CHAPTER 12

The journey back home was tense as she was seated right opposite the two brothers, Yen and Lee. Yen wanted to talk to her but he could tell she wasn't happy with their idea; they both basically forced her against her will. Clea wondered if she was happier at the house or where she had her freewill.

 -At the guesthouse, the next day

The conversation got heated and it eventually led into an intense argument between the two royals. Ian didn't understand why his sister would not agree to marry Yi after Luo and Yen had rejected her and Yi pretty much liked her.

"I'll rather be Lord Yen's concubine brother. I don't like him but I'd get a better title, plus Yi doesn't even like me! It's all part of their scheme." She shouted throwing her cup at the painting hung on the wall.

"Fine!" Ian fired back. He was tired of trying to prove to his sister that Yi really liked her so much that he enrolled in a school for nobles who wished to sit for the annual palace exam.

"Yen will keep his promise of making you a concubine but if Lee does not marry Clea, I will expose them to the court and courtesan house." Ian said as he stood up to leave. If he couldn't beat the brothers he'd torture them, so he thought.

"I'll inform mother of our decision, I'll have Yen informed too. Don't go anywhere or do something stupid again." He added rolling his eyes in annoyance as he left Han. She was furious but she had to listen to her brother. She screamed as he left.

 -In the meeting room

Clea was surprised when she got there to meet everyone seated in silence. She was confused as to why she was invited to the nobles' family meeting.

"Grab a seat." Lei said as she got in, she was practically tired of everything. Clea sat at the far end beside Lee who sat between her and Zhan, Lin was opposite her. She was surprised to see Han beside Yen.

"The princess has decided to be my concubine instead." He said as he paused to glance at Clea, their eyes locked. He knew he had to stop their wedding.

"Clea, you will be Lee's wife." He added as he looked away.

She couldn't believe what she heard. She was happy about having a chance to be a noble lady but she wasn't so sure about the marriage. She could've just served for three months and bought her freedom. Yi was sad about Han's decision, he was sincere.

"You should be grateful for this chance I gave you." Han said to Clea mockingly, she wanted to get back at her for seducing Yen in the first place.

"Shut up!" Yen ordered in an extremely annoyed voice, Lei could sense his annoyance. She wondered how stupid Han was, Yen would never like her.

"We have two days to prepare for Lee and Clea's wedding." Lei paused suddenly feeling bad for Yen; she wasn't sure how Clea would feel too.

"Lord Gu will just go to the palace to fulfill some duties with the princess and a witness. There wouldn't be an official ceremony since she's not his wife." Lei completed glaring at Han.

"Clea I need your identity tag. You'll need to change it since you're part of the house now." Yen said getting up to leave; he looked like he was in a hurry.

"Here you go." Lee replied as he got up to give Yen. He was surprised but Clea was even more shocked about how he managed to get her identity tag without her knowledge. She didn't even know it was gone.

"You should hurry now." He added placing it on Yen's palm. He gritted and left in annoyance.

 -At the dressmakers' store

"Your bride is really beautiful." The dressmaker complimented making Clea blush, she was called beautiful and she was dressed in one of the fancy silk dresses Lin got for her. The bride part she wasn't sure about. Lee accompanied her to get their wedding outfits. The bright side was that she wasn't treated like a servant which was what she had always wanted. Lee enjoyed looking at her.

"I trust you to make her a dress as beautiful as she is." Lee responded proudly as he stared straight into her eyes, she looked away.

"I'll surely do. The sample one will be decided by her but I'll add some touches." The dressmaker assured grinning ear to ear. The groom was handsome and the bride was beautiful, they were a perfect pair, she was happy for them.

"Young master can pick it instead." Clea said making the dressmaker confused. She didn't call his name and called him like a stranger or maid would.

#They must be having a fight. I'll add a sexy lingerie to her dress.# She thought smiling naughtily to both of them.

Lee found it amusing, how stubborn she was. He wanted her to call him Lee.

 -The next day

 Clea found it weird that Yen took her shopping. She had to get a makeover and she didn't want home service, she was tired of the air especially Han but he, Yen ended up following her.

"You can leave me here." Clea suggested noticing the stares from passersby.

"Are you shy to be with me?" Yen asked glaring at the men who glanced at her.

"I'm not Lord Yen. It's improper for me to be with a young man that's not my husband-to-be." She replied deliberately trying to get to him. It worked but he regained his composure. He didn't want to lose his temper in front of her.

"I am your Lord, I have to oversee everyone in my house." Yen defended teasing her to get her reaction. He was sure she had feelings for him.

"Oversee someone else. You'll make me nag all day." She said walking faster but he easily caught up with his long legs.

"Careful, don't fall my Len." He said pulling her by the waist to his side, she was surprised at the gesture and the name he called her.

 -In Lord Gu's study

"He's not here." Han stated as soon as Yi entered. He was searching for Yen and a part of him wanted to see Han but he was mad at her.

"You'd rather be a concubine than be my wife?" Yi asked desperately wanting to hear a no, he was sure he could make Han like him but there was nothing he could do anymore. It was already finalized.

"Leave the Lord's study Yi or else I'll accuse you of assault." She threatened as she walked towards him. She was irritated thinking he set her up in front of Luo. She had had enough from the brothers.

He was angry by her hostility but he had to give up on her, he lost already.

"I'll take a palace exam and become an official for you. You don't have to change your mind now, you will when I deserve it." He said, closing in and holding her face. It was small and round, she looked cute. He could only imagine.

She was confused by what he said but was scared that he touched her like that, he wasn't afraid.