Desiree's POV
Time passed rather quickly. As Aizen had planned, we flew to Greece and Italy for our fake honeymoon. Surprisingly, it was pleasant. He was kind most of the time. For brief moments, I could've sworn I recognized him. But of course, I knew better than to trust him. He is, after all, a different person. He's not the boy I used to know. In fact, he became crueler than I could ever imagine. Still, I appreciate the efforts he made in making me feel comfortable. I just wish he didn't confuse me.
It would be a lie to say that things haven't been awkward between us. It was, at least for me. We kissed twice since the wedding… Call me old-fashioned, but physical things matter to me. I don't just go about kissing people I find attractive. After the kiss that morning, he acted as though nothing happened.
"We're near," Aizen declared, his voice pulling me back from my thoughts. He rested his head against my shoulder as he closed his eyes. "What's on your mind?"
"You'll be busy soon," I replied. It was, of course, a lie. We both had an understanding that we could trust no one. Outside the safety of our walls, the act must continue. His father has spies everywhere. Even though he's aware that this was an arranged marriage, he still wanted us to be 'in love.'
Well, there were two people we could trust with our secret. Ms. Hikaru, my assistant, and Mr. Kenji, his right-hand man. They were the only ones aware of our secret arrangement—our contract of lies.
Aizen held my hand, squeezing it gently. "We'll see each other every morning and every evening. Don't worry about it too much, alright?" He was an excellent actor. He could easily fool everyone with his charms and sweet talk. Even I—if I hadn't known the truth—could easily fall for his lies and deception.
"I know," I closed my eyes, cuddling closer to him. "It just wouldn't be the same."
"Sh," Aizen hushed, his fingertips delicately pressed against my lips. "Don't worry about it, Princess."
"Don't call me that," I objected, my voice firm. I asked him multiple times not to call me 'princess.' I found it too cheesy.
A chuckle escaped Aizen's lips as he held me tighter and closer, his head now resting against my chest. He could feel the sound of my heart beating violently inside my chest. "I'll call you my queen when I become the king of my father's empire," he declared, squeezing me closer. "For now, you're my princess. The Princess of the Nara Empire, that is."
Thankfully, we soon arrived at the estate, a magnificent property boasting grand architecture. The main house featured modern design elements, complemented by luxurious amenities such as a pool, tennis court, private gym, and spa. With sixteen bedrooms, each equipped with private baths, as well as a separate pool house, the estate offered ample space for relaxation and entertainment.
Additionally, there were structures on the property constructed in traditional Japanese style, adding to the estate's charm and cultural richness. Surrounding the main house and traditional buildings were lush gardens, dotted with trees and pathways, creating a serene and picturesque environment. A man-made lake added to the beauty of the landscape, while a private forest near the traditional houses provided further natural beauty and seclusion.
Nara Estate served as a stunning blend of modern luxury and traditional Japanese architecture, serving as a testament to the wealth and prestige of the Nara Clan.
Aizen stepped out of the car first, courteously opening the door for me. I accepted his gesture with a grateful nod and placed my hand in his as I exited the vehicle. "Welcome home," he greeted me with a warm smile. "I hope you find this place to your liking, Princess."
"It's beautiful, Aizen," I marveled, my eyes wide with admiration. I had never seen such a beautiful and grande home before. Well, I had… but never in person. Somehow, I can't believe that I'd be staying here for five years. "Oh," I exclaimed, remembering the apartment in Tokyo. "What about the apartment?"
Aizen guided me inside, explaining, "I had your belongings transported here while we were away. Of course, you're free to stay in the apartment when we're in Tokyo. It's yours, after all."
"Mine?" I almost choked.
He smirked, pulling me close as the army of staff gathered at the entrance of the Mansion.
"Welcome home, Aizen-sama," they greeted respectfully, bowing their heads.
Aizen smiled, acknowledging them with a nod. "This is my wife, Desiree," he introduced me, planting a soft kiss on my cheek. "Please treat her with respect and take good care of her. She's my other half, after all."
They all bowed, greeting me with respect. "Welcome home, Desiree-sama."
"She is my Hime," Aizen added, his hand squeezing my arm. "So, if anything happens, I will get rid of the person responsible, got it?" His tone suddenly became chilling and the atmosphere thickened with fear.
The staff bowed nervously, replying, "Yes, Aizen-sama!" With that, they were dismissed.
"That wasn't necessary, you know?" I elbowed his gut, making him flinch. Seriously, even I was a bit terrified by his threat.
As Aizen led me to the second floor, he reached for my hand, paying no heed to my words. "Your room is across from mine," he explained, opening the door to my bed chamber. "We have separate rooms, but whenever Father's here or there are guests, we'll be staying in the Master's bedroom at the end of the hall. Of course, occasionally, we'll have to spend the night there to satisfy my father's spies."
I looked around, marveling at the beauty of my room. It was literally a room fit for a princess, reminiscent of the Barbie movies I used to watch as a kid. How nostalgic! "Thank you," I said, gracing him with a smile. I genuinely appreciated his effort to make me as comfortable as possible.
Aizen locked the door behind him, ensuring we had our privacy. "The walls here are similar to the ones in our hotels," he remarked, pointing at them. "Anyway, I'm glad you like it."
"Is there anything else?" I asked.
Aizen stepped closer, his hand finding its place on my waist. He leaned in, whispering in my ear, "There are ghosts near the Japanese houses down by the lake."
I almost fell on my back upon hearing that. I blushed in embarrassment, glaring at him. I thought… he was leaning in for a different purpose. I was disgusted with myself for even thinking that!
Aizen chuckled, covering his mouth with his hand. "Did you expect something else?" he teased, stepping closer to touch me again.
I slapped his hand away, refusing to let him hold me. We're behind closed doors. There's no need to continue the act here. "You should go if there's nothing else," I said, pointing at the door, refusing to meet his gaze.
Aizen stubbornly reached for my face, his other hand found its place on my back, pulling me closer to him.
Why?
His eyes appeared warm and so did his smile. For a moment, he resembled the boy who used to hand me notes depicting love. "I wanted you to know that it's dangerous out here," he explained, his tone firm yet gentle. He tucked my hair behind my ear, his gaze fixed on mine as he continued, "I have security and my men patrolling the estate 24/7, however, don't underestimate the dangers. No matter how tight my security is, sometimes, people could still trespass. I don't want you to get hurt."
"If you want to walk around or explore late in the afternoon, I'd appreciate it if you brought along a staff with you," Aizen said, running his fingers through my long black hair. "I have to go take care of something regarding our business, now. I don't think I'll be home in time for dinner, so don't wait for me." He gently poked my head as if to get my attention. "Are you listening?" he asked, concerned. "If you need anything, just tell Hikaru. You could also call me, but I doubt you'd want to. Also, your puppy is downstairs."
"Mochi?" I exclaimed, a wide smile graced my lips. "No way! You're kidding!"
"She is," Aizen assured, smiling too. "Hikaru is taking her out for a walk this very moment."
"Why would you do that?" I asked, my cheeks blushing. "You didn't have to go through all that trouble, you know?"
Aizen smirked, placing his hand over my head as he ruffled my hair. "Every princess has a sidekick, right?" he asked, "Well, you're the princess of the Nara Empire. You'll need your sidekick will your prince is away." With that, he left, leaving my heart pounding inside me.
Aizen… why are you acting this way?