Chapter 31 Smile
Chapter 31 Smile
“Your majesty, I did not see you. Please forgive me,” Lucy said in a sickening sweet voice that was full of faux apology.
Lucy turned around and swept into a deep curtsy.
Caen let out a huff as he leaned back, crossing his arms.
She batted her eyes as she looked at him with her best innocent expression. He searched her face, looking at her with confusion.
“Did you enjoy the banquet?” His voice was low and calm.
“It was magnificent.” She said, overly excited.
“Yet you choose to leave.” He stated as if he did not believe her.
“As did you,” she countered, quirking an eyebrow in challenge.
“You seemed to enjoy yourself.” The words were pointed; he said it as if it were an accusation.
“How so?” Lucy was tired of his mood swings.
“You smiled at everyone, the knight, and Arlo,” he said before adding, “everyone except me.” The last part was barely audible.
Lucy looked at him directly in the eye. “Perhaps if you smiled at me, I might smile at you.”
She was feeling combative after his days of ignoring her.
He looked taken aback at her statement as if no one had dared speak to him in such a manner before. “Kitty, I think you’ve got some claws.”
Her eyes narrowed; she could not explain it, but his words rubbed her the wrong way. Everything he did rubbed her the wrong way.
“According to Arlo, I need some type of defense.” She stated that she wanted to see how he would react.
He did not disappoint as his eyes narrowed, “You, too, are getting close.”
“He actually speaks to me,” She justified before adding with emphasis, “ and smiles.”
“He’s a nuisance.” It seemed he did not want to compliment his cousin at all. Even with the way he spoke, she sensed that he actually cared for the young vampire deeply.
“I think lord Garrick would use a stronger word.” In her short time in Kunlun, one of the things she was sure of was that Garrick did not appreciate Arlo’s sense of humor.
Caen rubbed his temple. “he’s a nuisance, too, just a different type.”
“What type is that?”
Apart from the wine, she had heard no complaints about the older vampire.
“The kind that annoys his king.” He rubbed his temple as if the conversation was giving him a headache.
Every time she saw him, he was always brooding as if he hated life and wanted to be rid of everyone in his presence. The court seemed to give a vast distance, with few daring enough to venture into his radius.
The banquets and meals seemed to be merciful to the guests, but he always seemed as if he wanted to be anywhere else. It was odd.
He had everything his heart could desire, but no spark of joy on his features. She had seen a smile creep across his face in fleeting moments during their secret times together.
At least she assumed they were secret. Servants definitely talked even if they did not tell another soul. Or maybe they feared him enough to keep their mouths shut.
Caen scared her. He radiated power, not just by the throne. A power that she could not place her finger on but felt in her bones. Yet here she was drawn to him like a lamb to a lion. She was at his mercy.
“Do you like anybody?” Exasperated, she said it with a sigh
“You’ll have to wait and see.” He shrugged unconcerned.
Voices echoed down the halls as guests left the banquet. She didn’t know what to do. Did they continue in the hall, or did she leave him standing there?
Lucy turned, opening the door to her chambers. “Would you like to come in?”
She did not wait for an answer; instead, she walked straight in and left the door open behind her. The curtains shielded the moonlight from the balcony, so Lucy was barely able to see and threw them open.
She heard the door shut behind her, but she did not hear the footsteps; only the voice remained. “I don’t know about humans, but for vampires, inviting men into your chambers is improper.”
Holding back a laugh, she thought of how her stepmother would have lost her mind if she found out a man had entered her chambers at the manor. Not that one ever had. Now, the baroness had probably converted her chambers into a dressing room or sitting room the day she had left.
“Don’t tell my betrothed.” She shrugged off his comment. This was his kingdom; he made the rules.
He laughed. “I make no promises.” His voice held a level of playfulness that made her want to lean in.
The room began to brighten as Caen walked around, lighting the candles for her, allowing her to see better.
She turned around but did not look at him; instead, she examined her nails. “I don’t think he would mind.”
“Are you sure? I hear he’s a jealous man.” He took a step closer towards her.
Her heart raced as the space between had decreased.
He let out a sigh. “I guess this once I could keep your secret.”
“How malevolent of you.” She wondered if he could hear her heartbeat. The thought caused it to race again.
Caen walked around the room, examining her things. He had not been here since the day that she had arrived. He picked up her doll, looking at it as if it were a peculiar creature that he had never seen before. Mable had seen better days, but Lucy loved her and took her everywhere as a child. Something that showed in her many battle scars. A stitch on the arm where she had roughly sewn it back on.
“The treaty is done.” He stated as he was sitting Mable back down on the writing desk.
“But it’s not official.”
He looked back at her as his head tilted as he studied her. His eyes tried to decipher every expression on her face.
What felt like minutes passed before he asked, “Do you not want the treaty?”
“My opinion holds little consequence. You, however, hold all the cards.” It was a fact, but not a direct answer.
They stared at each other. He was at a loss for words, and she was not backing down.
A knock came at the door. “My lady, shall I assist you?”
“Wait,” Lucy said loudly.
Lucy turned back to Cain, but he was already gone. The door to the balcony was open, allowing the night air to enter, blowing the curtains around.
Lucy let out a sigh. “Enter.”