SECRET LOVERS

"I enjoyed this day, My Lady. If you have any more requests then feel free to visit us once again. I can assure you about our worth." The guild master said as he bid his goodbye to Rachelle and Olivia outside of the room where they just had their conversation. 

"Likewise, Mister. I'm sure there will be a time when I will ask for your help once again." She said as she shook his hand and smiled. Now that everything is going smoothly, she just needs to wait until tomorrow. 

"We will deliver the counterfeit money and have your friend sign the wagers. Then everything is set for now, you really are like a rose with plenty of thorns, my Lady." He responded, holding onto her soft hand.

"Was that an insult?"

"No, a compliment. It's a compliment befitting for a woman like you. You're an interesting fellow, piquing my curiosity just like that. I wish to explore this side of you more." He answered, letting out a laugh. 

Rachelle pulled her hand, feeling a bit awkward as he stared too much at her. She got a sense of familiarity but couldn't figure out the man. Like a weird feeling rushing all over her body. 

As she pulled her hand away, the Guild master suddenly scoffed, feeling a little bit disappointed about her pulling away her hand like that. It's like he couldn't get enough of it, he still wanted to touch it. 

"Well then, I thank you for your aid. Goodbye." Rachelle said, cutting off the silence before it gets even more awkward. She tilted her head as a sign of respect, wore her robe once again and went out of the room, leaving the guild master behind. 

"Wait for me, Master." Olivia ran towards her, matching her walking pace and didn't bother looking back. It feels too scary to look back. 

As soon as both girls went out of the shop, the bartender arrived next to the guild master, leaning against the wall while his eyes still trailed at the door where the mademoiselle just left with her maid. 

"So it's the Princess of Del Montague, huh? I'm curious as to why she suddenly visited the guild. Hm, what do you think so, Marquis Liam?" The bartender asks, teasing the person whom he called the Marquisate's only son, Liam. 

"She really is an interesting person. Just like the last time I visited her, she's very strong-willed and quite vicious. Yet, she still got me trampling over my sudden interest in her. Who could possibly make her angry like this?" He asked as he turned around and went inside the room, removing the mask from his face. 

It was getting stuffy. He took a deep breath and sighed, smiling to himself. That striking appearance of hers held no regard to what people would think of her. She was wearing something that could really offend the noble ladies. 

"Have you seen how confident she was wearing pants? She was striding as if she owned the damn pathway. She's the black sheep of today's society, totally changing the course of how the world works." The bartender, who is Liam's aide complimented, in disbelief with the Princess.

"I heard she was a pushover and an evil stepsister. A spoiled brat, but after looking and hearing how elegant and intelligent she is, I just wanna kill those who badmouthed her." He added, seems like falling in love with Felicia's demeanor. 

Liam raised his eyebrow, he didn't like what his side said, he was complimenting her too much, and it was making his ears irk. But why? It was a harmless affection over Felicia's actions which totally struck her as a cool woman to him. 

"Whatever you say, Benjamin. Whatever you say." He retorted, sitting back on his chair as he thought of her more. There would never be a day where she wouldn't invade his thoughts. 

"I think I'm falling in love with her—"

"Shut your darn mouth and just do what she requested! She needs it tonight!" He suddenly exclaimed, making the two of them feel in utter shock. The aid called Benjamin had surprise written on his face while Liam was silent after lashing out at his aid.

"Wait... I didn't mean to get angry—"

"Are you... Jealous?"

"No! Why would I be? I said I was interested because she was intelligent but I was not attracted! I am only amazed by her capabilities!" He suddenly gets so defensive, making Benjamin grin like a fool in front of Liam who is flustered, and taken aback by his question. 

"Right... Amaze.. well anyway, surely you're not feeling something from her other than that. I heard that the wedding is approaching, and it must be nice getting wedded to that smart woman." Benjamin continued to tease his master as he slowly made his way out, grinning while Liam just glared at him in defeat. 

That playful aid of his, he'll get a punch from him. 

—

"I really don't get it, Helena. Why do you hold such a deep grudge over your sister? I don't understand why you're so angry over Felicia when she did nothing wrong—"

"No! You're getting brainwashed by her, just like what she did to father and my brother, Your Highness! She really is a wicked person! She did that to my butler and my mom! She caused this ridge ever since she was appointed as your fiancee!" Helena cried in his arms, telling how vicious it had been for her to keep on getting tortured by Felicia. 

"You don't understand how vile that person is, Your Highness! She's too much! She should've forgotten what my mother did and we can all just live happily once again but she destroyed it and sent my mother to the monastery! She drives my mother away from me, Your Highness!" She added, with crocodile tears running down her cheeks. 

"Helena, what your mother received as her consequences are not because of her, but it's the Duke who appointed those consequences for her to atone for her wrongdoings. You just can't accuse her—"

"This is what I'm telling you about, Your Highness! You're being brainwashed by that woman! You're turning against me right now, do you believe him more than you believe in me? I thought you loved me? Could it be that you don't?" She asked in a loud voice, pushing him away from her as he glared.

His heart ached at the sight of Helena crying. She has been the centre of his life, the essence of happiness for him and seeing her acting like this, crying pitifully is breaking his heart in pieces. 

"Of course I love you—"

"Then believe in me if you really do love me! If you love me then you have to put your trust in me! Because you love me and I'm in pain! Your Highness, that woman is hurting me, don't you see? I'm crying because of her." She argued, wiping her tears away. 

"But she really isn't at fault here, Helena. What she did, it's all because she has to act on behalf of the servants who have been played by the butler your mother entrusted in the Duchy. She has to give justice to them, so don't blame her. Please, I love you and you know that already." He pleaded, his arm crawling into her waist, pulling her into a hug. 

Her smell sent shivers down his spine. She smelled so lovely and innocent to him and it drove him crazy. But why is Felicia's image kept on appearing in his head?

"You're only saying that but you really don't love me, Your Highness... You don't... Because if you love me then you will do anything for me. But you're not doing anything and instead, you keep on defending that woman." She retorted. 

"Then what must I do for you to believe me that I do really love you and I don't care about her? What must I do for you to trust me that there's no other woman beside you in my heart?" He pleaded, his eyes begging if there was something that he could do to ease her pain. 

Hearing this, Helena looks up, her hands on his chest as she has this saddened expression on her face. "But you might get mad over my request..." She mumbled, looking away from him. 

"Whatever your request is, I'm not going to get mad at it." He whispered in a loving tone, flashing a smile as he used his hand for her to meet his eyes, staring at her. 

Seeing how much he was certain that he would follow what she asked, she sighed. "Please break up with her... I don't want you to be hers, that will make me feel very alone. Please, your Highness... I don't want you to leave me just like how my father and my brother did to me." She pleaded, burying her face on his chest. 

Constantine suddenly fell into silence, his heart suddenly skipped a beat after hearing her request. It was difficult, he has no power over the decision of his marriage and it's extremely not safe for them to discuss this while she's being the Saintess and his fiance's sister. 

It was too complex. If he didn't answer by now, she would accuse him of not loving her enough and if he did, then how could he persuade his father to break this engagement?

"I know how badly you want to not get tied to that woman, your Highness. I know that you only wanted me and not her, you love me and I love you. I could never let you go, my Prince. You belong to me, and only me." She mumbled, brushing her lips on his clothes, claiming him as hers only.