Chapter 233
1055words
I stirred, feeling a bit uncomfortable. With heavy eyelids, I opened my eyes and looked around to see I wasn’t in my room. Instead, I was in the sofa of my office.
Sitting up, I commented in realization, “That explained it.”
My neck was having a bit of a strain, and that’s when I remembered that I didn’t went to the sofa last night to sleep. I kept myself busy and did so many files last night that I didn’t know when I had fallen asleep at my desk.
“Are you okay?”
In a daze, I blinked a couple of times until my eyes adjusted properly. Beside me, Albert was sitting with worry.
He’s intently looking at me, observing my every movement.
I wanted to say something, but the second I tried to make big movements, I felt my temple thumping as a headache rushed into me. Massaging my temple and running my fingers through my messy hair, I explained, “I was checking the guest list for the party last night. I didn’t know when I had fallen asleep.”
He raised his eyebrow, pointed at the wine glass on my desk beside an empty wine bottle, and smirked as he joked, “It seems the list is surely giving you a headache.”
Looking at me pointedly, he added, “So much so that you have to drink to drown your sorrow.”
I smirked and replied, “Oh come on, don’t exposed me now.”
We both laughed at that. Just like that, it's as though last night didn’t happen.
Albert was always like this. Despite my shortcomings, he’d always be understanding and wouldn’t put any blame on me. We’ll wake up the next day as if I didn’t hurt him the night before.
We’ll just act… like the usual.
He nodded. “Have you seen your dress yet? Let’s go and check it out. You can try it on so we can make some last-minute changes if there’s something you don’t like.”
He’s really thoughtful, but…
I remembered those silhouettes last night again, and… I just couldn’t have peace of mind because of it. He’s here…
Shaking my head, I urged him as I nodded at my table, “You should go back first. I still have some things to take care of.”
“What can be more important than trying on your party dress?” he asked, confused.
Sighing, I shook my head and looked at him helplessly. “You know I’m not just a socialite who was attending some kind of party. I’m the heir of Wakeland, the future Queen. There’s so much more important than the dress.”
While massaging my head a bit, I slowly stood up before I went to my desk and picked up the thought folder containing the guest list.
Waiving it in the air for him to see, I reasoned, “There will be more than two hundred guests attending today. I need to familiarize myself with as much information about them as I can so I can avoid making food of myself.”
Sighing, I added, “I’m the heir. Everyone’s eyes were on me, on my every move. Many of those on the sidelines are waiting for me to fail and see a flaw in me. I can’t let that happen. I have so many things on my shoulders, and it’s more than just the title. I have our people to protect and a kingdom to sustain.”
Albert nodded, understanding me. Standing, he approached me, wrapped his arm around my waist, and pulled me towards him as he gave me a gentle and sweet kiss.
Looking deep into my eyes, he sincerely said, “No matter what, princess or not, in gown or pants, you’ll always be the most dazzling woman at the party for me tonight.”
“Sweet talker!” I said, jokingly patting his chest. Nonetheless, as cliche as it was, those words still made me smile and brought butterflies to my stomach.
“I’ll see you later,” he said before turning around and walking to leave my office.
While he was leaving, a string in my heart was pulled. I watched him walking away from me, thinking, “I’ve been harsh to him, and there he was… still as sweet and kind as always. Like nothing happened.”
My hands tightened on the folder as I walked back to my seat after Albert closed the door.
I stared at the door for a while, feeling guilt crept into every part of me. Sometimes, I’d rather Albert complain to me or lose his temper every once in a while. I’ll understand it because I deserve it.
It’s way better than him keeping all the resentments built up in his heart. I didn’t want him to lose himself in the process because he didn’t want to hurt me in any kind of way.
I was about to open the folder again when a knock on the door came in.
My brows furrowed. Did Albert come back?
“Princess, it’s me.” Sapphire’s familiar voice echoed.
Taking a deep breath, I opened the folder and went to work mode. “Come in.”
She came in and closed the door after her.
I looked at her from head to toe. She’s still in a boatman’s attire. She had her hair tied in a messy half ponytail and was wearing strong makeup. She had lost jeans, the kind with many pockets on the side. Her top was a black corset with a long-sleeved polo that was rolled to her elbow. She also had leather gloves on and boots.
Standing upright in front of me with her hands behind her back, she asked, “You called me last night, Princess? Do you have a new task for me?”
I nodded and flipped through the pages on the guest list. Tapping on Mr. K’s name, I took a deep breath and said in difficulty, “I think the alpha of Dark Moon Pack had mixed into Wakeland.”
Something felt like it was stuck in my throat as I said that. I couldn’t even say Kylian’s name out loud as it felt harder.
I inwardly laughed at myself at how pathetic I could be that I had to say his title only just to avoid letting his name slip from my lips.
Three years… Three years, and he still affects me this much.
“What? You mean, Alpha Kylian?” Sapphire asked in shock.
