111 Conversation (1/2)

”You!”, she exclaimed.

”What? Don't you think it would be fun?”, Tanya clearly showed the attitude of her being in the right. Angering Lara even more.

”There is no way I will do that.”

Tanya looked at her in astonishment, ”Don't tell me you didn't have sex with him yet?”

”What are you talking about?”

”Hoho, you really didn't.”, Tanya laughs loudly, startling the other customers of the cafe.

When the stares landed on the two of them Lara wished to be far away. Although she wasn't easily embarrassed, this just went too far.

”You! Shut up. How about you come over for dinner today?”

”Alright, alright. Don't get so riled up.”, Tanya tried to calm her down. It was clear, that her friend was a bit sensitive, so she didn't push it. ”Of course I will come over. After all its a good chance to meet my future husband.”, she then agreed to the offer with a smile. Enjoying her friends' reaction to the words, future husband.

After she agreed, they continued to chat a bit more, until it was time for Lara to get back to work.

Meanwhile, Ivan had gone to school and after it finished he had then taken public transports to the palace. Now he stood in front of the grand entrance of the palace. Or to be precise he stood in front of one of the two entrances. Part of the palace was open for the public and was a popular visiting spot. So there were two entrances to the palace. One was for the general populace who just wanted to visit the public part of the palace, while the other was for these invited by the royal family.

Miranda had, of course, told him to come to the private entrance, which was closed and guarded by two guards. Ivan was unable to see through their strength, but he could feel a slight oppressive aura radiating from them, which made him certain that they were much stronger than himself.

When he came closer to the entrance, one of the guards looked at him, before once again staring into the distance. Just when he wanted to greet them, a smaller door opened and a young and beautiful maid stepped out. She then walked towards him and bowed.

”Welcome my Lord.”, she greeted him with a silky voice, that managed to send shivers down his back. Something that had never happened before. *What the?* He didn't understand the reason for him shivering on hearing her voice, but he was sure that it wasn't because he found her attractive or sexy. It was more like fear? An instinctive form of fear that came from something deep within him.

His reaction didn't escape the maids' sharp eyes and a hint of surprise flashed through her eyes.

”The emperor awaits you.”, she followed up her greeting. Before turning around and walking back into the palace. She completely ignored any reaction he had and her posture clearly showed that she expected him to follow him.

At first, Ivan was surprised at how arrogant she seemed, but when he saw the other servants respectfully greeting her, he realized that she should have a quite high standing. Which made it even more surprising that she had personally come to get him at the door.

After walking for a short time they arrived at another entrance which leads to a parking space. The maid went towards a white sports car and gestured to him to get in. After he had sat down on the passenger seat, she explained, ”While the official parts of the palace are one giant building, nowadays the royal family prefers to live in separate villas. It has been proven to be more comfortable and reduce infighting.”

She drove fast and soon they had arrived at a villa which was very similar to Lara's. It seemed like her villa was build with this one as the model. The maid parked the car in a parking spot in front of the villa and alighted from the car.

”His Highness is waiting for you in his study.” She then leads him to the mentioned study. After knocking on the door a deep voice told them to come in.

When Ivan entered the room he saw Joseph sitting behind a large desk. His expression was neither cold nor warm. Which was much better than he had feared. Of course, that was only the case if he wasn't the type to get a colder expression the angrier he got.

”Sit down.”, he ordered him and then told the maid, ”Susan please get us some tea.”

”Yes, My lord.”, the maid, Susan, responded and left the room.

”Miranda told me about how you and my daughter met again.”, Joseph started the conversation. ”But since I only have met you that one time at my brothers home, I wanted to meet you again, so I can get a better picture of you. So tell me how are you and my daughter doing at the moment?”