"Congratulations on your marriage." Edward, the crown prince of the empire raised the glass of wine and toasted.
His wife Eugenie joined him and smiled at Lia.
"Too bad that you did not choose my brother. But I hope you will be blessed with happiness and joy. Your love story is motivating many, lady Camellia." he laughed but his calculating eyes slowly moved to Damien before returning to her.
The subtle hint was not noticed by many but Lia noticed the mockery and worry in it.
Genie squealed in excitement, her joy could not hide her naivety,
"Yes, I have heard many knights are dreaming of marrying a princess or noblewoman and many maids are drawing to be paired with their masters. Now that a higher noble has married a commoner, many are dreaming of their fairytale. Who would have thought you would be the real prince charming." Edward chuckled and nodded trying to look serious when his wife glared at her.
"I am sure Lady Camellia is happy to be their hero." Damien swirled the glass in his hands and laughed.
His presence was strange at the family table. Where only Mike and Camelia's family was sitting with the crown prince and his wife. Especially when he was stripped of his position and it was given to Mike.
William looked away feeling guilty.
"But I wanted Dami to be the hero for my sister." Cami who was eating the pie slowly raised his head and blinked his innocent eyes toward Dami who paused.
Many hands paused and stared at Dami and Camelia. Everyone knew that William wanted them to marry too.
For him, Dami was a perfect son-in-law. Alas, it did not happen.
"Oh, I am sure I will be your hero too if you give me a chance. After all, your sister loves me, not those knights." Mike tried to smile hard and patted Cami's back.
The boy did not look happy but he did not stretch the matter when he noticed his mother's glare.
He scoffed and concentrated on eating pie again. Mike felt disgruntled that no one stopped the kid.
He was thirteen, not a child to not understand that he was the hero. He had married his sister and he should respect him, not Damien.
He did not like Damien from the first day. That arrogant man thinks that the world runs around him. Now that he has lost, he is using the child to create momentum. How despicable.
But Mike endured. For now, he will be a kind person that does not care about a kid's words. But slowly, he would show everyone that he was much better than Damien.
He picked up his wine and took a big sip from it. His hands moved to Lia's thighs and he pressed his hands hard on her soft flesh.
Lia paused for a second. Hiding the fierceness of her eyes, she slowly held his hands and tried to move them away. But he did not.
He smirked at her as his hands moved higher. By the look of his face, it was not the first time he was touching her inappropriately on the table. He was sure that she liked the thrill.
Her eyes darkened for a second before she picked up the knife and stabbed her meat. Cutting pieces slowly as if she was enjoying it.
Dami chuckled. He knew what Mike did since he was sitting beside him. And though it looked like Lia was enjoying it, he was sure she had imagined someone when she cut the mean and she was enjoying the process.
But why was that? It was a love marriage. Everyone knew it was Lia who had proposed to Mike. Then what changed the heart of this cold woman?
A man dressed in royal uniform came with hasty steps and whispered something in the ears of Edward. He sighed and looked at William with an apologetic look.
"I think there is some emergency, please excuse us." Everyone stood up at once and bowed their heads slightly as Genie and Ed left in a hurry.
Dami bowed his head and followed them.
"It is late already. We will handle the guests, you should go and rest." William sighed as he looked at Dami's leaving figure.
Mike felt furious. But he had another goal. He had to make Lia his. Though they have made out many times. This was the first time he was going to have her.
Once this happened, there was no turning back. His stomach churn in excitement and he held Lia by her arms.
"Father is right. You were sick earlier. So you should rest now." tsk! He did not even care that she had a fever when he offered her wine again and again in front of guests while he was playing with her thighs.
He only wanted to have sex!
She nodded and hugged her mother before leaving with him. Since Mike was an orphan they did not leave her palace.
But Mike shifted to her room. They were going to stay here only.
As the room was opened, the smile on the face of Mike fell instantly.
There were no flowers or decorations. Though the room was clean and had a good fragrance. It did not look like the room of a newly wed couple.
Lia noticed the disappointment in his eyes and stared back at the room. In her past life, the floor was covered with rose petals. The red bedsheet was so romantic with fragrant candles covering the room.
It showed how much effort her maids had put in. But this time, it showed that no one cared if he was added to the family.
"What happened, Mike?" she walked closer and hugged him when he forced a smile on his face.
"Nothing, I am just feeling exhausted. Why don't you rest and I will have a bath first." he left hurriedly for the washroom before she could reply.
"Go on, Mike. I have a surprise there too."