57 Chapter eight (5)

Walter had not received instructions since he had done his task. Walking around the city with his mother; he could see that the latest development in the royal family has caused the capital to go into a bit of a frenzy. The cold was getting more pronounced; he could tell the windy quarter was fully here. He watched his mother and sister's excitement as they tried on clothes for the white cold and sighed. Things were bothering him; things he could not explain.

"Walter," he heard his mother call before she arrived at his side. Besides his mother stood two women. He had glanced at them before, so knew who they were. They were his mother's new friend from the capital's countryside and her daughter.

"This is Mrs Fionette and her daughter, Lana," his mother introduced. He nodded at the two, in hopes of immediately leaving. The look that Lana girl gave him reminded him of the Lady Steinhouse, and he finally understood why he was dragged by his mother to come shopping with them.

"Don't leave so fast, Walter. Since you are here, you should show Lana around the city," his mother stopped him.

"Is this necessary? You said you would not take time, so why are you branching out to other things? I'm not free today," Water frowned at his mother.

"When are you ever free? It will not take long. I just have a few things to discuss with Mrs. Fionette," Walter's mother said before turning to Lana, "Lana, go with Walter while your mother and I talk,"

"Brother, let's just go. You know how she is," Amie said to Walter trying to drag him away.

"No Amie, you go have your fitting," his mother pushed Amie to the attendant before moving away with Mrs Fionette. Walter turned to have a better look at the girl in front of him and sighed. He felt he should make more male friends. He was about to open his mouth when he was called.

"Walter," he felt his back stiffen at that voice. He looked sideways to see Lady Steinhouse approach him. What are the odds, she would be here at this moment? Walter felt a headache coming. He remembered how he had a bad feeling about this shopping activity the moment he was forcefully invited by his mother.

Lady Steinhouse reached him in seconds. She smiled sweetly, ignoring the gloomy look on his face. She acted as though she had not seen Lana and grabbed Walter's arm.

"It must be fate. Why are you here?" she asked.

"Why are you here?" Walter asked.

"I just came to look around. You've been scarce these days," she said and Lana coughed, gaining their attention.

"Who is your friend?" Lady Steinhouse smiled at Lana.

"I came to shop with his sister; our families are close," Lana answered. She tried to smile, but the lady before her gave her a bad feeling, especially with that smile on her face.

"Oh really?" Lady Steinhouse asked. Lana felt her hair stand at the lady's stare. She felt as though those eyes were challenging her. Suddenly, she wanted to win.

"Mr. Krain is here to keep us company since he is free," Lana said before Walter could talk.

"I guess he has to take responsibility for his family," Lady Steinhouse said before turning to Walter, "But you are busy today. I thought you said you would come with me to Madame D'huile. I know family is important, but you haven't seen me try on the dresses you got for me last time,"

Walter felt his head hurt. This was getting out of hand. Lady Steinhouse had always been one to be up to no good, he knew this would not end well.

"Madame D'huile? I just thought it was nice he took his mother shopping; I guess he is a benevolent person," Lana's eyes shrunk, but she refused to lose. Even with all the benevolence, who would buy clothes at Madame D'huile for just anyone? Did this lady think she could make her back down because he got her expensive things? It's a winner-take-all. If nothing else, this made her more interested in Walter. If he could afford Madame D'huile, then he was her perfect catch.

"Yes. He's really nice. He even gave this Princess a token," Lady Steinhouse said with a sweet smile. She had seen the look on the girl's face when she mentioned Madame D'huile. This little girl was irritating her. Seeing her back down the moment she referred to herself as a princess, her smile widened.

"Tell my mother something came up," Walter said to Lana. It was the first time he had said anything to her, so she smiled sweetly and nodded. He then grabbed Lady Steinhouse away.

"Let's go," he said, frowning at her. As Lana watched them leave, there was a dangerous glint in her eye.

