Chapter 43

The store would be opening in the next two days which meant I wasn't at home at all. I was usually knee deep in paperwork or running around like a maniac for things I hadn't realised we needed. Among them were lace that had suddenly became popular over the time I was in the palace.

"It's weaved by spiders?" I explained, head feeling like it was about to explode from the amount of work suddenly thrown at me. Not only that, but the idea of having to set foot near a spider farmer sent shivers down my spine.

Connor had been the one to inform me of this strangely popular lace and as he held one I realised why it was such a trendy item. The lace sparkled, as if it were holographic and it was weaved with much thinner material so in one way it was close to linen, but it had the same sheerness as lace.

"There's a farmer down south who I've actually managed to get an appointment with. He's the only one for miles" I couldn't help but feel that he stood rather close to me, but I didn't care for it. Because the only reason this was sailing smoothly was because of him.

"You didn't have to" looking at him gratefully.

"As I've said before we are partners now, aren't we?"

"I suppose" I replied, squirming as I stared at the expectant green eyes.

I had never been formally courted ever in my life and even then I couldn't help but note that Connor treated me like no man had ever. He was with me from dawn till dusk in the store and made sure I had eaten all my meals properly. I could only hope this was how he was and he did not expect anything aside from a monthly rent payment in return. I also planned on giving him a share of the business in return for all his help.

"Let me go over the current costs one more time before we head over to the farm. That way we can get a good understanding of the budget" I rambled as I began looking through the expense book. It was just an excuse not to talk to him about anything not work related. "You should rest Mr Archangel".

"Please, just call me Connor. Mr Archangel is a mouth full" he repeated the words multiple times over the last few days. I couldn't heed his words.

Connor Archangel was a handsome man and he was also quite well known, both for his name and for his title. He was in essence, the perfect man. But I was far from the girl suitable for him and with the prince on my case I was even less inclined to have any interest. I knew full well even if the prince hadn't been a problem, I still would've tiptoed away from Connor.

He deserved better.

But despite being so perfect he had been going through trouble as of late as well. I noticed how his brow twitched while he looked through his own paperwork, one regarding the property which we kept in a separate drawer for his arrival.

"Is it that buyer again?" I asked and he replied in an exhausted sigh.

"I'm afraid it's someone of high stature… I don't understand why they even want to buy this property?" He grumbled.

"What price did they offer?" I asked.

When he showed me the figure I almost fainted.

"Isn't- Isn't that well beyond it's market value?" I gawked at Connor, who had an unimpressed look on his face, "he must really want this building…"

"It's actually five times beyond it. He doesn't want this building for the profit and that's for sure. He's even made sure not to disrupt any business' I have running here" His brows squeezed together so tightly they almost formed a bridge.

"Why don't you meet up with him and discuss why he wants to buy the place? After all, it seems like an offer too good to pass up" I suggested.

Connor did not appear as if he heard me, his mouth simply etched into a deeper frown. I had only spent a little bit of time with him, but I knew that meant he was terribly displeased with my words. I didn't really understand why so I didn't question it.

And even when we boarded the carriage that was to head to the spider farm, he was quiet. I couldn't understand what storm plagued his thoughts at all. Until he opened his mouth and said something that had me choking.

"It can't be your father, could it?"

"My- My father?" My usual business voice gone as I stared at him like an owl. I shook my head in disbelief, but somehow I couldn't doubt it. "Could it be? No- No he wouldn't spend such an unsolicited amount of money without a chance of profit" I argued to myself more than Connor.

"I see" he sighed, "I suppose I'll have to meet and reject him directly".

"Why are you so bent on rejecting him? I wouldn't let such an offer pass".

He didn't reply to my question, but this time he stared at me as if I were terribly stupid. And then looked away, a humorous smile on his lips.

He didn't look suspicious at all…