Chapter 3 – An Unwanted Guest (Part 2)

The day, as Amber had so accurately predicted, quickly unraveled into chaos.

She had planned a quiet morning—tea on the veranda, perhaps some light reading, and later a bit of practice with her bow. Peace. Solitude. Normalcy. But no. Fate had delivered her an obnoxious noble with a crooked smile and endless free time.

Vlad followed her like a shadow, his boots clicking casually across the marble floors as though he owned them. Every time she tried to shake him off, he reappeared with that same irritating smirk.

---

**At breakfast:**

Amber lifted her teacup delicately, trying to pretend he didn’t exist. Vlad, seated across from her uninvited, swirled the tea Sylphy had reluctantly served him.

“Do you always glare at your cup like that?” he asked, his tone dripping with amusement.

Amber’s eye twitched. “Do you always invite yourself into other people’s homes and comment on their table manners?”

He chuckled. “Only when the company is this entertaining.”

She muttered under her breath, “Unbelievable. He’s like a stray cat that refuses to leave once you feed it.”

Vlad tilted his head, pretending not to hear, though the slight upward curve of his lips betrayed him.

---

**During her reading time:**

Amber curled up in her favorite chair by the window, opening a book she had been eager to finish. The words had barely begun to settle in her mind when a low voice interrupted.

“Interesting choice.”

She froze. “You can’t read from there.”

“I don’t need to,” Vlad said, leaning against the window frame, arms crossed. “Your expression says everything. You’re already at the part where the heroine makes the stupid decision, aren’t you?”

Amber snapped the book shut. “I’m *this close* to throwing it at you.”

“Then I’d have a reason to stay even longer. To recover.”

Amber growled softly, while Sylphy stifled a laugh from the doorway.

---

**At training:**

Finally, Amber thought, *at least in the practice field, he’ll get bored.* She notched an arrow and loosed it, hitting the target dead center. A thrill of pride coursed through her until—

“Not bad,” Vlad’s voice rang out. “But you’re pulling slightly to the left. You’ll miss if your opponent’s smarter than a haystack.”

Amber whirled around, her bow almost dropping. “Excuse me?!”

He shrugged, walking closer with that irritatingly calm confidence. “Just an observation. You’re talented. But a little… stiff.”

“Stiff?!" she repeated, scandalized. "This bow is my family’s heirloom! I’ve been training with it since before you could tie your boots.”

“Ah, so you admit you’ve been staring at my boots?”

Her jaw dropped. “That is *not* what I said!”

Sylphy pressed her lips together, clearly seconds away from laughing out loud.

---

By late afternoon, Amber was thoroughly drained—not from her routine, but from his endless teasing. The worst part was the way he seemed completely unaffected, as though pestering her was his sole form of amusement.

As the sun dipped lower, Vlad finally leaned back in his chair, watching Amber with a glint of triumph. “I must say, Lady Amber, this has been the most delightful day I’ve had in a very long while.”

Amber slumped against the table, burying her face in her arms. “For me, it’s been the longest.”

“Then we’re both satisfied,” he said smoothly. “I shall return tomorrow.”

Her head shot up, eyes wide. “Tomorrow?!”

Vlad stood, giving a low, mocking bow. “Indeed. Until then, my charming hostess.”

The door closed behind him, leaving Amber stunned, Sylphy giggling, and the house far too quiet after his departure.

Amber groaned. “He’s going to drive me mad. Absolutely mad.”

And yet, somewhere beneath the irritation, her heart beat just a little faster than she’d like to admit.

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