7 His fiancée

Queen puffed her chest and raised her head up when she said that.

'Take that you smelly cat! It's time you bow down to higher power'

Contrary to her expectations, Quince merely looked at her without a single change in his expression.

After all, it wasn't the first time someone said that to him. It is a well known fact to everyone that he has a fiancée. It's the De Roi tradition to have a fiancée since they were 5 years old. However, it is also tradition that no one but the parents would know whom the bride or groom of their child is. Only when the De Roi child turn 25 would they be allowed to know.

Due to this well known fact, many women tried to claim to be his bride for as long as he could remember. Another one doing the same won't surprise him.

"Where's the proof?" Quince calmly asked Queen. It was the same question he asked every single one that claimed to be his bride in the past.

Queen was shocked when she heard that question. 'Isn't he supposed to open his eyes wide and be very very surprised? So surprised she has time to take his picture and use it to blackmail him later?'

"What proof?" Queen asked. Aren't her words proof enough?

Quince merely looked at her with his signature non expression. "I thought so." Even though there was no expression on his face, she could see the disdain hidden deep within his eyes.

Queen immediately saw red. She would have pounced on him and teach him some manners if not for the fact that this wasn't the time nor the place for it.

"So Miss Queen...if that's even your name, I repeat: who are you and what do you want? Why do you seem to know so much about poisons?" Quince took a step forward towards her. He looked really intimidating at that moment. It was the look he use to look at his enemies, though admittedly an enormously milder version, much to his dismay.

"My name is indeed Queen, Master Quince. I am whom I claimed to be and like said, I know about poisons because I was trained in it." Queen retorted back.

"Why would a lady such as yourself be trained in the art of poisons Miss Queen?" Quince asked coldly. He wasn't about to believe her.

"Why wouldn't I be Master Quince?" She asked back, quirking one of her delicate brows up. A mischievous smile back on her lips.

"Do not try my patience Miss Queen."

"And if I do?" Queen asked daringly.

"You'll find yourself drowning in the sea, with no one knowing any better." Quince uttered coldly.

They were all on an overnight cruise. It's the grand opening of the cruise, and Quince invited many guests to celebrate it here and he certainly doesn't remember inviting anyone with a surname like hers.

A party was held with food and beverage available to everyone on board. Right now, they were in the middle of the sea and would only reach the shore tomorrow evening. With how rowdy the crowd is, no one would know if someone who came here alone goes missing.

"My, my, Master Quince. You are so very mean to your beautiful fiancée. What a disappointment." Queen said with a teasing smile on her face. 'Her Cat sure liked to get dramatic for stupid reasons.'

Quince merely waited for what she's about to say next. He knew she wasn't done yet.

"Well, if you know about my family, you would know why I am an expert in poisons. Not just poisons but everything in relations to food and beverage. So, how about we have a little bet Master Quince?" She asked with a cunning expression on her face.

"What sort of bet?"

"A bet that I can find the culprit before we land at shore tomorrow." Queen said confidently.

"Why would I agree to the bet?" He asked.

Queen took a step towards him, closing the distance between them before leaning forward to whisper softly in his ear. Her light jasmine scent assaulted his nose and he stood frozen still as he waited for her words.

"Well about that, my dear Master Quince, you would be able to save your reputation as the owner of the cruise and also see the proof that I am indeed your fiancée."

"How do I know that I can trust your words? How do I know that you won't find a way to escape?" He asked, narrowing his eyes as he glanced sideway at her.

Queen stepped back and laughed airily.

"It's hardly possible for me to escape from an over night cruise Master Quince. As for trust...you don't, you'll just have to wait and see."