The Secret Affair

I hardly noticed the days slipping by as I worked alongside my father. I'd pitch my ideas, only to be met with looks of utter disbelief, as if he couldn't fathom that I was his actual daughter. There were moments when I considered playing the part of the clueless Meredia, just to see if his brain could process it.

But really, what could they do about it? There's no DNA testing or lie detectors in this world. It's not like anyone could prove I wasn't secretly a long-lost heir to a chocolate empire or something.

Meanwhile, my mother was on a mission, interviewing noblewoman for the position of my lady-in-waiting and selecting new maids.

Honestly, she was like a tornado in a royal gown. If efficiency were a sport, she'd have a gold medal by now. The way she swept through those interviews, you'd think she was auditioning for the role of "Super Mom of the Year."

Hmmmm! So interesting!

I flipped through the pages covered in black ink, crammed with details about the noblewoman who'd interviewed to be my lady-in-waiting. There were names, family backgrounds, talents, ad even their previous professions.

I bet these woman are lining up because they think Lady Meredia is a clueless dolt. They probably see me as an easy mark, someone they can fool because I'm too "simple" to notice their little transgressions.

Little do they know, I'm perfectly capable of spotting a rogue pastry their or a sneaky gossip.

"So, what do you think about these women, Mere?" my mother's sweet voice broke through my concentration.

I slid the pages down a bit, meeting her gaze. "Mother, I don't really like any of them. Can I just reject them all?"

She sighed, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "No, Mery."

I sighed dramatically and set the papers down, grabbing from the towering pile with the kind of gusto reserved for last-minute cramming before a final exam.

My mother's voice cut through the silence like a spoon through a particularly stubborn pudding. "You don't have to worry about that, Mery. The list of maids? I'II handle their duties myself."

"I'm just looking," I said, feigning interest as my eyes danced over the names, only to stumble upon a particular one.

Evelisse Carter.

My brows knitted together as I tried to piece this together. Evelisse Carter was the heroine from my grandmother's favorite story. She started life as commoner but was actually the daughter of a fallen aristocrat. Prince Ancillin had fallen head over heels for her, and she'd gone on to become a celebrated doctor thanks to his support.

But it could be a coincidence. There are probably a dozen Evelisse Carters around.

"Mother, I think I've decided who will be my lady-in-waiting," I declared with the seriousness of someone announcing they'd discovered a new planet.

My mother squinted at the like it was written in hieroglyphics. "Who?"

"I want to meet her," I said, pointing dramatically at Evelisse's name.

My mother looked at me like I'd just suggested we redecorate the palace in neon green. "But Mery, she's a commoner. I doubt she has the etiquette, class, or education of a noblewoman."

Oh, come on! She's not just any commoner. She's practically a fairy tale heroine! Ancillin turned her into legendary doctor. I could really use a best friend with that kind of magical backstory.

"Mother, please. I just know she'II be my best friend. It's like she's destined to be my sidekick in a royal adventure," I pleaded, giving her the kind of look that could melt even the frostiest of hearts.

My mother sighed, as if resigning herself to a life of endless negotiations and unplanned plot twists. "Alright, fine. You need a friend more than you need someone to make sure your tea isn't too hot."

I grinned triumphantly, feeling as through I'd just pulled off the greatest heist in royal history.

In the opulent bathing chamber, Ancillin held his sword poised near Kairan's neck, his gaze intense and full of warning. Despite the threat, Kairan appeared utterly nonchalant, lounging in the white marble tub as if he were completely indifferent to his brother's fury.

Ancillin's voice broke through the tension. "Don't you dare touch her."

Kairan's eyes opened lazily, revealing a chilling detachment. "Look, Ancillin, I have no intension of abducting your lover unless she tries to poison me or paralyze me. Creating chaos is already a full-time job."

Ancillin's frustration was evident. "Are you out of your mind? What nonsense are you spouting?"

With a deliberate slowness, kairan rose from the bathtub. Water poured off him in rivulets, tracing the contours of his muscular body. His abs, sculpted to near perfection, glistened with moisture, each muscle sharply defined. The sizeable bulge prominently displayed beneath the towel he wrapped around his waist caught the eye, making his already impressive physique even more striking. His broad back was marred with deep, jagged scars-testimony to the countless battles he had fought and survived.

He adjusted the towel with casual case, his posture and expression radiating a cold indifference. "I don't have time for your romantic dramas or your lover's schemes. I have a girl to manage before she slips out of my grasp-well, before she even gets into it," he said with a touch of ironic detachment, the smirk on his lips barely hiding his amusement.

Ancillin's eyes narrowed, his frustration palpable. "You're unbelievable."

Kairan's demeanor remained unchanged, his voice cool and unyielding. "Believe it. I have far more pressing matters than your love life." 

Kairan moved with fluid grace, wrapping a luxurious robe around his body. The robe was an elegant deep blue, its fabric soft yet heavy, draping perfectly over his broad shoulders. As he tied the belt, the robe accentuated his powerful physique and the scars that decorated his back and arms.

His movements were deliberate and unhurried, a stark contrast to Ancillin's tense stance. The robe's fabric brushed against his wet skin, and the hint of moisture that lingered on his skin gave him a rugged, primal allure.

Kairan turned to face Ancillin, his expression cold and unyielding. "Now that I'm dressed, if you have nothing more to say about my 'horrible intensions' with your beloved, perhaps you could leave. I have a pressing appointment with someone who might actually matter."

Ancillin's grip on his sword tightened, but he could see the implacable resolve in Kairan's eyes. With a frustrated sigh, he sheathed his weapon and glared at his brother. "Fine. But if anything happens to her-"

Kairan cut him off, his voice steady and devoid of warmth. "If anything happens to her, you'II be the first to know. Now, get out of my way."

Ancillin huffed but did as he was told, storming out of the chamber.

Kairan's cold gaze lingered on the door for a moment after Ancillin had left. Then, with a sharp clap of his hands, he summoned his servants. They entered the room swiftly, heads bowed, avoiding his piercing eyes as they laid out his attire for the day. The fabric was of the finest quality-tailored perfectly to his form, each piece as meticulously selected as the man who would wear it.

"Prepare my attire," Kairan ordered, his voice steady and commanding.

The servants obeyed without question, laying out a finely tailored black tunic with silver embroidery, dark trousers, and a long coat lined with fur. As soon as they had completed their task, they bowed and left the chamber, not daring to linger longer than necessary in his presence.

Kairan approached the clothes, running a hand over the rich fabric, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "A king's attire," he muttered to himself, slipping into the tunic with practiced ease. "Or perhaps just a prince's today."

As he fastened the silver buttons of the tunic, his thoughts drifted to the day ahead. "Ancillin think he knows everything... that his little affair can be kept secret." He chuckled softly, pulling on the trousers. "But secrets have a way surfacing. Just like blood."

He reached for the coat, the fur brushing against his fingers, and slipped it on. It settled over his broad shoulders, the weight a comforting reminder of his status and power. Kairan adjusted the collar, his eyes catching the reflection in the mirror. The man staring back was imposing, the scars peeking out from the edge of the tunic a testament to battles fought and won.

"Looking every bit the warrior they fear," he said quietly, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. "But today, I play the strategist."

With a final glance in the mirror, Kairan straightened his posture, the image of cold determination. "Let's see who dares challenge me today," he murmured, stepping out of the chamber, ready to face whatever-or whoever-awaited him.