seemed to gaze deep into her soul, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. She quickly looked down as she remembered it can be considered an offense for ordinary people to make eye contact with the king.
• “So can I have a word with you inside?”, this time it was the king who spoke again.
• “Uhnmm, ye....ye. I, I mean yes your....your Majesty. Please do come in”, she stuttered and quickly turned around to fling the door wide open. Afterward, she gestured nervously with her two hands as if ushering them inside.
• “Hmmm”, the king remarked before stepping inside in long and steady strides. All five of his aides and 3 bodyguards walked closely behind him while the other bodyguards remained outside, probably to keep watch.
• Catherine garnered the courage to compose herself and then walked faster to be ahead of the crew of unexpected visitors. She secretly thanked the good lords that her house was squeaky clean due to her early cleanup. She picked up one of her pillows and quickly dusted a couch even though there wasn’t a single dirt on it.
• “Here, your...your majesty. Please come sit here”, she said anxiously.
• The king nodded and gave her a vague smile as he took the seat she had prepared for him, crossing his legs gracefully. Catherine couldn't help but notice how his posture exuded authority and power. She wondered if she would ever be able to command such respect from others. The room was silent except for the sound of his aides shifting on their feet to stand in scattered positions in her living room and the occasional creak of the wooden floor.
• Catherine couldn’t help but feel intimidated by their presence and a bit claustrophobic. She stood awkwardly, not knowing what to do next. It didn’t help that her heart kept racing, wondering what this unexpected visit was all about. She kept fiddling with her dress while muttering to herself in a panic mood.
• King Shawn who was seated kept staring at her intently with a hint of amusement on his face as he watched her fumble around nervously. He couldn't help but admire Catherine's nerves of steel. Despite the anxiety written all over her face, she still managed to make efforts to fight it in order to keep her composure in the presence of the king and his entourage. He could tell she was trying her possible best to stay calm.
• "Your Majesty, may I offer you something to....to drink?" Catherine asked, trying to break the awkward silence. Shawn leaned back in his seat, his piercing blue eyes never leaving Catherine's face. He could see the uneasiness in her eyes, and it only made him more intrigued by her.
• Shawn shook his head. "No, thank you, just sit”, he said, pointing at the couch directly opposite him, his voice smooth and commanding. Catherine hesitated for a moment, but then she complied, her hands shaking slightly as she sat down. The king studied her for a moment as if he could see right through her. She was nervous, yes, but she was also poised and graceful.
• He made a mental note to himself to compliment her on that later. Watching her seating opposite him and fidgeting with her fingers, he was frankly enjoying this more than he thought he would. He took in her appearance and found that he liked it a lot. The woman was slim, tall, and sexy like a model. Her innocent face added more spice to her attractive feminine features. He had only one thought, ‘She’s beautiful’.
• He wondered how she managed to look very seductive like a ‘femme fatale’ but also delicate at the same time. He probably haven’t taken his eyes off her for even a second since they arrived at her doorstep. She was indeed very captivating with her long dark brown locks and stunning brown eyes.
• Over the past week, he had looked through her profile so many times on the royal seal website and had been intrigued by her looks and brains. She was barely 23 years old but already had numerous achievements in her belt. It was clear that she was a woman of substance, and that was exactly what he needed in a wife and queen. Seeing her apprehensive she was, he decided to tease her a bit before revealing the reason for his visit.
• "Relax, Miss Jones," he said with a smirk. " No need to be so jumpy. I'm not here to arrest you or anything."
• “Ehmm...Okay okay, I got it”, she replied with bated breath while staring at her floor.
• Shawn chuckled as he leaned back in his seat, crossing his legs and propping one arm on the back of the couch. Catherine looked up at him, her brown eyes meeting his piercing gaze. She couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine as she took in his commanding presence. He was the epitome of power and authority, while she was...... What was she again?