Chapter 73 - Offended?

A set of deep eyes stared straight into the reflection, a faded scar was running from the corner of his eyes down to his cheek that made the man look exceptionally vicious with the coldness in his eyes. 

''Aleister Daven, who gave you the audacity to lay your hand on my sister?" His voice was menacing and one would never believe that he was still that gentle friend of the Magistrate who went by the name Aiden. 

Adrian Reis closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath before running his fingers through his silver hair, a gentle smile made its way to his face when he thought about Esme's worried face. 

She has not changed a bit. 

...

Through the creak of the door, a pair of grey eyes took the sight inside the grand room. Little Esme's eyes reddened when she saw the person bound within a small cage. The cage was so small that his limbs were twisted inside, pinned, and nailed to the rods. 

Just as a sob escaped her mouth, Marlene placed a hand on her mouth. 

The fourteen-year-old Esme took the sight of the person's silver hair which was soaked in blood, there were ghastly cuts on his body, flesh peeking from inside. 

Tears welled up in her eyes as her heart felt like it was clenched by something...

...

It has been seven years since that terrible night but when Esme saw the sword pressed against Aiden's neck, she seemed to have relived that night again. Her elder brother's ghastly wounds were still imprinted in her mind and at that moment, the impulse took over her calmness as she pushed herself to her feet before walking towards them. 

It was not until a few moments later that she realized what she doing. But before she could stop her actions, she felt a grip on her wrist, and in the next second, she was carried by a strong pair of arms. 

Esme was a little dazed. She blinked as she glanced at Aleister. His face was menacingly dark and she did not know what he was thinking. 

''Why... Can you put me down?" Esme asked, shifting stiffly in his arms, her whole body was rigid in this position that she was not accustomed to. 

She had always detested anyone touching her, be it a man or a woman. But when it came to him, she was more laid-back than her usual self. 

How wrong it was for her to be staying in a man's room? But she did it because he made her feel secure like no one else ever did. And she wanted that to survive in the Castle till she was here. 

But right now, he looked nothing like his usual self. His face was frigid and his ice-blue eyes were emotionless making her feel a bit intimidated for a moment. 

''My L... Al, will you put me down?" Esme swiftly changed her words. She did not want to offend him further because he already looked offended for some reason. 

His footsteps came to a halt. 

Esme sighed in relief. As expected, it worked. It has always worked before. 

Just as she let her body relax, waiting for him to put her down, he tightened his grip around her waist and pulled her head to his chest.

When she tried to move, his low voice sounded, ''Stay still Esme. Don't make me do things that you might not like," He whispered and the way he took her name had her gulp.

She stiffened, feeling a tremor shoot through her entire body. 

Something was strange in this. Was he somehow was poisoned again in the Enchantment Forest? Or did something else happen to him?

She shook off that thought. How come she was not poisoned? And that part of the forest lied near the border which meant it was not that dangerous... Well except for the mysterious reason for which people died there. 

The trails of her thoughts snapped when she heard something.

''See, isn't that that the Prince?" 

''My Lord is so.... breathtaking. I have heard so much about him before but it is the first time I saw him.'' 

''He is so charismatic but who is that woman?"

''She is some servant he fancies. Humph!''

''Shhh... Don't let him hear you. It is said that the Prince beheaded a Princess because she offended this woman.''

''How could it be? She is just a-''

''Shh... Are you inviting your death? My Uncle is a guard in the Daven Castle. Do you think I am lying?"

''I...''

Esme did not want to listen anymore. Even though the three servants were whispering, she could hear them loud and clear. 

She looked at Aleister who had his jaws taut. He did not seem to have any intention of letting her down right at the moment. 

If she struggled, she would not know what he might do given his unpredictable nature. 

But as they walked past the hallway, she could feel everyone's gazes on them. Even if they bowed, they would stare from the corner of their eyes. 

Left with no choice, Esme placed both her palms on her face and played dead.

As soon as Aleister stepped inside the room, the door slammed behind them. 

Esme removed her palm from her face as she opened her eyes, ''Put me down,'' She coldly said. 

He narrowed his eyes. 

And she did not back down from looking at him. She did not do anything outside to not cause a ruckus but she was offended by his actions.

''We are pretending to be lovers but don't forget the line between us. If I offended you anyhow, then ask me to sit before you talk to me. Don't touch me.''

''Heh~'' His lips tugged up in a devilish curve and he placed her down, ''You want to know how you offended me?" He asked as he stepped towards her, his powerful body towering over hers.

''You-'' Esme smoothened the creases on her clothes as she stepped back from him. ''Alright, tell me when did I offend you,'' If that will give him some peace, then she will listen to him. 

The corner of his lips tugged up, ''Seven years ago when I asked for your name but you said 'You are not worthy to know it'...''

Esme blinked twice. 

Her eyes widened gradually. Was he still holding a grudge against her because of that? She thought they were already over that.

''What you did should have offended me. But it didn't and that is what that offends me,'' He continued, ''After years when we met again, you think I am a guard inside the dungeon...''

''I initially thought that you were a thief,'' Esme was quick to defend herself but seeing his face darken, she realized something was wrong with her words. She cleared her throat, ''I.. mean you were wearing such clothes so I assumed it.''

''Very well,'' He took another step towards her. 

Esme blinked twice, something stirring in her mind. 

''What offends me the most is that I am never offended by you. No matter what you do, how you act, you just have to be a little unhappy and....'' He gritted his teeth without speaking further.