Chapter 54 - Back To Negotiate

Hearing that she would be leaving soon, the kid quickly said, "Why would you be leaving?" Clearing his throat, he said in a controlled voice, "I mean, do you not like working in the palace?"

Seeing that the knights were a little away from the prince, Giselle said in a low voice. Only enough for two of them to hear. "You know that you are allowed to act according to your age sometimes?" 

"You know nothing," Prince Nero said with a shake of the head. "I have to be a mature one to let Bea not bear the burden of being a royal princess." 

Realizing that he had said too much, he took a step back, "Take care of yourself, lady. I hope you will treasure your health." 

Giselle closed her eyes, unable to bear seeing his retiring footsteps. A five-year kid had built walls as tall as a fortress around his heart. Was living the life as a prince worth every sacrifice made? 

______

"Percy, I am telling you that I am fine," said Giselle with a sigh. She had been telling this stubborn young woman that she was fine since she had returned from the infirmary but Persephone wasn't ready to agree with her. She was hellbent on cursing Santiago and his upcoming nine generations for making the lives of 'innocents' hell.

Giselle shuddered wondering if he heard what Persephone had to say about him and his black business, what would he do? Would he intensify their punishment or would he kill Persephone for not shutting her mouth? 

Whatever, Gisselle feared her life. She wasn't afraid of death, she was afraid of dying at the hands of Villain. 

"That man with a black heart must be tormented by the grim reaper, "Persephone said, gritting her teeth. She shoved a handful of peanuts in her mouth and said while chewing," If he was a peanut, I would have crushed him beneath my sharp teeth."

"Can you let this matter slide?" Giselle asked her hopefully. "If he doesn't agree to lessen our punishment, then don't worry, we will figure it out ourselves." 

"I don't understand you, Gissy," Persephone said while chewing. "You would rather tolerate that bitchy Sabrina than work for the cute and innocent princess." 

"There is nothing innocent about that little devil," Giselle murmured. 

"Did you say something?" Persephone felt as if Giselle was murmuring something. 

"No," She shook her head. 

[Must be cursing that damned Villain eloquently.]

"Since you don't want to work for the royal princess, I will surely help you," Persephone said. "Don't worry I won't ask you that the reason behind your decision is that perverted King." 

"Percy!"

"Sorry, I will not call him with such a name in public but let me soothe my burning insides by calling all of the men dogs and bastards." 

"I wonder what men have done to you to make you hate their kind," Giselle said, rubbing her forehead. 

"The question is what they have not done to me to not make me hate them," Persephone shrieked. Shoving another handful of roasted peanuts inside her mouth, she munched on them angrily. "All my problems arise with men. Starting from my scumbag of a father and ending with my hot as sin captor." 

"Your captor? Who is he?" asked Giselle curiously. And hot as sin Captor? 

Persephone became silent as she realized that she had said too much. 

"No one," She said with unusual calmness. She didn't look like the woman who was cursing men a moment before but like a woman who was about to do something evil.

"Giselle, have you brought your clothes with you?"Persephone asked her hopefully. 

Giselle had an inkling that this young evil woman was up to something devilish again. Not wanting to be a party to her evil plans, she clearly told her, " I'm not going to be the party of whatever evil you are planning. I must remind you Persephone that Boss is not a very patient man. You must not provoke him again and again." 

"To hell with your boss," Persephone exclaimed. "I'm not planning something evil. I just need clothes that look better than this ugly uniform." 

Bringing out her suitcase, she said to Persephone, "Here are the clothes. Do whatever you want to do but only after I go to sleep." 

"No problem." 

Poor Giselle failed to notice the signature smirk of Persephone Marino which said that she was up to no good. 

_____

With a devilish smirk, Persephone was staring at her beautiful reflection in the mirror as she twirled around. Currently, she was wearing a black and white mini polka dots summer dress. Since it was Giselle's dress which was supposed to end at her thighs, but due to Persephone's short height, it was stretched slightly above her knees. 

Her curly and unruly hair was straightened with the help of a straightening iron. Only Giselle could pack all her make-up and beauty products for the job of a maid. 

