Chapter 16

He observed me for a few moments before he hurried to pull a blanket on top of me and ordered a servant I didn't see before to bring medicine.

It was considerate of him to take care of me this way when I didn't share single blood with him. I wasn't his family and we had a contract reuniting us. We wouldn't be so if it wasn't for it.

"Do you know what might stop your cramps?" my gaze snapped to his. I bit my lip thinking how attractive he was.

"I don't know… Maybe you will enlighten me, your highness," I forced myself to laugh.

"At least, you have your humour back. You barely held yourself together yesterday in the middle of my group; they can be so annoying sometimes. They won't do it again."

"But your friend ruined my friendship with a friend."

"Orgasms!"

I shook my head, trying to grasp what he just said. "What?"

"Orgasms will make you feel better. Do you want to give it a shot?"

"No," I yelled. "No, I mean, no."

"Fine," he smiled as he grabbed the glass of something hot the servant brought. It smelled like chocolate. He handed it to me softly. "How did you get so interested in journalism?"

"I don't know. It just came to mind like that, as the easiest thing to do and less expensive. How about you? I bet it came down from generations, like inheriting not only money but dreams as well."

"I don't have a dream. I am merely following a duty for survival," he looked down at his hands and they stretched and clenched into a fist repeatedly. His smile disappeared and his eyes glowed with a hint of danger.

"Dreams are for children. Once you grow up, they stay fantasies you won't ever see again. Commoners like you have to worry about simple things; getting a job, tasting good food… Everyone thinks we have it easy but the price to keep the wealth and prestige is high. Commoners stay commoners because they can't afford to pay the price while we can."

My lips parted to speak but I couldn't. I also had dreams; I didn't want to be a moon saint. Unlike other moon saints, I was faceless. It was a unique case and so different at the same time.

For the faceless, they were the lowest form of spirits on the moon, but I didn't have their strength to move buildings or mountains and I didn't have special powers to replace the lack of strength.

I was shamed for my faceless body and mistreated because of it. The previous moon goddess was a man; it was a moon god. He looked at me like I was filth and pushed me to be a moon saint even when I didn't have a face.

I studied hard because it was the only way to make them acknowledge me. The reason I wasn't a servant wasn't the lack of powers but the feelings; everyone was intrigued because my heart felt like them. I was forced to do people's work because I didn't have the choice to decline.

I was beaten up when I didn't want to listen to the bullies. I was bullied a lot. Being different sucked, that's why I didn't want to ruin Anais life. She already had enough to care for and I was an intruder. I sighed.

"It's a pity! I thought being a businessman was your dream. What is it then? What did you dream about when you were a child?" I rested my head on my knees staring at him smiling.

If someone told me I would have this kind of conversation with him, I wouldn't believe him. Andre was keeping me on my toes.

"Be careful! Curiosity might make you be attracted to me and it's the first step to unrequited love."

"Trying to change the subject, huh? It's my problem, not yours to worry about. What is it?"

"Wild… Wilderness… I dreamt of running under the moon, having its light on my skin and feeling the wind against my fur… my skin. Freedom! That nothing mattered and I didn't have to worry about other things."

"I thought you didn't worry… Such a change in opinion you made me experience!"

"That's why you need to be careful!" he stretched his arms. "Seriously, the first time I met you, I thought you were a steel woman, someone who might do anything to reach what she wants but… You also made me change opinions. I feel the same about that."

"You are a nice guy."

"Is this what you get from all the meetings we did? Such a cute response from you! Let me correct you," his body moved slowly, engulfing me in his shade, his eyes like a sun early in the morning saying Hello to the world. His hands placed, each one on one side pushing me against the headboard.

"For a man like me, acting runs in the blood… You can't expect a man from the underworld to just show you the cruel things he does, no? Do you know how many heads these hands smashed? How many corpses I cut down? You don't know any of these and that's what makes you a commoner."

"Is this why you pushed me to live elsewhere?"

"Nobody likes a smartass. Don't push too hard in this direction! It's better for you to be faithful to the deal and leave unscathed while you still can. Like you said, a year isn't something long to wait for its end."

"Did it bother you that I told you a year isn't long?"

"No. Why would it bother me? We were nothing for each other. Don't tell me you thought ahead of the kiss we shared. It's a normal occurrence. Don't tell me you don't go around kiss guys! There is a friend who is pretty interested in you. Be careful! The deal is still working and you aren't free of your actions."

"Then why did you remember it? When something stuck in your head, it means that it touched you somehow," I grinned.

Andre laughed and I choked on my spit. Butterflies took flight in my stomach, my palms turned sweaty and I felt hot. Hormones… Those damn hormones! It isn't good for my heart to fantasize about him. But he was so charming…

I bet he doesn't know what he looks like right now. His eyes are shining with amusement and his body is all trembling from laughter. I am treading on dangerous ground; I should head back before it's too late.

I put the mug of chocolate aside and hit my head against my knees. These hormones are strong and someone needs to get them right.

"What are you doing?"

"Fixing my head. I hallucinate."

"It seems your cramps decided to leave you alone. Should we celebrate? Though I am confident orgasms do a better job."

"No, thank you. I don't know how you will do that and I am not interested in that."

"You talk like someone who has never done sex. You aren't a virgin. You must have fucked at least seven men in total. It's no novice level anymore."

Huh? Anais did what. But I… What the hell? I knew she wasn't a virgin but I tend to forget that. I need to fix things.

"I mean… I was joking," I cleared my throat. "It's a joke, pal," I laughed nervously. "Don't take it seriously."

"Then shall we do it? I am an active man," he smiles and his smile was the hardest thing to translate.