Chapter 63 - The Visit

You can behave as if you are the owner of both places and do as you please. You even had the right to kick anyone out of there." he added meaningfully when he gave him the first glance after walking out of the room. She looked back at him yet she felt embarrassed when she noticed the heat in his gaze that was unnerving her. She adjusted herself in her seat when he continued again in a sombre voice.

"But if you have any hesitation in being called my wife, then tell me now and I will introduce you to something else!"

"........"

"But if you have any hesitation in being called my wife, then tell me now and I will introduce you to something else!"

"........" she looked at him dumbfounded. Did he think that she was still reluctant to be called his wife? That was not the case at the first place. She was just afraid of the betrayal that she had received in the past and was afraid that she would not be able to come over with it.

"Why would that be? I am proud of being your wife. It is my honour to be called as luna." she replied with a sincere face and his gaze that was stilled on the outside moved back to her. 

He looked at her intently but did not say a word. The whole journey was silent, so Hazel concentrated on the scenery outside the carriage.

It was full of lush green forests with a small path in between. The way was rather complex as all the roads look similar to her due to the trees. 

What she did not notice was the man whose eyes had closed before, snapped open his eyes and stared at her every expression. She was looking like a reel of movies with different expressions on her face.

"I will show you the map later." She turned her head and then looked at the man who was staring at her with intense eyes. She didn't know why but she felt like he was always staring at her.

"My lord, we are here." her chain of thoughts were broken when the guard opened the door and wished them respectfully. 

The man finally took off his gaze away from her face and then nodded his head, he walked out of the carriage without uttering a word to her, 

"Welcome, my lord. I have never thought that I would be honored to meet you in person in this life." the knights bowed their heads. 

A vast line of maids were on both sides bowing their heads at 90 degrees. As far as eyes could see, there were maids and servants covering the area.

In the centre was the crown prince who was smiling brightly at the man who had just come to meet them after being invited umpteenth time.

Richard's face was blank in contrast with the enthusiastic face of the crown prince.

"I had to come this time, after all, my dear wife was the one who wanted to visit the empire.'' Though his face was still blank, a hint of warmth could be felt in his voice that was still a matter of shock for the crown prince who was sure that the man was emotionally dead!

"Oh my! She must have been too precious for you to accept her wish!" he replied with a meaningful face but instead of replying. Richard turned and walked back towards the carriage.

He opened the door again without taking the help of the knights. Forwarding his hands to the girl, he looked at her with a gaze filled with love and care which shocked the emperor beyond words.

Hazel smiled back, though she knew that he was just acting. It still felt warm that someone was taking your side so much.

Taking a deep breath, she placed her hands on his and then descended the carriage.

The emperor was so curious to look at the girl that he could not stand still. He was standing on his toes to see her better.

The girl was dressed in a luxurious gown with rare jewels. She was looking no less than an enchanting fairy but what caught his eyes was her face. He did not know why but he felt like he had seen her somewhere!

But no matter how much he thought, he did not recall where he had seen her.

"Welcome to our humble abode, my lady. I am Alcastra, the crown prince of this small empire." he replied with a welcoming smile on his face.

The infamous and cold and deceptive crown prince was passing her a warm smile! If she had not seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed it.

She bowed her head back in exchange, but before she could bow further the grip of Richard on her palm tightened and she stopped.

She remembered his words to act like she was the owner of the palace. But she did not know how to behave like that? Should she not be kind and respectful as she was representing him?

"If you do not mind, my lady. Could you tell me have we ever met before!" he asked with a bit of hesitation as he knew how cold and possessive the man was!

And as expected, Richard passed a cold glance at him as if Richard would have beaten him if he would not have been the crown prince!

"Of course, your highness. I am the elder daughter of the count Strangmist. We had seen each other in a few meetings and ball parties when it had happened in the count palace." she replied with a smile but she did not bow this time.

The eyes of the crown prince widen and his lips parted but no would come out. As a royal, he had learnt to control his expressions, so his face turned normal in the blink of an eye as if his shocked face was just an illusion.

"I did not remember your father calling me in the marriage. Otherwise I would have never missed the chance to be the witness of this unforgettable marriage!" he exclaimed, in an over exaggerated manner though he knew perfectly that there was no marriage function in the count palace.

"I did not have a marriage at the count palace, your highness." she replied rather blatantly, completely unexpected to the crown prince who had thought that she would try to find a better excuse to maintain her dignity.

"Are we going to stand here while having the whole conversation?" he asked with a frown as he wiped the layer of sweat that had formed on the face of hazel.

Heat started to rise on her face further when his cold fingers touched her warm face. Her ears and cheeks turned red. While the crown prince stood there frozen.

Who was this man? Where did Richard, the emperor of the Alienore land, go? How could he be this kind and soft person! The man who did not even care for the blood of his knights, telling it was normal to get injured in the war, was worried about a bit of precipitation for his wife? 

He looked at the girl with a meaningful gaze! She could be the key to improving the relationship between both empires. After all, she was part of their empire, it was only natural that she would help her.

With that thought, the smile on his face widened, "then i must welcome you as a family, after all you are a part of the empire.

I apologise for keeping you waiting, please come in!" the side stepped to give them space to come in.

It was the first time that hazel had visited the royal palace. They passed through a wide garden,

There was a big palace in front of her eyes. She had never seen such a grand building from her eyes. The palace would accumulate a dozen of the palace where she had grown up. It was covered with the glow of gold and silver. The palace has a bridge, which has a lake below it.

There were a dozen servants standing on both sides. They bowed their heads as they entered. the tower was touching the sky and she had to stretch her neck to look at its end.

When she crossed the bridge. There was a huge garden on both sides. It was covered with flowers she had not even seen before. She was sure the place was beautiful, yet all she could think of was the relationship between both men.

The man led her inside as the servants kept bowing their heads.

"Take it as your own home, my lady."

She stood there silently looking at the walls that were filled with the portraits of young and old, but one thing was common, they all looked royal to her.. She did not understand why the prince was treating them so warmly, when he did not treat even his family this kindly.