Chapter Three

It was the weekend and the Blake mansion was abuzz with activities, as the workers scurried through the property attending to their duties. Their boss's absence during the week brought a certain ease to their work, but that was not the same on weekends as Mr Kieran demanded perfection.

Sitting in his lavishly decorated bedroom, Kieran reclined on the edge of his king sized bed as he watched the household through his tablet. The screen displayed every corner of the mansion, every conversation and action of the staff so nothing goes unnoticed by his watchful gaze.

His sharp grey eyes flickered from image to image, until they landed on a woman who crouched in a corner of the garden sleeping.

"Frederick" Kieran called coldly, and in a his assistant stepped forward with a practice speed.

 "Why is that woman sleeping?" He asked, his tone laced with irritation and his assistant stiffened.

"Sir, she is the new gardener. She is likely tired from long hours of work since the former gardener left suddenly" he explained calmly, praying silently under his breath. 

Kieran's frown deepened. "Tiredness doesn't complete the job, does it?"

He leaned on the head board lazily "I told you to hire someone more efficient. Dismiss her and pay her dues for today."

"Sir-" Frederick started, but his voice faltered on seeing Kieran's icy glare.

"Did I ask for your opinion?" He snapped, and Frederick swallowed his opinions.

"Understood sir." He said calmly.

He watched as Frederick walked up to the woman, delivering the news. Her eyes glistened with tears as she tearfully pleaded, and the desperation in her voice stirred an unwanted memory in Kieran. He looked away from the tablet, his jaw tightening. Reaching for his phone, he dialed his secretary who answered on the firsg ring.

"Any updates from the Princess?" he asked.

"Not yet sir. I made sure to send your phone number to the her private email" 

He frowned deeply, "Send me her number."

 "Yes sir."

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Princess Elara paced the length of her private chambers, her lilac night robe trailing in her wake trailing across the polished floors. With each turn she glanced at her table where a cream coloured envelope with a red wax seal bearing the royal insignia on it and her mind swirled. She had spent the past few days perfecting the marriage contract with the lawyer and Lady Seraphina's quiet support.

And now that it was done, doubts still gnawed at her mind. Her train of thoughts were interrupted by her aide Romanus, who announced his arrival before entering with a phone.

"Mister Kieran requests to speak with you, Your Highness" 

Elara's breath hitched, collecting the phone from him and dismissing him. Once the room was empty, she raised the phone to her ear.

"Greetings, Mr. Blake" she said, keeping her voice steady.

"Princess," he started, his cool voice sending involuntary shivers down her spine. "I thought you'd forgotten about me. It's been quiet since our first meeting." 

"I was busy finalizing the marriage contract, if you must know," Elara replied curtly, staring at the envelope on her table once again.

"Yet you are still unsure" Kieran commented smoothly and Elara remained silent.

"You do know that the survival of your kingdom is on you alone? Not those elders, right?" He questioned, and his words struck a nerve. 

"I do know Mr. Blake, you keep reminding me." she countered sarcastically, earning a chuckle from Kieran.

"However, Kieran, you seem to ignore that you're hardly an ideal choice for this throne." she added, pacing around the room once again to let off steam.

Kieran chuckled softly again. "Perhaps I'm not, but at this moment I'm your ONLY option." He stated, enunciating each word.

"Princess Elara, I am the ideal choice. The elders may not believe it now and you may not either, but things would work out if you would trust me. And at this moment, I am definitely not your enemy" he resounded, and Elara swallowed hard at his words.

His words echoed through Elara's heart, and her grip tightened on the phone.

"This alliance will work out, only if you're willing to see it through. Just trust me, Princess."

She wanted to argue, refute his words but the truth remained clear as day: She needs him more than he needs her. Kieran's was her only lifeline, and she had to take it.

"You will be sent an official invitation to Bellmere by tonight, you are to arrive next week." her voice came out like a whisper.

"Good choice princess" he responded, his tone laced with triumph.

"I'll be counting down the days, Princess."