Dear Sweetheart,

Flames of Revenge

Grand Duchess Maria walked in the garden when she saw Carl was walking down the stares. He seemed a bit rushed.

"Carl, can I have a talk with you?" Maria screamed for Carl to hear her. She told the court lady to prepare the tea and snacks for them.

Carl had to change his direction and walked towards Maria. Maria linked her arm around Carl's and started to walk.

"Are you going somewhere son?" Maria asked Carl while her eyes fixed at the plants and flowers.

"I had a planned with a friend" Carl simply answered Maria's question.

They continued to walk along the pathway.

"What are the things you want to talk with me?" Carl straightforwardly asked his mom. He don't want to be late for his plan.

"Why? You don't want to walk with me? Am I not your favourite woman anymore?" Maria sounded upset as she let go of Carl's hand and walked by herself.

Carl ran after her mother and hugged her from behind.

"No. You're still my most favourite woman. No one else can beat you" Carl tried to console his mother. Maria turned to face her son.

She lightly hit Carl's arm "Don't you ever say that to any woman. Or else, no one is going to marry you". Carl let a little laughed with his mother's remarks.

Maria took a closer look of her son. She can't believe a cute boy, who always asked for candies turned out to be a handsome and tall man. She softly placed her palms on Carl's chest.

"You know the things I prayed for you every night before I went to sleep?" Maria continued with a motherly smile on her face. "I want you to live a normal life with someone you live and having your own kids. Not living the live that currently you have" She always heard the rumors about his son being a player, drinking and partying all nights. She knew her son was better than that.

Carl held Maria's hand. He shyly smiled.

"I'm actually... did found someone that I love..." Carl looked he was pondering over it.

"Really? When I can meet her? Which families does she belongs to? Is it Charlotte?" Maria excitedly questioned Carl with all her curiosities. She can't wait to meet someone who can make her son faltered like this.

"I'm not confessed to her yet. I'm looking for a right time" Carl paused before continues "And nope. It wasn't Charlotte"

"It's okay. As long as you love her and so does she, I don't care whoever she is" Maria patted Carl's back hand. She was delightful that her son might find his own true love.

"So she's the one you're going to meet later on?"

Carl nodded. Maria slapped Carl's hand. This time was harder.

"Then why are you still standing here? Go on. Don't be late" Maria 'chased' Carl away so that her son will not be late for his 'date'.

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"So, how's my offer?" Carl looked at Lara, hoping that she will accept his offer. Lara let out a deep sigh. An offer letter in front of her makes her to think twice.

"I don't have confidence if I can do the right job" She hesitated about the offer. Carl gave her an offer to be his personal financial advisor. She still can keep her current job, but she will have to give advise to Carl for all matters related to his financial. This includes his shares, estates and assets.

"I'm sure you're going to a great job. I make this offer after I see your capabilities and what you can do. This has nothing to do with you being my friend" Carl confidently said his opinion. It'a true though. He have seen Lara managed the financial professionally.

Lara still contemplating over the offer.

"Okay. Let's do this way. You'll be my financial advisor for 2 months. After 2 months, I'll decide if you're doing a good job or not"

Finally Lara grabbed a pen and put down her signature on the contract. A satisified smile played on Carl's lips. He extended his hand for a handshake. Lara reached for it and shakes their hand together.

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Charlotte threw away a picture one by one with a cigarette between her fingers. Then she sipped a Pina Colada. A bulky man stood in front of her, waiting for her orders.

"So she's the one that Carl frequently meet?" Her eyes fixed to a brunette woman, who looked happily laughed with Carl.

"Yes. After I followed Prince Carl for two weeks, she's the one he frequently met. She also met him in private without anyone else" said the man. Charlotte orderee the man to go out.

She sneered at the pictures. She never seen Carl smiled like that to a woman before. Not even to her.

"No one can have you but me. Not this woman. Not anyone else" She poked the picture with her cigarette several times.