CHAPTER 1 : HELPLESS ANGER
The sounds of footsteps echoed throughout the living room of the ridiculously expensive penthouse. The old couple clad in butler and maid uniform, whom he appointed as servants, halted their work and bowed as he passed by them. He slightly nodded his head in acknowledgement, but the dark countenance on his face didn't change.
The man started climbing the spiral staircase leading him to the next floor. The old servants exchanged worried glances and felt sorry for the man.
Seems like the young lady caused some trouble again.......
The man walked faster, his long black overcoat fluttering. His mesmerizing electric blue eyes looked towards the master bedroom. He opened the double-door bedroom without a noise.
Watching the scene in front of his eyes, he couldn't help but open his mouth. All the anger, frustration, worry and tiredness left his body seeing her safe and sound, sleeping like an innocent baby. His heart softened. He became useless whenever he saw her like that.
The electric blue-eyed went ahead beside the king-sized bed, letting out an audible sigh.
Her angelic face had a peaceful expression, her not-so-long crimson-red hair sprawled on the pillow. The dark green sheet kicked out of its place, showing off her long smooth legs as she was wearing her navy blue pajama T-shirt dress. One hand went under the pillow while the other was on her tummy.
She didn't have any qualifications as his future wife should have. She never took the rules and traditions seriously. Did he care?
No.
All he wanted was to have her. Not just her. The way she was. He wanted her. All the rules, traditions, and qualifications could go to hell.
He slightly bent down, balancing his weight on one hand on the bed while his other went to take a few crimson strands of her hair.
The sight of her peaceful expression was more than enough to calm him down at any time. A fond memory of how she fought to wear PJs instead of a night dress came into his mind. He let out a throaty chuckle. Seriously, she and his grandma were good enough to break all the stereotypical rules.
As soon as he touched her hair, the world spun around him, and he was laid on his bed. Staring at him was a pair of forest green eyes sparkling like dark green emeralds filled with mischief.
His surprised expression came to calm in a mere second. Ha! What more could he expect? Only when they're alone like this, could he let his guard down.
Giving her a stern gaze, he said" Aren't you too bold, my dear? "
The lady gave a lazy chuckle, her voice still hazy from her sleep.
" Isn't that the reason why I'm the love of your life in the first place? "
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, before he opened them again" Still, what you did yesterday was dange– "
" Shh!!!! " the green-eyed lady placed a finger on his lips, not letting him talk any further. Their gaze met each other orbs.
" You can talk all you want after some time. Let's go to sleep for now " She took her finger back and cupped his cheeks.
Her soft touches on his cheek made him lean for more. Finally, the exhaustion hit him, and it was still too early for her to wake, so he gave in to her wish like every other time.
He kicked off his shoes, removed his long overcoat, took off his coat and tie and unbuttoned his collar buttons before entering the covers. He pulled the redhead closer to him, wrapping his arms around her, taking in her warmth and scent.
The lady, too, wrapped her arms around him, hugging him like her favorite teddy bear which he had gifted when she was a child.
In a matter of a few seconds, they both entered their dreamlands. Unknown to them, few people won money through a bet, while few simply laughed at how whipped their future king was.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
After two hours, the old servant couple heard footsteps coming from the main living room. The butler left whatever he was doing and went to aid his master.
The blue-eyed man freshened up. He wore a pair of casual pants and a gray v-neck shirt, his dark ash-blonde hair lazily settled on his forehead. His whole body screamed from exhaustion.
The butler walked forward and bowed" Would you like to have some coffee, your Highness? "
The man took a seat on the sofa, turned his head and replied" Yes ".
" What would you like to have for your breakfast, your highness? "
" Maybe l should cook" The future king was about to get up but stopped, listening to the butler.
" I understand his highness's wishes to cook for the lady, but his highness arrived just a few hours ago and handled the situation. You're tired, your highness. If Lady Barclay knows that you cooked for her, the lady will feel guilty "
The man threw his head back onto the sofa and replied with a soft sigh" Fine"
The butler felt relieved. The crown prince and his fiancee would exhaust themselves for each other to the point of collapsing, sometimes just to spend time with each other or to make something special for each other.
The only way to stop them was by talking about how the other would feel. The man let out a tired sigh, taking a deep breath next.
It had been a hectic week for him. He went on a business trip which was originally ten days, but he worked past his limits to return soon.
It was early in the morning when he reached the airport. His security team reported to him that his future wife was in trouble, more like the one who created the trouble risking herself yet again. Taking care of it, he started searching for her. When the butler informed him that she had come to the penthouse, he immediately went there and saw her sleeping like an innocent baby.
He was never ashamed of her. The world could see all her antics, and he had no problems with that. But there were people waiting like a predator to eat up its prey, and he would do anything to protect her, to protect them, to protect their bond. It was his promise to her, and he would keep it at all costs.
" Your Highness, your Coffee" The familiar voice of the butler woke him up from his thoughts.
" Hm," he said, taking the medium-sized ceramic white cup. The old butler bowed once again and turned around to leave.
The aroma of the strong coffee entering his nostrils started relaxing his tense body a bit. He really needed this cup of coffee. He took a sip. Just like how he liked strong, aromatic and bitter.
By the time he completed enjoying his coffee, he heard loud footsteps from the staircase. As if trying to gain attention.
He knew who was coming down yet, he didn't turn around, trying to show he was angry. He also knew he would utterly fail, but he would try nonetheless. He would probably become a clown again, but that was fine. There was only him and her.
The footsteps finally stopped behind the sofa he was relaxing on.
Her slender, fair arms wrapped around the back of his neck. Her calming floral scent entered his nostrils, calming his senses.
He was so tempted to touch her hands and pull her into his lap, but he suppressed the temptation. The lady lowered her head to rub her face affectionately on his temples. He full well knew what kind of power she held on him and knew he could never resist her. But this time she worried him too much.
" I'm sorry" the redhead finally said in a mellowed tone.
" What are you sorry for? " He tried asking in his authoritative crown prince tone, but he couldn't. He could use that tone on anyone, yet he could never use that on her.
" I'm sorry that l worried you too much" she replied at the same time, hiding her head at his neck and shoulder jointing point.
The ash blonde finally let himself touch her. He held her hand which was around his neck. Knowing what he was trying to do, she stood up and walked around the sofa, landing on his lap.
" Ray" she called out his name, softly burying her face in the hollow of his neck.
" Zelda" he sighed softly, embracing her, allowing himself into her crimson locks.