[[BARDAEN]]The king was in his private cabinet having a midnight cup of tea by the fireplace while going through the government reports.His page permitted himself into the room and bowed before him. “The Prince's cook has been taken care of. Your assumption was correct.”“Filter out every of the queen's people around the prince.”“There's only one now remaining, and I believe the Prince knows about him. He must have a reason for letting him be.”“Sure, but keep a close look on him.”“Yes. The prince seems to be romantically engaged with this lady. She currently lives with him.” He kept a sealed black file on the table.The king gave it a glance. “Do you think he's willing to settle with her?”“She is of lowly birth, your Majesty.”The king gave the burly, bald, bearded man a scrutinising look. “For how long?”“She moved in five days ago, but it seems they've been together for a week or two. I believe she's the reason he went to the school.”The king thought over it for a minute and
“Drop your weapon.” Jonas ordered, holding his handgun fixed at the back of Ben's head.Ben didn't budge, and Vincent laughed, looking up at his brother. “As always, your father never disappoints.”The people around them were already agitated and looking for the exit while the employees called for security. But the other shadow bodyguard stopped them from interfering.Isaac squeezed his eyes close and clenched his fist harder, trying to pull himself together. He didn't want to give Vincent the pleasure of seeing him tremble, and so, he opened his eyes with a silent breath, looking straight into his brother's eyes.“Last time I checked, you do not have a page. Who's the man behind you?”“Lower your gun, Ben. They're heartless bastards.” Vincent said to him, and he did as he's told.Jonas dropped his gun as well, but the laser remained.“His name's Ben, and he's a loyal friend. I doubt you have one.” Vincent answered his brother's question.“You've grown a lot, Vincent, and I understand
Natalie stepped out of the bathroom to meet Isaac having a cup of tea in the bedroom. They had gone in together, but he only had a quick shower and let her take her time.“Feeling better?”He smiled, a gesture that eased the tension in her. “Hmm.”She removed the towel on her head and threw it on the chaise, sat beside him on the bed. “Can I ask you a question?”“Sure.” He sipped his tea.“Who was that?”“My brother.”“You have a brother?!” She exclaimed.“Yes, a stepbrother.”“But you don't seem close, or are you?”“I'm afraid not. He has enough reasons to hate me, and I totally understand him.”“Why is that?”Isaac stared at her briefly. “Love?”“Yes.” She answered, clueless of his sudden seriousness.“How good are you at keeping secrets?”She wobbled her brows and pondered over it for a fleeting minute. “I'm not quite sure.”“I can be downright honest with you about everything concerning me, but it could put you in danger if you don't keep it to yourself.”“What sort of danger?” Sh
If there's anybody Vincent respected with every essence of himself, it's his father. No matter how unjust he treated him, he still saw him in very high regard.Standing directly under the AC unit, he knew he'd need the low temperature to help him keep his cool.The king had just had his morning bath, and the chamberlain served him a cup of tea.“Leave us.”The chamberlain bowed and left.“How was your journey, Vincent?” The king asked, serving another cup of tea.“It's nice, thanks to you.”“I learnt you took an official jet.”“Well I… just wanted to know how it felt.”“You've never flown private?”“In family travels where I have to be present, yes.”“That's too bad. I hope you enjoyed it, though.”He smiled tightly. “I did.”“Let's have tea, Vincent.”Vincent warily stared at the tea cup his father pushed towards the other seat of the two seater table in his bedchamber, his mind racing miles a minute.The king nurtured his manly grace even with his balding, greying hair. The wrinkles
As if having to deal with winning Natalie's heart over completely was not enough, now he had to earn her unwaving trust as well.He stared at Dan, who had his eyes on the carpet, with a frown on his face. “Explain, Dan.”He's been on his toes for the past two days ever since Natalie left because she ‘wanted space’. He's been calling and texting her nonstop, making him seem like a young obsessive boyfriend, but what could he do?He found peace with her. He could laugh and joke with her. She made his heart lighten up and race again. He couldn't afford to lose her.But now…The coldness of the living room did nothing to stop the heat that's building up inside of him. His eyes were trained on Dan, who looked like he'd rather disappear than say what he had to.“Six people were found dead earlier this morning. They've been missing for three days, and they all have a connection to the lady.”“How did that happen?!” He demanded, his patience wearing thin.“We are yet to know, Your Highness. A
“If I may share an opinion, Your Majesty?” His page pitched in after he ended the call.“Yes?”“Hiding the truth will only worsen your relationship with the prince.”“He'll get over it.”The page wanted to leave it at that, but he decided not to. “I could look into it, your Majesty.”“Let it be.”“Seven people died, your Majesty. You should not take the blame for it.”The king faced him with unexpressive eyes, and he bowed his head.“My apologies, your Majesty.”There's a brief silence as the king kept staring at him. “Let it be, John.”“Yes, Your Majesty.”“You're dismissed. I want to be alone.”But the Queen Mother chose that exact moment to be when she'd barge into the cabinet, and she's followed by the queen.The king sprang up to his feet as his mother approached the chair he's sitted by the fireplace, adjusting his imperial robe.“I received no message that you'd be here.” The king said in a low voice, his hands folded before him and moving away to allow her room to sit on the c
The night was cold, almost harshly so. The trees danced to the chilly, singing wind, and the moon dazzled like a ball light.The dormitory was quite busy. Students went on and about even though it's already past 10 pm.He stood outside by the bar gate, which allowed him to see the inside of the humongous three-storey building that housed hundreds of students. The lamps and security lights helped the moon illuminate the verdant surroundings more.He received a lot of glances from students who passed by, but he didn't care. Perhaps they found him weird and called security, or maybe not, or maybe Dan explained to them or sent them away, but thankfully, nobody bothered him.He chugged on a bottle of rum as he lingered in the passenger seat of his car, his feet lodged to the ground and his eyes fixed on the gate.He wasn't waiting, in particular, neither was he going to barge in. Or maybe he would, but perhaps he shouldn't. Truth is, he didn't know what he's doing there, nor was he aware of
"Hey," Natalie beamed at him, placing the tray on the table. "Was asked to serve you. Ten shots, you got one free for being my first customer tonight."Isaac ran his eyes over her, hot, he thought, her figure-8 shape clad in a two-piece mini skirt and crop top. But he wasn't impressed. There are at least a million girls he knew who were just as perfect.He pushed one glass towards her as she's about to leave. "Take it."Literally, he meant her taking it back cos his ethics don't allow him to accept free gifts. But she mistook him and raised a brow teasingly, chugged down the drink in one go.Don't get her mistaken, she rarely drinks if she wasn't entertaining customers but this brown-eyed guy seemed to want to test her waters."Wow, it's stronger than I thought. Who takes such strong combos these days?"Impressive, Isaac thought. Not a single person he'd ever offered a drink for a first was able to take a single gulp without spitting it out or giving up. Both men and women alike.He p