Arianna let out a long sigh after the call ended. Can she really not think about her mother? Would she be able to do that?
Her door flung open and there stood Ryan, with one hand on the knob while the other on his pockets. Arianna stood up immediately she saw him. Doesn't he know how to knock?!
"Good morning.... Mr. Han" she greeted, a little annoyed. Ryan walked in, slamming the door behind. She shuddered a little.
"Do you...need something?" Arianna asked, fidgeting her fingers.
"When I returned last night I couldn't find you in my room" says someone who was praying for her not to be there and see him in such state. "Why did you leave?" his voice stern and demanding.
"You gave me two options. I decided to follow the first one" she replied.
"I never gave you an option" Ryan said "I said rather than leaving, wait for my return."
"No you said I could leave if I wanted to or wait until you're back. So I decided to leave as waiting for you would be a boring thing to do. Also, I'm quite sure I slept off before you returned " Arianna spoke in one breath, and later regretted it when Ryan took slow steps towards her, leaving a little space between them. Where did this girl get such guts to speak to him in that manner? So casually, yet formal. Without any fear.
"You're quite defensive of yourself" he said. "You may have won today, but next time I won't let you"
There would be a next time? Arianna stared at him, not having anything in mind to say.
Feigning a tiny smile, Ryan said "Let's have breakfast together then. Do not keep me waiting." With that he turned and left, leaving Arianna dumbfounded.
*....*.....*.....*...*.....*....*.....*...*....*....*
"Queen Dowager, the princess is hear to see you" a maidservant spoke from outside the doors.
"Send her in" Axelle said.
"Yes, your grace" she said, and after a minute, Layana walked in.
"Greetings, grandmother" she greeted while taking a bow.
"My dear, how have you been?" Axelle asked.
"I've been alright grandmother" she replied with a warm smile and took a seat opposite her."Get us some tea " she ordered the maidservant who hurriedly left to prepare it.
"To what do I owe this visit, darling?" Axelle asked, because as a matter of fact she has nothing to do with Kingdom anymore. And whenever Layana comes to her, it's mostly about the kingdom.
"I have come to ask the reason why grandmother lay a curse on my brother with so much hate." Layana spoke, going straight to the point.
"Who-- are you talking about?" Axelle asked, scrutinizing her face, with furrowed brows.
"My brother.... Ryan" Layana replied.
"Ryan?" Axelle raised a brow.
"Yes, grandmother" she replied politely. The maidservant walked in. She poured the tea into two cups and served them. Leaving immediately after that.
"I want to know why you added a curse to his banishment. A painful one at that." Layana said. All this while her eyes were lowered.
Axelle sipped the tea first "I thought people of this world have forgotten him. It's five hundred years already" she said while dropping the cup.
"I am not people. I am me. And I cannot forget my brother" Layana said.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, grandmother"
"Well instead of asking further questions, have your tea first" Layana glanced at her before taking the cup and sipping the tea.
"Now answer me, grandmother. Why lay such a painful curse?" She asked again
"I did that to protect him" Axelle said. It wasn't a response Layana was expecting. How could she say she did it to protect him? Protecting someone by hurting him?
"To protect him? How, grandmother?" She asked
"Everyone looked for an opportunity to have him killed" Axelle began "They couldn't because he was under the protection of your father. But when the opportunity came, they were ready to devour him. I had to banish him to where they cannot harm him easily. Putting a curse was just to satisfy their desires. They thought he'd die from the pain." She briefed.
"So..you don't... hate him?" Layana asked.
"I don't. But it doesn't mean I like him." she replied
"But you protected him. Would you protect someone you don't like, grandmother ?"
"I only did that because my son loves him, including you and your brother. That's why" Axelle clarified. "Anyways who told you the curse was painful?"
"I learned from brother Zayden. He said he was there when when you laid the curse" she lied.
"So you really came here to ask about that brother of yours?"
"Actually, yes." Layana said "I should take my leave now grandmother since I've gotten the answer to my question. I'll come by anytime and spend the whole day with you" with that she stood up, bowed and left.
*...*....*.....*.....*.....*....*.....*.....*...*....*
Zayden sat at a café, drinking coffee while reading a book. He's been spending most of his days in the human world. He just seemed to like being a human.
"Have you heard? CEO Han took a mistress" he heard.
"Yes I did. I heard he got her after investing in Doshin" Zayden brought the book down and looked at the group of ladies gossiping in front of him.
"Do you think she's his girlfriend which he might have been hiding?"
"No. She was just a tool for business"
"Maybe he got attracted to her. She must be really pretty to tame him"
"Others say he might get married to her in the future"
"But how can CEO Han like a woman? I thought they said he's gay?" Zayden frowned when he heard that, at the same time he wanted to laugh. Ryan really got famous in this world.
"Oh, I envy that 'Ms. Beauty'. I wish I was in her place."
"She's a poor soul. That man would torture her to death."
Zayden could hardly believe what they were saying. Ryan brought a woman home? Like seriously?
Kang Jimyeong words rang in his ears. Does he know about this? He has to see him then.