Chapter 8

Chapter 8

15:06

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What happened the other night was as good as forgotten. We somehow made an unspoken rule not to talk or mention anything related to what happened last

night. However, I could see him eyeing my wrist where he grabbed me too strongly last night. The bruise was gone but I still chose a dress with a sleeve that reached my wrists, as if covering something.

Silence covered us as we rode the carriage back to Westmore, my residence. My mind was clouded with so many things– but it all boils down to one question: Who is Andreas Marfori Havilliard?

There are many things I didn’t know about this man and if I am going to marry him, I should at least know.

“How is your wrist?” he asked but his eyes were on the view outside.

I rolled my eyes and my hand unconsciously rubbed my wrist. “It’s fine.”

Silence enveloped us again and I wished it would stay that way. But he seemed like he did not plan on keeping

quiet.

“I apologize for what happened last night,” he said, now looking at me. For someone who’s mostly inscrutable,

he looked sincere when he said that.

So I sighed. “I don’t mind you bringing women once we get married but I would prefer it if you do it without my knowledge. If ever we share a home, I’d rather have you do your dalliances somewhere else.”

He was looking at me as though I was talking nonsense and then said, “You saw me with that woman?”

I froze, feeling the dread settle in as I realized he did not know I knew there was a woman.

“Did you see us?” he inquired further. I swallowed the nervousness away and shook my head.

“I did not see you but I did hear you,” I said, averting my gaze to hide the blush on my cheeks. The sounds of that woman suddenly flashed inside my head. I couldn’t meet his gaze after what I discovered last night.

“What did you hear?”

There is no way I am telling him that I heard them both in front of that door. So I said, “Just her giggling.”

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Emergency calls only

Chapter 8

“That is all?”

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“Did you expect me to listen further to whatever activities you’re engaging in?”

He was silent for a moment. A serious look was plastered on his face and I didn’t know what was going on inside

his head.

“If you did not want me to witness all that then you should not have invited me to stay the night.”

He leaned back in his seat and said, “You’re right. I overlooked that I was having a guest that night. It won’t happen again.”

And then his gaze went back to the window and silence enveloped us again.

For some reason, his response pi ssed me off. Disregarding the feeling, I looked at the view outside as well, showing the vast lands of the outskirts of Veridia. We were nearing my house and my mind was racing over a lot of things.

For one, I was thinking what they would think if they saw me getting out of Andreas’ carriage while wearing a different dress. But then I reminded myself that they have betrothed me to Andreas and whatever business we have is none of their concern.

I stole a glance in Andreas’ direction and he was still looking outside, his face was inscrutable. He looked so immersed in the view and it allowed me to observe him. He looks different compared to many years ago from the last time I saw him. The man I heard last night was different from the man I am looking at now-

I shook the thought away.

He’s become bulkier–the result of his training most probably and he looked scarier than before. I witnessed how scary he was last night. My wrist seemed to buzz at the feeling of his grasp on me.

But it did not stop me from looking at him. What he did with that woman last night painted another image in my head– that Andreas is good with his mouth just as he claimed. The thought made me blush.

I admit Andreas is the very definition of sinfully handsome. He doesn’t come to the Capital often but when he does, people in the Kingdom would know about it and they would prepare for his return, shouting praises to his name and admiring him like he’s their g od. If Andreas was the legitimate son, regardless of who’s older between him and Philip, he would have a bigger chance of becoming the next Alpha King.

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Chapter 8

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“We have arrived,” the coachman announced. I did not notice the carriage had stopped and we were already in

front of Westmore.

The door opened and Andreas got out first before he offered his hand for me to hold.

He was looking at me with the same blank expression but I took his hand nonetheless.

Westmore still buzzed with the usual morning routine courtesy of the gardeners tending the gardens in front.

“Good morning, Lady Henrietta,” said one of the gardeners whose name I remember as Winston.

“Good morning,” I replied and continued to walk straight to the door.

Andreas walked beside me, his tall frame towering next to me.

When we reached the door, it was then that I saw Niana waiting for me. She looked worried but after I flashed her an assuring smile, she let out a relieved sigh.

“Lady Henrietta,” she greeted and bowed slightly before she turned to Andreas. “Sir Andreas.”

Andreas answered with a nod and then Niana looked at me as she said, “The…Royal Family is here, my Lady.”

The moment I heard it, I felt my insides froze. The Royal Family? Does this mean the Alpha King is also here? What are they here for?

Niana bowed once again and glanced in Andreas’ direction before walking away.

It was then that I felt Andreas’ hand on mine, making me look at him.

“We’re acting, right? Behind this door my family and yours.” His eyes met mine. “This falls within our conditions.”

I know that. But I don’t know if I would be able to hold myself together once I face them.

I felt him squeeze my hand and said, “Just follow my lead.”

Somehow, his words gave me assurance. I swallowed the lump in my throat and we both opened the door.

Our act has begun.