Liliana's POV:
How could she take advantage of him like this? This is lower than low!
I got to calm myself. Getting angry wouldn't solve anything and it won't be good for the baby either.
"Rubia," I sit on the couch in his room. "Let's talk, shall we?"
The blue-haired green-eyed woman scoffs. "Talk? Why would I want to talk to the likes of you?"
"Rubia, watch your words." His sister narrows her eyes as her expression morphs into a panic.
"Your Highness, I mean no disrespect. If you want to talk then-"
"I'm not the one you have to speak to but I will be listening to every word you say to my friend." She glares as she gulps.
"O-Of course, Your Highness."
"Thanks, Astrana." I shoot her a smile as I pour a cup of water.
"Don't mention it."
My gaze shifts to her. "Care to explain your actions?"
"What's there left to explain?" She rolls her eyes. "You all saw it, didn't you?"
Oh, we saw it alright. You were coming onto him. Forcing him to against his will! I look at my fiancé who is touching his lip in shock for the past two minutes. "Astral," Brandon shakes him in concern.
"Are you awake?" Derek snaps his fingers but no response.
He's still in shock. A sigh escapes my lips. "Rubia-"
"How dare you-"
"Maria, don't."
She looks at me in disbelief. "Are you not angry at her actions?"
I ignore the whispers from my friends trying to calm her down as I focus my attention on the person across from me. Angry? Yes. I'm furious. "Why?" I sip my water calmly. "Give me a plausible explanation for why you did it."
"Why should I explain my actions to you of all people?" She sneers as my beloved snaps from his shock looking back and forth at us without saying a word.
I hate to do this but…
"Your father, Duke William, is currently speaking to the king and queen. What do you think might happen if I let this slip out?"
"You wouldn't dare!" Her eyes narrow as I stare at her with a neutral expression.
"Just try me. You do realize that your actions would be considered as sexual assault, right?"
"It was consensual." Consensual? Yea right. His reaction was definitely not consensual.
I turn my head to my beloved who is sipping his tea with his legs crossed. "It was not."
She gasps. "Your Highness-"
"You touched me without my permission."
"I-"
"Not only that, you used seduction tactics against me."
"But you were leading me on with your words!"
Leading her on? Did he do that? He chuckles crossing his arms staring directly at her. "Me? You're accusing me of leading you on?"
"All I did was compliment your style of work on this document you handed me." She thinks a compliment means that he's romantically interested in her? Wow.
"But you were flirting with me!"
"I was not."
"You were! The tea-"
His eyes flash radioactive green as she shudders involuntarily. Uh-oh…
"Don't get me started on the tea. When you walked into the room in that revealing outfit, have you no shame dressing that way in front of a guy?" Revealing outfit huh?
"Who cares," She winks. "All that matters is that you didn't look away." Oh? My eyes drift towards his slowly narrowing them. He liked that outfit?
"Make no mistake, I didn't look for my enjoyment." He sips his tea again as he side glanced at me. Can he hear my thoughts?
Her eyes roll. "Puh-lease, you were staring."
"I was not."
"You can deny it all you want but deep down, you know what we could've done if we weren't rudely interrupted by someone." She glares at Zach as he scoffs.
"Was that why you drugged the tea?"
"I have no clue what you're talking about, Your Highness."
He waves a hand as a cup appears on the table. "I think the lab would find this highly intriguing." My beloved looks at her with a smirk. "Wouldn't you agree?" That must be the cup that housed the tea.
Her eyes widen. "You-"
"And even if I was leading you on, you should have enough control to resist my flirtations."
"Did you honestly feel nothing when we kissed?" She asks in desperation as he gives her an indifferent expression.
"Absolutely nothing."
Her eyes shift back and forth between me and him with her jaw clenched. "You." She points at me. "You're the reason that he doesn't like me. It's all your fault!"
"Me? What did I ever do to you?"
"I bet you seduced him with your charm!" Her eyes burning with rage. "I despise people like you. You pretend to lure men in with your beauty only to break their hearts!" W-What?
"What are you talking about?"
"You're just like her. The woman who broke my brother's heart!"