Whatever! She examined her flawless makeup in the mirror. It was neither cakey nor invisible. It was just perfect. 

Sigh, why was achieving no makeup look more difficult than other makeup looks?! 

[She was out to seduce a villain, Bitches. If he made her beg for Giselle, she could do the same.] 

Walking out of the room, she strode to where Santiago's room was situated. Thankfully, it was only a five-minute way to where she and Giselle were staying, or else she would be caught by someone in this unusual attire. 

As she twisted the doorknob, she realized that his room was still unlocked. It was almost midnight. Why was he awake? Was he doing some illegal things here in this palace? Or was meeting his…

Realizing where her stupid thoughts were heading, she shut down her brain's thought process and entered the room. Earlier, she had only seen a little glimpse of his room, and now that she was here again, she realized that she could adjust a two-bedroom apartment into a single bedroom. 

"Why do I already know that you will be here?" Persephone heard the villain's irritated question. So he was annoyed with her presence? Very well, she wasn't dying to get a single glimpse of him either! 

She veered around to see a shirtless adonis standing a few inches away from her but why the small distance seemed as if he was miles away from her? His sturdy chest was smooth and droplets of water were appearing as if someone had sprinkled crystals on his tanned skin. Controlling the urge to wipe water droplets off his chest, she balled her hands in a fist. 

[So, unoriginal and predictive, Persephone. Say something. Break his sexy jaw with your witty retort. Do something. Stop eying his kissable lips. Do not gaze at his abs. He is dangerously handsome. Open your damned eyes and retort.]

"Yes, Red. Retort. I'm waiting for your witty retort to break my sexy jaw," Villain said with an amused glint in his eyes. 

[Dang, did I just think out loud.]

"No, you didn't. It's just that I can read everything you think in your eyes," Villain said, making her uncomfortable with his proximity. Did he mention she smelled like ocean and sunshine? 

"Are you here to negotiate with me for your new friend?" Villain asked her again. His voice sounded harsh. It was true that he was furious with her and wanted her to beg him for forgiveness but it wasn't wrong either to say that her crestfallen expressions were enough to make him restless for several nights. Perhaps, he didn't realize how much she affected his mood. 

Earlier when she begged him for Giselle's freedom, he was supposed to find solace, not immense agony. Her whimpers and the bowed head were enough to ignite a painful fire in his heart. 

"N-No," Persephone said to him. She was again trying to be brave in front of him. But only she knew how much she was shivering inside. Closing her eyes, she said in one go. "I'm here to demand the dance you owe me. Be a man and don't go back on your words. So what if our deal is canceled?! You still enjoyed it for a few days and accepted one of my wishes. So, you better fulfill it." 

Villain took a step towards her as he glanced at her from down to up. Of course, she had planned something. Look at her clothes and readymade face. 

Snaking an arm around her, he picked her tiny body up with a single arm. Her eyes were still closed when she realized that he had picked her up in his arms. She did a happy dance in her mind when she realized that she had been successful in her first attempt. 

But her happiness didn't last long. 

'Splashh!!!' 

Persephone opened her eyes as she felt like she had fallen into the sea. Opening her eyes, she saw herself in a swimming pool. Looking up, she saw Villain looking at her disgustingly. 

[The nerve of this man! He had tossed her in the swimming pool like a sack of potatoes.]

"So ugly," He murmured as he scrunched up his nose and bent down to grasp her arm. Pulling her to his side by her arm, he grabbed a dry towel and gently scrubbed her face to get rid of ugly power. 

"You!!" 

This disgusting man!

How dare he!

It took her hours to reach the perfection of a professional makeup artist!!

"No need to seduce me by putting flour on your face. Just come naked next time," Villain said with a straight face. 

"Damn you, Villain. Who the Hell was trying to seduce You?! Persephone shrieked and Villain swore that the entire Maisean empire heard her screams. But he didn't shut her mouth. If the whole Maisean Empire heard her, it meant Captain Gabriel also heard her? Wouldn't it be better if he knew to whom this woman belonged? 

" You, "Santiago said seriously.. "But I must tell you that it didn't work with this thing on your face."