Chapter 302: Longing for the love

Cassius pov

I sat on the chair and started opening files one by one. The work piled up like I had been lost for ages and finally came back only to get drowned under the files.

Even Ian, he increased my headache. I could not believe that even after 15 empty chambers in my quarters, he wanted to live in duchess quarters and the smile he had after I accepted his offer was something I did not find normal. Or was I overthinking. Though I never saw him this happy in many years. 

I shook my head and opened the next file when Francis knocked on the door.

"Come in"

"Your highness, there is a letter for you from the royal palace." he bowed as he passed the tray in the centre of which was a gold envelope with a red crown in it.

I nodded and he left. I opened the letter and my jaws clenched.

"Dear Cassius, 

It had been days since you did not come to meet me. You ever forget that you come here every weekend. Later Charles informed me that you have gone to Essendson with Killian and are going to spend three days there.

To say that I was surprised would not do justice to my feelings. I hope our plan is working well since you are putting so much effort into it. Hope to hear good news from you soon.

One more thing, I was thinking of marrying Diana to James Essendson. Since you have such a good relationship with your in-laws now, I want you to convince them of it. 

Getting married to the princess is their good luck in the end. Do reply soon.`` I gritted my teeth as I realised it was an order for me to convince James to marry me. But was it really my place to speak?

I crumpled the letter in my hands and threw it into the dustbin. I hated to be the pawn of someone else yet the empire has always used me and my family in this mess.

I looked at another letter that was waiting for me on the table. It was a blue letter with a silver mark, and it looked like it was going to be a bad day..

I opened the letter and it was from marquees Wiltshire.

"Dear son, 

I got the notice from the administration office for filling all the reports to get the calculation of tax on all the stores i had in the commoner area. I was surprised that they charged me the whole month this year, when I was sure to get charged only 60% with the rest as rebate.

I am sure there is some mistake as they could not charge the father in law of the archduke higher than that. Hope the matter will be resolved soon.

I have also invited Killian to come and stay with us for a few days. I would be delighted if you come with him too.

Yours father in law

Marquees Wiltshire."

Both letters were enough to ruin my mood at work and I closed all the files again. It was as if I was nothing but their slave to follow their orders!

But the torture was not ended there.

"Your highness" Francis was once again standing at the door waiting for my permission to come in.

"Come in"

"Your highness, his royal highness, his grace Philip had informed you that they would have their dinner with you. They said it had been days since they had dinner with you and spent time with you.`` With that he bows and waits for my response and all I could do was nod.

It was already a surprise that the man did not come by himself but sent a message. 

Francis bowed and left again, and I stood up too. All my will to work had left me. I walked out tilting my head to get some stretch when I heard the sound of giggling. I followed the voice and looked at the garden from the balcony.

Killian was on a swing and giggling like a child while Monique was telling him a story that must be funny. Though I could not hear her voice as she spoke in a very low and demure way. There was a smile on her face that even reached her eyes and Killian was laughing hard like a kid he never did.

My eyes softened and before I realised I was already walking there.

They both were looking surprised at my sudden visit and stood up.

"Good evening father, you should have called me." said Killian, being sure that i was there for him.

"Were you working dear, you are looking further tired." said Monique with worried eyes, eyes that had started to resemble my mother even when they were green while mother used to have blue eyes.

"I am here to listen to the story." I said even surprising me much less both of them who were looking at me like I had gone crazy. Was it?!

"Umm, story dear?" she asked with confusion as she moved to leave some space for me to sit.

But instead I sat on the carpet which I had never done in years and put my head on her lap like James was doing every time.

Only god knows how much I was dying to do so. I wanted her to move her hand in my hair the same way she did with Jamie and tell me the stories with the same laughter. I wanted to laugh with her too. I wanted to be the kid I used to be. I wanted that all for me, I knew I was being a kid, I was being selfish, but that was all I wanted to do for now. I was ready to give my dukedom and everything else for these moments too, just sleep in her lap and forget everything that had ever happened to me. i looked above and i smiled, like the way she did.