18

Dedicated to all you wonderful readers. Enjoy 💜

***

He did not have time for this.

But she was curious and when curious she got her answers. There would be no stopping her.

" Fine, if you won't tell me that, what about your parents? Is any of them a witch? Or perhaps your father is a sorcerer. "

He pivoted at the last minute, almost crashing into her. " Miss, do you know how irritating it is to have people poking in your business? "

She crossed her arms and looked up at him with a smile. " Fine, pardon me. I always let curiosity get the best of me. "

" Well, it killed the cat. "

She scoffed. For now she would give up. Something about this man intrigued her. " But you should apologize to me though, "

A spark lit up in his eyes and she smiled.

He would have liked to strangle her.

" There was no need for you to check if he was still alive. " she said, raising her chin.

He raised an eyebrow. " who? "

" The late councilman. "

" Ah… " he still did not understand.

" I would never have killed him. I wouldn't soil my hand in his blood or that of any other scum. Becoming a dark witch is not worth the kill. "

" I see. "

He turned away.

" You haven't apologized. " she said, running in front of him and once again he almost crashed into her.

" Miss perhaps you think the castle is a playground..."

" You must apologize! " she said, raising her voice and causing a scene. The other guards and maids who stood waiting for the princess stared at them with open curiosity until he glared at them and they looked away.

" You're starting to become a nuisance. Maybe having the palace guards throw you out would clear your head a bit. "

" You should think that over, I'm very good at ruining reputations. If you apologize for insulting my integrity. I'll let bygones be bygones. " she said with a smile.

This time he exploded but made sure not to raise his voice. " you are a crazy lady! I have never done anything to you and I owe you no explanations or apologies. I was simply doing my job. He might have already been dead when you found him. I was simply making sure he was alive. "

" Thank you for the explanation. " she said smiling.

He had never met anyone as frustrating as her.

" Leonard, " he looked to the side to see Clarissa approaching.

So his name is Leonard. The sister thought to herself.

The sister of light bowed and curtseyed with a smile on her lips. She had never been this entertained.

" Introduce me to your friend. "

" She's not… "

" Raine Elias, your highness. "

" Elias? You're councilman Sebastian's daughter. "

She smiled. " Yes, your majesty. "

Her smiles were starting to annoy the princess.

She was cute and as happy as the rainbow.

So this was the type of girl Leonard preferred.

Princess Clarissa nodded and turned away from them towards her room with her guards and maids ready to follow her.

" Should I get the horses? " Leonard asked her.

Her back was still turned to them as she replied. " No, I just want to be alone, cancel all arrangements made. You should attend to your guest. "

Leonard's stomach dropped at the cold tone she'd used. He would have to find time to explain to her. So she would not misunderstand. But still would everything be better left as it is?

" Are the both of you in a relationship? " Raine asked. " Very sorry if I've caused any trouble. "

" No, there's nothing between us. She's going to be getting married to the Lord of Shadow's Kiss. "

" The vampire Lord, " she wondered if she should tell him. But she chose not to. " He can be very picky. " Was the best she told him.

" What do you mean? " Leonard asked her. " Anyone would be lucky to be able to make Clarissa their wife. "

He used the princess's name so casually yet he said there is nothing between them.

" I've said more than I should. I will take my leave now. See you later Leonard. "

He looked at her as she bounced on her shoes walking away. He had never met anyone quite like her and he hoped they would never meet again.

***

The princess was standing at her door when the door next to hers opened. Dante came running out also dressed in training attire.

He smiled at her and bowed his head like a gentleman just as she had thought him.

" Good job Dante, but I did tell you that gentlemen don't run in the palace. It's bad manners. "

He pouted and the sight of him doing that almost made her smile.

" Enough with the pouting. Gentlemen, don't pout. It's unbecoming of you. "

He lost the pout and made a serious face, lifting his head and chin up as she had taught him.

The child was a joy indeed. " Better " she complimented him.

And he smiled. " Are we still going to train your highness? "

" We had to cancel that. Something else came up. " she said, feeling sad all of a sudden.

The child was quick to note the change in her tone and expression. Whenever his mother has been in a mood such as this she got angry and he steered clear. He wondered if the princess would also get angry. " Do you want to be alone? "

She was about to say yes but she saw something in his expression which changed her mind. " I don't want to be alone. But I'd like to nap for a while. " she said, bending to his eye level. " Perhaps you'd like to guard me while I have my nap. "

He smiled at her.

" My guards are not really all that efficient. They tend to fall asleep " she whispered in a conspiratory voice that caused the child to giggle.

The child's smile grew. " I promise to guard you with my life. "

" Really? " The princess asked standing straight.

" Yes, I promise. I won't even blink " he said, widening his eyes.

" Perhaps I'll make you a knight. But first you have to keep your promise. " She said, holding his hand in hers as they went inside her room.

Her maids and guards wondered if this was the cold hearted princess many spoke of. They were yet to see any of the cruelty she was said to exhibit.

Clarissa pretended to sleep for a while and sometimes slightly opened her eyes to check on the boy. He was still awake for some time. After an hour, he fell asleep and she had him moved to his room.

She wondered what she would do about him. If she was truly going to get married to the vampire Lord then would she leave him behind or bring him with her. For now she would watch over him and teach him what she could.

Author's note

Thank you so much for reading. Don't forget to vote, comment, share, rate/review, add to your libraries and reading lists. Thanks again💜