Page 33 of Ghosts and Ginger Tea

“Is something bothering you?”

A frown had crossed my face and Keanu waited, not forcing an answer. A lump formed in my throat. I wasn’t used to someone reading me… not even my sister could read me most of the time. Somehow my true emotions showed around Keanu.

“Oh I was just thinking… Thank you for breaking my betrothal to Pulu.”

He grinned, the first one that morning since our serious conversation. “It was my pleasure.” Then, a pause. “Was he… someone you were interested in at all in the past?” A strain of insecurity touched his voice, and I blinked. Was he worried that I hoped to be with someone else?

“Oh no. Not at all.”

The king let out a quiet breath, almost one of relief. He smiled his charming smile, as if he hadn’t been worried at all, then asked, “Were you ever interested in anyone else?”

I thought about it, then shook my head. “I was too busy fishing.”

“Did you fish everyday?”

“Yes.” I pursed my lips before adding, “My eyes used to always be red from it. Father used to say nobody would want to marry me because of my eyes, so I should be grateful Pulu agreed to a betrothal.”

Keanu’s eyebrows furrowed. “I remember your eyes the night we met. They were bloodshot.”

“Bloodshot from fishing all the time. I hated looking in mirrors,” I admitted. “The sun and saltwater really affected me.” It was almost a relief to look in the mirror lately, to see a clean, normal white color in my eyes.

“Your physique and freckled skin indicate that you are a hardworking spearfisher, a skill that few possess, and certainly not an easy one to attain,” Keanu said. “Your efforts to care for your family are admirable, Oliana.”

Was he… complimenting me?

“Thank you.” I meant it. Nobody had ever told me I was doing a good job providing for my mother and sister. Or gave me a pat on the back for all the work I did to build a future for them.

“Speaking of the night we met. How did you figure out the riddles?” Keanu asked.

I picked out a banana muffin from the variety of foods on the table. A gentle breeze wafted through the garden, swaying the palm trees above, and carrying a sweet floral fragrance.

“My father was a drunk, and when he was inebriated, he’d speak in riddles.” The sweet, warm scent of the muffin filled the air as I broke it in half. “They were quite ridiculous, but… I made up riddles in my head to pass the time, especially when I went fishing. It sometimes grew lonely and tedious being in the ocean for hours.”

“Your father was a drunk?” Keanu looked concerned. “Were you safe at home?”

“Oh… I suppose.” I shrugged. “He died about a month ago, and everything has been better since. Except for the fact that he betrothed me to Pulu.”

“He died a month ago?” Keanu frowned. “What was his name?”

“Iosefa.”

The chief grew strangely silent, so I ate my muffin. It tasted so cozy and delicious, I almost got lost in the moment.

After a stretch of time, the king said, “Interesting.”

Servants approached to take our dishes, and Keanu stood, then hurried to pull out my chair for me. I thought he’d offer his arm, but he took my hand in his.

“We don’t have to pretend,” I muttered, and he grinned.

“Pretend what?”

“That we like each other. It seems like everyone knows this isn’t real.” We had already gone over this on the wedding night, so why did he persist?

“It’s not real?” Keanu raised an eyebrow, as if testing me. I frowned and he quickly squeezed my hand, as if to move on. “That’s fascinating you made up riddles in your head. I’d love to hear them sometime.”

I rolled my eyes, pulling my hand free from his. “No, you don’t.”

We stepped out of the garden and entered the palace another way. Keanu didn’t argue. Instead, he asked, “What are your thoughts on the riddle?”