Change

After asking the butler help to bring Nickolai back to his bed, Irene return to her courtyard.

Seeing how Irene hastily wanted to return to her chamber, Libby wondered if something had happened.

Finally in her room, Irene took a bath. Inside her spacious bathroom, Irene touches her numb lips as she shut her eyes.

Her mind wandered back to that moment with Nickolai.

Their kiss.

The sensation of it.

Feeling eachother throbbing heart.

The heat.

Such feelings is new to her. She almost drowned herself into that passionate moments.

Irene realises that she had been mesmerising to that moment, quickly dip her head in the bath water. To cool off her body and mind.

After she done bathing, she gets ready to to bed. Irene put away unnecessary thoughts from her mind. She had to steel her heart so as to not be easily swayed with such momentarily feelings.

Morning has arrived, Nickolai wake up from his hangover. When he tries to get up, he feels dizzy and headache.

He took a glass of water nearby to quench his thirst.

Just as he finished drinking, he began to recall what happened last night. All of it came to him.

That night he had kissed her.

How he refused to let her go and feeling her warm in such a tight embrace. All he want was to devour her whole. Before he lost consciousness, he remembered she kissed him. The way she handled him was so gentle and attentive. Like catering a baby.

Her touch.

And her kisses.

He seemed to taste bitterness from her mouth, and then everything went blank.

Nickolai called up his dark guard. The dark guard told him the details of the incident calmly. Without any detachment of emotions.

All the dark guards get ready if any danger may occured. But when such situation happens, they all immediately look away and withdraw themselves in a appropriate distance.

Having an awareness, they knew such intimate moments of their master needed to be private.

But at the same time, they stay alerted. Though, such situation as that was indeed awkward.

Nickolai upon receives the report, dismissed the dark guard.

Now, Nickolai tries to process everything in his room while he stirred the hangover soup that was brought to him by his butler.

He wasn't sure whether to thanked or punished Gulten for what happened last night.

That night, he needed something to numb his heart.

He had to admit he was hurt when Lucas make his decision, to leave.

Giving him no choice but to agree.

Nickolai felt the changes in him.

Lucas became so cold and distant.

All because of that....woman.

The woman who is now....his wife!

Such feeling is unpleasant and vexation.

He should have hated and loathed that woman when he see her.

But strangely enough, he didn't think that way when he saw her. He was completely drawn to her, like magnets. All he could think of was having her close...to touch, to hold and to feel her. He still remember the curve and the shape of her body.

This feeling...Why does he feel this way?

While he's thinking, he suddenly called upon his butler.

"Orto!"

"Yes, your highness." His butler named Orto answered.

"What is...the best way to compensate to a person?" Nickolai asked.

Meanwhile in her courtyard, Irene awake at the noise outside.

Irene walks outside, after wearing a robe to cover her sleeping attire.

"What going on outsi..." Irene was speechless, seeing the situation outside.

Twenty golden chests were brought in. Each chest was filled with jewellery, gold, silver, pearl, silk, rubies, and ginseng. And also expensive dresses and gown were given to her.

30 bouquet of flowers and some unique set of design ornaments were carried inside.

All the servants eyes shine to see all of the valuable things.

"Wha...what is all of this?" Irene look at Orto, confused.

"These were gift from His Highness." Orto answered her question.

"Gifts? All of this? For me?" Irene couldn't believe it, that she had to make sure that they didn't mistaken her for someone else.

"Yes, your highness. The crown prince had specifically said to give all of this to you." Orto said.

What...just happened? Why does the crown prince do this? Is it because of...last night?

Just as she was thinking, Orto was accessing her expression. Looking at her trouble face, Orto began to worried.

"Are all of these not to your liking, your highness? We can add more..."

"No! These....All of these are sufficient." Irene hurriedly cuts in.

Hearing that words, Orto then took his leave. He had done his part sending all the gift to the crown princess.

When he heard the crown prince questions about compensation, he thought it was just figurative question.

He suggested such as this.

Surprisingly, it was for the crown princess.