My eyes widen. She's projecting that woman onto me? But why? How does that make sense?
"You," She gulps. "You're the reason why my brother died! You're the root cause of it, you slut!" Did she just call me a slut?
"How dare you insult her that way?" My friends all shout as the cup in my beloved's hand shatters into dust.
"You have no authority to insult anyone here, especially the woman sitting next to me, Lady Rubia." His tone is cold as the winter wind. His eyes are calm yet there's a distinct murderous aura around the room that made everyone shiver. I don't know whether to shiver from the coldness of his tone or the aura enveloping the room.
"Y-Your Highness," She trembles underneath his piercing gaze. "What I say is true. She's just manipulating you-"
"Silence." He crosses his arms and legs. "I know her better than anyone. She wouldn't do such a despicable thing." Astral…
I stare at him in awe as he focuses on her. "You, on the other hand, have no shame and tried to seduce me."
"I-"
"Let me guess, you were going to say I was the one who lead you to do such an inappropriate act?" My love questions with a smirk. "Why would I go do that when I have no interest in you?"
A heartbroken expression flickers on her face as her body trembles. "N-No… Prince Astral, that's not true…"
"Oh? He raises an eyebrow. "Then tell me, why would I be interested in such a horrendous lady such as yourself?" Horrendous… ouch! That's got to sting.
"Do you feel nothing for me?" She asks weakly.
"Listen closely because I will only say it once. I do not, will not ever like you." My fiancé explains slowly as if he is speaking to a child. "You accuse me of leading you on?"
He chuckles hollowly. "You disgust me. Your actions are unacceptable and outrageous. You're lucky that I didn't already place you in the dungeon."
"I-I disgust you?"
"Correct."
Woah… this is a whole new side to him. Usually, he doesn't let anything get under his skin or enraged him but now… I glance at him. This whole seduction thing must have him more irritated than I thought.
Tears glisten in her eyes as she glares at me. Oh, what now? "You-"
"I will reiterate, don't you dare ridicule her with your filthy words."
"What's the difference between me and her? I'm the one you should care about!"
"You?" He rolls his eyes with a scoff. "You're not worthy of my affection."
"And she is?! What makes her so special?!" She yells with tears streaming.
"First of all, she's better than you will ever be in this lifetime." My beloved starts. "She's real. A non-manipulative person who cares for people even if they are of a different status unlike you who is manipulative, egotistical, and narcissistic." Facts but still, does he have to say it so coldly?
"She's tricking you-"
"I've known her since childhood. If she's acting, I would've figured it out long ago." He has amnesia though. How can he remember what I was like?
"Lady Rubia, I highly question your intellect." He smiles. "Do you honestly think it would be that easy to seduce me?"
"You were probably thinking along the lines of if I manage to seduce him, then the role of Princess Consort will be all mine, am I correct?"
The person across from us gulps with tears still falling. "W-Why? Why doesn't anyone care about me?"
My eyes widen as I look at my friends in equal shock. No one cares about her? Is that true?
"No one ever cares about me anymore. They focused on my brother and him solely. I just want some attention! Is that too much to ask?!"
So she tried to seduce him because she wanted someone to see her… "Rubia," I begin softly as she glares at me through her tears. "I can't say that I understand what you're feeling right now but I can imagine how horrible it is to be stuck in the shadow of your brother."
"Don't you dare fake your words! You absolutely have no clue what I'm going through. Always getting compared to your brother. Being not good enough for your family." She sniffles. "You have no idea!"
"I might not understand how horrible and painful it is but have you tried speaking to your family? To let your thoughts be known?"
She looks down. That's a no. I hold her hand as she flinches. "Communication is key. If you never let your thoughts come into existence, your family will never know. If that happens then it will be your fault because you didn't say anything."
"But…"
"From what I can tell, your father loves you. Try to let yourself be heard by him then work from there."
Green eyes meet mine with a gulp. "Do you think that will work?"
I nod with a slight smile. "I don't know but you have to take a chance."
"Take a chance…" Her face brightens with a grin. "You're right! I'm going to tell him!"
