chapter 9

The moonlight shine on his figure like a shining star in my eyes. His face shows a calm expression but suddenly...

A single tear falls from his eyes.

Stunned.

Gosh! is he crying perhaps??

' That villain of the empire was currently crying in these secret garden alone! '

" What in the world can make that guy cries like that? " in wonder I look at him.

He just sat there without any sound, look at the lake in despair. As my eyes get excited to know what had happened to him...

Snap.

' Shit! '

I accidentally kicked a small stone and hit the big tree I was hiding at.

" .... damn it! " I cover my mouth in tremble while perfectly hiding again behind the tree.

" .... "

" Whose there? "

Flinch. I look at his figure in shock.

With my tremble body, I cover my mouth in terrified. Try not to make any sound as his step get closer to me.

Dub Dap. Dub Dap.

' Please... just go... '

" Who are you? "

His voice sounds cold while stood beside my hiding place. look at him speechless.

I don't know why, but after his voice came into my ear, my whole body trembles in fear. I just silently turn at him, look at him without any sound, stunned.

" I'm asking you, who are you?" ask him impatiently.

I look at those feet that were getting near me. As the moonlight shine so bright makes me can't look at his face clearly. What expression he's making right now?

When I realized that his hand trying to grab my shoulder, I quickly get up and bend my head to bow at him.

" Um... I-I 'm sorry! "

"... " an awkward silence. I take a glance at him while he frowns at me.

" I asked you, Who are you. "

Flinch.

" I-I am Claire Stella Romanoff, pleased to make your acquaintance... "

" .... "

He still frowns at me.

" Romanoff? "

I raise my head to look at him when he just silent for a while.

GOSH!!

My eyes got fascinated by a man who was currently standing before me. It felt like there an electric static that makes my gaze still on his eyes. His red dark eyes.

Darker than his father's. Dark like blood and piercing on me like he wanted to eat me alive. His face...

Looks cold yet damn handsome, he was standing before me with a doubted face while stared at me like I'm prey.

" You're truly the only daughter of the archduke? "

" Yes, I am. "

I look at his face turn from me, he takes his seat on that branch again and just silently stare at the lake like before.

' just that? He's not like the rumors said.. '

The villain of Castella's empire, the only son of the grand duke that was an enemy with Noelle. There were rumors said that whoever came into his sight, they will lose their head in a second. but, why he just let me be like this?

" Um.. your grace. "

" .... " no reaction from him.

" ..What are you doing here? " I'm trying to start a conversation with him while step a little closer, he's not scary like the rumors said. He is even more handsome in person! what a masterpiece his face is.

" None of your business. "

Oh? a cold guy... He seems to be a little hard to get close at, I need to handle this guy with my weapon then.

" Um. do you know who I am? "

I stare at him when he suddenly takes a glance at me and faces the lake again.

" That jerk fiance. "

' Oh, 'jerk'? he calls Noelle a jerk? that means I get some chance here since he had a bad relationship with Noelle, right?. '

" That's true. but, I think it's not fair though. "

His eyes stare at me in silence. " What? "

I instantly used my super cute smile while sparkled my eyes at him.

" You know my name and who I am but I don't know your name nor your true self through. It's not fair. "

I can see him smirking at me while still facing the lake in the same position.

" .... you're quite bold, princess. "

l quickly fake a smile when he looks at me while lean on that branch in smirked.

" I am grand duke Allard's son. "

"...? "

" Pardon? "

I raise my left eyebrow, show that I didn't understand his word. I already know that he was the son of the grand duke as well as the people in this empire though. when I just silently stare at him with my 'doesn't understand' expression, he suddenly looks at me with his stunning smile.

" Evans Allard. "

" Pardon? "

" My name. it's Evans Allard," said him with pride while still lean on that branch.

I frown when looking at him in doubt.

Why didn't he say his true name? it no uses to cheat about that since I know his true name already.

" Don't you know It doesn't good to reveal your blessed name? "

Those questions came out of my mouth unconsciously since I got doubted by his actions.

I cover my mouth when his red eyes menacing on me.

" What do you mean?. "

" .. nothing?.. "

He suddenly gets up from his seat and walks toward me. I step backward for a bit since he suddenly becomes closer to me.

Gulped.

" I-I..um.. "

" Talk. "

Flinched my body when his voice turned cold toward me.

" I-I knew your true name..? heh.. " with a stupid smile I admitted the truth to him without know what would happen to me.

" ..... "

" If you really know, then say it. "

' What? Has he doubted me right now? '

I smirked at him and boldly take a step forward to him. My heart thumping a little as we got closer. How can a man get so tall and damn handsome like these?? his body was so big like papa even though he's older than me by one year.

I place my hand on his shoulder after a little struggle because of our high difference and slowly whisper in his ear.

" You're Ada.. "

Tuck.

