Thoughts

They arrived , their bodyguards tagging behind them .

He let her hand away before he ordered for the lady chalamet's dress to be changed before he could speak with her.

Lady chalamet was escorted by the maids to the guestroom and provided her with the variety of clothes she could change into. She picked one dress and carefully slipped into it before she let her hair down and followed the maids behind.

They led her to the gazebo located at the garden where she was informed that the prince was there waiting for her.

She recalled yesterday when she visited him she found that he was also at the garden and looks like it was his favourite place whenever he wanted to have some private conversation with someone.

She went there and found that he was already sitting on his chair talking few words to Almond - her bodyguard who failed to follow her inside the hall earlier today because men were not invited to the ceremony.

She bit her lips infuriated since none came to her rescue and even though he could come with her inside there was nothing he could possibly do since standing against the queen was a grave mistake.

When he and both the guards noticed her, they stepped away and left the space for them to talk.

This only happened when he casted them an intensely glare that she knew the powerful effect it had on them before they could put themselves aside.

"Have a seat my lady. We do have a lot to talk about and I think we should " he asked her solely to take a seat across the table.

He poured a tea into her cup before he made her drink it.

The tea's beautiful aroma vented into her nostrils and directly calmed her mind.

"Don't ask me about what happened at the hall " she pleaded.

He scrutinised her eyes for a bit before they rest on his cup. He smiled, picking up his cup he thought she didn't want to talk about it because she felt angry.

As if he predicted that he let her drink her tea halfway before he could let himself speak.

"Lady chalamet, where is your father " Unexpectedly she put her cup on the table

"He is at home, your highness. He sometimes leaves the house to take a walk but he always stays at home. May I know why are you asking , your highness ?"

"Just let him know that I want him at the court tomorrow morning" he said unaware of why he said that relentlessly she wanted to elaborate about her father's sickness.

"Your highness, I'm sorry to say this but he is not so well to attend the court these days"

" Let your father makes a decision , coming to the court or being fired" he sounded harsh when he said that.

He grabbed a napkin from the table and rubbed it around his lips when he finished drinking his tea. It was unnecessary but he wanted her to mark the end of their conversation.

He rose from his chair turning his back towards her he talked over his shoulder.

"And don't come to the castle anymore, unless if you wanted more drinks to be spilled on your dress" he warned.

The carriage carried Marianne and escorted her back to the house, on the way she thought about what the prince said about her father.

Running her hands through her hair, she recalled the words of the prince again.

Oh God, what is her father up to these days ?!

She bit her nails , pondering on what she came to know only yesterday when she found her father was returning home on the horse alone at night.

Where did her father go at those dark hours, she thought her father was sick and was locking himself inside his room but she was surprised to see him walking outside the house at night.

She asked him about it and he told her that he went outside to take a breath of a fresh air and she didn't bother herself to keep dwelling on the topic since she believed her father was only speaking the truth but judging from how the prince reacted earlier, she thought there could be a possibility that something might be going on her father's side.

When she arrived home she thought she must discuss it with her father to see how will he react.

"What did you tell lady chalamet " Cosmos came to his side blindly asking him when he put the scrolls on the table.

Asa only settled his gaze on him before he returned his attention to the book in his hand.

"Find me another book" he ordered likely loosing interest on that one.

As cosmos could understand his master's change of mood, he run through a handful of books over the shelves and brought them to him.

He stepped away as soon as he cautiously placed them on the table.

He put his hand around the book skimming through the pages, he seemed restless when he dropped the book aside.

Asa knew he can't focus on his books while his mind is thinking about the others.

Lady chalamet, lord Xavier. Why are they still in his head ? He thought , he wanted to think about other things that will make him less stressful today when he recalled the maid serving under him.

He thought he had a lot to talk about with her.

He waved for zayn who timidly stepped forward.

He didn't like the way he had changed since the day he punished him.

He was used on his unusual tantrums and his every time jokes he throws whenever they were together but now he looked so calm and seriously different. And his eyes became sharp and serious but indeed they didn't show any harboured anger towards him. He expected to be hated by him at least because it pained him even more when no one blamed him for what he did.

"Bring that brown coloured hair maid to me now" he ordered. Zayn nodded and strolled out of the library. Not many seconds passed , zayn came back with her. Her heart skipped a bit when she met his gaze. Prince Asa's eyes mesmerized under her sight , he noticed her hair was soaked wet and her lips seemed to be parted away the moment his eyes landed on her , how wonderful he wanted her on his lap right now. He thought tilting his head aside, he shoved those stupid thought away and sent out his guards so he can speak with her privately. As soon as they nodded, they left the room and closed the door behind them.

Did he really want to speak with her or he just wanted to see her ?!. His thoughts were seen through his eyes, he ordered "Come here" and when she didn't, he looked up and saw a bit of hesitation from her eyes likely afraid of something.

What is she afraid of ? Am I looking dangerous right now like I can eat her ?!.

When she stepped closer after he defined that she took a long time to think before she made up on that attempt, she curtisied and placed herself in front of him.

And when he noticed that it wasn't enough for him to see her face closer, he pulled her over and situated her on his lap. A strange gasp resounded from her lips but it didn't bother him although he could sense that she was resisting against him.

Of course he didn't want to do that but his mind forced him to do it.

Damn!

He brought his lips near her neck whispering something into her ear when his arms wrapped her body from behind.

"Tell me that day at the market , why were you there?" he demanded an explanation when he was well aware of the hard rules against the lives of the maids inside the palace.

For her to be there, was it a coincidence or a plan ?!. His eyes squinted when he remembered her running away after causing a ruckus behind, those horses went crazy and blocked the road before he couldn't see her again and then she disappeared from his sight.