Chapter 12 – Regardless

Eve could barely contain herself. After hearing those words from her sister-in-law, she didn’t bother to answer her anymore. In a few strides, she has managed to reach the door and went out.

All she could think of is what could be happening already between his brother and the emperor that she did not even notice some of the servants saw her went out of his room. They’re all wearing an identical surprised expression and have started whispering among themselves.

Through the years she was there, she never even visited a man’s residence aside from the banquets the Dawn Conqueror Knights were invited or let alone went on a date with a man, so her, being seen coming out from the emperor’s room is a news to them. They didn’t think of the lady being interested with someone with the same sexuality as her but they never took her for someone who is interested with men in general or even being in a relationship. After all, who would like to sleep with a lady who’s extremely skilled with a sword?

When he has reached his brother’s office, he saw two knights guarding the door. They’re about to forbid her from entering but she has already effortlessly pushed the door open.

It was Lord Arthur who saw her first while Arsene who’s sitting across him did not bother to look back at Eve as if he’s really expecting her.

“Brother,” Eve started in a low voice, gauging the situation. She furtively glanced at his brother who seemed to have already calmed down a bit though the tips of his ears are still red. Evidently, they were in a heated conversation before she walked in, like what Lady Rosalind said.

“Your Majesty, what –”

“I’m Arsene to you, isn’t it?” suddenly, she felt a chill at her back, hearing his cold voice.

Eve is still contemplating for a response when Arsene decided to look at her already. The way he looks at her is way different from what she remembers during the passionate moment they shared just a few hours ago that lasted until dawn.

And she knows that look. Arsene is basically telling her that his patience is not to be tested today.

“Arsene.. what are you doing?” she has conjured the courage to finally asked.

“I’m personally asking your brother for your hand.”

Her eyes widened in terror. This is not what she wanted at all when she decided to do it with him! Marriage did not even cross her mind. For her, it was just a steamy night, shared by two people who felt the need to do it that moment because of the mutual heat their bodies are emitting and nothing more. It’s supposed to be just one night. One night of losing herself without feeling regrets afterwards.

Eve gave a sharp sigh before crossing her arms. “What is that for? If you were worried that I’ll tell someone else about what happened between us, you should’ve asked me first.”

She obviously has chosen the wrong words as both her and Lord Arthur saw how the emperor’s red, jewel eyes narrowed at her angrily and one of his hands is clenched into a fist already. “What do you take me for, Aurora? Do you think I am making a big deal out of this because I am glad that I am the first man who touched you? I am not that dense to just marry you for that,” he said in a low, dangerous voice that even Lord Arthur could only shake his head. If he’s being honest with himself, he found this whole thing somewhat inept. The state of his sister’s chastity isn’t the kind of matter he prefers to discuss with anyone, especially with someone she did it with but he was left with no choice.

Eve struggled to maintain her composure but she still did. “It’s not like that. I don’t see why there’s a need for you to marry me just because of what happened. I wanted it too, it’s not like you forced me or the other way around. If you are worried that it could tarnish your reputation, then I assure you that you don’t have to. I was not even thinking of talking about it to anyone but then I was told that you’re here. If you don’t trust me enough to keep it a secret then have someone follow me all the time.”

Arsene started at her for a full minute until he clicked his tongue and even smirk. At this point, Eve doesn’t know how to exactly deal with him anymore as from what she can see, it seems like no matter what she says, the emperor would still have the last laugh, anyway. He won’t let her have things her way.

“Instead of having someone follow you, why not have you close to me? You seem to have completely misunderstand me, Aurora. Regardless if anything happened between us or not, I really intended to ask the Lord of Versailles for your hand. It’s why I came here for, anyway.”

Eve opened her mouth to reply but unfortunately, all she could manage is a low yelp, like she’s a small animal who fell on a hunter’s trap.

Arsene averted his attention back to Lord Arthur who’s just watching the two of them with a confused expression. There are a lot of questions the lord wanted to throw in the air but he stayed silent. As of this moment, it looks like he’s the intruder. All he could conclude for now is the emperor is a part of his sister’s past that she hasn’t mentioned to him yet.

“It’s basically hitting two birds with a single stone, don’t you think, Lord Calypso? I am not used to the culture here in Durham but I know for a certain that a deflowered woman before marriage is a crime and is punishable by death, isn’t it? It looks pathetic to me but unfortunately that just how they are here especially with the nobles, isn’t it?”