Chapter 9

The moment she heard his voice, Veyna's body tensed, a sharp jolt running through her spine. Instinctively, she sit up straight, pulling her hair away from his grasp as if burned by his touch.

Her gaze shot upward, locking onto the face of the man seated before her, her mind racing to place his identity.

The soft glow of the guestroom lights reflects off his platinum blond hair, untidy yet effortlessly striking. The shade is nearly elegant, gleaming with an almost silvery sheen that makes him seem otherworldly. But it is his eyes that hold her still- deep, piercing blue, like the heart of an ocean untouched by light.

His broad shoulders and sculpted frame, built through relentless training and battle, left no doubt, this was a man forged for war.

"Are you done?"

Veyna snapped to reality once again.

"What?"she asked, confused.

"Are you done looking at my perfection?"

Veyna's eyebrow rises. She is still confused with the man's sudden appearance. How long was she asleep and how can she didn't realised someone has entered the room?

The man flicked his finger.

"Hello? Are you still here, lady?". He said while waving his big hand in front of her face.

Veyna regains back her composure as she stood up, patting the dust on her gown. As soon as she is done, she shifts her attention back to the man.

"Who are you?", asked her, not bothered with any formalities.

The man smiles widely as he rests his arm on the armrest.

"Well, can't you tell?"

Veyna frowns and she focuses back on the man's features especially the platinum blond hair. Blond hair, a signature feature of royal's bloodline.

"Are you... a prince?"

The man didn't answer and continues to smile at her. A smile that s dripping with amusement.

Veyna ponders.

The third prince couldn't possibly be here since Lady Evelyne is supposed to be in the ballroom. The first prince? I m sure this man isnt him. I ve seen him multiple times. That means...

Veyna swallowed her own saliva. Of all people, why is he here?!

She bowed slightly.

"Forgive me for not recognising you at first glance, Your Highness Prince Edric"

Edric rests his chin on his palm.

"We never saw each others before i assume. So, it s quite alright~"

Veyna bit the inside of her cheek.

"Pardon me for the late introduction. I am- "

"Veyna Duskborne ain't it?",he cut her sentence halfway.

"Y-yes."

"I can tell you know since you re the only noblewoman with a snow-white hair colour. You stood out the most in every crowd you were in, you know?"

Edric pats the seat next to him, gesturing Veyna to sit. He still has the same smile on his face that somehow looks mischievous.

Veyna shakes her head.

"No, thank you. I ll go back to the grandhall," Veyna refused his offer politely yet firm.

Edric chuckles. He surprisingly looks so sweet and polite in person rather than the cruel and mean bastard prince rumoured by the society.

"What a shame. I want to talk about your hair more."

Veyna looks even more confused. He wants to talk about my hair?

"I've seen it somewhere before, not on you, but on someone much smaller and... clingier." Edric gestures with his hand, indicating the person's height. Slowly, his hand lowers until it's at Veyna's knee level.

Veyna raises an eyebrow. Is there even a human that short? A dwarf?

"Pardon?"

Edric looks up and smiles once again.

"It's my dog."

"Pardon?",asked Veyna again with a louder tone.

Veyna's eyes widened at his statement. Did he just compare me to a damn dog? Is he humiliating me right now?

She doesn't instantly went furious about it, instead, she chuckles with a hint of anger. His statement somehow successfully hurts her pride.

"I was just thinking that you were so different with how people described you but i take it back. Guess i was just being nice with a man that is about to be exiled from his own home. A bastard prince."

Edric's smile faded before he bursts into laughter. He put a hand on his abdomen as he laughs. Then, he slowly calmed himself down.

"I appreciate your opinion, Lady Duskborne. I really, really appreciate that."

Veyna rolled her eyes and takes a few steps back before turning around to leave the room but Edric isnt done yet.

"I certainly am not a kind man, lady. So are you."

Veyna stopped right before the door. Her hand that was about to reach for the door handle hangs in the air.

Edric lifted himself from the sofa and walked to her before he stopped a few inches right behind her. He whispers.

"I dont know what kind of man i am in your pretty little head," he breaths softly on her nape.

"I am indeed not a likable type but you should thank me for not thinking about doing nasty things toward you while you fell asleep soundly just now," he smiles smugly before he continues.

"Believe me. An normal man with lust will surely lay their fingers on a pretty being like you but maybe, i m just a bit abnormal."

Veyna is at loss when he admitted that he is literally out of ordinary. Is the rumour true that he is crazy?

"However, if someone ever touched you in that way and you run away screaming through the entire hallway, no one will bet an eye because no one genuinely cares for a bad woman like you."

He must knew it so well- about Veyna's bad reputation now that he mentioned it. Both Veyna's hands clench into fists. She bites her lower lip, trying to restrain herself from swinging her fist right across Edric's face.

Seeing her reaction, Edric grins in enjoyment. He is enjoying this little argument a bit too much.

Ignoring the prince, Veyna twists the door handle and opens the door widely so she could immediately walk away from the scene.

"What a shame. The late marquis would have been so upset if he knew how his daughter turned out."

A sentence that was meant to end with a smirk was instead cut short by the sharp sting of a lady's delicate hand.

Edric touches his left cheek, feeling the warmth spread across his skin. Did she just slap me?

Then, he shifted his gaze straight into Veyna's eyes, shock written all over his face. Never in his life had he been slapped, not even by his own father, the king.

Veyna locks eyes with Edric, her gaze fierce with anger and arrogance. Without waiting for him to regain his composure, she turns on her heel and strides out, leaving him alone in the guest room.

He watches her leave, her posture radiating arrogance, and lets out a faint chuckle under his breath.

His personal guard, who had been standing outside the room, stepped closer to his master, his face painted with shock. Then, he turned his attention back to his master with his mouth slightly opened.

"D-did i saw it right? That lady just-",he pointed at Edric's red cheek. "-slapped you?"

"You saw it right, Ian."

Ian gasped.

"Well, are you going to just let it slide? It is unlike you, you know? And what s with that smile?"

Edric leans on the doorframe.

"I like that arrogant bitch."

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