At first he was worried that the crown princess wasn't satisfied with such gift, having knowing her personality.

He had seen her personally. How many time he saw her doing tricks just to gain the crown prince attention and her jealousy towards any ladies who tries to interact with him. Especially Lady Alma.

But now, he can see and sense some difference vibe around her. The crown princess looks so elegant, gentle and lovely in such simple attire. She no longer act haughty and rude towards others.

He even heard how the servants been treated here.

It seems like the crown prince had taken an interest towards the crown princess.

He probably need to pay more attention to the crown princess from now on.

In the kitchen, Irene done cooking with the help of the chef there. She distributed the food for the servants to eat. All the servants there were satisfied with the dishes that Irene had served.

Libby then approaches her.

"Your highness, who is this for?" Libby saw that Irene preparing another set of dishes.

"This is for the crown prince." She said.

"Really?" Libby get excited hearing that.

"Yes, since the crown prince has send me so many good things. I should repay kindly." Irene reasoned.

"True indeed, the crown prince not only kind, he also very attentive toward you, your highness. We can see that he genuinely care about you." Libby said, looking very delighted.

Irene just give out a smile helplessly. For the last few days, the crown prince and her had been making an impression to others that she and him are sweet and caring couple. And it seems that they succeeded.

In his reading room, Nickolai stop to rest from checking all the documents. It can be seen how fatigued he is. Then his mind drawn back to when he asked Orto regarding about Dacia reaction.

He found it hilarious, that Dacia seems to be trouble with his gestures. She probably overthinking right now and genuinely confused.

Thinking that she feeling that way, make him feel better. He can't be the only one feeling trouble from what happened last night.

Suddenly he heard a knock on the door.

"Your highness, the crown princess has send something for you." Orto came in and inform him.

"What is it?" Nickolai questions.

"Her highness has made you a dinner." Orto told him. Hearing that, Nickolai was surprised.

When Orto serve him all the delicacy, Nickolai couldn't help but amaze by it. A broccoli cooked with shrimp. Creamy tomato soup. And a sliced breast chicken roasted.

"She told you, she make this dishes?" Nickolai seem to be doubtful.

"Yes, indeed." Orto confirmed.

It seems her cooking skilled are a par with an professional chef. Nickolai is impressed by it.

"And her highness also asked me to pass this letter." Orto adds. Then passes Nickolai the letter.

Nickolai took it as he rip it open and read the letter.

'Thank you for the gifts that you had send for me. I really appreciate it.

I want to express my gratitude by cooking you a few dishes that suits your appetite.

And also please accept my sincerest apologies for what had happened. Hope your highness could let this matter go, let bygones be bygones.'

Finished reading it. Nickolai feels ridiculed.

He scoff then toss the letter away on the table.

What did she means by that? To treat like last night was nothing? If indeed, the one who should suggested it, should be him. Not her!

It like he's the one been discarded.

Fine then, there's no reason for him to be polite with her.

"Orto, throw away all of these dishes!" He ordered.

Though taken aback, Orto senses his master seems to be offended when reading the letter.

Make one wonder what did the crown princess wrote to make the crown prince react that way. It seems a pity that such food to be thrown away. Yet, he had to obey orders.

Nickolai look at the mouth-watering dishes in front of him being carried away by Orto. Just when Orto was about to go out, suddenly....

"Stop!" Nickolai said. Orto then halt.

"Put it back here." Nickolai changes his mind.

Orto arrange back the dishes on the table. Nickolai took a spoon and started tasting the food one by one. Upon tasting it, he found it very satisfying and palatable. Nickolai then started to dig in. The dissatisfied feeling just now, had already dispersed in his mind and heart.

Seeing the crown prince is eating heartily, Orto smiles. It is the first time he saw the crown prince eat with so much appetite and ease. Usually, he's on guard when eating for he had once been in a life threatened position, that is poisoned. Despite after checking the food, he only eat the food with such indifferent.

Orto couldn't help but applaud for the crown princess in his heart. For making the crown prince to enjoy his food for the first time.