199 Chapter 199: Gorgeous

Usui raised his eyebrows and asked, "You didn't sleep?"

Hazel smiled at him, "How will I be able to rest when I'm in your arms" and she blinked at him while smiling sweetly.

Usui narrowed his eyes and snorted, "I didn't know you could act cute"

Hazel pouted, "Now you know" Suddenly she turned serious and said, "You can't go back on your word"

Usui laughed out loud at her words. Why didn't he realize that she could be so cute?

Was this what they were referring to? Her playful behavior?

If it is, then he was glad to see this side of hers. But what he didn't know was, Hazel was always like this around her loved ones. She showed her playful side only to the people she trusted and he has become one among those a long time back.

When he was about to climb, she immediately stopped him and said, "My dagger... it's in there"

Usui sighed, "No, it's not" and took out her dagger from his cloak. He shook his head when he saw her snatch the dagger from his hand.

'I wasn't going to keep it' he thought miserably.

He pursed his lips when he saw her caressing her dagger like a baby which made him wonder why it was so special. He remembered how he had come upon the clearing to see a huge sabertooth tiger in the middle with blood pooled around it.

What attracted his attention was the dagger on top of it! 

He couldn't believe his eyes.

He was awakened by the sudden roar that had disrupted his sleep. Immediately he looked for Hazel and to his surprise, she left him his cloak and disappeared. His eyes widened when he saw the footprints towards the forest.

His heart trembled when he heard the second roar. Widening his eyes, he immediately sprung up and ran towards the forest totally disregarding the danger. His running came to a halt when he saw the huge carcass in the middle of the clearing. 

His body shook when he saw the numerous paw prints on the snow all running in one direction. Instantly he went towards the carcass and pulled the dagger. His forehead creased when he noticed how deep the dagger had gone.

By the time he had removed the dagger and reached her, she was covered in scratches. 

He was relieved when he saw her alive! The anxiety in him was growing to a level that he couldn't think clearly unless he saw her alive.

When he saw her, his body relaxed and his mind cleared. Wrapping her in his arms, he noticed the scratches and injuries on her. He couldn't help but be amazed at how strong she was.

He had noticed the branches stuck on the carcass and could vaguely discern what happened.

She was so dazzling that it made his heart worry.

Hazel glanced at the hands wrapped around her waist and pursed her lips. 

She heard his voice tremble, "Don't do this next time, Hazel"

Hazel turned to look at him, who was staring at her. 

"Even if you want to survey your surroundings, don't leave me there like you did, just now." Usui implored with his eyes.

He didn't want to wake up to know that she was away and in danger. He wanted to be part of it. He wanted her to share her burdens and happiness. He wanted to be there to protect her and to let her do whatever she wanted. 

"Tie me to your side always, Hazel" 

Hazel wanted to tease him but didn't when she saw his worry deep in his eyes. She smiled and nodded at him, making him lean forward and kiss her forehead.

"Don't give me heart attacks, Hazel" 

Without waiting for her answer, Usui placed her cloak on her shoulders and mumbled, "Now that you got your dagger, get some sleep, love"

Hazel chuckled before she obediently closed her eyes and snuggled into his chest. 

Usui sighed when he looked down and saw the dagger tightly clutched in her hands. His eyes narrowed when he remembered her uttering some guy's name.

Before Hazel drifted off to sleep, she heard him mutter, "Sleep now, so that I can grill you later about this Lance guy."

Hazel coughed as she opened her eyes and looked at him ridiculously. She couldn't help but burst into laughter when she saw his jealous face.

Usui ignored her as he nudged the horse to run towards the castle. Narrowing her eyes, Hazel leaned back and said indifferently, "I don't know much about him"

She peeked at him and added, "Well, apart from him being gorgeous, I don't know much about him."

Her eyes widened when the horse came to a screeching halt. 

"Usui-" 

Before she could complete her words, her chin was grabbed and pulled up making her eyes widen. Usui pursed his lips as he asked, "Gorgeous?" 

Hazel gulped when she realized that she had taken things a little too far... maybe

He scooted closer to her, his lips brushing hers as he asked slowly, "Is he better than me?"

Hazel blinked as his low voice was distracting her. She muttered unconsciously, "Nope... you are the best"

Usui smirked at her answer and pulled back much to Hazel's dismay. He chuckled when he saw her angry face. He kissed her cheeks and kicked the horse to start running.

"Well, I guess we should wait to announce our good news."

Hazel pressed her lips as she looked at her dress, which was torn and dirty. 

"Well they would know it either way," she said while caressing the emerald ring on her finger. 

Usui smiled at the beautiful ring on her finger. 

"Would your father kill me?"

Hazel shook her head making him raise his eyebrow.

"I will protect you"

He laughed making her chuckle lightly. Hazel leaned against his chest and silently listened to his heartbeat. Slowly, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

.....

Hazel groaned as she opened her eyes to bright light. Grumbling something under her breath, she turned around to sleep further when she heard an annoyed voice.

"Do you not plan on waking up?"

Startled, she sprung up from the bed with her eyes closed. She bit her lips when she remembered the events she had marvelously done.

Without opening her eyes, she asked softly, "How much trouble am I in?"

Not even a second passed, when she heard the gruff voice answered, "Heaps"

Letting out a sigh, Hazel turned around and looked at her father who was scowling at her. 

"Father, I was just surveying-"

She was cut off when he asked, "Without your guards?"

Hazel bit her lips as she pouted at her father. 

Julian exhaled heavily as he asked, "Do you not know where you headed off without anyone by your side?"

Hazel lowered her eyes as she knew what she did was foolish. Looking at his daughter who had her head lowered, Julian couldn't help but let out another sigh.

He didn't know who he should blame for her to turn out like this. He got angrier when he saw her peeking across the room, searching for someone more annoying.

He gritted his teeth as he spat out, "Are you missing your fiance already?"

Hazel gasped as she looked up at him in surprise. 

"You know?"

Julian snorted as he turned his head away. Why wouldn't he know when that brat was rubbing it in his face every second?

Showing off that he was going to marry his daughter soon? and worse, he couldn't do anything to him because his wife and daughter would get upset.

He looked at her and asked, "Why are you in a hurry to get married?"

Hazel tilted her head in confusion. Who said anything about getting married now?

But what she didn't know was, Usui was already telling his parents to prepare for a big wedding.

Before she could answer him, she noticed him staring at her stomach making her eyes widen. Quickly, she covered her stomach letting Julian's eyes widen.

His face grew red as he asked, "So that was it, huh"

Hazel looked down and let her hand fall. She immediately rose from the bed but before she could even talk. Julian stood up angrily with his chair falling towards the ground noisily.

"That brat... how dare he?!"

"Father-" 

Before she could even let the words out, Julian marched out of the room angrily, stumbling into Jinha and Reyna who were at the door. Hazel blinked incredulously at the sudden turn of events and gaped at the door.

'Just what the hell is this?'

Jinha walked into the room, with one hand holding Reyna's hand and asked curiously, "Now, what did that guy do to incur his wrath?"

Hazel shook her head and sat back on the bed. She was rather lost in how things suddenly elevated to marriage.

She looked at Jinha who was looking at her curiously and asked, "Do you know why my father thinks that I'm getting married soon?"

Jinha looked at her incredulously, "Did you not agree to his proposal?"

Hazel frowned, "Yes, I did. So?"

Jinha and Reyna exchanged gazes and said, "So? Hazel, that means you agreed to get married now."

Hazel shouted, "WHAAT?"