LUCIAN
I was in my room, wondering where Nora had gone to when the door opened and Mira walked in. I rushed towards her. "Have you seen Nora? I can't find her in her room. She.."
Mira chuckled. "She is not missing ok? Dad asked to see her. She..."
"You let her see dad without my permission? Huh?"
"She is here to see dad right? With or without your permission she needed to see dad. She..."
"You of all people know the kind of person dad is. Why would you let her go"
"Nora can take of herself. You know that"
I scoffed. "Spare me all that. Where are they?"
"In the king's chamber"
I frowned. "How dare you let her go there alone. Ain't you suppose you stay with her"
"You know I can't. Dad won't let me"
I brushed my hair backward. "I am going to meet them"
"You can't. Do you want dad to think Nora is the reason behind your insolent attitude? Huh?" Mira yelled. "Do you want dad to hate her?"
I scoffed. "I don't care!!. I don't care what dad thinks!!"
"You can't expose Nora to danger before your wedding. You know that"
"I don't care what you think I am doing. I am not going to leave Nora alone with dad. I am leaving". I took a few steps and stopped. "Don't try to stop me. Don't follow me either". I walked to the door and opened it.
"Lucian" Mira yelled but I was already out of the room.
I was in a haste to go to the king's room. I knew very well that he was going to try to intimidate Nora to try to get her to say the truth about the wedding. Although I was sure Nora won't give in easily, I was afraid she might have a change of mind. When I got closer to the king's chamber, the door opened and Nora walked out. I hid behind a pillar close by and watched her. She rested on the door, eyes closed. I wondered what the king told her.
I was late coming to her rescue. She sighed and finally got ready to leave. I left the pillar. "Nora" I called and she flinched.
"W-when. H-how long have you been here?" She asked, shuttering
I smiled. "I just came. What are you doing here?" I asked, pretending not to know.
She shrugged. "I came to see the king. I'm about going to back to my room"
She made to leave but I held her. "Can we take a stroll?"
She nodded. "Sure"
**
It was getting late so we returned to the palace. When we got to the palace, I asked Nora to follow me to my room. I thought and was going to say no but she agreed. I was afraid my dad might want to see her again. I wanted to make sure I was with her when dad sends for her again. We entered my room and I asked her to sit on the bed while I seat on the couch but she declined. She sat on the couch with me. "Nice room" she complimented.
I smiled. "Thanks"
She stared around while I stared at her. She was looking so beautiful with some of her hair covering her face. I smiled. She used to be a very timid nerd. I could still remember how we first met at my studio. She was sent as the journalist to interview me and she slept off while waiting for me.
I smiled. How time flies. She has turned out to be a very strong lady. I raised my hand to push her hair aside but she turned before I could do so. She furrowed her brows. "What are you planning to do?"
I chuckled. "Kiss you"
She batted her lashes. "K-kiss me"
I nodded. "Can't I kiss my bride-to-be?". She scoffed but say nothing. "Can't I kiss you?" I asked and she frowned.
"You don't have to pretend, ok? There is nobody here watching"
I furrowed my brows. "Pretend. I am not pretending"
"We both know this marriage and engagement thing is fake. You don't have to pretend here"
I laughed. Now I get what she meant by pretend. I moved closer to her but she moved away. I held her to prevent her from moving away when I move closer to her. She blinked but said nothing. I placed my hand on her face, caressing it. "Why don't we make it real?"
She batted her lashes. "Y-you want to make it real?"
I nodded and she frowned. She slapped me and stood up. I was shocked and couldn't utter a word. "H-how dare you, play with my feelings!!! Huh?!!" She yelled
I stood up. "I am not playing with your feelings, Nora. I love you"
"You don't love me. You don't love me, Lucian. Is it not enough that I let you use me as bait to get Jasper? Is that not enough?"
I sighed. "Nora, I am sorry for wanting to use you as bait for Jasper. I was stupid to have seen that as the only way to get Jasper. I am so sorry. Now, I meant it when I say I love you. I can't afford to lose you. Please marry me for real"
She sniffed. I did not realize she was crying. I made to move closer to her but she stopped me. "I don't love you, Lucian. I don't want to marry you for real. As I promised, I will marry you on contract and when the time comes, I will leave"
"Nora...". She turned to leave but I held her. "Nora. I..."
She removed her hand from mine. "I'm leaving"
I held her and placed her on the wall. "I ain't letting you go, Nora. I will never let you go". She tried to push me away but I held her. "I can't let you go". I placed my hand on her face. "I want you more than I want any other thing". I sniffed her neck. Her scent was intoxicating. "If you don't love me as you claim, then stop me," I said and then kissed her.