Heraiah

CHAPTER 10

In the world of married couples, it would be a joy to have a house of your own with your partner. The joy of firstly designing it and the delight of making it feel like home. But it was not to me, I’m never going to experience any of that. But that doesn’t mean I can’t do it on my own. Although, I am happy to live in a house all on my own, well not really on my own, I have a partner of my own. A partner for convenience.

But the house I am in right now looks like something I would live in. I glance at Ravier, “I thought when you said that I was living with you it would be in the palace?”

His eyebrows furrowed, “Why? This isn’t in your taste?” he looked around the living room, “If not I can look through more of my properties,”

I laughed sheepishly, “No, I actually like it,” I nodded enthusiastically. This man is ready to do anything for me. Maybe he just wants me to live comfortably to put me in his favor. Cause for all I know, he is still using like I am using him.

“Oh, I’m glad,” he grinned and continues to walk.

I sighed and let my eyes wonder around the place. I couldn’t do anything or have a say on this. He pays for everything I have right now, at least for now. I glance at Khai who came along to see what type of house I would be living. The protective Khai as always.

“My parents froze my bank accounts, didn’t they?” I asked.

Khai’s head turned to me, “Yeah, soon as the search for you was over, they immediately frosted them but I don’t know what happened to it now,” he shrugged.

I laughed, “Of course, they did,” I rolled my eyes.

Ravier noticed what we were talking about and decided to join in the conversation, “Don’t worry, I’ll pay for your expenses, we can go shopping for your necessities and clothing later,” he suggested.

I looked down then lifted my gaze at Khai, trying to read his mind but he was happy for the suggestion and had no signs of opposing on it. But I was the opposite, I didn’t want a man to be my living bank account, although it does sound good, I guess I have to lower my pride to survive. And it doesn’t really matter in the end of the day, no one gets to have say in our relationship.

I nodded in response and continued to explore the house. It was big, fit for a family. The architecture was exquisite, fit for a royal. Just like Ravier. To be part of a family I never really looked up to as a kid is weird. My parents thought of the royal family as a threat to them, because they were powerful and respected. My parents wanted that, it was obvious. So, they taught me to be a lady. The last thing they want is me to be engaged with a royal.

But that was the thing, I want to do things that’ll annoy them. I am now an adult, they can’t have a say on my decisions anymore unlike when I was a teenager. I have rights for myself and my properties now and what’s funny is that I am no longer in their trance. I know how to make decisions for myself without them. They would be annoyed to see me not in their favor anymore.

I heard footsteps behind that made me quickly shift my head, I saw Ravier behind me, I shook my head and look forward again.

His footsteps began to get louder as he got closer. Dressed in fine leather only known to be worn by royals was the handsome figure of the prince beside me. His hands inside the pockets of his pants, a straight posture, chin up, and an alluring fragrance was all I could sense from him. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t attractive.

He was right behind me but he was dead silent. As he is the prince, he had a perfect image from any angle. The whole family did. It was just that they weren’t really open to the public. They rule the land but they barely show any of their faces in front of anyone.

But that did not mean they weren’t doing anything for this kingdom. They were still active in handling the kingdom themselves, they just tend to be really private. So, that’s why Ravier is an important aspect in my mission. Of course, I wouldn’t just ask him information about the affairs in this kingdom. But I will have to work my way to get that information.

Now, Ravier Larousse. I haven’t really been interested in who he is exactly. I know him by his status and name. But that’s it. The Larousse family has been ruling Adreene for years now. They are said to be strict and reserved. That explains Ravier’s reserved personality. For now, I know that he has a sister but this person hasn’t been in Adreene in years now.

Yes, the family rarely show any of their faces but it was obvious that the only daughter of the family was not in the country. Since she hasn’t shown her self in years and no one really knows why. It said she ran off with a commoner and some say she was banished by her parents from the kingdom. They are many theories and conspiracies speculating around the country but none of them made any sense. Nor did they have a proof for these claims. but regardless, the Larousses never confirmed any of it, none of them even tried to save their names when it was getting hated. They just let it be.

The family itself was a mystery, but the biggest mystery in between mysteries is his sister’s whereabouts. She’s been long forgotten but people still do speak. Just not as loud as they use to.

The silence was giving me chills so I got up and left the premises. He was left there only with himself to think. I looked back and wondered what was the prince thinking? He seemed to be thinking really deeply it was hard to tell. He wasn’t really the type to be showy and expressive, everything about him was hard to tell. Nevertheless, I left and went downstairs.

I ran downstairs to see Khai in the living room, looking like he was already ready to leave. But I couldn’t let him leave without a goodbye.

“I’m gonna get going, you take care here, you can come to me anytime if you need help,” he smiled and walked to the door.

“You know I will,”

“That is true,” I could feel him smirking whilst as he adjusts his suit. The door made a loud thump noise as Khai closed it.

I could hear Ravier’s footsteps coming down the stairs, “He left already?”

I nodded, “Yup,” I paused to turn at his direction, “Now, where am I sleeping?”

He gazes down, looking at my small figure from above the staircase, “You can have the master bedroom,”” he stated.

“Good, I wanted it anyway,” I nodded.

I looked at him, “What about you?”

He gazed, “There’s another master bedroom just beside yours,”

I raised my eyebrows making a fake shock expression as he turns away from me. He was annoyingly too quiet but I guess this was way better than to have a chatterbox. We walked back upstairs and he guided me to the master bedroom. Once we got there, I couldn’t help but feel comfortable with the architecture. It wasn’t fancy, but it was definitely classy. Something that I would like.

I glanced at Ravier who was standing still beside me, “if you don’t like this one you can have the other one,” he caught me looking at him.

I looked away and continued to walk inside the room, “I like it,”

He nods politely, “Okay,” he then disappears.

I just widen and smiled, “Weirdly polite,” I commented.

There were no maids because we just moved in and it would be a worry to have one. So I had to be the one that would step up and do the chore of serving the prince. I don’t know how I ended up serving for the prince. I was preparing dinner for the prince. Unfortunately, I am doing the thing I would never do for anybody. But here I am. It’s not like he ordered me to do this, I actually volunteered. I don’t know why I insisted, maybe because I feel bad because he is paying and literally caring for me. And not to mention, all the things I’ve done for him was rejection.

I glanced at him whilst I prepare the plates. He sitting at the far side of the rectangular table with a laptop in front of him. He types away on his keyboard whilst waiting for me to finish so we can eat. It was definitely not a surpise seeing him work and busy.

As I set the plates, he looked at me, “In terms of our relationship, we should be going out often as happy couples do,”

“That is after our engagement is announced,” I said.

“Or found out,”

I furrowed my eyebrows, “found out?”

“Yes, people are still after me as I am the only family member that actually shows up on events,” he picks up the glass of water and drinks it.

Right, I forgot. Ravier has become the representative for the whole family. Of course, people would be on his tale, trying to make something out of it. “Then let’s not go out together,”

He leans on his seat as he put the glass back on the table, “That’s the point, we must stir up rumors so our engagement wouldn’t be so out of the sudden,”

I nodded, he made sense. If we were rumored to be in contact, it wouldn’t be a surprise since they expected it, “Okay,” I slightly smiled then left to go to the kitchen.

He goes back to his laptop and continues to type away. Although, he was quiet and reserved. He was considerate and smart. He knew his ways and it seemed like he has been planning this in advance. Which was weird, kind of. Maybe he is just always prepared if there was anyone he would offer the same offer he gave me. But that’s highly impossible, or maybe not. Either way, I got it first and I will have it last.