Chapter 54

"Madeline" He said my name softly, and suddenly all I could see were his green eyes as he looked at me. They were concerned, "I know you want to pretend you don't have bigger problems, but I simply can't ignore them".

"Not even for a night?" I sighed, swirling the wine around and staring into it with a sigh.

"The princess selection process begins in a week... what exactly is this fighting back plan?" He took a gulp of the wine, eyes not once lifting off me.

I stared back into them and narrowed my eyes.

"Why do you like me?"

The wine he once comfortable drunk now choked him and he coughed while clutching his chest. His face flushed and he covered it with one hand. I could only see his eyes which looked everywhere except me.

"Aren't most women at least embarrased to ask such things?" He coughed once again and then finally cleared his throat and looked at me. His cheeks still tinted pink.

I flushed, realising his reaction was much too pure to be fake like I had hoped. Does he truly like me?

"I just..." I looked down at the wine, my shaky reflection looking back at me uncertainly, "men usually don't have any interest in me and you're not exactly just like any other man. You're an excellenct bachelor, so why me?"

"Its hard to imagine that..."

I looked up at him in confusion.

"What?" I dont think he meant for me to hear his words because his face flushed and he looked away as if he was caught stealing.

"Its hard to image that most men don't find you appealing" He admitted with an embarrased smile and I could feel my blush spreading all over my face, "I'm not sure either, but I just find you attractive. I love how you know what you want and how to get it. I think it began from when I met you... and I'm not saying this to be wierd, but I don't find myself finding people appealing all too often. But... But you… were instant".

I could barely keep my mouth from dropping in shock. I could feel a sprout of guilt as he looked at me hesitantly.

"Connor, thank you, but I don't think I feel"-

"Not right now" He cut me off, wearing a sardonic smile, "See how you feel after everything goes down".

I stared at him, but he didn't look me in the eye. Not even when he gulped down his drink and left the office as I stared back at him.

Could I return his feelings? After this is over?

_________________

"So the stores been doing well then?" Mathias interupted me in the middle on my book. I decided to ignore him. I should have known better. He plucked the book out of my hand and read out the title, "Human and Vampire relations? Thats a completely normal topic for a gardening book".

My face flushed and I reached to grab it off him.

"Give it back!" I shouted as he fiddled with the cover that had evidently been glued on to it.

"This won't help you at all" He shrugged, throwing it back and miraculously it landed atop the shelf I grabbed it from.

"Well it's better to be prepared!" I huffed.

"Have you been taking the pills?" He asked seriously, crossing his legs as he sat atop the chair.

"Yes. Now can you leave me alone?" I glared at him.

"Do you feel any side affects?"

"Is murderous intent a side affect?"

"…"

I let out a breath.

"Sorry. I shouldn't be getting angry"-

"Father is visiting the capital".

"What?" I almost fell backwards in my chair, but Mathias simply laughed.

"You haven't responded to his letters so he decided to visit".

"When? When is he coming?!" I stood up and scrambled to my brother who looked as if the news bore him tremendously.

"Well the journey would take him a week and since he informed me about a week ago… he should have informed you in his letters" he added as he saw the look of despair on my face.

"Is- Is he here?" I composed myself as I realised the only reason Mathias would be telling me this is because he thought I was informed.

He simply smiled as a response.

"He's settling at the estate and he was inquiring as to why you aren't there" he finally replied as my head hit the table.

"No…. Did he send you?"

I knew the answer.