Chapter Sixty-Eight: I would eat me too

"That's just cool cus I have a similar story!" Clair's eyes lit up.

"Hmm, I was training and was in a terrible mood because I just simply could not master this technique my teacher was showing me. I've always had a bit of a temper, and so I stormed off in the middle of the woods and found an abandoned house. I found old DVDs in the attack and started playing them until I came across the first barbie movie and just watched it the whole time."

If Elliot and her adopted father were here to hear, they would object instantly. "A bit of a temper." She says the woman tried to kill all the doctors she saw as soon as she woke up from her coma.

She would also play with her utensils and point them at their necks, imagining ways on how to kill them, all because they had her on a peculiar diet.

They couldn't have her feed herself trash food anymore, they were also very strict with the proportions. They needed her healthy, but Ainara could have cared less.

Not to mention that time they tried to throw her, her first surprise birthday party, and she had Lukas by the throat.

'I can only thank them for being so patient with me.' Clair thought.

"I'm so glad they had electricity there, and it wasn't too deep in the woods. It would be a pity if I had not grown fond of those movies." She continued her story.

"You should have been around 8 by then, right?"

"Yup!"

"You had a teacher and was training since then?"

"Uh.. yeah, actually. I remember only a little. I think he trained me because he was friends with my parents." Clair said, not lying entirely.

"I haven't seen him since forever though, he's probably dead."

She left him speechless at the way she carelessly spoke.

"We weren't besties, your highness. I can't concern myself with someone I barely remember."

"James and that sounds more like you." He laughed.

"More like me? Are you saying the compassionate, kind, and confident Clair does not suit me?" She spoke of herself as if 'Clair' were just an act.

He raised an eyebrow, knowing it was not a complete act.

"Hmm, you've changed a bit that's all."

"I don't think I've changed. I simply learned to control my temper. You know if I hadn't done so I would already kill you for not being clear with your intentions."

"My intentions have always been clear." He stated, seriously.

"Is that so? Honesty is a wonderful trait for your highness. And we had a deal, my question is: what are your true intentions with me?"

"James, and yes, I have been honest with you."

Clair frowned. "Then if I kill you right now, what about your future subjects, your parents, and your brother? What would be of the responsibility on your shoulders?" She asked.

"I've never cared." He answered honestly.

"I always wanted an escape from this place. A kind and caring act of a ruler does not suit me."

"And what would? A heartless tyrant?"

"No, I think a pilot traveling the world would do the job." James smiled.

"Then why do you want to marry me and protect your country with this alliance."

"Though I don't care who the responsibility is given upon, I care about the people. I just wish I weren't the one who had to care. Does that make sense?"

"It does."

"You know, you could kill me right now. I made sure if I die, this country will be in the hands of a wise ruler, someone that can help this country in a way I never could."

Clair frowned, "Why?"

"Since when did you become so curious?" He tilted his head.

"Ever since you got curious about me." She lifted the ends of her lips lightly. It was as if she had smiled, and yet she hadn't.

"Hmph." He turned his head in the opposite direction, shaking it and taking a bite from the chocolate chip cookie in his hand.

"What?" She asked in a muffled voice as she snatched a cookie from his plate and stuffed it in her mouth.

Damn, why are they so good?

"Nothing, I just realized there's something I never told you."

"Shocker."

He ignored her sarcasm and said, "I think I would have entangled myself with you even back then. I was searching for you because I knew you could be a great alliance and we could help each other. Maybe not as my queen, but in a way to threaten off the traitors in my country."

"And what made you think I would accept? The situation differs. You wouldn't be able to push me into the corner using the Yves family. I wouldn't bat an eyelid if they all dropped dead in front of me." She shrugged.

"True, but I thought of helping you get the person you were looking for. Unfortunately, you were too quick and slipped right through my fingers. Before I could reach you, you were out of control and I had no choice but to cuff you or kill you."

"But before that, you would have squeezed as much information as you could from me." She assumed.

"Precisely." He admitted.

"Hmm, it's so interesting, isn't it? Things could have gone so differently and yet here we are, eating snacks and…. watching barbie."

"I guess so."

"Though you still irritate me." She added.

"Every time I see you, I have this tingly feeling to finish my unfinished business as well." James agreed.

"If only I had killed you right when I walked into that living room." Clair lamented.

"I agree." He nodded, and they both stared at the credits still rolling on the TV.

"What should we watch next?"

"Maybe we should sleep." He suggested.

Shrugging her shoulders she agreed and with his help, they quickly cleaned up their mess and headed to bed.

She thought they would have to sleep together, but when she saw the large black seat, sometimes used in theaters, she smiled.

"I'm sleeping there."

"It so happens I sleep there." His low voice rang, right beside her ears.

She was a bit startled when he towered over her body so suddenly, and she felt his hot breath on her neck.

"Your highness…. sharing is caring."

"Fine." He shook his head and swooped her off her feet in bridal style.

"Hey?" She held onto his shoulders, afraid of falling, and waited until he placed her down gently.

"Stay." He ordered in a demanding tone and walked away.

She was left in a small trance.

Whoa, where did that come from?

She didn't know how to label this different way of treating her.

Earlier it had been friendship and curiosity about each other, but this time it was different.

Like…. a super close friend?

Lover...kind of?

Maybe she isn't as good as she thought she was, sometimes just like right now she would have trouble understanding people's feelings towards her.

She was so confused, but she pushed the thoughts away and replaced them with the sweet pleasure of laying down on the seat and getting absorbed by it.

"I would eat me too if I were you," she mumbled, praising her beauty to a cuddle couch as if it were normal.

He laughed, watching her startled expression when the seat was suddenly taking her in too deep.

Offering a hand, he pulled her back up and laid down next to her, placing a blanket over them.

He pointed to the balcony and the amazing view.

"You have excellent taste." She commented.

"I guess we both do."

"Mn."