As they rode in the carriage back to the Castle, Ares and Reign were the only ones inside the carriage while Anna and Jess were made to walk with the Royal guards who were walking beside the carriage.
"Why were you so awkward with your family?" Ares questioned as they rode away. Reign turned towards him with a nervous smile.
"Uhm… we fought before I left for the castle so I've not still forgiven them" She avoided his eyes so he wouldn't be able to tell she was lying. Ares stared at her for a while then nodded slowly.
"Hmmm if you say so. Why did I have a feeling you were showing me off to your cousin?" She rolled her eyes when she saw the smirk on his face.
"It's not what you think. She thought you were ugly Because of the rumors so she was surprised to see that you're gorg….. okay" Ares raised an eyebrow.
"I'm okay?" She nodded without turning to him.
"Yeah your looks are pretty average, nothing special" Ares scoffed.
"We both know that there's nothing about me that's average," Reign turned to him with a smile.
"Do you always have such a huge ego?" He nodded without hesitation.
"Yes, I do and as my betrothed, your job is to feed my ego not destroy it" Reign tilted her head at him.
"Is that so?" He nodded.
"Yes it is. So now? Am I really average?" She shrugged.
"You have countless girls to tell you the truth, you don't need me" Ares furrowed his eyebrows then he suddenly smirked and leaned back in his seat.
"You're right. Maybe I should go ask that maid about what she thinks about my looks" Reign bursted out laughing which made Ares confused.
"Your highness, are you trying to make me jealous?" Ares stared at her for a while then chuckled.
"It didn't work, did it?" Reign shook her head.
"You're going to have to try harder than that to make me jealous" Ares smirked.
"Oh trust me Love, if I want to make you jealous, I can make you jealous with just a snap of my fingers" Reign scoffed.
"I doubt it"
"I made you jealous with the maid the other day"
"That was because I was caught off guard" Suddenly, Ares placed both hands beside her body as he leaned closer to her, their nose almost touching. Reign tried to move away from him but his eyes kept her rooted to her spot.
"Are you challenging me, Love because I never back down from a challenge" Reign gulped. He was too close that she was practically inhaling his breath and it was playing games with her mind.
"No" Area furrowed his eyebrows.
"No, what?"
"Don't make me jealous. I don't want that. You're going to be my husband and I don't want you with any other lady but me" Something flashed across his eyes but it was gone in a flash. She could see in his eyes that that was what he wanted to hear so she had decided to give in to everything he wanted because that was the only way they could get closer and she would get closer to her goal. She needed him to fall in love with her.
He stared at her for a while then he abruptly moved away and after that, he didn't say any word to her. Had she seen wrong? Had she been too forward? Had she come off too strong? Maybe she shouldn't have said that.
She wanted to ask him whether what she said was wrong but he wasn't even staring at her but out the window.
She wanted to bang her head against a wall. Gosh, she was so bad at flirting.
•
Reign groaned as soon as she got to her room and plopped down on the bed.
"Gosh I'm such an idiot" She muttered. When they reached the castle, she gathered all her courage and asked him what was wrong but he had just shook his head and told her he was fine then he walked away leaving her to wallow in her own embarrassment.
She grabbed a pillow and screamed into it while Anna and Jess stared at her with concern.
"Is she okay?" Jess asked Anna who in turn shrugged.
"I have no idea" Then she walked towards Reign and tapped her shoulder softly.
"Reign? dear? What's wrong?" Reign huffed as she sat up with a pout.
"I tried to flirt with Ares but i think it didn't work out" Anna's and Jess' eyes widened.
"You tried to flirt? Do you like him already?!" Anna asked with a big smile on her face. Reign shook her head.
"No, at least I think I don't. We are still getting to know each other but I just tried flirting with him because I just want us to get closer before we get married but I think I might have said the wrong thing" Anna glanced at Jess before turning back to her.
"Tell me exactly what happened and exactly what you said" And she did.
"Uhm… I don't think I'm the right person to ask if you said the right thing or not because i've never been in a relationship" Anna confessed. Jess sighed behind them as she walked up to Reign.
"You said nothing wrong … a little cringe but it is still considered flirting. I'm sure he was just caught off guard. See, your motive is great but your application wasn't. Do not worry, I'm here to help you. Do as I say and he'll be at your feet soon" Reign's eyes widened. That was exactly what she wanted.
•
Julian stared at Ares with a raised eyebrow.
"She tried to flirt with you then you started acting weird and shut her out" Ares sighed as he poured himself another mazer of beer.
"Do not judge me, I'm already judging myself. I was just caught off guard"
"Or her straight forwardness reminded you of someone" Ares hand froze mid air. He slowly turned towards Julian with a glare.
"You always know how to dampen my mood, it's almost like it's a skill of yours and it's really starting to piss me off" Julian sighed.
"That isn't my intention but I'm the only one that's going to tell you the truth. You need to forget about….."
"Her name can't be mentioned," Ares muttered.
"Okay, you need to forget about the lady whose name can't be mentioned and move on with your betrothed before your past affects your future. Might I add, your Betrothed might actually be the most beautiful lady in the kingdom. I caught a glimpse of her today and i must say I can't wait to see her up close"
"Are you trying to get on my nerves? Because it's working too well. I'm seconds away from knocking your teeth out" Julian chuckled.
"Relax. Jeez, it's not like you already like her or something but you are already possessive. How will you be when you actually fall in love with her?" Ares scoffed.
"Love? I can never fall in love" Julian smiled.
"Never say never, Ares. Who knows, Isabella might be the lady to change your perspective on ladies" Ares doubted that. All the ladies he had ever been with always turned out to be betrayals and liars and he had a feeling Isabella wasn't that different.
Just then, James barged into his room looking livid. He walked up to Ares and was about to punch him in the face when Julian grabbed his arm, twisted it behind his back and slammed his face on the table….