16. You are important to me

"I don't think I want to stay here any longer than this. My aunt is dead and her body is still lying in a pool of blood. I want to go and lay her to rest. I want her to have a proper rest even after death. If Mr. Ragnar wishes to talk to me, he knows where to find me." Lillie said standing up. She approached the door and was about to open it when it opened from the outside and Alex entered.

"Your maj... Welcome, sir." Cecile greeted tl while standing to her feet. She was about to say, your majesty, but she remembered Alex had warned them nitro address him with any of his titles in front of Lillie she corrected herself before it was too late. She didn't like the idea but she had no choice. Knowing why he said that she agreed.

Alex only gave and mid to her and moved to stand in front of Lillie.

"Mr. Ragnar." Lillie greeted as well. She couldn't forget her manners no matter who or what was involved. It was one of the many things that her aunt had taught her and she was going to make her proud even after death.

Alex smiled when he heard her greetings. Though he would have preferred to hear her calling him Alex or Alexander rather than Mr. Ragnar, he was still glad to hear her call his name. "Have had anything to eat, little?" Alex asked.

"No, I am not hungry," Lillie answered and Alex frowned.

"Why have not eaten yet?" He asked Lillie but turned to Cecile to hat the answer.

"She was the one who refused to eat no matter what the reason was that I gave her," Cecile said helplessly.

Turning back to Lillie, he took her by the hand and led her to where the food was placed, and made to sit. He then checked on the food and found that it has gone cold so he covered it again. Still holding on to her hand, he led her out of the room to the dining area and ordered the maids to serve them.

Lillie silently followed him as he led her. After they were seated, she kept staring at the man, blinking now and then without saying a word trying to read his intentions for being the way he was towards her.

Alex had no issue with her stares but he knew that there was something that she wants to talk about but was reluctant. Matching her gaze, he asked, "Is there any problem, little? You ask me anything with no worries, and you can rest assured."

Sighing to herself, she opened her mouth to talk. "I want to go home, Mr Ragnar. Please take me back, I don't belong here, in this place with you and your people. I have a house that I can go back to even if it is not a home anymore, it is better than staying in here."

"Why don't you want to stay here? You don't like it here?" Alex asked. He felt hurt inside but he didn't let it show in his expression.

"Because I don't intend to live with the same people who caused my pain, the people who took everything away from me." She blatantly stated, expressionlessly.

"Do you see me the same as them?" Alexander asked. He didn't know why he asked that but he did not regret asking.

"I do not know what to think of you, Mr. Ragnar," Lillie said truthfully. He was the first supernatural creature whom she had met that was nice to her. She did not know how or where to place him in her heart.

"I am not like them," Alex said as he looked at her deeply. "I will protect you no matter what happens. I will not let anyone hurt you as long as I am with you." He assured her. He meant every word that he said.

"Why...? Why do you want to protect me? I don't know you and you certainly don't know me either. Why fight your people for me?" Lillie asked.

Alex so badly wanted to tell her that she was his mate, rue words were just at the tip of his tongue. But... He thought he should give them some time to get used to his presence around her before he reveals it to her so the news doesn't overwhelm her. "You are important to me," he said looking her in the eyes with love and admiration, his voice was tender when he said that. There was a hidden ride in the way he said it.

Lillie was tacked aback by his words. She felt flustered and scolded herself inwardly for that. Not knowing how to process his words properly or think of a better way to reply to him, she changed the topic of discussion back to the previous one. "I need to go back and bury my aunt, can't keep her lying in a pool of her blood. I am all fine now as you can see, there is no need to worry about me."

"I will give a call to the mortuary attendants to get her ready to be buried then." He said.

"Huh? What do you by mortuary attendants?" Lillie asked. She was confused by what he just said.

Alex was about to answer her when the servants came in and he waited for them to leave before he spoke.

"I had her taken there last night while you were at the hospital," Alex said and started piling food on Lillie's plate.

Lillie just watched him do whatever he wanted to do, after he was done, she spoke. "I never said I was hungry."

"You don't have to say, I know you are hungry," Alex said and started eating his share. "Eat. I will take you there when you are done eating." He said when he noticed that she was not eating yet.

Lillie ignored him but he was giving up yet, "If you don't eat now, I will have to feed you. You need to eat so you can take your medicine, it's not good to have medication on an empty stomach." He said and she glared at him.

Eventually, she began eating her food. He was right, she needed to take her meds and she didn't want to be embarrassed by letting him feed her. It was just wrong.

"When you are done, you can go in and have a bath and a change of clothes, Cecile has gotten everything that you will need inside." He informed her.

Lillie's hand that was holding the spoon froze mid-way to her mouth. Why did they have to do all that? She was not going to stay here with them so what was the need for all that?

"Why do all that, Mr Ragnar? There was a need for all that, especially when I am going back home. I have all that I need there." Lillie said with some annoyance in her voice.

"You want to go back there and live?" Alex asked.

"Yes, that is my home. It's where I grew up and all my friends and people that I know are there." Lillie answered.

"No," Alex said, firmly. "You won't be safe living there. You will be in constant danger and I can't risk that much. Stay here where I can protect you."

Lillie knew that what he said was true, there keep coming after her. And now that her aunt was gone she will be an easy target.

So what should she do now...?