Treasure

''Deal with the guards who were at the dungeon yesterday,'' Aleister swirled the glass of wine, remembering something else that had a shade of it. Her long wine-shaded tresses that framed her face every time she lowered her head in contemplation. 

Rowan could not help but wonder if the man was daydreaming. It was a rare sight. ''Yes, it will be done,'' After all, it was those guards who must have seen them together and were loose-lipped about it. Otherwise, how would everyone have known about it? They should have thought of the consequences before speaking about this man.

The Princess was a rare beauty and just the mention of her appearance and her clothes was enough to let the people know that the mysterious lover of the Prince is none other than the girl who has recently joined her job in the castle and she even rejected all the jobs assigned to her to work at the garden. She already had everyone's attention but this incident amplified it. 

His thought went back to what she said, about everyone looking at her with a judgmental gaze. ''The Princess is a shy one. Dig out the eyes that look at her more than necessary and make her uncomfortable. One or two pairs should serve the lesson for everybody,'' Aleister took the last sip of his wine before he stood up, placing the glass on Leo's head who stiffened, sensing his impending doom. 

Rowan paused. It was even rarer to see him treasuring someone to this extent when he was unfeeling towards most of the things, ''Will be done,'' He glanced at Leo who was not breathing too loudly for the glass placed on his head, ''It's time for his lunch,'' He said while contemplating whether the beast has somehow offended his Master. 

''He can suck nectar from a flower,'' Aleister picked up the glass and dropped it on the floor and the white tiger disappeared into thin air. 

Rowan looked around only to find a white butterfly hovering above his head, "What did he do? Do you have to punish him like this?"

''Even I can not bring myself to raise my voice at her, what made him think that he can do that?" Aleister clicked his tongue. 

Rowan was speechless. He pitied Leo in his heart but there was nothing he could do about it at this moment. 

''Protect her properly,'' Aleister glanced at the butterfly who hovering around Rowan's head for some time before he fluttered his wings and flew out of the room. 

''Your father, Uncle, and Aunt are aware of this now. What are you going to tell them?"

''Anything else?" Aleister raised an eyebrow. 

Rowan sighed, "The magistrate and his friend will be visiting the King tomorrow and the cause remains unknown.'' 

''Friend?"

"We've never seen him here before,'' Rowan's lips thinned, "Shall I dig into his background?"

''You need to ask about that?" 

Rowan nodded, ''I'll take care of it. Anything else you want me to do?"

''No," Aleister waved his hand only to pause a moment later. He glanced at the setting sun through the gap between the curtains, "She had her lunch?" 

''The Princess left your room a few moments ago,'' Rowan felt gooseflesh on his skin. It did not settle well with him when this man who was indifferent to all worldly affairs paid such attention to a woman. 

Unaware of Aleister's concern for her, Esme walked back to her room, finally getting her freedom from that ill-tempered tyrant. But instead of being relieved, she was just confused. He did not look like the person who would let anything go so easily. 

At that time, she lost control of her emotions, and out of anger, she snapped at him. But knowing how brutal he could be, she expected the worse later only for him to let go of her like that. 

''It's good…'' She mumbled, standing in front of the door. 

''Good with the Prince?"

Esme turned around only to find Liz standing behind her with a meaningful smile on her face. 

''You are something. How did you hook the devil around your little finger? It must be like really good to be with him..." She exasperatedly held her shoulders, ''He is so indifferent to everything and everyone but who knew he would be so worried when you faint?"

''Worried?" Esme stepped back from the woman who was shaking her shoulders in excitement, ''What do you mean?"

''You…Are you this naïve or just pretending?" Liz glanced at her doubtfully but looking into her confused eyes, she shook her head, ''How do you think did all of us know that you are the Prince's lover?"

Esme blinked. She did not know the cause of it but it must have something to do with him. 

''You don't know?" Esme shook her head while Liz let out a drawled sigh, ''The Prince was seen carrying you out of the dungeon in his arms like you are precious. The guards there witnessed it and the words traveled throughout the castle. I wanted to ask...What were you doing in the dungeon with the Prince?''

Esme glanced at her blankly. Carrying her out of the dungeon?