Chapter 85: Dami.. ien

"Sorry, Dami, in this lifetime, you would not be able to get a single penny from me," replied Marianne and I wonder since when did she become this miser.

"Your highness, his highness is here, requisition to join the lunch," Lina told her and her face turned ugly.

One thing I was sure about now, her affections, which she claimed she had for me for years, have died down.

"What for?" she asked, and I raised a brow, did she not hear the maid saying for lunch.

I walked in without waiting further, though Ian shook his head to stop me,

"She is taking the unnecessary time,'' I told the boy and he sighed.

"Ask him to.." her words died down once she saw me enter.

Everyone who was chattering happily, silenced and stood up and bowed their head a bit to greet me. 

"Your highness"

"I thought, I should also be here since my in-laws are here for the time for meals," I explained and they smiled.

"It's our pleasure that you took out some time from your busy schedule to come and meet us," they said and I nodded.

"Please sit and enjoy," I stated and they all took their seats back.

Marianne stood up from her seat, and moved towards Killian, he stood up but she shook her head, she sat between Killian and Damien, breaking the rule of position, well at least she left the head position for me.

I sat and the maids changed her cutlery with the new one.

"Sir Damien, you can send the bill to my office, you don't have to worry, your bill will be cleared immediately," I replied remembering, he was asking for money and every face turned towards me like I had killed someone. Wasn't he the one who asked first?

"Is there something wrong with my statement?" I asked, only then did their expressions turn normal again.

"I apologise, your highness, but I am already paid," he replied with a smile, and I furrowed my brows.

He wasn't, I was sure, every bill that was passed by the duchess chamber to the third party was registered in my office, and the case had ended just two hours ago, and moreover isn't he asking for fees five minutes ago.

"How and when were you paid, sir Damien, I heard asking you for fees just five minutes ago," I asked and he bit his lips.

"We were only joking, your highness" added Marianne, before Damien could say anything. 

"Dami was just teasing me," she replied and the man in question nodded.

"Dami?" I asked, amazed, she had never called me, even by my name and here he was already Dami. My eyes widened as the thought crossed my mind, what had it to do with me, how did she call him.

"Getting services is not a joke, Marianne, Damien deserves to be awarded handsomely," I explained but the more I spoke the more atmosphere turned grave, and I didn't get the reason no matter how hard I tried.

"I had helped a friend in need, your highness, I don't need money, as it would be an insult to my relationship with her," he replied calmly.

Did he just use the word relationship!! Who the hell was in a relationship with him.

"Your highness, the lunch is served," said Ian, breaking my train of thoughts, only then did I realise I was staring at him this whole time.

I nodded as I started having my soup.

"So, have you prepared for the weekend tea party, Mary... Anne '' came the broken voice of her knight, who was surprisingly sitting with us, and having lunch.

Was that why her maids told in the court that she was like their mother in the courtroom?

The whole thing was just too unbelievable.

"Hmm, I have, I have a surprise for all of you. Mother, you are joining the party with father right," she asked and then they all started talking again.

"Why with your father, I thought I would come with my son." said her mother.

"No, that won't do, it's a couple of theme party, I had the cards ready. You will get it soon." saying the lady who had denied her own husband from entering in.

"And you Dami, have you find any couple to join the party." she just needed to add 'ien'. Was it so troublesome that she was talking only half of his name?

"Oh, mother would come, I have a meeting at the nearby town, so I may not be able to attend," he replied.

I smiled as the meal was delicious.

"Your highness, do you have any plan for your first anniversary." asked her father.

I nodded, "I am planning to organise a dinner party, only for friends and family, a small gathering." I replied courteously and her eyes moved towards me in surprise. 

She must not be hoping me to organise it, even if I was not in the mood, but then, it would be a good chance to strengthen the proof.

"I don't think that would be necessary, your highness. You are a busy man," she added again.

"I can spare some time occasionally, Marianne. Or is that, you don't want to celebrate our anniversary?" I asked and many hands halted.

"I would have if we would have attended a party as a couple ever, in the end, you would always be busy, your highness and I would spend most of the time alone," she commented.

"As you said, Marianne, I get busy, it's not that I did it intentionally," I explained but she just snorted.

"Since that's the case, your highness, why not let the matter go, I was expecting to go on the picnic with my friends and Killian that day," she added.

"You can go any other day, but we need to arrange something for nobles, otherwise they would talk," I explained though she should have known about it.

"Wouldn't that happen today, when you decided to support Lady Isabella today?" she asked and I wondered if she was blind, from which eye did she see me supporting Isabella.