6 Rejection Never Felt So Sweet

As Aliesha continued to dress my wavy, dark tresses, there came a sudden knock on the door.

"Who is it?" I called out.

"Miss, you have a guest," Conrad, our head butler, said from the other side of the door.

"A guest?" I asked, bewildered, as I glanced up at Aliesha in the mirror. My maid simply shrugged, looking as surprised as I was. "Who could it be on such a busy day?"

"Emperor Xavier of the Theradia Sovereign, my lady," Conrad answered.

Unsure of whose gasp was loudest, I looked at Aliesha who had a panicked look in her eyes. Without another word, she hastened her work and neatly tied my hair into a bun as fast as she could. Afterwards, I immediately stood up, relieved that I hadn't decided to wear my ball gown yet and was still in my casual dress.

"Tell him I'm on my way," I said and Conrad confirmed before leaving. Then I turned to Aliesha who just finished straightening my dress out. "He really is a strange man, isn't he? What in the world would he need me for at this hour? Or, better yet, why would he even need me?"

"I can't think of anything, my lady," Aliesha answered and then minimized her voice. "But I must agree. He is definitely a strange man." We both chuckled at that. However, I still couldn't help but feel extremely bewildered and irritated at the same time about the sudden visit, and from a man I barely just met as well.

Without further ado, I marched out of my room and headed towards the drawing room where all of our guests are usually received in, eager to find out just why the bloody hell he decided to invite himself over.

As I neared the drawing room, I could hear my mother's pleased laughter and his deep voice from what seemed like a pleasant conversation between the two. Once I entered, I saw the huge grin on my mother's lips as she continued to talk with him about ladies with him flattering her the whole time. I frowned at that, doubt and suspicion bubbling within me as I looked at him. What ever could his reason be for visiting and flattering my mother?

"Ah, Lady Anastasia," he spoke up, his eyes darting to me with a smile on his face. "A pleasure to meet you."

"Darling! What a lucky lady you truly are for meeting His Majesty, Emperor Xavier yesterday," she cheerfully mentioned as she glided to my side. Leaning towards my ear, she whispered, "He's such a catch. If you decide to marry him, I shall support you all the way." She winked at me shamelessly as she leaned back.

My jaw dropped and my brows furrowed deeper. "Mother!" I gasped. What a traitor! Just because she was showered a couple of flattering words and compliments.

I then glared at the intruder and he simply looked at me with amusement. What a sneaky and cunning man. I wonder what he wants from me.

Mother simply chuckled and kissed my cheek. "Well then, I shall leave you two to attend to your business," she said as she walked towards the door. Before she left, she turned and smiled mischievously at us.

I rolled my eyes and inwardly groaned. I knew exactly what she was thinking of. After that, I turned to the man in front of me who had a smirk on his face, the former pleasant look on his face gone.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," I finally greeted after everything, curtsying. "What brings you to our humble abode on such a busy day?" I made sure to sound as sarcastic as possible.

But the man simply smirked. "You can drop the pretenses, Lady Anastasia," he spoke as he sat down on a chair. "I prefer it when you speak straightforward, as I've heard from the rumors." His eyes held a glint of mischief in them as he said that.

I smiled politely. "Pardon me, Your Majesty," I spoke. "But rumors are not entirely facts, and though I'm not exactly sure what rumors about me you've heard, I'm sure it is above you to believe such things, am I right?"

At that, I saw his lips twitch upwards but he kept a trained and observant eye on me still. "I see. I would apologize," he began, standing up and walking towards me. I held my ground as I looked up at him once we were merely a few feet apart. "If it wasn't true. But it is, isn't it?"

Clever man. To that, I couldn't help but give a chuckle. "And why would I ever be so rude to a foreign guest? An emperor, no less?" I countered as I stared back.

He grinned. "If I say it is an order, would you listen to me then?" he asked.

I gave a low chuckle. "I am only subject to one royal ruler, Your Majesty," I answered and then turned away. I walked to the chair and sat down. "Well then," I began as I turned to him. "To what do I owe such a timely visit, Your Majesty?"

Taking the seat opposite me, he folded his arms and looked straight at me, his scarlet eyes almost glowing. "I want you to be my escort for the rest of my visit, Lady Anastasia," he blatantly answered with no hint of reservation or hesitation. This man was confident, inside and out, and I couldn't help but admire him for it.

If only his request wasn't so ridiculous.

"Denied," I gave him an equally blunt answer as I took a sip of my tea.

He gave a chuckle. "Matthias did say you wouldn't agree," he commented.

"And I assume you came here on your own accord then?" I asked. "My cousin wouldn't be foolish enough to have actually supported you, even if you are a powerful ruler." I eyed him from the rim of my cup.

To that, he let out a laugh. "I still can't believe that man would be more afraid of his cousin than me," he said. "What has the world become?"

It was then I cleared my throat after glancing at the clock. There was only a few more hours 'til I need to leave and I still haven't prepared enough. "Well, is that all?" I asked, setting my tea down. "I believe we've nothing left to discuss. Don't you still need to prepare, Your Majesty?"

He smiled, his eyes telling me he knew exactly what I was trying to do. "Such a shame, really," he spoke as he leaned back on his chair. "I would love you to be my escort, Lady Anastasia. I don't believe there's anybody else who could interest me as much as you do." He stared at me with sincere eyes. I couldn't help but blush at his statement. This man was clearly trying to make a pass at me.

But who does he think he is to try me, the great Anastasia?

I gave him the coldest smile I could muster. "I'm sure there are more ladies out there who are far more interesting and all the more willing to escort you, Your Majesty," I spoke bluntly as I stood up.

Before he could reply, I called for Conrad who was just behind the door. "His Majesty has a tight schedule and must depart now," I told him without looking at that thick faced man. "See to it he is escorted properly out." I made sure to stress the last word.

It was only then I turned back to him. With a practiced smile, I said, "Have a good day, Emperor Xavier." And with that, I left.

***

It was the first time Xavier was consistently rejected by a lady and be kicked out of her house by none other than herself. He was left stunned when she left without so much as letting him reply, but even then he couldn't help but give an amused laugh.

As he boarded his carriage, he couldn't help but look back at the Castillon manor. "Truly, what an interesting lady," he muttered to himself.

"Pardon me, Sire?" Smith, his clumsy albeit capable aide, asked.

"Forget it," Xavier replied, shaking his head.

"You must have had quite a good time, Sire," Smith commented with a smile. "Did the lady accept your proposal?"

Xavier glared at him and the servant shrunk a bit. "Don't call it that, Smith," he said. A smile then swept his lips as he remembered their exchange. "She didn't accept it. But I had a good time indeed." To that, Smith couldn't help but look completely confused.