“My lord, I am glad that you are back, but where is the lady!” Rafael knew that instant that the man had planned something for Hazel with the way his sly eyes were gleaming. Only the thought of it created a desire to pull his head out of his body but he endured since the show was left.
“She is not here because you forgot to assign a few maids to her when she returned. But you do not need to worry, she will be here soon.” he stared at the two knights who had escorted her to the room earlier while speaking the last line.
Taking the hint, both knights bowed their heads and went to look for the lady only realizing now that she had taken much more time than needed to change a dress.
Rafael’s eyes lifted and he stared at the stairs again when the man flinched.
“Oh, I did not know that the lady did not have any personal maids. I must be lacking since I was busy looking after the needs of the lord. I apologize for my grave mistake.” the man bowed his head without shame.
He didn’t care if he was scolded but it would be worth watching when the first lady, the empress of the empire, would come down in the uniform of a maid.
Then she would know where she belonged! He could always blame the matter on the designer and lack of maids.
If he was so worried about her then he should have hired a few maids for her in the first place.
“A maid! You mean lady in waiting!” Gilbert frowned when he felt there was something missing in the voice of the lord and raised his head only to see him lost in thought.
Never had he thought that the vampire could lose his focus over such a matter but he was glad and sneaked out from there afraid that he would be punished if he continued to stand there.
“Why have I not thought about it?” Rafael had never taken care of the previous ladies that had stayed in the empire so he neve noticed that the ladies needed a maid to serve them no matter where they went!
“I should have bought a few of the girl slaves too!” he muttered as he found it would be a headache to find loyal maids in the palace.
Just as he was pondering about it, he heard a few gasps and turned to look at the stairs again.
Here she was coming down slowly with her grace and elegance. Clad in a black and red off shoulder dress that was covered with rubies, she was looking so damn seductive.
Her silver hair was shining like moonlight in the gently lit room while her eyes were shining like rare pearls. She was looking ethereal as if she was the witch he was waiting for.
Gilbert, who was gloating just a second ago, trembled with anger when he saw how everyone was admiring her. Even he was not able to take his eyes away from her ethereal beauty that it only infuriated him further.
“My lady”
“Your majesty.” Many bowed their heads as she walked in front of them but Hazel only nodded with her eyes full of mystique making many of higher nobles skip a beat.
They have heard many rumors about how uncultured and uncouth she was! She did not have any sense of dressing up and make up.
She came to her own party dressed up like a ghost so they all were looking forward to making her fun but they all wwe shocked and speechless when they all looked at her.
She was so.. So different from all those rumors.
Under the stunned gaze of everyone, Hazel basked and walked towards Rafael who was calmly drinking his wine but even his eyes were feasting on her look that she could notice well.
“You are staring at me for so long that I have thought you are mesmerized by me!” she whispered softly as she picked up the glass of wine from the tray waiter offered to her.
He blushed and scurried away when she smiled at him. Rafael turned to look at the waiter with an irritating look that made her chuckle.
“It is only right to give attention to my wife, not to forget that she is looking so beautiful.” her hands trembled a bit and her heart skipped a beat.
She looked away as she took the sip knowing well that he was only doing lip service. But why is that, that she could feel butterflies in the pit of the stomach.
“Too bad you took all the limelight now, what will happen to the surprise I have planned?” she stared back at him, a habit that she had developed recently to know more about his thoughts which made him smile.
“I can see that you are not faking anymore. You are genuinely not afraid of me!” was it really the case! She asked herself as she felt she was getting more and more comfortable with his crazy behavior and accepting his frenzy attitude.
In fact, she looks forward to meeting him and feeling that roller coaster ride. Why? Was it because he had saved her and gained her trust? Or was it because she had started to feel warm due to his soft words and small act of care towards her.
“Yes! I am not afraid of you my lord. In fact, I trust you and I think..” she hesitated as she was not sure if she should say so.
Or was it really love that she was feeling. He raised a brow as he waited for her to finish her words.
Even he had to tell her the truth that he had taken her to someone else and now that he knew she was not the one, he wanted to free her or give her a choice to live as an empress but make it clear that he did not have any interest in her and would never have.
“I think that…”
“Aahhhhhhhh”
“…….”
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