The first person I saw when I got to the castle was Raleigh. He's probably the last person I needed to see after the taunt he pulled the last time. It's not my fault though, I heard a knock on my door and checked it.
“Milady” he bowed. “ May I?”
I remembered that night— same 'May l?' what does he want this time?
“ What do you want?”
“ I came to apologize...” he trailed off. “for that night.”
“ Never mind forget that... it's okay” I was about to slam the door on his face when he stopped me.
“ You're not angry huh?” I nodded. “ then we can have breakfast together?”
“ sure, I'll join you in a sec.”
He hesitated. “ no ... here. The maid will serve is the meal here. I've asked her to.”
What again?!
“ Fine, come in.” I opened the door to allow him in. Moments later, a maid walked in and served out food. We ate quietly and when we were done, He began to talk.
Must there be a talk after food? I wonder sometimes.
“ I drank a lot yesterday. I'm sorry for all the nasty thing I might have said.“
I was quiet, all I needed to do was to ignore him till he leaves himself.
” Can I ask a question Milady? “” he asked.
I nodded.
“ Are you engaged with anyone in this castle?”
“ No one.” I said.
He smiled faintly and continued. “ you know, since we won the war, I'm gonna take my father's position, as promised by the king.”
“ congratulations” I said that with my tongue in my cheek. This pervert killed his dying father and brothers all in one day!
He chuckled. “ Well, now I need a queen...”
Hehehe! I just hope it's not what I'm thinking.
“ I'll be honored if you'll be my queen milady.”
Boom! What was that?!
It took all the energy I had in me to hold back my laughter.
“ Are you sure you're not still drunk?” He stood up and joined me on my couch.
I was thinking of how best to say, 'that dream can never come through' to him.
A demon who betrayed his own blood for a damn throne.
“ I'm not drunk.”
I had to change my seat. He was getting too close.
“ Snap out of it! I'm not a demon. Weren't you told?” I said.
“ I know. And I don't care...cause I like you.”
Huh...like?
I forbid you! My subconscious screamed.
“ I'm here as a punishment. The king would not allow any of this...”
“ he will.” he cut in.“ I've told him about this. In fact, it's part of our deal.”
“ I'm a soldier, a warrior. Can't be anyone's wife.” I retorted.
“ Oh you can.” he stood up and I did too. This man— I don't trust him.
“ why are you giving excuses? Don't you...like me?”
I walked to the door, my hand on the door knob.
“you should go. I can't be your queen. Find someone else.”
He walked over and placed his hands on my shoulder. I flinched.
“ Tell me Claudia. Don't you like me?”
“ I don't like you and I can't be your queen.” I yelled. “ it's not supposed to be forced or is it?” I opened the door only to find Julian standing there.
“ Ehm..I'm sorry Milady. I..” he was exchanging glares with Raleigh. “ I'll take my leave” he turned to go but I stopped him.
“ you don't need to. He was leaving.” Then I addressed Raleigh. “ you heard me, you should go.” He stormed out on rage.
Julian walked in, his expression cold as ice.
“ why are you here?” I asked him.
“what was that about?”
“ none of your business.”
Jealousy was written all over him.
“ Oh really.” he grinned. “ you have forgotten so soon that you're here to work not to flirt.”
What?! How dare he?
“ flirt? What you saying?” I wanted to add— The only person I flirt with here is you. How dare you judge me?!
“ What were you two doing... that close?!”
I need not to be angry right now. I just have to control it.
I snorted. “What right do you have to ask? You're just my assistant. Why're you taking this all too personal?”
“ oh so it's true huh?” his face burned dark red. “ with Raleigh? No...no... Raleigh is evil.”
I wanted to shake him and scream into his ears that I wasn't flirting with anyone. I just can't because I would not want to look vulnerable.
“ you don't tell me who I...” I trailed off. “ you know what? Forget this okay? Why are you here? You can as well leave if you don't have anything to say.”
He's really annoying me.
Julian gave a slight chuckle. “ Where have you been? With Raleigh?”
I finally laughed. No more pretence, I've got to spell it all out for him. “ you're jealous. It's all written over you.” Then I feigned a serious face. “ but I won't take any more insults. Go straight to the point.”
He swallowed. “ We searched the whole castle for you. The king asked to see you but you were missing.”
I bit my lip. Shit! Why do things always go wrong?
“ Was he... The king— was he suspicious?”
“ Not really, you know he still doesn't trust you. But that's settled now.” he paused. “ I said you were at the city gate, helping with reconstructuring. He sent a messenger and he confirmed you were there. I know you can't be the one at the city gate.”
I just smiled. Emiliar, that naughty girl, she's really watching my back.
“ or were you? What would you be doing in that kind of place?”
“ I wasn't.” I smiled as I watched his expression turn cold and visibly pained. Oh my what is he thinking?
“ I had to get my sister and Emiliar out of here and you know that so why are you thinking too much over this?”
“ The castle was locked. Only the royal family was allowed to go out.”
“ I didn't pass the gate. ” I hissed and walked over to the window. I felt like fresh air would help ease my anger or whatever I was feeling.
“no more questions. Your jealousy is annoying. I'm sure you're not thinking straight. Go and rest. I'll see the king when I'm ready.”
The room fell silent. After a while, I felt his muscular arm envelope my body. Instinctively, I leaned on his chest.
“ I do not want to lose you Katrienair.” I was quiet, lost in my own fantasies. That's what his touch does to me.
“ I heard Raleigh. Would you be his queen?”
“you must have heard what I said to him too.” I said more like a whisper. “ why do you care?”
His hold got tighter. His scent filled my nostrils, filled my sense.
“ cause you're mine Katrienair. Cause I would not let anyone have you...cause I love you.”
I froze in place. Holy mother of...What did he just say?!
“ What did you say?” I gasped.
“ I love you Katrienair.”
Oh my... I'm drowning!
“What?...Why?...” I pursed my lips. “ How?...”
His nose was buried in my head. I felt like he was breathing in my brain, breathing into my senses.
“ What were you thinking?” I tried hard to keep a straight voice. “ you should not have...no... What were you thinking?!”
“What?!” I heard him gasp.
“ Why did you allow your feelings wander about?” I asked.
“what?!”
“ you heard me.” I said. “ you should not have...”
“What you saying?!”
“ you're a demon, the heir! And I'm a...” I trailed off. “ we can never be together.”
I wanted to hurt him but I've just spilled out my greatest fear.