n

n

nAfter closing her room's door, Sylvia panted, her heart and her mind in disarray once again.

nThe clarity and the calmness that she had just now earned by running for miles, all evaporated into nothingness at the mere sight of the man and his few words that she hadn't even heard properly.

nSylvia stepped out of her soaking wet clothes, wondering what was happening to her.

nShe couldn't place the blame on the wine anymore because that would have definitely gotten out of her system by now.

nWas it the mana? Was this simply her body adjusting to the new influx of energy? That was the only other possibility that she could think of.

nAs Sylvia tried to sort out the things in her head, she quickly took another cold water bath and stepped out bravely to meet the Prince.

nIt was not like she could hide away in her room forever and there were things to be discussed about their future plans, more specifically, her freedom from the man.

nLuckily for her, she didn't have to search for the man and he was still sitting at the table in the courtyard, reading something with a serious expression.

nHe put the book down as soon as he saw Sylvia walking towards him.

nHe saw the way her gaze was lingering on the ground in front of her, the subtle nervousness not escaping his eyes.

n

"Are you planning to run away this time as well?

" Mikel hummed, seeing her bow and greet him.

n

"I am sorry, your highness. I am a bit unwell.

" Sylvia vaguely threw out an explanation, still not looking at the man.

nThis was the only solution that she could come up with at least until she could get used to this feeling.

nHer thoughts were simple. Don't see him. Ignore him. Out of sight, out of mind!

nHowever, how could things be so simple?

nHer plan of not seeing him would have worked if not for his strong alluring scent assaulting her even at the distance she was standing in.

nWhy was she smelling him at this distance? Since when was her sense of smell so high? Sylvia wondered.

n

"Your highness… please.

" She clenched her fists tightly and urged him to get to the point.

nMikel saw her slender figure and her pale face and couldn't help but worry about her health.

nThis was why he had asked her to take a rest. It takes a while for the body to adjust to the mana circulation but since she seemed very energetic he didn't particularly see the need to enforce it on her and now he regretted it.

n

"I should have tied her to the bed.

" He shook his head, muttering the words only to himself.

nMikel then stood up and pulled out the chair for her like a gentleman.

"Please sit, my dear. Would you like me to get you a doctor perhaps?

"

nSylvia shook her head, immediately refusing his offer, and quietly sat down.

"I am alright. No need, your highness.

"

nThe last thing she needed was some physician figuring out the needs of her body and spilling the man her dark secrets.

nMikel furrowed his brows in thought but he obliged her nevertheless.

"Alright. Let's talk about this. I won't keep you here long.

"

nHe crossed one leg over the other and continued talking, his eyes lingering on the woman and her peculiar reactions.

n

"As I was trying to tell you yesterday, we need to take a trip to visit Lady Priscella.

"

n

"The one whom you served recently in the castle.

" He jogged her memory but that was not required as Sylvia's temper instantly flared upon hearing the woman's name.

nShe still remembered the way that the woman had nauseatingly clung to her man. How could someone else claim what was hers?

nAh! Sylvia gasped lightly, taken aback at her own thoughts.

"I am definitely going crazy.

" She muttered under her breath, gripping her dress tightly.

nThankfully, giving her some time to compose her thoughts, Ana walked over with a trolley to serve tea and biscuits to the two of them.

nSince Mikel was around, the maid didn't dare act impudently and served the items with a polite smile on her face.

nSylvia blew a puff of air and then took a sip from the teacup.

"Alright, your highness. I will be prepared for the journey.

" She mumbled.

nMikel nodded and then continued.

"We will be leaving today evening and for the time being, it would be best if you serve me as my slave. Do you understand?

"

nSylvia snapped to look at him, surprised by his words. She was going to say that she didn't want to go back to being his slave even if it was just for a day, but her tongue seemingly had a mind of its own.

n

"I can't do that, your highness. I don't want to put up with her and her drama.

"

nWhat did I just do? Only realizing what she had spoken after the words had spilled out of her mouth, Sylvia's breath hitched in her throat and she bit her lips anxiously.

nShe knew that she had crossed a line that she never should have and cursed her stupidity for doing so.

nShe was not an impulsive person by nature. She often remained calm and collected, but today…

nEven the maid standing in wait a few feet away from them had a sneer on her face.

n

"He He… What a good show! I didn't expect you to fall so soon!

"

n

"This is what happens when you take a mile but all that was offered to you was an inch. Serves you right!

" Ana chuckled inwardly.

nHer eyes widened in glee waiting for Mikel to punish the damned slut with the attitude befitting a princess. A slave should act as a slave!

nSylvia looked up to see the devil lightly frown at her little outburst which made her gulp. Of course, what else did she expect?

nShe was a nobody while the other woman was someone that could match his wealth and his social status.

nNot to mention, whom the man associates himself with was none of her damn business!!! Sylvia cursed her hormonal body, her hormonal brain, and her foolish mouth.

n

"I am sorry, your highness. Please forgive me. I am feeling light-headed and unwell.

"

n

"I will prepare myself for the visit today evening and it would be my pleasure to continue serving you.

" She bit her lips and squeezed out the words with great difficulty.

n

"Please excuse me.

" She stood up to leave the table before things could become even worse.

nAnd she could tell that it was going to because her insides were raging with anger and hate. All of her damned emotions were unreasonably heightened!

nMikel's black irises that had been eying her and her facial expressions with a keen interest paused lightly.

"Stop.

"

nSylvia turned to see that the frown on his face was no longer present. Instead, there was now an amused grin dancing on his lips.

n

"I didn't quite expect you to speak to me so openly.

" He mouthed, his seductive lips, captivating and ensnaring her.

n

"This suits you.

" He added.

nHe then quietly walked over to stand in front of her, face to face, making the woman's heart thud with a frenzy.

nWith the way that it was drumming loudly, deafening her ears, she wondered if the man could hear her plight.

nHowever, her worries were for naught as the devil was entirely oblivious to the turmoil in her heart.

n

"She is indeed a handful.

" Mikel chuckled lightly.

"But there is a reason why I am tolerating her.

"

nSylvia gulped seeing that the man was being honest with her.

nShe could feel the distance between them slowly and steadily disappearing, but that only made her more nervous.

nShe didn't know if she preferred the trickster him or this honest him. Both were equally scary.

nShe watched the man with her breathing ragged as he casually slipped out a ring from his finger, one among the many that he was wearing.

nHe then looked at it and muttered something that she couldn't hear clearly, only to flash a big grin the next moment.

nThe devil gazed at her with a mischievous smile and lifted her hand gently, before slipping the ring back on, but this time onto her finger.

n

"I hope that this can compensate you for the inconvenience.

" He gazed into her eyes and then added with a smirk.

"Partner.

"

nSylvia's eyes instantly flew wide and her brain blacked out.

nHe gave me a ring?

nHe gave me a ring?

nHer head spun as the image of the man's casual action repeated itself in her head.

nShe was already at her limit and this intimate gesture was too much for her to handle.

nShe didn't even take the second to think if this was just another of the man's twisted jokes.

nShe looked at the ring and then at Mikel, her lips parted. Her gorgeous blue eyes even made the man in front of her falter for a second.

n