My mouth wide opened looking at the place Iarake took me for breakfast,'' This restaurant!'' Iarake grinned and said proudly, '' I will bet my taste bud over this restaurant.'' Looking at the nameplate even I could guarantee its taste but that wasn't my concern. My concern was, it's the owner who is no other than Atticus. What if I meet him here? That will be more annoying than getting dragged by this kid.
'' Aren't you coming?'' He tilted his head to ask me like a kid. Sighing I threw off the unnecessary thoughts from my head. Why will I meet Atticus out of everyone here also what's the point of missing out on good food?
'' You will be paying Iarake. Remember that.'' Iarake giggled and held out the door for me, '' As you order, Ma Lady.'' Thinking how silly he was I stepped inside without being conscious of who was coming from opposite directing and bumped into a hard chest. I groaned and looked up just to see the man I really wasn't planning to see. The shock was written all over his face watching me standing in front of him. For once, his red eyes caught me off guard even more when he called my name, '' Valentiara.''
A numb pain spread across my body. His voice sounds the same as calling my name, just what changed is my reaction to it. I snapped back realizing Iarake's presence behind me.
'' Your Highness, I thought you will be returning next week.'' Cold and emotionless voice mixed with hostility, Iarake's attitude toward Atticus had a different kind of arrogance it. I turned my head a little to steal and glanced at Iarake, to my surprise his bright face of his was filled with coldness and hatred. Why? I never know someone who can look at Atticus with the same hate as mine.
'' From when an Imperial Prince like me has to answer your question?'' Atticus replied to him with the same arrogance but his arrogance could be justified as he is an Imperial Prince, 3rd in the line of throne but Iarake's attitude made me curious about his family background.
'' You owe to answer your superior in Dhakun and coming unannounced is both a rude and mannerless behavior.'' Arriving unannounced is rude? Even I did that but he didn't show this type of attitude. I closed my eyes and started thinking about it deeply without caring that I am being sandwiched between a snake and a lion.
'' I will give a free pass to the director's office please do accept it.'' Saying that Iarake dragged me out of the store without wasting a second. I turned my head and saw Atticus flaming in anger, even an arrogent guy like him can be turned down so badly like a mere mage is interesting and gave me a different level of satisfaction. '' Aren't we having breakfast there?'' I teased Iarake, '' I couldn't even taste the taste you were being so proud about.'' Iarake stopped dragging me and turned around. His eyes were filled with guilt and it made me remind me of a heartwarming moment from my past life.
It was raining unlike any other year in the Southern Part of the Empire and it was after the war ended. I was sitting inside my tent, watching the rain washing away every dirt and smell from the air with my broke hand waiting for Izaak who went to bring me some lotus cake. Looking at my hand I sighed and heard Sebastian speaking who was busy eating from the noodles Izaak made for me, '' Dude must be struck in rain. Give up on seeing a pretty lotus cake today.'' '' Don't you have any other work to do?'' My annoyance was visible whenever I talk to Sebastian. He gave me a look that clearly says that he also despises staying in the same area as me. '' That crazy lover of yours will kill me if I leave you alone.'' '' Just die then. And stop eating my food, dragon.'' Sebastian's eyes widen I called him that. '' Who the hell is the dragon? You little phoenix.'' I rolled my eyes. Arguing with him is just a waste of time. Sebastian stood up and wore a raincoat. I watched him getting outside the tent leaving me alone. The melodic sound of rain pouring and the fire creaking made things a little romantic. It would be great if Atticus were here. Closing my eyes, I decided to enjoy the moment for a while when I heard some hurried wet footsteps. '' Princess,'' It was Izaak's voice. Opening my eyes, I saw Izaak being drenched in rain from head to toe with his boots being muddy. He kneel in front of me and held my healthy hand and put a small packet which he was protecting with his life from rainwater.
My eyes widen when I realized what that thing was. '' Izaak, you got yourself drenched due to this?'' He nodded and said, '' You wanted to eat some, but much of it is ruined despite me trying my best, Sorry Princess.'' His hands were cold like ice but he cared more about my craving than anything else. Looking at sorry his face, I couldn't help but stroke it lightly. The love language of Atticus and Izaak is like earth and heaven. For Izaak, his action speaks his heart but for Atticus, it's always his word. I shook my head and denied that feeling of warmth that I always get around Izaak. I love Atticus, and for him anything is justifiable. But that rainy day, his soft and pleading face, drew an unforgettable mark on my life.
'' Valentiara, what are you thinking?'' Iarake's question made me snap back to reality. Why was I thinking about that now? Ha! My mind is full of Izaak and after meeting Iarake his thoughts became more acute. '' Are you mad at me?'' He asked me again. '' You have been dragging me all around the meeting square, of course, I am mad,'' I replied to his question. He pouted sadly and lowered his head as he continued mumbling, '' It's that b#stard's fault, why are you scolding me?'' Narrowing my eyes I bonked his head, '' If someone hears you calling The Third Aster like this you will be arrested.'' Iarake scrunched his nose before continuing, '' Fine, let's not waste time like this. I should have taken you to that place at first, let's go.'' Iarake started walking in the opposite direction but something feels weird, why was I comfortable enough to scold someone like this just after 3 meetings? I touched my heart, this unsettling feeling, do I have some connection with Iarake that I am not aware of?
THIRD PERSON POV
Atticus entered his private room and closed the door behind him. He was boiling in anger but the reason wasn't Iarake's attitude but Valentiara's reaction after seeing him. To Atticus, Valentiara was the replacement for Vivian, a dull blade and coal with no shine. But after watching her in the founding ball, he couldn't help but get amused by her light. As a beautiful pink peony, she was blooming amidst thousands of dark flowers, spreading her calm beauty and fragrance. Atticus clenched his fist thinking about how Iarake was holding Valentiara, looking at his own hand he said, '' I want her, I want Valentiara to show her light only to me, none else. Iarake, a nobody like you can't take something that is supposed to be mind.''