Chapter 50

"No… you're definitely glaring" I glanced away, feeling unsettled at his intensity, "Anyway Connor is simply my landlord, but as I happen to never engage much with men the people around me like to make a fuss out of all my relationships".

"Even though the prince clearly favours you?" He gave a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. I laughed at his words taking them as a joke even if he hadn't meant it as one.

"They call it my sudden bloom" I scratched my nose, embarrassed at the silliness, "though I do wish that prince would leave me alone, though".

"I'm sure he'd feel hurt hearing that" he made a fake wounded sound and then we fell into a lapse of silence. The ones full of all the questions you want to ask, but are too scared to. It stretched far enough for me to gain a bit of courage.

"So… Jules?" I lifted a brow at him with a small smile.

He let out a sigh, "it's my Empiric name" he gave me a lazy smile, eyes lighting in a way that made me glance away.

"Do you… think I could actually aid Grandor?" I asked hesitantly, gaze jumping from him to my feet.

"I don't know" his anti climactic answer made me slump, but then he breathed in, "You remind me of myself". I looked at him curiously, but he stared out of my little office window, far off "I hated Grandor when I was young. I hated it because it reduced the person I loved to an empty carcass. But that person loved this place deeply despite it all. If they hadn't I would've left for the Empire- but instead I want to change this country for them. So it can be a safe place for someone like her one day ".

I did not doubt that he spoke of the queen. The late queen. His mother. But hadn't he been quite young when she passed? So how could he remember her…

"Do you… think of her often?" I asked, gazing at him. He looked so strong, yet so lonely.

"Every time I want to run away".

I didn't reply, not because I couldn't relate. I could not, but I understood him better now. All this time I would question why she remained, now I know why.

"She must have loved you a lot".

He looked forlorn.

"Let's go to the tailor- introduce me to this Connor Archangel that you seem to like so much" he sharply turned away, reaching for the handle just as the office doors opened and there he was.

Brown curls falling down his shoulder and those almond eyes widened in surprise. He caught sight of me and smiled, glancing between me and the stranger.

"Apologies, I hadn't realised you had someone with you" he stepped back, ready to return except he seemed to eye up the prince. I could see Jules shoulders square ever so slightly.

"No. This is perfect." I moved to stand before Connor, holding a hand out to the prince, "Your highness, this is Connor Archangel. Connor, this is… well you get the picture" I shrugged and his brows raised as he quickly bowed.

"Your highness, forgive me for intruding on your conversation. I hadn't realised you would be attending" he threw me a look, asking for an explanation, but before I could open my mouth Jules answered.

"Not at all. I simply had business with Madeline and decided to visit" there was an echo when he said my name- a moment were he said in such an emphasised casual manner that I flushed.

Why was he saying my name so casually and why did it feel like it was on purpose?

"I see. Madeline never explained you guys were close enough to visit unannounced" Connor replied politely, face devoid of any emotion that may have given his words away as a jab, but I wasn't a fool.

"It's not that, he's simply here on behalf of the dowager" I explained, finding myself squeezed between the two.

"Oh, for business then?" Connors voice was brisk, but cold.

The princes gaze narrowed, darting to me as he frowned.

"I thought you said we were friends?"

I blinked. Quite literally.

"Well- we are- but that doesn't"-

"Friends?" Connor intervened, "Madeline you make friends with princes? It must be business related then. It's always like that with you" he chuckled, lifting a hand to pat my back, except it didn't make it.

The prince who had once been two metres away had suddenly materialised right between us. The gravity around us was suddenly crushing, as I caught the sight of the prince slapping away Connors hand.

"Do not touch her". His voice octaves deeper, carrying a tone of such power and authority that no one could deny it.

We were both frozen, planted in our spot.