I blinked in disbelief. His big palm was currently cover my whole mouth to make me stop talking about his name.

Shu...

" .....! "

I'm speechless, look at him in shock when his sword suddenly places on my neck. A single blood drop by. Shiver when he keeps pressing his sword into my neck, I look at him with a shaking pupil. How terrified I felt right now.

My face had turned pale.

" How did you know my true name? "

His eyes menacing on my face while his sword keeps pressing on my neck.

" I'm asking you, how did you know my true name!! "

His impatient show on his face, his shouted voice make my whole body tremble in fear.

" I-I... um.. "

" Talk! "

" I-I like you! "

His sword suddenly stops pressing my neck. stunned with my sudden confession.

" You what? "

' As long as this guy takes his sword away from me, I wouldn't mind confessing whatever came into my mind right now. '

" I-I like you... th-that's why I-I knew your true name, your grace. Well, a girl supposed to know their loves one name, right? " I bend my head, pretending to be shy by it.

He frowns and places his sword back, away from me.

" You? to me? we have never met before, how come a girl like you like a guy like me? you know my reputation in this empire, right? "

I just nod as the response while he just silently look at me.

" I-I like you because you're the villain of the empire, your grace. "

".. what? "

" Well... " I invert his doubted gaze toward me and look away to the lake view.

" I-I wanted to break my engagement with the crown prince.. "

He frowns again.

" So? "

" Well, because you're a stronger villain? "

"That does not make any sense. "

" Um. Then, because I need a stronger partner to break this engagement? "

" You mean, my influence in this empire? "

I flinch. This guy was quick-witted!

" It-it's not like that! I sincerely love you, your grace! it's not because of your influence but because of your.. um.. "

Blank.

" Just stop. "

I look at him walk away from me and take a seat on that branch again.

" I don't have any mood tonight. Go away before you lose your head, princess."

" ..but.. "

He glares at me.

" Ye-yes.. your grace.. please pardon my rudeness. "

I turn away from him in disappointment.

look like I would lose all of my property from the Romanoff household tomorrow. I should plan my life from now then since my property had gone in one night.

That jerk Noelle must be rolling over in happiness on my property while I get dismissed by my own title as the only princess. Sigh.

While stomping my feet on the ground, I walk toward the banquet hall with an annoyed face.

Bump.

Godness! Who now! I touch my forehead in a big frown.

" Are you okay, princess? "

I look at the person I bumped at in anger.

Sir Kyite look at me with a sweet smile while gently held my hand from falling over.

" This is the second time, right? your highness needs to be more careful when taking a walk around this garden. "

Stunned. When I've come to my sense after a while, rapidly pulled my hand from him, my face immediately stiffens in embarrassment.

"..Thank you... "

" ..... " erk. awkward.

" Princess, you're quite a timid person. "

' What? me? timid? '

" How so? "

" Well, you always bump into a person so I think I can be your escort.. "

" What's going on here? "

I look at those voice owners in annoyance.

Evans Allard slowly gets near sir Kyite and I then stood beside me with a gaze that looks down on sir Kyite.

This guy was the one to asked me to leave earlier. Now, he comes to me like it was nothing at all? where does your mood had gone, huh?

" ....!!! "

" What are you doing?? " whispers my voice at him, shocks by his action towards me.

" ...."

Evans Allard gently smiles at me and caresses my hair.

" If you wanted me to cooperate with your plan, just shut up and follow my lead" whisper him into my ears.

I look at his hand that was currently held my waist with goosebumps.

"..Greeting, Lord Evans. " bow sir Kyite toward him. He finally talked after a little stunned by Evans's sudden action toward me.

I just silently look at Evans smirked at sir Kyite.

While struggle to let his hand stopped holding my waist, I fake a smile toward sir Kyite.

" What's your business with my girl, Shawn? "

I was stunned and frozen in his arm. ' his girl?? '

" Princess almost trip over so I help her from fell, Lord Evans. " smile sir Kyite politely.

Suddenly Evans Allard looks at my wrist and pulls my hand to look at it closely.

" It's a little redden... "

I look at him in wonder with his tender actions towards my hand.

" Why did you hold her hand so roughly? " anger Evans cold voice with a menacing glare at sir Kyite.

" ..Please forgive my rudeness, princess." said sir Kyite with a polite bow toward me. his face shows his fear toward Evans.

" I don't like this. "

I look at Evans in wonder. " What? "

Chu.

Stunned with my own view. blinked I look at him.

His face was currently closer to mine. His warm lips touched my own lips and I can felt his breath touches my cheeks.

I got drowned by his gentled kissed toward me.

" From now on this girl is mine. "

" ..? "

Freeze in his embrace, my mind keeps trying to come back to my senses.

A sweet kiss from a villain can make my heart thumping like crazy...