".. Pardon!" embarrassed by her words he let her hands go and took a step back.
"I was just joking. Why are you being serious?" he blinked and stared at her face. Joke?
The Camelia he knew, never jokes.
She was a cold woman. Many called her a cold reptile at the parties. She was even known as a nickname snake. Since she never smiles, is warm, or jokes.
She had a scary gaze and she bit those who stood in her way. She was the eldest daughter of Marques Gregonword. Yet she hardly gets any marriage proposals because of her cold personality. And the way she wears dresses of men and walks in public, they not only feel disgusted but intimidated by her look,
He had been around her five years as her knight but he was never needed to save her. Not because she had never been attacked, but because she had always taken care of her attackers herself.
He never got the chance to be a hero until he proposed to her. She blinked for a second when he felt that she would refuse. After all, he was a no-name commoner.
He had only risen to his position as a knight because of his skills.
He was the only one in the empire who could compete with her.
But to his surprise, she had accepted the offer, she told him in a cold voice "If you will defeat me in the match." and by the stroke of luck or he was better, he had defeated her.
So, here he was standing in the clothes of a groom waiting to get married to her. From then on, his life would change.
He would not be a commoner anymore. So who cared if she was a cold reptile or a fierce lioness? She was going to be his anyway. He would tame her slowly.
"Yes, the atmosphere was very tense as if I had died." she looked at her family who were shedding tears.
Who would believe such sweet parents have a daughter like her? The sheer contrast!
He stared as she walked toward them and hugged them. She was only sick but they all were acting as if she had fought a life-threatening disease or returned from her death.
He hid the disgust by closing his eyes or he was afraid that he would vomit on their foolish act.
But when he opened his eyes again, he flinched. She was staring at him coldly while hugging her younger brother.
He broke into cold sweat feeling her gaze. Were his thoughts visible? No, it could not be. She had never guessed what he was thinking. He had always been a kind man to her.
He smiled and blinked and she already looked away.
"Honey, you should rest more. Your marriage can wait." he blurted out with a smile when she tilted her head.
Could a person be so intimidating in their sickness? It took him all his strength to keep that smile on his face.
"I am afraid if we did not marry today, we will never marry." because I will kill you with my sword!
But would it not be too easy for you? The way you have given slow poison to my family and taken them away one by one, I cried blood. You have to pass through the same pain.
"Pardon?" he looked at her with deep creases between his brows, "Honey I think you still need rest."
"I can rest all the time after exchanging vows with you. Can I not?" she challenged. Last time they consummated their marriage on the very first day.
But now, when he touched her thumb, she felt as if ants bit her. Insects were crawling over her skin. She could not bear that touch.
"Of course. You can rest after that." he stared at her parents as if he was unable to take the decision when it was her mother to nod first.
"Of course, we will get her ready. Since my daughter is so beautiful she did not need layers of makeup." she laughed as she asked them to leave the room.
Her father sighed as he knew he had lost the battle. He held Cam's hands and left the room.
Mike laughed and followed his father and brother-in-law.
"Lia, I am so relieved that you are feeling better. But do not tire yourself out. Tell me when you feel sick. I will handle the guests." she nodded as they helped her in changing clothes.
Lucy hid her pale face in a layer of blush and powder. A pair of diamond and rubies necklace with earrings. She stared at her face. It feels as if nothing has changed.
She remembers being sick on the day of her marriage. Now that she thinks about it, she got sick after she ate the pie Mika had brought for her.
Was it the first time he had fed slow poison to them? Her lips twisted in a smirk.
'Now that I am back Mike, shall I slit your throat tonight or I will give you slow poison too?