Villains also get Second chance

"And then what, be indebted to him. I never intended to increase my strength based on a woman like you do. You say that you love Rosalind and yet you married Katherine, for what, just to gain a peace treaty." I snarled back.

He pinched the space between his brows.

"You know father had decided it, I never wanted to marry Katherine, but I am taking responsibilities, not blaming her for all this.

You were the one who spread the rumour that you took her parents properties, definitely, she would blame you for that.

At least come clean with her, and try to live a peaceful life.

Or just take the properties from her father and give it back to her" Charles explained, but I kept my mouth shut. 

"In that way also, the properties will belong to the Luca family in future. And I don't want that. I don't want anything of hers belongs to my family.'' These things would be nothing but a burden in the future when the time would come to cut ties. She was not going to stay here forever anyway.

He did not know the truth, that's why he was saying so, but his father knew. And soon I would tell the whole world. Then I and Marianne will go their separate ways.

"Why are you so stubborn? Alright, this is your own mess, I would not interfere anymore. Just make sure that rumours won't go out.

And take care of Philip, I have some work to be taken care of." he replied with a sigh and turned back.

I stood up and followed him. 

"Philip, would you like to continue to take a round or take a rest. His majesty had to go to the royal court." I asked with a smile, as if nothing had happened.

"It's alright, we will continue it some other day, let me leave with my brother in law. I will be back tomorrow with my luggage," he replied with a smile and I nodded.

I escorted them to their carriage and walked back to my office. Ian was waiting there with all the files, standing silently in the corner. But I knew he would accuse me again, the moment I would sit there.

"Good afternoon, your highness. Would you like to have your lunch or tea" he asked more formally than usual.

"Lunch would be fine." he nodded and instructed Clara.

The moment I sat and opened the file, he spoke. "I must praise you, your highness, your sword-wielding skill has improved. If I didn't know better, I would have thought you were fighting a battle against enemies." see that's what I was talking about. Ian had started speaking more and more in favour of Marianne these days.

"Did you know that she can wield a sword?" I asked and he nodded.

"You never told me about that." he had an amused smile on his face as he replied.

"Didn't you tell me, not to praise her highness, in front of you?"

"What was there to praise, she was just average." I rebuked, but her attacks flashed in front of my eyes. I was amazed to see how efficiently she handled my attacks as if she knew my every trick. But that was just impossible. 

Then it must be that she had strong reflexes and good flexibility, she could surpass many knights with her talent.

"Since when just an average sword wielder could injure you, your highness," he replied, praising both of us in a sentence. Could he not just stay silent for a while.

But then again, Killian is in her support too. Am I really mistaken, comparing her with my past?

"I will have dinner with Killian today," I announced. so that we could have a good chat and I could deduce why he was supporting Marianne.

"Sure, your highness," he replied with sparkling eyes, which made me a bit suspicious.

"Your highness, these are the files about the new taxation policy…."

***************

I felt something moving on my bed and I woke up with a jerk, only then did I remember that Killian was sleeping on my lap.

I opened my eyes to find him blinking at me.

"Good evening, Killian. Hope you had a good sleep." I asked with a smile and he bit his lip.

"Why did you not wake me up?" he asked, embarrassed.

"Why! did you not feel better?" 

"I am an adult to sleep like that, your highness," he remarked and I laughed.

"Alright, my bad. I will take care of it in the future. Are you hungry?" I asked since we only had light breakfast together and it's already dinner time.

"No, your highness" he denied, just then his stomach grumbled in protest. His ears turned red and I laughed again.

"But I am, come let's have dinner together. I ordered some sea food today.`` I replied with a bright smile.

"Come, the chef of your chamber is best at making seafood, let's go together." 

I went to change my dress as he waited for me patiently.  I was sitting near my dressing table humming a song, feeling on cloud 9, while penny and daisy were dressing me up. I had gained his trust today, and it was a good progress. 

once we finished,  we entered his chamber,

"Killian why don't you go and freshen up, darling. I will look for preparations till then." he furrowed his brows but nodded and walked towards his bedroom.

"Lina, go and call the teachers who wanted to punish him and be fast. I want to handle the matter before he came back"

"Yes, your highness" she walked out speedily and within 5 minutes, she came back with his warden and headmaster.

"Good evening, your highness."

"Oh, I would have wished you too, if the evening would have been good for you."

Their faces had a bewildering look as they looked at my enchanting smile.

"I am here to know why Killian would be punished, for just a day holiday?"

[P.S. unlock the chapters with coins if you can, comments, power stones are always appreciated.]