I knew that she wasn't a power-hungry person. She's just doing this for some attention. To get away from her brother's shadow. My beloved clears his throat. "About the whole seduction-"
Her eyes morph into panic as she kneels before us. "Your Highness, please forgive me. I don't know what I was thinking. I-"
"You may rise."
She gapes at him in shock as a slight smile appears on his lips. "W-What?"
"He said that you may rise." I walk over to her and help her up by the hands. "You are forgiven." My eyes drift towards his. "Am I right, Astral?"
"Correct, my fiancée." Huh? Did he just say…
Her face pales as she stares at me with her mouth hanging open. "Y-You are His Highness's f-fiancée?"
Um… My eyes glance at him as he subtly nods. How strange. Why did he reveal our relationship?
She starts to kneel as I stop her. "You don't have to kneel."
"I am so sorry for disrespecting you, Lady Liliana. I-"
My lips curve upwards with a giggle. "Rubia, don't worry about it. You are forgiven."
"B-But-"
"I'm serious." I clasp her hands gently. "Don't worry about it."
The woman in front of me hugs me tightly as my eyes widen. Hah? "Thank you. Thank you for your forgiveness, Lady Liliana."
I pat her back gently. "It's alright, Rubia. Don't worry."
Astral's POV:
The door closes as my friends, sister, and fiancée all stares at me waiting for an explanation.
"Are you okay?" My sister asks me in concern as I sip my tea.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's because you were frozen for five minutes?" My friend said as I eye him.
"Zach, I'm fine."
"Right…"
"So, what happened?" My fiancée asks as I place my cup down.
"Don't you already know?"
"Yes, but I'm curious."
"Alright," I swirl my head towards them. "I'll tell you."
(Flash):
(Knock)(Knock)
Who could that be? "Who is it?"
"Your Highness, I have the files you requested." A feminine voice replied from the other side of the door.
"Enter."
The door opens revealing an 18-year-old woman with a slender frame wearing a short red strapless dress that barely extends to her upper thigh. Her dark blue almost black hair flows past her shoulders down her back as she sashays towards me with red high heels clicking on the ground.
Woah… is this how she normally dresses? I stare at her as she winks tossing her hair back to show her cleavage. What is her motive here?
"Your Highness, here are the files you requested."
Surely she doesn't dress this way in front of a guy without wanting something right? I blink. "Ah, yes, thank you, Lady Rubia."
Her eyes widen. "You know me?"
"Of course," I shoot her a minuscule smile. "Your father has aided my father in many projects. How can I not know you?" Thankfully, Waltari filled me in about all the officials at court and their family members.
She hands me the documents as I flip through each page examining them. Huh… impressive. "This is highly impressive, Lady Rubia."
"Did you complete this yourself?" I snap the file shut and look up at her. She smiles brightly.
"Is it really impressive?"
"Yes, everything is simple and orderly."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
"No problem. Keep up the good work." She will be a good asset to my father's council but her age is problematic.
Also… "Lady Rubia, may you pour me a cup of tea?"
"Of course, Your Highness."
My eyes trail her figure as she makes her way to the table, pouring the tea in a cup. My eyes narrow as she glances back with a smile as I immediately open up a file and pretend to read it. I was correct. She's up to something.
A moment later, she returns with a cup batting her eyelashes. "Sorry for the wait,"
Time to figure out what your motive is. "Tea made by a beauty is worth the wait." I shoot her a smile as a tint of red appears on her cheeks.
(Flash)
"What?!" My fiancée shouts as she grips my shirt collar. "So she was saying the truth! You were flirting with her." What happened to her calm disposition a few moments ago?
"What happened to her calm disposition when you were speaking to Lady Rubia?"
She pulls me closer until our noses touch. "That's different. You flirted with her."
"I was trying to find the reason she dressed so revealing in front of me. Nothing more." I explained gently taking her fingers off my shirt. "Also, don't get all worked up. Anger isn't good for the baby."
Her eyes widen. "You're right." She takes a deep breath. "I got to stay positive."
I pat her arm gently with a smile. "So, what happened next?" My mother asks.
