Hateful

''I mean the Prince had a lover and so he rejected all the noble ladies," Esme corrected herself.

''To be adored by a man like him, his lover is very lucky,'' The woman sighed, ''I won't bother you any longer. Now that Princess is not chosen, we will have to leave for our kingdom by the dawn.''

Esme sat on the bed as she glanced at her retreating back. Adored? He was just treating her like a shield to escape this marriage without breaking his father's heart. That was her conclusion about everything that happened.

She glanced in the direction where the woman went. Her Princess might assume that it was her who was Prince Aleister's lover but it will be alright once she tells her that she was sick. And by the time they become aware of the truth that involved her, they would have reached their kingdom.

Esme leaned her head forward as she swung her legs back and forth, her tresses glided in front of her shoulder. For some reason, the sight of her hair reminded her of the man who was weaving his fingers through them a few moments ago.

''It is all because of him that I got into this. It will be better if nobody recognizes me," She grumbled while arranging her hair in a braid.

"You look more beautiful like this," A finger pressed on her thumb and she stiffened the moment she heard that deep voice.

She turned around to look at the man who was sleeping right behind her, on her bed, with his head propped on his fist while his other hand was engaged in playing with her hair.

"This is my room,'' Esme frowned with a look of disapproval in her eyes at his audacity that was getting on her nerves.

"Oh?" Aleister raised an eyebrow as he pushed himself up to sit on the bed, his chin settled right above her shoulder while their lips were inches apart, "This is my kingdom, my dear moon. And you are my lover, my soon be wife, my Princess and their future Queen."

He sounded serious but she was sure it was an illusion on her part, "And except for what you said first, everything is a lie and a pretense that you have started.''

She pulled her body back but his chin did not stagger like she expected as he sleekly pulled it up and pushed himself out of the bed, ''Any second late and I will not take you to meet her.''

"Petty," Esme mumbled under her breath as she stood up and walked after him. What was his enmity with her?

"But you are pretty."

Esme pursed her lips, refusing to entertain him further. She was sure there was something wrong in his head.

She quietly followed after him while he led her to who knows where and she even could not remember the path properly as it got darker the further they walked. Is he trying to bury me here for all the times I have offended him?

She glanced at his back doubtfully.

"I don't have such intentions," The man casually remarked as he slowed down his pace to let her catch up to him, without her noticing it.

Esme still glanced at him doubtfully, "Can you read minds, My Lord?" She won't be surprised if it was true. She just had to be cautious around him in the future.

Aleister scoffed, not bothering to reply to her.

Her brows tugged together, "…My Lord?"

"Call me that one more time and I am not taking you there.''

Realization dawned on her. Was he offended because she did not address him by his name as he wanted? "I don't want to overstep my boundaries,'' She calmly said while looking around the place they were in.

Aleister glanced at her under the glow of the flame of the candles on the chandelier. "Had I known how to read minds, I would have looked up into yours for thousand times," He spoke before walking forward, leaving her behind. Such a small mind but it is always occupied in establishing boundaries with him. Hateful girl!

Esme halted in her tracks as she blankly glanced at his retreating back. How did she offend him again? And what is with his disdainful tone? If she disdains him to this extent, then he should stay away from her instead of entangling with her all the time.

"You don't want to come?" The man paused as he turned around and glanced at Esme who was standing at a good distance from him.

Esme glanced at him quietly for a few moments before she tilted her chin and walked past him, "Lead the way," Her tone was aloof.

The corner of his lips twitched. What happened to her? He should be the one doing this, treating her in this way, "How am I supposed to lead the way when you walk ahead?"

She paused and turned around, pointing a delicate arm ahead, "Lead the way…" She paused for a moment before adding, "…My Lord," She enunciated on it.

His expressions darkened as he walked past her without looking back.

Esme narrowed her eyes as she followed after him.

And after walking a few steps ahead, she finally recognized the place they were in. The sight of the lava river reminded her of the day she almost fell inside it only to be saved by Aleister later. This was the dungeon.

She glanced at his back questioningly, "What are we doing here?" She finally asked when he stood in front of the lava river, looking at the fire like he was admiring the weather, without having intentions to explain things to her.

"We are here to meet your friend," He snapped his fingers and a throne appeared behind him while a sack was extended from high above with a rope attached to it.

She stepped back while the man sat on the throne with one of his legs folded above the other.

She glanced at the sack doubtfully before looking at him. Was he going to stay here? Moreover, where is that handmaiden?

Aleister raised an eyebrow, "You don't have questions to ask?"

"Where is she?" questioned Esme.

"Right in front of you.''

"Wh-" Esme paused while her eyes widened at what she witnessed, the rest of her words getting stuck in her throat.