"Yes, as long as you have me." 'you need no one else. I will make sure of that.' She hugged him back but her eyes were cold and filled with hatred when she leaned on his chest.
"You are here!" The soft voice and hurried steps forced Mike to let go of the woman. He had just started to feel her curves.
His eyes were on her bare collarbones and slowly moved to her bosom he would be sucking tonight.
From the thin waist to her hips. How they would be moved when he would ride her. His eyes darkened but he looked away when Camilious came running.
Camilious hugged his elder sister as if it had been ages since he had seen her for the last time.
Her face softened instantly. He was the only one she loved and cared for.
"What brought you here?" she ruffled his perfectly done hair and chuckled when his brows knitted.
"Mother said that you need to dress up again for dinner. She said the crown prince and princess are joining our table with the grand duke." his voice sounded serious as if he was performing the most important task by reminding her of the predicted schedule.
She muffled her laughter when she met his serious eyes.
"Yes, I will do that. You should get your hair done too." his eyes widened and narrowed instantly as he touched his hair and then glared at her.
Grumbling his complaints, he left from there but Lia was still smiling until… she felt a cold hand on her shoulders.
"The child is too cute. I could not imagine him growing and taking the position of your father. I am worried that it will taint his pure soul." filled with worry and affection, the voice used to feel sweet until she realized his intentions.
"There is no limit to greed. One would always envy others and desire for what they had." he paused and the calmness in his eyes cracked but when she turned, she was still smiling like before, "how can someone stay pure in that tainted world?"
"Aah!" so she was talking about her brother. For a second he thought! He shook his head and laughed.
Tonight he was way too pressured by the upcoming future that was why he was being too sensitive. He brushed his thoughts away and hugged her.
"You do not need to be worried for him. As long as I am here, I will take care of him." he ran a hand in her hair and kissed her hair softly. His eyes were full of love and warmth when she nodded and smiled back.
"Yes, as long as you are here." his brows knitted but before he could ask her, she let him go.
"Mother would be worried if I will be late. You should go and meet other guests. We have all night to ourselves." she winked at him with a suggestive look on her face when he paused.
Desire and lust danced in his eyes. Tonight, he was going to sleep with the woman everyone had dreamt about.
His eyes twinkled and his nose was high in the air as he walked in towards the ballroom.
The extended family still looked at him with resentment.
The Marquees family was one of the oldest families with many blood ties with the duke and royal family. They have a strong position in the empire.
One of their sons ruled the eastern kingdom while their extended family held the position of ruler of another kingdom and was given the position of count in this empire.
That position was theirs from the start to the end. But Michael had snatched it. He was their new lord. No matter how much they tried to digest it, resentment kept seeping through their every action like a broken vessel that could not hold the liquid any longer.
They felt bad for Damien, the man who should have been at Michael's place.
They thought that he would leave as soon as the marriage ended. But they were surprised to see him standing beside the marques like always.
"Was he not leaving? I heard Ethan asking for the carriage." Lady Harlow, the distant aunt of Lia, furrowed her brows.
"I couldn't believe he is still playing with the dog with the family who had discarded him. I would have rebelled if I had been at his place." Baron Saleby scrunched up his nose as if he had seen something disgusting.
Many nodded as they all felt injustice but those who knew Damien were afraid. They were worried that he would take out his sword and attack their lord.
If that happened, who would they support? Their loyalty should lie with their lord, marquees Welenshire.
But their heart belonged to Damien, the man they have grown up with. But when their eyes met, Dami only laughed as if their worries were baseless.
"What is he planning this time?" Cassian held Ethan and dragged him into a corner. He could not believe that Dami would let it go as if it was nothing.
"How would I know? When did that man share his insight with me? But.." Ethan looked around. His eyes scanned the scene warily, "I heard that he was called by his majesty again. Of course it could be a matter related to security. But I wonder.." he shrugged and left the speechless man behind.
He wanted to add the incident with the lady too. But Dami had warned him.
When he reached the hall again, he saw Mike smiling at others with an arrogant and pride look and sneered,
What else did that man have except a pretty face and acting like a bootlicker.'