(Flash):
My hand takes the cup from her and lifts it to my mouth. Hmm… what if she drugged the tea? Should I drink this? I glance at her as she looks away avoiding my gaze. "Lady Rubia, your tea is simply divine."
I place it down after cautiously taking a tiny sip of it. A sip won't have much effect on me right? "It's just normal tea, Your Highness."
"It might be normal tea to you but to me," I gave her a wink as her face grows to an unhealthy shade of red. "Anything made by your hands is delectable."
"Y-Your Highness…" Her eyes drift down biting her lip. I think I got it. She's trying to seduce me.
"A question," I examine her from head to toe with a raised eyebrow. "Do you normally dress like this?"
"N-No, Your Highness."
"Oh? Then what made you dress like this today?"
Strange… I gulp. Why does it feel so hot? My eyes stare at the woman in front of me as my heart thumps faster. What the? Why is my heart beating faster?
A smirk forms on her lips. "Are you feeling alright?"
"I was right. You were trying to seduce me." Darn it! This must be the infamous pleasure potion.
She approaches me sitting sideways on my lap as I try to push her off. "What are you doing? Get off of me."
"I got to say," Her hands wrap loosely around my neck. "It's pretty impressive you figured it out that fast but I expected nothing less from you."
"Why are you doing this?" I ask trying to steady my heart as she leans closer placing a hand on my chest stroking it gently. Keep calm… let's be rational about this.
"You tell me? Why am I doing this?"
I shudder as her hand unbuttons my shirt slowly. "Is it because of power?"
"Mm… what if I tell you that I love you? What would you do?" Love? Ah, that word again.
"Love?"
She nods. "Yes," My eyes zero in on her red lips. Uh-oh… I have to control myself! "If you just let me, I can show you the feelings of love."
The feelings of love? I…
(Flash):
"Regardless of my memory, in the past, I proposed, correct?" She nods. "Now's no different. I may not remember but if I fell for you once, I can fall for you a second time."
A pair of arms wrap around my neck tightly with her face nuzzling against my neck. "I love you." A soft voice mutters as I freeze.
(Flash)
"I have a fiancée."
Her eyes widen. "Your father just announced Princess Starlight is Princess Astrana, your sister."
"And you already have a fiancée?" Yea, I can't believe it either.
Her fingers run along my chest as I clench my jaw. "Lady Rubia, be mindful of your actions."
"Mindful?" A giggle escapes her lips as she leans closer until her cinnamon scent fills my nostrils. "Are you sure you want me to do that?"
"Stop touching me,"
A smirk crawls onto her lips. "I wonder how your fiancée will react if she sees us like this."
"This is sexual assault." I gulp as my heart hammers in my chest. I got to control myself… but… My gaze descends to her chest. Darn it! Curse the male mind!
The woman on my lap pulls me closer. Our lips are inches apart as her breath tickles my nose. O-Oh lord… "Astral, don't fight your urges."
"Get away from me." You have to control yourself, Astral! I can't give into… my desires…
I turn away with a gulp as her eyes narrow. Why is she looking at me like that?
"What are you-"
She slams her lips onto mine as my eyes widen. W-What is this?
Her eyes snap shut as her hands wrap around my neck pulling me closer as I freeze. Her mouth opens as a tongue licks my lips causing me to shudder. Her tongue pressed against the lip crease demanding entry into the moistness of my mouth.
Is this what a kiss is? I… is it supposed to be this violating? My heart ticks like a bomb as her tongue roams my mouth in passion. This feels off somehow… hm… I don't think I like this. But… it also feels so…
My hands slip towards her waist caressing it gently as I undo the zipper and slip under her clothes. The softness of her skin makes me snap as I break the kiss. No… what am I doing… I… can't…
"Astral…" Her hot breath hits my lips as I gulp. "I need you."
A hand slips onto my bare chest. She pulls me closer tilting her head opening her mouth wider. Wait…
(Flash):
"I'm your fiancée."
(Flash)
My eyes widen. That's right! I have a fiancée. What I'm doing now is a form of cheating. Although, it's not like I remember our relationship. Argh, but that doesn't excuse me for doing this. However, she made the first move so, from a logical standpoint, I wasn't in the wrong.
