Chapter 9. Dangerous Man

"What is he doing, coming without any prior notice or formal letter?" Ivory Whitlocken complained, her brow furrowed in frustration as she hurriedly prepared herself to welcome the Crown Prince, who was currently waiting in the reception room.

The maid assisting her replied softly, "He is the Crown Prince, my lady. He can do as he pleases."

Ivory's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Still, what does he want this time? Isn't it enough that he has already hurt me?" She had been steadfastly loyal to Rayshawn, despite the anguish he had caused her.

The maid placed a reassuring hand on Ivory's hands. "We shall see what the Crown Prince has come here for, my lady. It is best to greet him quickly."

In the reception room of the Marquis Vanderberg's mansion, the Marquis and his eldest son, Siegfried, came to greet the Crown Prince.

"Greetings to the moon of the Empire, his highness the Crown Prince Rayshawn," the Marquis said, bowing respectfully.

"I greet the moon of the Empire, his highness the Crown Prince," Siegfried added, his tone more measured as he inclined his head.

Rayshawn returned their greetings politely, and to their surprise, he raised a hand, silencing them before they could be seated. "Before we take a seat, I wanted to say something."

The Marquis braced himself, already anticipating the worst—perhaps Rayshawn had come to break the engagement with his beloved daughter. Maybe for the better, but the humiliation that comes afterwards will ruin his family.

"Please," the Marquis replied, his voice filled with worry.

To their astonishment, Rayshawn made a deep, gentlemanly bow before them. "I wanted to give my sincere apologies for what I have done in the past and how I have treated your precious daughter. I have hurt her and ruined her image, and for everything, I am truly sorry." His eyes met theirs with a renewed sense of determination. "I don't know how to fix it, but I am determined to make amends. Please, give me one more chance to prove my sincerity."

The Marquis and Siegfried were stunned, their jaws dropping at the Crown Prince's humble and contrite demeanor. "Don't be like that, Prince Rayshawn," the Marquis quickly interjected. "You needn't bow before us."

"I had to, to show you how sincere I am," Rayshawn replied firmly. "Please accept my apologies."

The Marquis and Siegfried exchanged bewildered glances and still have a hard time believing the stories of the Crown Prince's dramatic change are actually true. Rayshawn, previously known for his brash and violent behavior, stood in front of them, humbly bowing and requesting their forgiveness.

"I forgive you," the Marquis said, placing a reassuring hand on Rayshawn's shoulder and gently urging him to rise. "But it is all dependent on how my daughter will accept you."

Rayshawn's eyes shone with a renewed sense of determination. "I will face her wrath, her tears, everything. I want to start over and treat her as she deserves—as the Crown Prince's fiancée. I will ask for her forgiveness."

Siegfried stepped forward, looking dominant despite his smaller physique than Rayshawn. As Ivory's older brother and the heir to the Marquisate of Vanderberg, he carried an unquestionable air of authority in front of their new crown prince. "I hold you to your words, Crown Prince. If you fail to uphold your promise, I will insist that you agree to break the engagement with my sister."

"Siegfried!" the Marquis exclaimed, his brow furrowed with concern at his son's bold statement.

Rayshawn, however, didn't flinch. "I accept your terms," he replied steadily. "I will ensure that Ivory's good name and the reputation of your house remain intact and highly regarded. I will take full responsibility for my past actions and my future actions. I humbly accept all the blame."

The Marquis respected the Crown Prince's resolve, knowing the importance of the situation. Rayshawn's willingness to humble himself and make such an open pledge showed the depth of his change.

"Very well," the Marquis agreed, his voice filled with concern. "We shall see how Ivory sees you. She has been through a lot because of your actions, and it is up to you to show her the sincerity of your intentions."

Rayshawn nodded solemnly, his expression forming a new sense of purpose. "I understand, and I'm ready to accept the consequences of my past actions. I shall not rest until I've regained Ivory's trust and honored the commitment I made to her and to your family."

-

After some quiet moments, Rayshawn waited patiently, sipping his second cup of fragrant tea and savoring the delicate sweets that had been prepared. Suddenly, the door to the reception room opened, and his heart began to race with anticipation.

The first thing that struck Rayshawn was the sweet, alluring scent of roses that seemed to precede the vision that now graced his eyes. And then, there she was: Ivory Whitlocken, the woman whose beauty was spoken of in hushed, reverent tones throughout the Esgalduin Empire.

"Holy fuck." Rayshawn breathed, his voice barely above a whisper, as he felt his entire being shiver with delight at the sight of her.

Ivory's appearance was truly breathtaking. Her long, silken tresses cascaded down her back in a shimmering curtain of silver, reminiscent of moonlight on a still lake. Her complexion was flawless, and her skin was as smooth and unblemished as the finest porcelain.

But it was Ivory's eyes that truly captivated all who gazed upon her. They were a mesmerizing shade of gold, sparkling with an ethereal radiance that seemed to hold the very essence of the sun itself. Her lashes were long and delicate, framing those captivating orbs with a natural elegance.

Ivory's lips, full and inviting, were painted in the softest hue of pink, like the delicate petals of a rose. They seemed to beckon onlookers, promising a warmth and sweetness that could enrapture even the most stoic of hearts.

In that moment, Rayshawn felt as if he were in the presence of a goddess—a vision of feminine beauty and confidence. Ivory Whitlocken was truly a sight to behold, a woman whose breathtaking charm had the capacity to charm all who were allowed to have seen it.

It was no wonder that Ivory Whitlocken was considered the most beautiful woman in the entire Esgalduin Empire. As she entered the room, her radiant presence seemed to command the attention of all who laid eyes upon her.

Ivory wore a breathtaking gown, its white fabric adorned with a delicate floral print in shades of beige, pink, and gray. The off-the-shoulder neckline and high slit up the side gave the dress an elegant yet alluring silhouette. The full, flowing skirt and long train created a dramatic, sweeping effect as she moved, the luxurious fabric shimmering with each graceful step.

Every detail of the gown seemed to have been meticulously crafted to accentuate Ivory's exquisite beauty. The high-quality material draped over her figure effortlessly, highlighting her lithe, graceful form in a way that was nothing short of mesmerizing.

As Ivory approached Rayshawn, her golden eyes met his, and she spoke in a measured tone, "I greet the moon of the Empire, his highness the Crown Prince." Ivory gives him the greetings, expecting Rayshawn to dismiss her and treat her badly.

But, in return, she gets a very gentle greeting from Rayshawn: "I greet the most beautiful lady in the Empire, Lady Ivory Whitlocken," he said, his voice soft and sincere.

Slowly, Rayshawn reached for Ivory's hand, his movements deliberate and respectful. Lifting it to his lips, he placed a delicate kiss upon her fingertips, his gaze never wavering from her captivating golden eyes.