17 Mind A Mess

There was an awkward silence surrounding them.

"What do you mean by that?" Duke Salvador asked as he looked at Lord Bentham with sharp eyes. There was vicious energy surrounding him as he waited for a clear explanation from his friend.

Cassandra on the other hand swallowed hard as she could not understand what was happening.

'Why is everyone after me?'

'Why I can't live silently and peacefully.'

Lord Bentham saw the uneasiness in Cassandra's eyes as he smiled sweetly. "I just feel like the fifth princess is the only one I'm not well aware of. So I was thinking if I could get to know her more then maybe something could happen between us."

Cassandra shivered as the air around her increased. The leaves were flowing along with the air, but the one sitting beside her was looking at her like an angry devil.

Duke Salvador looked at his friend as his hands formed a fist.

"I don't think there is anything wrong with what I am saying?" Lord Bentham asked innocently as his gaze moved towards Cassandra in hope of receiving some answer.

Cassandra did not know what she was supposed to do. Was she supposed to nod her head at Lord Bentham in the agreement or was she supposed to shake it off as it was not a very big deal? But Cassandra knew that whatever she did, would affect her greatly.

But before Cassandra could say anything, Duke Salvador's voice came on strong. "I don't think Lord Bentham should say such words openly." Aiden's voice was sharp as his red eyes turned fierce.

"But I don't see anything wrong in what I am saying." Lord Bentham said as he kept smiling, ignoring the devil who was looking at him with a murderous gaze.

It was true that Lord Bentham wanted to know Cassandra well. He wanted to know what type of princess she was. There was a curiosity that Lord Bentham wanted to satisfy. An unknown emotion making him want to talk with the fifth princess.

Lord Bentham did not understand his own feeling but he felt that there was something special with the fifth princess that he could not shrug off.

Seeing the curiosity and interest in Lord Bentham's eyes, Duke Salvador was irritated. He did not know why he was feeling looking at Lord Bentham, but he wanted to push Cassandra away from the man. He did not want them to interact anymore.

Duke Salvador also knew that it was not in his hands to wish for it. Cassandra was not his. And he had no romantic interest in her whatsoever, but Aiden could not understand his own feelings for once.

'What is wrong with me?'

'Why do I keep having such thoughts.'

Aiden looked at Lord Bentham and Cassandra who were looking at each other without any words. He knew that the couple had no romantic feelings for each other but Aiden still wanted to separate them.

Cassandra could feel the tension in the air as she tried to push back. "I think I should leave now." Cassandra got up in a hurry without waiting for any response.

As Cassandra bowed in respect she lost her footing due to her nervousness and fell, but was caught by a strong set of arms. Cassandra, whose breath stopped due to fear, released a long sigh of relief.

As Cassandra looked up, she saw the person who rescued her. Duke Salvador was standing strong, wrapping his arms around her waist. Cassandra's gaze locked with his as she saw Duke Salvador's red glowing eyes.

Cassandra could not help but swallow. She tried to push him away but the Duke's hold on her tightened.

Duke Aiden smiled as he looked at Cassandra struggling in his arms. He moved towards her only to realize her eyes widened. Aiden smirked as he whispered into Cassandra's ears. "Meet me on the balcony where we danced." And with that, Duke Salvador left Cassandra's waist as if he had not touched her at all.

Cassandra swallowed as she still felt Duke Salvador's breath tickling her skin. A chill that ran down her spine gave Cassandra a feeling of reality.

She looked at Lord Bentham who was standing as he looked at her with a worried gaze. Cassandra took deep breaths as she nodded at them both and left the garden in hurry.

As soon as Cassandra left, Duke Salvador looked at Lord Bentham. "What were you trying to do?"

Lord Bentham was confused at his friend's question as he tilted his head. "What do you mean by that?"

"You want to know the fifth princess?" Aiden asked as his hand formed the fist in rage as his eyes were overflowing with an alien emotion.

Lord Bentham smiled as he narrowed his gaze. Even though Lord Bentham was not a swordsman, he was a strong mage.

Lord Bentham took a step forward. "Is there a problem with me meeting the fifth princess?"

"You should not associate yourself with her. She will not bring in any benefits." Duke Salvador's voice was low but sharp. He had strong opinions as he tried to reason with Lord Bentham.

"But the people I bring into my life are not for benefits." Lord Bentham smiled as he kept his hand on Duke Salvador's shoulders. "My private life belongs to me, and I have not given anyone permission to interfere in it. Not even you, my friend."

Lord Bentham looked at Aiden, who was looking at him like a predator ready to kill.

"What are your plans for the fifth princess?" Aiden asked in a hurry. He knew his friend well. Lord Bentham's eyes were glowing with curiosity, and when his friend was curious, Lord Bentham made rash decisions.

"Nothing for now. I just want to know her better for now." Lord Bentham smiled as he thought at the stun expression on the princess's face.

"Just that?" Duke Salvador asked. He knew that there was no stopping Lord Bentham apart from death. And Duke Salvador did not want to kill Lord Bentham just yet. It would bring in a war between the two Dukedoms.

"For now. Yes." Lord Bentham nodded as he looked at the distance Cassandra went. "I feel like the fifth princess is hiding something, and I want to know what."

Duke Salvador followed Lord Bentham's gaze. He knew that his friend's observation was true, but yet Aiden did not want to let the two meet.

'I will know it before you.'

Aiden was sure as he moved to give his report to the Emperor and meet the one who was making his mind a mess.