For you

Vivian was looking at Uriel in disbelief.

"Are you really here to tell me such disparities, My Lord?"

"Disparities? No, Vivian, I am talking about facts!" Uriel had his face red while he stared at her.

"I ask you to refrain from calling me by my given name, sir. You and I have no intimacy for such informalities." Vivian told him with a serious tone that made Uriel gulp. He would never think the beautiful woman who declared once to be in love with him would ask that.

"We used to be engaged. Is it not intimate enough?"

Vivian scoffed at those words. How could that man be so shameless as to use the engagement that he ended to try to lecture her? He was cheek!

"No, My Lord. The engagement was not even a publicity disclosure, not officially."

"The intention was enough to make you connected to me. I have always thought you to be a lady, with honor, but then it came to my knowledge that you, Vivian, have been receiving men in your house!"

That was enough. The slap across his face was the only sound heard echoing through the walls of the living room.

"Don't you dare to talk to me like this." She said with her heart pounding hard inside her chest, the rage building up.

"I am glad I finally saw you for who you are." Uriel said harshly.

"Leave." Vivian didn't care about social demeanor and pointed at the hallway that would lead Uriel to the front door. "Now."

"Who do you think you are to talk to me like that? I am a Marquis!" He held her by the arms, but it didn't last long, because soon he was dragged to afar from her. Brian was right behind the man and turned him around. The coldness in his gaze could freeze hell.

"You better leave right now and never again, I want to hear you got near Lady Astley." He said with a cold tone.

"She slapped me, Your H-highnes!" He complained and looked at Vivian, but Brian stepped in front of him.

"So be glad that is the most damage you are getting for the moment. I am still being gentleman, Marquis. But you dare to disobey me and there will be serious consequences."

"Your Highness, I know you have been closer to her, and son, you must understand the situation. She has been receiving tons of men in her house. Her father is absent and of course this will be seen as…"

"It is to be seen how she is treasured by other men, who can see how valuable she is. Only a fool would let a woman like her escape. Especially to get involved with someone with dubious conduct and character." Brian was meaning a very menacing aura and Uriel felt chills running down his own spine. "Who started this dirty rumor, Lord Barless?"

"I-I don't know.. I.." Uriel started to stammer. He didn't hear it anywhere, he heard she was having many visitors and it bothered him to th ecore.

"Where did you hear the rumor?"

"I.."

"Ae you making it up?" Brian asked and took one more step ahead. His nostrils were flaring. "Listen well, now. This is a warning, but you might take it as you prefer: bother Lady Vivian Astley, and your title will mean nothing."

Uriel swallowed hard. He was trembling after those words. It was clear that the Crown Prince was threatening him. As much as Brian Baskerville was not the Crown Prince of Raderia, he was to be the next Emperor, which meant he would have all the power to execute Uriel and no one would dare to question him. Uriel was a Marquis, but he was not influential.

"Your Highness.."

"Leave. You heard the lady. Unless you are called, don't approach her. Don't even look in her direction."

Uriel was afraid, but he was still too full of himself.

"Pardon, Your Highness, but what is your relation to the Lady?" He pronounced the last word with a sneer. "Your Highness is taking her side so.. eagerly.'

"First of all, I don't need to have the slightest connection to the lady to protect her. I am the Crown Prince. It is my duty to see justice done; Second, I am very fond of her; And third: you should mind your words and to whom you direct them. You might be talking to the Crown Princess to be."

That was what made Uriel finally realize his mistake. The Crown Prince had a romantic interest in Vivian. He thought it to be impossible. She was nothing but the daughter of a Viscount and had been rejected by a Marquis.

"I beg your pardon, Your Highness." He bowed.

"I'll let you address her this once, in order to apologize."

Uriel gulped and smiled nervously.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Brian took a step to the side and Uriel finally saw Vivian. She was looking at him with contempt. He didn't expect it could hurt him. But it did. He just didn't know if it hurt his pride or his heart. "I'm sorry, Lady Astley, for crossing the line."

"Just leave." Was her answer and Uriel looked at Brian, who raised an eyebrow at him, as if asking why was he still doing there and not leaving at once?

"Excuse me." He bowed to her. "Your Highness."

And soon he left. Brian waited until the Marquis's steps couldn't be heard anymore. He turned to Vivian.

"My Lady?" He asked and she looked at him. "I'm very sorry you had to go through this."

"It is not your fault, Your Highness. Thank you for defending me."

"How could I not?" He asked sincerely.

"Thank you. I know it is your duty, but.."

"It was not just because of my duty. Actually, that was the last thing that crossed my mind when I was talking to that disagreeable man." He took her hand and placed a kiss there. "I did it because of you."