I try to break the kiss but she grasps the back of my head. I got to break this! I shouldn't be doing this. This feels wrong!
"Mmm!" Darn it! Her tongue continues to roam the depths of my mouth as I jerk my head side to side violently. Is this what a kiss is? How can people enjoy this? My mouth feels so violated.
(Knock)(Knock)
"Astral, may I enter?"
Please do!
I continue trying to remove her arms from my neck. Why is she so persistent?
(Knock)(Knock)
"Astral?"
Zach, just enter! Help me!
She mashes her lips onto mine as I start to run out of air. Uh-oh! If this keeps up…
(Knock)(Knock)
"Brother, if you don't respond, we're going to burst in."
Hurry up and burst in already! Astrana, I'm dying over here!
She continues to work the inner makings of my mouth as I try to push her off with little success.
"Mmmm!"
Come on, just break the kiss already!
A gasp rings out as my friends push her off me. "How dare you force yourself onto him?!"
My breathing labors as I shut my eyes. Thank goodness. Thank god they burst in.
"Are you okay?" My fiancée asks as she buttons up my shirt looking at me in concern.
"Just… give me a few moments to think this through."
(Flash)
A fist slams onto the table as my father's eyes glow green. "How dare she take advantage of you like that?"
"Not only that, but she also drugged you!" My mother exclaims with her fist curled. "This will never-"
"Mother, I'm fine aren't I?"
She looks at me in shock. "Aren't you angry that she drugged you?"
"Yea, I thought that you would be furious about this." My sister said as my friends nod.
Angry? A bit. "A bit."
"A bit?!"
"How are you not furious at her for kissing you with your consent?" Star exclaims as I gave her a small smile.
"I kind of expected that from her the moment she walked into the room in that revealing dress. Furthermore, I knew that she was going to drug the tea but I underestimated the effect of it." Note to self: Don't underestimate pleasure potions or anything for that matter.
"Wait," Brandon said while blinking. "You knew that was going to happen?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you stop her?"
I let out a sigh. "I wanted to see how far she was willing to go."
Everyone groans as they shake their heads. "Seriously?!"
"If I hadn't burst in then who knows what would've happened."
"And that's why," I turn my head to face him. "Thanks, Zach. If it wasn't for you, I don't even want to think what might happen."
"I probably shouldn't be asking this but how was that kiss?"
My friend elbows him. "Derek!"
"Why are you asking him that?"
"You fool!"
"His fiancée is right there!"
"I'm curious though."
"Why you little-"
"It's fine, you guys." My fiancée chimes in interrupting the whispers as they look at her.
She turns towards me. "I'm curious as well. What did it feel like?"
Everyone's jaw hangs open at her question. "Lily… are you feeling alright?"
"Why would you ask me that?"
"As I said, I'm curious."
Interesting… Normally when a woman finds out her fiancé is kissing another woman, her reaction is to scream or storm off. But she's different than the rest.
"Well," I place a hand under my chin. How should describe this? "If that was what a kiss supposed to feel like, then I would rather not kiss anyone anytime soon."
"I'm assuming it was bad?"
Um… how to describe the sensation? "It felt good but bad at the same time."
She tilts her head as everyone gulps. I glance at them as they subtly shake their heads. Wow…
"How was it good and how was it bad?"
"At the beginning, it was fairly pleasant." I started as I can hear whispers circulating me. "The softness of her lips on mine was unlike anything I'd experienced before." Not to mention, she caught me by surprise.
"Astral, stop talking!" My sister whispers as I raise a brow at her.
"Why?"
"Astrana, let him speak." She smiles sweetly as she holds my hand. "Continue, my beloved." What's up with her smile?
"Her lips were soft, you say?"
"Mhm."
A forced chuckle comes from my friend. "Ok, let's move to the bad aspect, shall we?"
"Yea! Let's talk about the bad things about that kiss!"