Walter had left with Lady Steinhouse; both entering the lady's carriage and leaving. Walter was silent for a while before asking her to go into the upper town.

"You are annoyed I talked to her that way?" Lady Steinhouse frowned. Walter only glanced at her silently. All he wanted was some quiet. He felt as though he had just escaped a war; the only thing left was to leave this hot iron sitting beside him behind before he got burnt.

"I just saved you from that situation and you are angry with me? Or did you really want to show that girl around the city; I spoilt your happy plans?" she continued to ask in annoyance.

"What has come over you?" Walter asked at last. He wanted to know if she had forgotten who she is. Why would she be circling him around? What was her purpose?

"What has come over me? So you really wanted to show her around town? I saw the way she was pushed unto you and wanted to help, but it seems I had done something unnecessary," she said, feeling very wronged.

"Help? You behaved as though you would eat her raw. If we didn't leave, were you going to bully her till she begged?"

"Why not? Why are you so angry because of how I treated her?" Lady Steinhouse seemed to burst in fury.

"It's not how you treated her that is the problem. What is wrong with you?" he asked.

"How can you scold me over another girl?" she asked and Walter could see the tears threatening to spill from her eyes and sighed, he was officially lost.

"Another girl?" he asked as he moved closer to her. He was close enough for her to feel his breath on her face. He was very aware of his actions. In fact, it was intentional. She always seemed too flustered at this distance; this was how he intended to get answers.

"Who is the rightful girl, then," he asked and she turned red.

"You? Is that why you are so angry?" he asked and she nodded before she could register her actions.

"So, you feel as though I'm your property that someone is trying to steal, is that it? That's why you are crying? You are sad I scolded you because of some woman?" he asked and she nodded. He was not stupid, he understood this from the beginning. But, that was not what bothered him.

"Why? Do you think we will marry someday? Do you think the king will give away his niece to me? Can you already see that day?" he asked dangerously. Only then did she come to her senses. She pushed him away and turned a deeper shade of red.

"I..." she started. Walter returned to a safe distance while still staring at her. He had gotten to where he was because of Lady Wickshire. Though his mother had started to think this was where they were born to be, he had not forgotten that this was just part of the job and the lady may have other plans for him.

"You what? You have not thought that far ahead? Or are you saying you were hoping I'd one day marry you?" he asked and she bit the inside of her lip.

"Are you saying you don't like me?" she asked and Walter frowned. Did she hear anything he just said? Does she think this is a game?

"You said you don't like the make-up and the dresses and I changed it. What is wrong with me, now?" she asked.

"Did you even hear a word I said? I'm not in the habit of playing. You don't take into account the consequences of your actions. What is with this attitude?" he asked as he felt himself grow angry.

"Answer me first!" she insisted. Walter let down the window drapes by his side and the coach descended into darkness. Though dark, he could still see her clearly. He reached out and grabbed her chin, before lowering himself to kiss her lips.

Lady Steinhouse descended into stupor. It happened so fast she could only realize what was happening when she felt his warm lips. The way he kissed her, she was sure he had done this before. There was no way he would be this good. Given the fact that she had nothing to compare the experience with, she just had to conclude that it was a very good kiss. She only knew one thing; she did not want it to end, she wanted him to do more. She could feel her lower body drumming and heat up, but it was over sooner than she wanted. She moaned as he withdrew.

Walter did not think himself a saint. At his age, he could be described as hot-blooded. When he was in the village, he had messed with a lot of the village girls; even spending some time in the brothels of the lower town with his then friends, so knew well how to please a woman. He knew, if he did not stop, it was going to get too far. This woman had been seducing him for a long time; so, as far as he was concerned, she wanted it. If he had not reminded himself that she was out of his league, he would have gone all the way.

The coach had stopped, and there was silence, so he could still hear her heavy breathing. The sound was tearing down all his restraints.

"Lady Steinhouse, you are a princess. Don't forget that," he said before leaving quickly.