Chapter 154 - Night (1/2)

The night was long and tiring, but Lara came to the inn in the middle of the night, again, covered from head to toe. A soft black cape was her only disguise, though, she didn't need anything else. No one would recognize her as the Princess of the Arion Empire.

After all, she was the discarded princess, that not only his father, the Emperor hated, but the other princes and princesses in the palace.​​

”Are you here?” Lara knocked on the door and a man opened it.

”Miss Reid,” the man was looking at the window, he was tall and muscular. His hair color was silver and shined with the light from the moon outside. However, even with all his mysterious and dangerous air, he was still handsome.

Lara moved inside and closed the door, then she took out the papers from her cape, ”I have the contract here, Your Highness, please sign it.”

The man didn't turn around but smirked. That woman was the only one with the guts to make a deal with such disrespect and disregard of his status. She had even dared to call him in the middle of the night to sign a contract with him.

”The conditions are stated in the contract and the price, my people will give you the best of our products delivered to your house in less than two weeks. You will be surprise…d…”

The man turned around and looked at her with a raised hand to make her stop. Lara didn't have another choice but to keep silent. She knew that the man before her was not someone she could trifle with, not even her father, the emperor would dare to disrespect him or ignore his house.

It was dangerous.

That man was not only a great Duke, Kian of Eylos, but also a great general of the North. His army was counted by hundreds or even thousands and was feared by every country. If not for his loyalty to the crown, he could have easily taken the title of King.

”Your Highness?”

”Why…?” he mumbled, then he smirked while stepping forward to Lara, ”why should I sign this crappy contract with an unknown person?”

”I… I am not unknown, my Golden Eagle Company is a well-established company, without any shady business…”

”And you?”

”What?”

”I am the owner Lara Reid, Your Highness…” Lara was stepping little by little to the back of the room. She felt that something was not right, they had done business with the Duke before, and they had all went smoothly. Just one or two minutes and the signature of the man would be in the contract. After all, they had already revised it before the deal.

”You are not…” he stepped forward and took her chin to look at him.

He couldn't deny that he had let her go many times. From the first business they had cooperated together, he had ignored her cheerfulness and ignorance on manners. After all, he was smitten with her. Those big green eyes, that black ŀustrous hair, that amazing figure, and an attractive face.

It was hard to believe, how can she was able to disguise herself with such outstanding looks. How can she be ignored?

”I am…”

”Princess Lauren Jin.”

Lara paled. ”I am not… you are confused…” she moved her face from his grasp. ”Please, if you may sign…. Your Highne… mmmm!”

The man didn't care anymore but kissed her. It was enough.

For so long, he had come with many stupid contracts to see her. To have her before him. He even investigated her company and spied on her business to create more opportunities. However, the oblivious woman never cared for his intentions. It was so obvious.

However… one of his most skilled spies gave him the best news he could hear. She was the princess. Someone he could ask for marriage and she won't even have the chance to say no.

”Stop it…”

”No…” he said as he was taking out her cape. ”You are mine… all mine now. My bride.”

”What did you say?”

”I told you that you are my bride.”

”I am not,” she pushed him from her but he didn't move. His strength was not to be underestimated. If he wanted, he would have already taken her right there. ”I will go…”

”I will ask for your hand in a few days, Lara.”