31 Chapter 31

Princess Liviana's POV

We settled on the blanket and started eating. "The sunset here is wonderful." He exclaimed while looking at the sun.

"I used to come here whenever I feel mad about something. The view is so relaxing, isn't it?" I said as I poured a glass of red wine.

He nodded his head. "This is the most beautiful place in your kingdom." He said. He looked really mesmerized, but who wouldn't? I had the same reaction as his when I first found out about this place.

"It's just a second day of our stay here. We still lots of things to do and we will attend the festival next week. You'll enjoy the parade, for sure." I stated.

"I'm going to watch how you will lose on archery competition." He looked at me, smirking. How arrogant.

I shook my head as I took a bite of my food. "The only one who beats me is Prince Elias. If he's not going to join the competition, I will win for sure." I said with self-confidence.

"Want to make a bet?" He challenged me. "If you lose, you will do whatever I want you to do. If you win, I will do whatever you want me to do." He said.

I looked at him for few seconds, thinking if I will agree to his scheme. I am confident that I will win, then I guess I have the advantage. "Deal." I said while smirking.

He smirked as well. "Deal." He said. We continued eating while asking me about my skill in archery and why I chose archery.

"Tell me the truth. Is Philip the only guy you had a relationship with?" He asked as he drank his wine. Don't tell me he's drunk again. We're only having a bottle of red wine.

"Yes, and it's a relationship between teenagers, nothing was serious." I said, defending myself. "Why are you bringing this up again?" I asked.

"Did you have a relationship with Andrew as well?" He questioned. His ears turned red.

I sighed. Why is he bringing up Prince Andrew in this conversation? "No. I barely talked to him. I just saw him often before."

"I wish I've known you since you're kids like Philip and Andrew." He said, now his cheeks have tainted of red.

"We are destined to meet each other a year ago. You'll probably feel pity towards me if you knew me back then." I said while smiling.

"I think you're right because you're boring." He said, smirking. I suddenly threw him a death glare. "Just kidding." He said. Then he looked at the other side, perhaps he's avoiding my gaze, or he doesn't want me to see her face. "I always enjoy being with you even you don't do or say anything." He whispered.

"What?" I asked, but I still heard what he said. I was just pretending that I didn't hear him. "Did you just curse me?" I questioned.

"What? Why would I do that? Start cleaning your ears. Damn it!" He said while blushing. I tried to hide my smile because I found him cute.

"Why are you blushing?" I teased him. He looked away angrily.

"It's just hot. Stop looking at me." He said. He looked so embarrassed, and I am enjoying it.

"How about you? Did you have relationships before Thalia?" I asked casually.

He slowly turned to me with wide eyes. "What?" He looked surprised.

"I'm asking about your past relationships before you got Thalia." I said. I tried to seem and sound normally as I can like I didn't even feel even a bit of pang in my chest.

"How did you know about Thalia?" He asked, looking still surprised. He suddenly looked nervous and agitated. "When did you know about it? Who told you?" He asked.

"Thalia told me few minutes before our wedding." I answered calmly. "Didn't she tell you that she told me?" I asked.

"So, you knew from the start." He said while staring at me with a look that I cannot define. I think it's a mixed emotion. "All this time, you knew about it, and it's all right with you?" He asked.

I avoided his gaze. "I thought that our marriage was just forced on us. The Prince that I was going to marry at that time was hers in the first place. Who am I to interfere, right? I mean, if you really love each other, I don't think our marriage will be a problem." I tried my best to look at him and smiled. "Is your relationship with her getting stronger?"

"What's the matter with you?" I was taken aback when he suddenly looked at me angrily. Did I say something wrong? "Is it really just fine with you even I love other woman?" He asked while his eyes are full of hope and expectation. My heart beats fast and I suddenly felt depressed.

"Do you really love her?" I asked nervously. "If you are happy with her, I am—"

"No." He said while looking at me intently. "I don't love her." He added. His cheeks and ears turned red. He was embarrassed. "Also, it's because I'm married." He said.

"Did the marriage force you to do that?" I asked curiously.

"I did that because that's what I want. I want to be the best husband to you." He said though I know he did that because he found out that I am his mate. However, I still wonder why Thalia told me that she was his mate. I am curious, what if I'm not his mate? Is he going to abandon me as Philip did to me?

I somehow understand what Thalia would feel. I was like her back then. Someone important to her suddenly left and became someone's husband. How cruel the world could be. How I wish I did not end up in this kind of situation. I don't want to hurt her feelings. I'm sure she resents me for marrying her precious someone.

"I wonder where this marriage will lead us." I said while smiling and watching the night sky. "I wish you'll never regret choosing to be the best husband to me."

"I will surely not, my Princess." He said smiling.