Chapter 180 - Lady Harriet Of Astera

Harriet has been so busy the whole day that she forgot to eat her lunch and eat a lot at her dinner. She didn't even have time to check on the group chat and she's sleepy after eating a lot. Captain Kane Sparrow, who was assigned to guard her, sat beside her. The reason why she was in another city was to check their businesses and other things that she should prepare for the upcoming royal gala. 

"Your suite is set… you said with two rooms right?" He asked. 

"Yeah, you have to stay with me in the same suite." She said and checked her phone. Her eyes widened at the photo that Stacey sent. Two pregnancy tests with two red stripes each. Which means that she's pregnant. She grinned and sent them lots of kisses and hearts. 

"Are you afraid that someone would~~" 

"If you heard about what happened to Princess Kaisley and Prince Caleb… you should know." 

"Huh," He nodded at her. 

Harriet and Kane were childhood friends. He also lives in their mansion together with his father. They have a house a few meters away from the main mansion that was provided by the Marquess. He has trained with Hardin since he was a child. He's the first one to protect Hardin and followed him around as his knight. He deserved a lot to make it as a Captain while his father is the commander of the Red Bull Knights. 

"What are you grinning at?" He asked as she showed it to him. "Is that~~the Duchess of Marduque?" 

She nodded at him. 

"I'll tell you the other details." She said excitedly. 

Since Harriet was comfortable with Kane like her male best friend, she's not afraid to tell him the details about her life. She didn't even get a first boyfriend at all. When they reached their suite with two rooms, she quickly went to her bedroom with her baggage and rushed to the bathroom to have her moment after eating a lot of food. She plays music and takes a bath. 

She sprayed an air freshener in the bathroom and finally went to her suitcase to prepare to sleep. 

"Finally, that's a relief." She rubbed her tummy and noticed the fridge. She rushed to it and took out a small bottle of probiotic milk. Just when she's about to drink, a knock on the door made her glare at it. "What?" 

"May I come in?" 

She looked at her thick robe and shrugged. 

"Yeah," 

The door opened as Captain Kane bowed his head. 

"Milady, I think it's inappropriate for you to answer that way." 

"Whatever, Kane. You are ruining my moment with this probiotic milk!" She lifted it as she took another from the fridge and tossed it to him. He caught expertly and he went to the bed and slumped there. 

"By the way, let's discuss something." 

"Sure." She nodded and finished the small bottle of probiotic milk in one go. 

"Alright, Vince Belmont was gawking at you mostly, or kept stealing glances." 

"Hmm," She shrugged. 

"You aren't beautiful, I am confused," Kane said without caring that he's talking toward the daughter of the Marquess. 

"You asshole!" She snorted. "Didn't you see this face? My mom is a goddess, and my stepmother is an angel. My father is like a God. How dare you say that I am not beautiful!" 

Kane burst into laughter and opened the cap of the small milk and sipped on it. 

"Kane, you are out of your mind. I think you are blind too." She crossed her arms. 

Kane shrugged his shoulders. 

"I think men around you are blind." He chuckled. 

"Okay," She exhaled. "I think you are the blind here and you are still after Lady Sophia. Daughter of Viscount Andres!" She kept emphasizing the blind word as she got annoyed. 

He exhaled and finished the milk. 

"She's not that pretty and she's always sneaking out with men! I can't believe you, Kane. I think your eyes are nearsighted!" 

"Hmm," Kane stood and threw the bottle in the trash bin. "We just~~We just hooked up." 

"What?" She exclaimed loudly. "You guys~~you guys hooked up? Just like that?" 

Kane nodded and rummaged through her fridge. 

"Why won't you dress up first?" he said. 

She shrugged and put her bag over the bed and rummaged through underwear without caring. Kane quickly left her room. She took out her sleeping gown and put it on with a pair of silk panties. She then brushed her wet hair and dried it. She put her robe on and went out with a few more snacks. She joined him in the guest area while he's watching a movie. She sat beside him on his right. 

"Vince Belmont might try to make his move to woo you." 

She pulled her feet and leaned on him while watching the comedy movie. 

"I think he approached me back at Mom's party." She yawned. "He looks good." 

"He's in love with Eloiza Kennedy." 

"I know… but he's not my type." She grinned. "My type is my 2D male collection." 

"Huh?" He looked utterly confused as he looked down at her. 

She giggled and took out her phone as she showed the cartoon characters probably from some romance anime. 

"Look at these abs." 

"They were drawn by people who didn't get into any relationship." 

"Pfft!" She pushed him and smacked his arm. "You are straightforward as always. But not all authors are like that. Some of them are in love. I read some books, the male lead was dreamy… then I somehow saw Duke Kenzo and Duchess Victoria's relationship… it's a dream come true for most women." 

"Huh, you should find someone!" he patted her head. "But it's no rush. You are still young." 

"Hardin was the one who should be worried about getting married." She yawned and leaned to him and she pushed her phone away. "Where is that man now?" 

"I think he's in Lwazi for a few more businesses." He carefully raised his arm and pulled her closer, then he started caressing her hair with his right hand. "Your mother was very much worried about your safety. So, it's better that you stay in the mansion." 

"I don't think that they hold a grudge against Astera. I mean the assassins that are after the Royals." 

"Yes… but this is why your father let me accompany you around this time. Your brother also has the best knight with him. This is a serious matter since ten of the convicts had escaped from the prison after the bombing." 

"Alright," She smiled at him and hugged him. "You are my second brother and you always protect me. I hope that you won't forget me even after you get married and have children." 

He chuckled and kissed her temple. 

"That won't happen. I will still protect you, Lady Harriet." 

"Thank you, Kane. You are my favorite brother more than my real brother." 

He laughed and hugged her. 

"That can't be right. Your brother will kill me. He will get jealous that you'll choose me over him." 

"Hmm," She yawned. 

Kane's smile faded as he fixed his gaze to the television. She's now sleeping. This is normal for them. They were like this close since they were little. He's just happy to be close like this to her. But he knew that she wasn't for him. 

After an hour of having her in his arms, he should feel numb but he didn't mind at all. He carried her back to her room and covered her with the sheets to warm her. He sat down and carefully caressed her face. He always knew that she's a heavy sleeper. She didn't even wake up when he carried her. 

"I hope you'll find someone that will always make you happy." He slowly bent down and stole a sweet kiss from her lips although it was light that nearly their lips were touching. He stood, turned off the lights, and left her bedroom. 

His mood was broken now. Kane had loved her for years, starting when she was ten years old. He loved every inch of her and he knew her dark side. He loved it all. He wished that a man would love her the same that he does… or more than he does. If there is someone who could give her happiness, safety, love, and care, he would give her up. But his main goal is not to her heart. But to protect her as it's his duty. 

He checked each window and curtains, and he finally went to his room. He took out his laptop as he sent out a report to her father. What time she sleeps and eats and the time that Vince Belmont was in the same area. He sent his report, and the door burst open. He turned his head as she quickly rushed in. 

"What's wrong?" He quickly stood, and she pointed to her room. 

"I think someone was watching me. I saw a shadow." He quickly took her back to her room and turned on the lights. He kept her behind him and searched around for any traces but they found nothing. "Are you sure about this?" He asked. She seemed to be shaking and palpitating. She can't be lying. 

"It might be a dream… but I saw it when I opened my eyes." 

He just left her thirty minutes ago and this happened. He pulled out his phone and alerted the two bodyguards with her. They quickly rushed inside and all of the lights were on. He kept her beside him as he made commands and searched everything.. He wondered now, what the thing was.