"The bad aspect is that she forcefully kissed me," I mutter as I shiver from the memories. Never have I imagined my first kiss being- wait a moment… that's not my first kiss considering my fiancée is pregnant. Never mind.
"Did anything else happen besides the kiss?" My father asks looking at me seriously as I blink.
"I mentioned that she drugged me and forced herself on me, right?"
"Yes," My mother started. "But did anything else happen?" Huh?
"What do you two mean?"
They glance at my friend as he shook his head. "Don't worry, Your Majesties, nothing else happened. We got there just in time." What are they…!
My eyes widen as a thought flys into my head. Ohhhhh… they're talking about consummation. Huh… I don't know what to think anymore.
"What I'm hearing is that it was pleasant?"
I blink and snap from my thoughts. "Yea, except for the whole violation of my mouth and almost suffocating me with her kiss."
"Did you… feel anything when she kissed you?" She asks in great hesitancy as I tilt my head.
"Didn't you already ask me that?"
She shakes her head. "For example, did you feel fireworks or happy?" Fireworks? It was a kiss, not a fireworks show. How is a kiss supposed to make you feel fireworks?
"Am I supposed to feel fireworks during that kiss?" I ask in confusion as her eyes widen.
"No, no, I was asking out of curiosity that's all."
Is she perhaps asking about… I slowly nod. "Yes, I did feel something."
The woman next to me bites her lip as her face pales. "W-What did you feel?" Her voice shakes a bit.
"What exactly do you mean by fireworks?" I ask after a moment as her lips curve upwards.
"It's like an electrical current you get when you kiss a person." Electricity?
"Electricity…" Hm… how can I describe the sensation of that? "I don't know how to describe it but I think I felt a spark or something."
"A-A spark?"
"He's doomed." My friend whispers.
"Astral," Maria whispers as I look at her. "Stop talking!"
"It's no use," Derek said with a sigh. "We can't stop it now."
"I will send you a bouquet when you die."
"Stop it guys, my brother's not dying anytime soon."
"She's right," Star chimes in. "Stop dramatizing this."
"But it's the truth! Just look at her expression," He whispers as I shift my eyes back to my fiancée who sports a neutral face.
"What do you mean by a 'spark'?"
"I guess," I place my hand under my chin. "It's like, I felt a jolt of electricity down my spine when she suddenly kissed me." If that makes any sense.
She nods. "Ok… was it good or bad?"
Good or bad? "I would say it was bad but then again, I'm not sure."
"How are you not sure?"
"One last question," My fiancée bores her eyes into me. "Would you… if given the chance that is, kiss her again?"
My eyes widen. Uh… is this a trick question? I feel like this is a trick question. It's coming from her of all people.
"Be honest." Her hands hold mine staring at me with a neutral expression. Hm… well…
"Considering that kiss almost suffocated me," I shake my head. "No. The cons outweigh the pros." And the whole violation of my mouth. "If that's what a kiss feels like, I would rather not kiss."
A giggle escapes her lips. "Maria's correct. Everything's a business with you."
"Isn't it obvious?" She latches on to my arm holding it close as I wiggle it free with little success.
"Also, not every kiss is bad."
I raise a brow. "Really?"
"Really."
"You're considering swapping spit a good thing?"
She giggles covering her mouth a bit. "You don't remember anything huh? Kissing is more than just swapping spit."
My eyes roll. "Yea because the violation of my mouth thing wasn't bad." My tone drips in sarcasm as she pokes my cheek.
"You and your sarcasm."
"Hey,"
She bats her eyelashes. "Yes, my love?"
I point to my arm in her grasp. "The physical contact rule remember?"
"Oh, so she gets to sit on your lap and kiss you while I can't even hold your arm without you complaining? How is that fair?"
Well… "It's not but she was…" I trail off as tears glisten threatening to fall as my eyes widen. Oh no… not again!
"I-I'm your f-fiancée," A pair of arms wrap around me as I stiffen. "Y-Yet you don't care about me!"
Why? A pit of dread fills my stomach as I glance at my friends, parents, and sister for help.
They shrug. "Sorry."
These people! "Seriously?!" I whisper as my sister stifle a giggle.
