Ian was a Duke reporting directly to the Queen and he's also one of the advisers. He also commands the army, commanding the general. But that's a different story. Now, he needs to pick up the new CEO of Rossie Empire Company. He fixed his coat and waited at the end of the red carpet. Beautiful Lady Guinevere stepped out as there were photos of her taken. She walked toward Ian and held out her hand.
Ian accepted it and bowed his head. Then, they have a friendly kiss with their cheeks touching. Ian gestured to the car and opened the door for her. Then, he walked around to the other side to join her in the same car.
"Let's go," Ian told the driver. "How's the flight?"
"It was comfortable. But I still have jet lag."
"Hmm, you need to rest first. Your house room is settled. You will be living in one of the guest houses in the villa. It is located just near the castle."
"Great." She leaned on her seat. "It was chaotic. I heard."
"Yup. Don't worry. I handle most of it. I will introduce you to your maids and butlers."
"My assistant is with me." She said, "But I need two more for a few things."
"We will hire someone that will impress you." Ian scribbled on his tablet. "Let's talk about that tomorrow. You need proper rest, check the beautiful view." He winked at her. "By the way, your boyfriend."
"He's busy."
"Okay," he shrugged at her.
"Send me documents that are needed." She mumbled and yawned.
"Yes, I will. Once you had your sleep. Your boyfriend will kill me if something bad happens to you. Do you know that?"
She reached her head.
"It was too much." She whispered. "The flight."
Ian chuckled. It takes an hour to get to the castle. The driver drove directly to her mini villa. The door opened before she even reached the handle. She gracefully moved her feet to reach the ground. Then, she ducked her head down and hopped out. She looked around and the first thing she noticed were beautiful flowers. There were also small birds who were free to fly around. It was a very relaxing place.
"It's beautiful." She complimented.
"I think food is ready," Ian said and gestured inside. She followed Ian and gaped at the Victorian-style furniture and lots of flowers. They walked past a few doors and finally reached the gazebo where they set up the food. She called her assistant and they all sat down. "The tea here is great since our Queen was fond of the teas."
"It's famishing. Everything."
"I bet your boy toy couldn't make such things." Ian winked at her.
"He can't but he can pay to give me first-class delicious foods." She said and watched him sneer. She sipped on her hot tea as it just removed all of it. She started eating and enjoyed the food. She suddenly felt good. No jet lag or vomiting from the flight. It just flushed out all of the bad side effects of jet lag. She finished the cup of tea and she ate.
"Everything is perfect. You also have a spa so you won't get stressed." Ian said.
"You are only saying to make me feel better because my man isn't here."
Ian laughed so loud.
"True. True. I was lonely too because I was far away from my wife. But I managed to gather it since I was too busy. I didn't even notice that there were ladies who looked at me."
"Wow," Guinevere shook her head. "Too much for not noticing that."
Guinevere's assistant, Miya covered her mouth and giggled.
"I know, right?" Ian said seriously. Guinevere knew well that he was using irony to flaunt his boastfulness. Yup, although his position was higher than her and he was now royalty, the fact that his attitude didn't change made her feel more comfortable. Ian was always messing around and good with jokes, even to his wife.
She looked at the Butler that approached them and he bowed. He bent down to Ian and whispered something.
"Okay," He nodded his head. The Butler stepped back, waiting for him to finish.
"I have to run," Ian said and sipped on his water. "Take a rest and tomorrow we will discuss a few things."
"Sure," Guinevere nodded her head. "Take care."
He stood and walked normally as his Butler followed him.
After the nice lunch, she walked around and the maids escorted her to her room after. Her room was huge and wide. There's a beautiful big showroom and a wide space for her make-up room. She doesn't know why she needs that but she doesn't bring a lot of make-up since her darling boyfriend said that she was beautiful without and she trusts him.
"My lady, please tell us what make-up brand you want."
"Oh, I have make-up. Don't worry about it." She said as she took her small bag from one of her luggage which contains things that are only for her. Discreet. She let them take out the clothes and hang them, also steam them to make sure it was flattened. She checked her phone and called her boyfriend but somehow, he was not answering. She left a message.
"You better not be cheating on me." She mumbled and yawned.
<><><><>
Ian went directly to the castle to his office. He sat down and sighed at the pile of works. He answered his wife's call but he hasn't greeted her yet. They were used to talking over the phone together without talking to each other when they were busy. It just felt like both of them were closed.
"You know what, we should focus on strengthening our country's protection. By the way, are those Serpent brats still in the hotel?"
"Yes. We will escort them out."
"No. That's fine. It was quite beneficial that they are here. I mean, they are instant captives. Don't you think so?"
"It might be their play, however, don't you think that they've been planning something inside here?"
"I thought of that. They already planned something but I got the best plan." Ian winked at him. The Butler cleared his throat.
"You don't mean to seduce the heiress."
"Nah," He waved it off. "I am not into her but I will let her be swayed by my handsomeness." He then laughed while his wife snorted from the tablet. She glared at him. "Sorry, babe. That meant to be a joke. But it's not a bad plan."
"Just don't fuck anyone," Tracey waved off.
"I'm not." Ian laughed and looked at the Butler. "Just send them some best pastries. Telling them that we are glad to welcome them and not welcoming them at the same time."
The Butler went to the other table and gave her a card with an envelope. He gave it to him. Ian picked up his sign pen, took a bad note, and started writing.
Dearest Serpent,
Please refrain from engaging in any scary matters. You are in the peaceful Kingdom. Enjoy your stay and may we have a merry day.
He looked at his wife.
"What do you think?"
"Duke, I think you should be more ironic. Don't you think so?"
"Hmm?" Ian shrugged and continued scribbling.
Dearest Guest,
We are glad that you visit our beloved beautiful country. Please enjoy our non-poisonous delicacies and non-lethal amusement parks.
He looked at his wife to ask for his approval and she showed her thumb up. He grinned and continued.
We are hoping that you will stay for long. Stay safe and enjoy!
"That's it. That's great." Tracey nodded her head while she took a big bite from one of the cookies that he brought to her a few days ago. "Give them Mina's cake recipe."
"Oh, I will. They need to taste Mina's pastries. I am sure that they haven't tried it."
Ian looked at his Butler who nodded his head.
"They haven't tried anything from Rossie Empire's bakery."
"Oh, shame. That's the first thing that they should eat when they get there." He scribbled on the card and put it on the mini envelope. Then, he poured wax and stamped his very own seal. His seal was designed especially as the Duke of Higherlands. "Alright, it's done. I will only finish a few of these damn paper works."
He placed the letter over the small tray.
"I will deliver this right away." The Butler bowed.
Once the Butler left, Ian grinned at his wife from the monitor. Tracey showed her bump to him.
"Wow, it's bigger than before." He grinned as he took the first folder.
"Yes, it is." She giggled. "Maybe because I eat too much?"
"That too." He winked at her. She frowned at him but he gave her a flying kiss. "You are beautiful inside and out and up and down." He grinned.
"I don't like your humor." She became too serious and stabbed the cake that she was eating.
"Love, don't eat too much of those sweets. It will be bad for you and our baby. How about fruits?" he shrugged and read the documents. He took his red pen.
"I hate you." She mumbled. He stopped and looked at her.
"Babe, it's a joke and partially true. I love you and it is better if you take care of our baby that way and stay healthy."
Unknowingly, his wife started crying and he was too puzzled. Too puzzled on why she was crying.
"Love, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way!"