Chapter Twenty: No strings attached

"Sister-In-law you look a bit umm different from that time we met." Adan nervously commented he could tell it was her face and voice but something seemed out of place to him. Clair gave him a look. "You noticed…" She mumbled.

"It's a disguise you don't need to worry about it and I'm not your sister-in-law please refer to me by my name," Clair replied.

"Ah okay…." He replied still feeling nervous.

'I better help my brother so he doesn't get himself killed.' Adan thought. After all, he did he ruin his brother's image by making Clair believe that he sleeps around. The best he could think off is trying to impress Clair with his brother's achievements.

"My brother has been in the military for the past few years that's why we never got the chance to properly meet with each other." Adan started and Clair gave him a gentle smile. " Dad, can't I just marry him? He's a lot easier to handle…" Clair whispered to her father.

Mr.Yves couldn't contain his laughter. "But he's not your type." He whispered back. "It's okay I can live with that," Clair replied with a chuckle.

James' face fell and he sent her a glare which she ignored.

'Blah, who cares if you heard me!' She mused.

Adan cleared his throat and continued. "Anyways, my brother also has an entertainment company. We met a few days ago to sign the contract. This can be a good chance for you guys to get to know each other more."

Clair put away the fork she had broken and took out a new one almost scoffing at what Adan had said. Get to know each other more? And what meeting? It was a bad idea to mention that again.

"Yes, I remember. You said your brother has some sort of allergy for woman right. Although the news say otherwise I believe him wholeheartedly." Clair gave him a fake smile. Adan swallowed and decided not to continued anymore. To his surprise, his brother didn't react but instead maintained his usual self.

He didn't say anything and had an expressionless face. He sighed not being able to see through his brother's thoughts. But most importantly he wanted to know how did Clair and his brother know each other and why were they trying to kill each other earlier?

…..

After dinner Adan, his father and Mr.Yves excused themselves to go play some 'Chess'

They left Clair and James in the living room together. Clair and James watched their leaving backs and finally turned their attention towards each other.

Clair sat down on a sofa in front of him and crossed one leg over the other. She pulled out the contract from the folder and passed it over to him with a cold expression. James received it and schemed through it.

"It won't be effective in our case. I believe you prepared this because you didn't know my identity but I doubt we will be able to have a contractual relationship with both of our meddling fathers and this difficult situation." He reasoned and passed the contract back to her.

"I understand that. We should meet up and further discuss what will happen next. Mr.Davis I won't be marrying you unless the 'threat' you speak of is serious." She replied. They were no longer at each other's throats but instead, they realized that a mutual agreement between them would be way better.

"The threat is very serious indeed. My father announced his retirement a few months ago and I was forced to come back home. You see the way my father rules and the way I rule are very different. Not many of our allies were pleased with this. We received information about some of them making deals with other kingdoms. We think they plan to destroy our system and take advantage of the change in the position of king.

This house is the one with the most power because of their loyalty to the royals for many generations. This means that it will be a lot harder for them to attack us if we join hands." He explained.

"But why does it have to be in marriage." Clair asked him suspiciously. "Because that also increases the power the Yves have which also benefits us." He replied. "It's a win-win"

"I can't disclose more information other than this to you unless you end up marrying me." He added. "If we were to get married how is it going to work? I mean your identity and mine."  Clair contemplated.

"The first thing is our engagement. We will celebrate to announce the news. All the houses will be invited including the ones of our enemies. During this 'celebration' an attack is possible but it's most likely to happen on our wedding ceremony."

"Our wedding ceremony must be announced to everyone but the ceremony will be performed between our family members." He continued. "I can't do that. My identity must not be disclosed at all costs." She responded seriously.

"Don't worry we have already thought this through. Your identity will not be disclosed to the public until the right time comes. Unfortunately, it's not possible to keep it hidden forever." He glanced at her and watched her clench her fists.

"When is the 'right' time?" She asked and he smirked. "When all of the traitors have been eliminated of course." He responded confidently.

"And if we don't get married?" She sighed.

"You can expect war coming your way. They will first attack the smaller houses and eliminate them one by one until they reach your father. As you are not a Yves by blood you will be spared but they will expose your secret to the world of course. The Yves would lose everything they have accumulated over the years and you will have no choice but to watch it happen."

"I won't be able to do anything because we would be attacked right after you guys. After all the houses beneath the Yves are destroyed we would be too weak to help with anything. As you can see we are both equally affected."

" Even if what you say is true, you can't have me as your queen. I'm not suitable for that. I'm an Assassin not built for being your wife either." She replied. "You are the best option. Believe it or not, you are the best candidate to be my queen. Even if my father had not chosen you I would still pick you."

"Not only can you protect yourself well but your skills can be of help during some situations." He replied honestly and she scoffed.

"Am I supposed to be flattered?" She rolled her eyes. "Ainara-" Before he could speak again she sent him a glare. "The urge to kill you has been awoken." She informed him and he sighed.

"Anyways, even if you aren't a Yves by blood the public already knows that. Your past shouldn't be a problem. I assure you that it be won't found out. Say the word and I can make sure that the assassin never existed." He told her. "No need. I can do that myself. Either way that identity it's a great back up for us. That's why I haven't completely gotten rid of it."

"Just in case something goes wrong I'll have the underworld in my hands to 'protect' his highness." She told him half-jokingly and she stood up. James smiled and they shook hands.

"I will agree to the marriage proposal because I owe the Yves family my life." She added. "Nothing else." She remained him. "Your reasons are valid." He replied. "I agree to marry you for obvious reasons. Nothing else and no strings attached." He said and she was pleased with his answer.

"That's right. No strings attached. It's just a marriage of convenience." She repeated and he nodded looking into her eyes.

Clair took her hand back and picked up her things. "I don't see a reason to continue our talk so I'll take my leave." She told him. "About my offer earlier. You can always try I'm in for some 'excitement' during our marriage." He told her and she pursed her lips.

"I don't think it will be beneficial for me if I kill you. The odds aren't on my side at the moment. But don't worry as soon as they are I will prepare your deathbed." She replied.

"I'll be looking forward to that."