Chapter 13

Huh???

"What did you say???" Leon asked her coming back to stand where he was which made her stagger back a bit when she saw the closeness.

"Do you realize who you're talking to?" He questioned her, wondering where she got the effrontery to speak to him in that manner or even say what she said.

Realising her mistake, she hesitantly apologised but Leon could tell it was insincere. He had no time for playing around but somehow felt the urge to continue this discussion with this maid. However, Melina was in no mood to talk to anyone especially not the one of the high class that looked down on her. She had been trying her very best to stay away from trouble but it seemed trouble had become her companion and looked for every opportunity to get her.

"Are you going to do what you're supposed to do now? Or do you want me to help you?" He ventured to threaten her.

"Umm....what am I supposed to do, sorry?" Confused Melina asked.

"You don't know what to do...???" He raised his eyebrows.

"...."

"Fine then...I'd help you. Gua-" he wanted to call a guard when she quickly covered his mouth in an attempt to stop him.

"No...no stop, sorry....sorry milord. I'll leave for my room now. Please don't call anyone." She begged while still placing her tiny hand on his mouth. When she saw the tension had reduced, she immediately removed her hand from his mouth and zoomed off to her room in the castle.

Meanwhile, Leon stood in his exact spot again, this time surprised.

Did she just cover his mouth?😶 he asked himself still recovering from the shock that a maid just covered his mouth...., something even his sisters never dared to do with him since his father was very strict about people respecting his son's position.

If his father was alive to see this, then he doubted this girl will still be breathing fine by now or probably rotting in the dungeon.

Yet, he couldn't tell why he didn't feel a bit angry about what just happened now.

Giving a quick turnaround just to make sure no one saw what took place, he left the passage and headed for his room.

The next morning, Leon woke up as usual. Took his bath with the help of the servants, and after he dressed up, he left for the courtroom. On his way, he met Matthew, his right-hand man.

"Good morning my Prince"

"Good morning. I'm guessing you enjoyed your night pretty well?" He said with a joking smile and Matthew smirked.

"Just two of them." He replied with a wink and Leon merely nodded.

He had seen Matthew enter his room with two women last night and needed no one to tell him what conspired.

"It's good you've enjoyed yourself. Now, get ready for work today."

"Already prepared my mind." He laughed.

They entered the courtroom where new Chieftains were now seated. Leon stared at the juveniles who had been assigned court duties. They were only more work for him since they barely also knew anything.

"Good morning, Prince!" They bowed their heads in greeting, which Leon acknowledged.

"I hope you are complete. There is a lot to do today."

"If I may speak, milord." Vitale, Lord Nicholas's second son, who had now taken his place spoke and Leon gave a go-ahead.

"There is something I've been wanting us to discuss for a while." He paused and stared at everyone.

"I'm Listening."

"It's about your marriage, Prince. We are aware that before you become King, you need to have a wife who we can depend on to give you an heir. So..." he paused expecting everyone to support him. However, the entire court just went silent....since everyone knew🙄 that he was rooting for his sister, who had been promised to Leon since childhood.

"I think you found the wrong time to discuss this, Vitale. We have more important things to talk about other than my marriage. The Kingdom is on fire if you know what I mean." The Prince explained and this time, the entire court hummed in support of what Leon just said.

They had no choice anyways...he was the Prince.

They spent a while talking about the Kingdom's problems as well as possible solutions.

After hours of deliberating, Leon left the courtroom to attend to other duties when he heard a familiar voice he had been trying to avoid since the morning.

"Leon! There you are!" Came Jordyn's voice. She was heaving for air as she ran to meet him because she had been searching for him since.

"Jordyn. How are you?" Came the question from Leon as he put a forced smile on his face.

"I'm fine and you?" Came her answer as she embraced him for a hug but he suddenly blocked it and started walking away as if she wasn't there. Nevertheless, she followed him.

"So how has the Kingdom been doing?" She tried to start a conversation as they walked through the corridor.

"You're in it. You should know." He remarked.

"Oh....that's not what I mean. I'm talking about your duties as the Prince. How's it doing?"

"As usual."

"I don't know the usual?" She said when suddenly, Leon stopped in his steps.

"Jordyn, I have a lot to do okay? Can you give me some space?" He begged with a stoic look so she knew he wasn't joking.

"But...." She tried to persuade them when he interrupted.

"There's no but in this. I really need you to stop stalking me." He deadpanned still walking away and this time, she got angry.

"What do you mean stalking you?! We're supposed to get married in the near future, Leon. We're meant to have time for each other."

"Exactly. That's a more reason for you to leave me alone. We'd be getting married in the near future, not the 'near present'. I have a lot on my shoulders to carry now. So push aside whatever we have in the near future and leave me to deal with the present." He rashly told her without filtering the words even a little.

What was wrong with him? Jordyn asked herself, a bit dissapointed that her plan today had failed.

Not waiting for her response, he left the passage straight to the main parlour.

When he got there, he saw this same person he had seen yesterday.

Why was she here again and...alone??