"Brother, you dug yourself into a hole."
"We told you to stop talking but you didn't listen."
Oh, come on! "Star, help me."
My friend gives me a sheepish smile. "I would love to but she's your fiancée. It wouldn't make much sense for us to interfere."
"Good luck, my friend!" The guys give me a thumbs-up as I glare at them.
"You traitors!"
A sob rings out as I wince. Her arms wrap tighter around my chest. "Y-You don't even let me hold your arm without complaining!"
How am I supposed to handle this? My friends aren't helping me. Some friends they are. My only best bet is… My eyes drift towards my parents. "Sorry, son,"
My father stifles a laugh. "This is your problem."
"No, not you too!" I groan as my mother giggles.
"You have to find a way to cheer her up. Getting overly emotional is a part of pregnancy if you don't know." Great…
"During this time, you have to cater to her every whim no matter how unreasonable and humiliating they are."
My eyes widen. "Seriously?!"
He nods walking towards me and carefully hands me a pair of earplugs. Earplugs? "Use these for emergencies." He whispers patting my shoulder.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, you will know when the time comes, son. Try your best to please her during this time and whatever you do, don't get her angry."
I blink as he leans closer to my ear. "Consider it a warning after my experience with your mother." Oh…
"Thanks, Father."
"Care to repeat what you're saying, Eliphas?" He's toast!
We freeze as he turns around with a gulp. She stares at him with a frown. "E-Enna," He forces out a laugh as everyone muffles their laughs with the back of their hands.
"This is pure gold!"
"Yeah! I never witnessed my dad getting scolded by my mom!"
"Seriously?" I glance at them as they look away innocently.
Star's POV:
"My beloved,"
He lets out a sigh. "Yes?"
"I want a beverage."
"And that is?"
"Taro milk with green apple jelly!" Taro milk with green apple jelly? Huh…
"Waltari,"
The door opens and a man with brown eyes enters. "Your Highness,"
"Notify the cook to make a beverage called Taro milk with green apple jelly."
I lick my lips. I've never heard of it but it sure sounds delicious!
"Yes, Your-"
"Wait," My friend holds up her hand with a smirk. That smirk…
"I recognize that look," Maria whispers as we nod.
"She's planning something."
"Honey, I want you to make it." She wants…
"Um…"
Her lips form a pout as she swings his arm back and forth. "Surely you won't deny this small request, right?"
"Why?"
"Why not?" My friend bats her eyelashes at him with a smile. "I want you to make it, my beloved."
"But I don't how to." Just as I thought.
She frowns letting go of his arm turning away. "All you have to do is learn."
"But-"
"It's not that hard to do."
He stays quiet considering the options. "But why do I have to do it?"
She crosses her arms. "Hmph, I'm asking you for a teeny tiny favor, and yet you keep denying me." Tears prickle in her eyes. "You don't love me anymore!"
His eyes widen in panic as he wipes her tears frantically. "Ok ok, no tears. If you want me to make it for you," He turns to his butler. "Waltari, may you lead me to the kitchen?"
His jaw hangs open slightly. "Your Highness, you're not actually considering…"
As if she planned this to happen, my friend sobs harder as he pats her back. "It's not like I have a choice in the matter."
True. Getting overly emotional isn't good for the baby that's for sure. My friend looks at her. "That's enough crying ok?"
She sniffles. "You're making the beverage for me?"
"Yep."
Her face lights up. All traces of tears were gone as she gives him a lingering kiss on the cheek. "You're the best!"
My friend glances at me as we look at her. "Uh… are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Mhm. It's quite obvious what she's doing here."
"What I can't believe is that he gave in that easily."
"I knew it! Tears are a woman's weapon of manipulation."
"Ok," He pries her arms off and stands up. "Waltari,"
He snaps from his shock as he opens the door. "Ah, yes, Your Highness. This way."
The door shuts gently as we all stare at her. My friend sports a slight smirk. Wow. I clear my throat. "Was that necessary?"
"Of course it was,"
"Good job, Liliana." His mother pats her back with a wink. "Boss him around a bit."
She burst into giggles. "No need to worry."