Chapter 19: striking a deal

"I hope dessert is up to your liking, his highness?" I asked him, looking at his untouched plate.

He raised a brow again, "of course it is, Marianne."

I nodded and took a bite again in my mouth.

"I came here to discuss something with you." He was talking to me but his gaze was fixed on Killian.

As if understanding his stare, Killian stood up again, but I held his hand and even put pressure to make him sit this time.

I had consumed all my energy in convincing him to go out with me. I won't let him go without getting an affirmation.

"Yes, your highness," I asked the man who was still silent, impatience was placed in my voice.

I must say I was becoming better at challenging his authority.

"I came to inform you that I am busy three days later," he replied finally, knowing well that I would not let Killian go.

I could even see the disgust on his face at my reaction. 'Now what did he think? I stopped Killian so that I could play an emotional card!'

I must say he was also getting better at being delusional and he saw Killian was here before he came. And it's not like I could predict the future so I already prepared everything in advance.

"Then the reason you came here was to say that you wouldn't be able to come with me to the royal tea party of empress that will be three days later," I asked in an indecisive tone.

"Correct, you are getting smart" he replied nodding his head and stood up.

This was the first time a compliment felt so unpleasant. I realized for the first time in my life that a compliment could be a stronger weapon than a curse.

"Your highness time and favour, I don't expect any of this. There will be no reason to go together to a party then"

"That is good" he replied nodding satisfactorily.

He stood up ready to go back when I came with a brilliant idea in my mind. So I continued,

"If so" he turned back and looked at me with triumph.

'What's with the reaction shouldn't he be glaring at me to stop him from going back. Crazy!'

"What will his highness do for me?" I asked him ready to strike a deal.

He smiled his smile that used to bloom my heart now only looking creepy.

"So you want something in exchange. And here I thought you changed Marianne." his voice was filled with disgust again.

My fury burned me, my grip on the fork tightened. Not in this life Cassius, not in this life.

I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths but it wasn't working. Then I felt the trembling of Killian's hands.

I opened my eyes wide and looked at his hand which I was still holding. In my anger, I just forgot about the boy. My nails were dug in his hands and there was blood, though a little but still I was the one responsible for it.

That pain made me worried, I was so lost in looking at his hands that I didn't realise when my fury died down.

"Lina" I called the maid as there were still no maids in the room.

After serving Cassius they had left the room like before. Listening to my voice she came back. Though her steps were normal, I could feel a rush in them.

I had already used water to clean the wound till then. When she came and bowed to me I finally looked above and found the man who was responsible for all this.

Cassius was looking at us with interest. He has a curious expression in his eyes, though his face was still stoic and blank. But I had spent a lifetime with him to know the subtle changes of his eyes and minor reactions of this paralysed face.

"Your highness" she addressed me, bringing my attention back to her.

"Lina, go and call a royal physician. Lord Killian is injured." I ordered her to cover the marks with a napkin.

"Your highness, I am alright." Finally, Kilian spoke, coming back to his senses.

"I think you are overreacting too, Marianne. It is just a minor scratch" he replied, there was amusement in his voice.

"It's your highness" I replied coldly without looking at him.

And all the expressions on his face were gone. It was common for a husband to take the name of his wife. And denying him from this right only means that the couple was no more together.

But I wanted to make it clear that I was not eying his love and affection anymore.

I eyed Lina who was still standing there, not sure whom orders she should follow.

"Are you forgetting your work for the duchess of the empire?" I questioned her in the coldest tone. Pouring all my anger on the poor soul once again.

She trembled and bowed, "I apologise for my ignorance and insolence, your highness" with that she sprinted from there.

"Now your highness about the deal. If there is something that goes, then there must be something that comes. I gave up his highness, love and time. His highness should give me similar conditions that are reasonable." I replied calmly to him.

"You are trying to deal with me now?" he asked, a wave of rising anger could be felt in his voice.

But I didn't reply, truth to be said I didn't need to reply. my voice and words were clear enough to understand. And I was not afraid anymore of his anger.

He stared at me intently, I knew he was trying to break my resolve. In this game patience and confidence matters the most. The one whose resolve was broken would lose everything.

How much time has passed, when he finally sighed.

"Okay. say it first." he finally said sitting back on his seat.

[so, any guesses what she would ask for? Waiting for your interesting replies.]