Chapter 46

If I had to describe my brothers individually, I would end up with two very different explanations. Because they were both quite unique personalities, but to me they have always and will always be my older brothers.

Yet here we were, the night before the opening date of the store and I wanted to claw off Mathias' head from his shoulder and feed it to Rodrigo.

Now you may wonder what bought upon such an extreme display of affection…

Mathias, who had yet to even greet me, waltz straight into my store on this busy evening and began to make suggestions that he may have considered… helpful?

"This doorway should be rebuilt a quarter of an inch to the left. That way the draft won't hit your mannequin and will refresh your guests instead" he babbled before he had even greeted anyone.

My staff were taken by surprise and the Janitor almost apprehended him before I held up a nervous hand.

"It- Its my brother- don't mind him he doesn't know when to stop talking"-

"Don't tell me you plan to put flowers in the hallway?" He called and I let out a small contained roar beneath my breath, he stood beside the empty vases, looking indignant, "you know I'm allergic! How could I attend if I'm a sneezing mess?"

See… that was the point… you don't.

"Brother, you seem quiet confused and you're scaring my staff. Why don't you take a seat?" I offered but he completely ignored me.

"Your staff?" He quickly asked and he spun around to see the youngest seamstress, a pretty thing with red hair and an infectious smile. "Why hello" his voice immediately deepening so many octaves it was both cringe and embarrassing.

The seamstress, Mary, smiled back amid her evidently stressed mind.

"Hello Mr Colter, please excuse me I happen to"-

"I must say you have a lovely smile" he grinned at her and leaned her way. Her face flushed deeply, a shade off her hair colour.

"Thank- Thank you".

"No thank you, your smile has made my day".

I let out a sigh, realising I had no choice but to intervene, before I could Mary replied.

"My Lord, you also happen to have quite the charming smile" she wiggled her brows and I gagged, ready to end this before I was presented with my unborn niece or nephew.

"Brother"-

"Do you happen to know if Mr Archangel has come by today? And does this one" he wrapped an arm around my shoulder and I slapped it away instantly, "happen to seem close with him?"

I raised a brow while Mary nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes- I'm certain Mr Archangel is quite taken with your sister and a few days ago I saw them hug" she whispered the last bit to him as if I could not hear.

"That did not happen!" I denied and she threw me a bewildered look.

"But it did? After you told us about the queen dowager".

I blinked… oh… it probably looked like that, didn't it?

"Oh well… I sense some two- timing happening here" my brother hummed throwing me a tentative glance as he waved at Mary, "Thank you very much for all your help! It seems I've kept you".

"Not at all, Mr Colter. Farewell" she smiled and went off, just as I turned to my brother with a pissed off expression.

"Go back or I'll bring out the pollen".

He held his hands up, "now sister, let's not get physical. I'm only trying to understand what's happening with you since you aren't the most open individual" he defended and then in a lower tone he continued, "you tell older brother you fancy the prince and yet you have a young bachelor following you around like a puppy? I didn't know you were lacking so much fun back home" he accused.

Mathias was in some ways a genius. No ordinary person can run multiple, award winning apothecaries with medicine that's derived from every corner of the continent, but Mathias was just one of those people. He was known in countries far and wide. But even genius' had their downfalls and his was his inability to be considerate. He didn't care of what he said if it meant getting his opinion across and he was someone who could manipulate a fly to do his bidding. It was why I had been avoiding visiting the estate because he would get into the nitty gritty of any business that intrigues him.

"Mathias, brother, you do not knows what a lady must do to ensure her future" I sighed, deciding we were best off in my office. Mathias as usually one step ahead as he closed my office doors behind us.

"Yes but I know what you want. You want to show everyone how capable you are and if being queen is part of it then stop. Do not continue. It's not worth it" he sat on my desk, sitting atop my documents as if they were fine cushions.

I stared at Mathias. I knew one thing about Mathias and it was that he was one to act alone. He was close with Rodrigo, but his business was his own.

"Do you recall that day when you burnt the deed to our house and father found it?" He flinched at my words.

"Sorry? I burnt the deed?" He narrowed his eyes.

This was information that I had kept in for about five years.

"I saw it all from the doorway. And I have witnesses", I smiled in triumph.

He glared at me.

"You've been keeping that to yourself for quite a while" he said the words with a scoff. I wanted someone to pat me on the back for pissing off the genius Mathias.

"A good business woman knows when to use her cards" i gleamed a row of pearly teeth and he frowned.

"So then, why now?"

I let out a deep breath, because now I explain what had happened.

Mathias had taken it all in with his usual calmness. He enjoyed solving riddles, and for him this seems to be one.

"I would say you've caught his interest… but I don't think it was immediately as a queen prospect".

"What do you mean?" I asked, mostly because he usually had the answers to all my dilemmas.

"The prince is known for scouting talents. Probably due to his lack of resources. I think he originally wanted you as one of his people, but if what you're saying is correct then he suddenly became obsessed…" he knit his brows, an expression he made only when something truly troubled him travelling across his face before he let out a deep breath. "I suppose you want my help then?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you must be a genius?" I laughed.

He rolled his eyes.

"Never".