“It… it’s nothing, sir. It’s hard to have ignored this enchanting fellow.” She rushed out in a single breath and pushed Arian’s hand away aggressively. Natalia would’ve crossed her legs but her fitted dress would’ve slid up the more.
Arian’s dominating smirk crawled under her skin!
“Yay! Dessert.” Tommy squealed excitedly as the menu was changed again. She took that opportunity to glare at the jerk.
“El Enchanteur? Splendid.” Sir Argent breathed in surprise, staring at the exotic red wine butler Lee elegantly poured out.
Natalia was too distracted to notice his sudden outburst because his peverted son, Arian De’ Argent had replaced his hand more purposefully on her thigh the second the head chef left!
“How did you get such a rare wine?” Sir Argent cocked a questionable brow and everyone’s eyes flew to her again…. including the innocent ones of Arian.
BASTARD!
Yeah, her royal ass swore!!
“I ordered it.” She tried not to flush and blush at the same time, if that made any sense! The innocent girl suddenly felt hot, feeling his hand leave a delicious trail of hot tingles on her delicate skin as it slid higher.
“El Enchanteur is rarely made. It is almost so sacred that no store worldwide easily gets the permission to put it on shelf. The obscure vintner only sells it to the most influential and gives out only three bottles for sale to the general public. Getting a single bottle means getting in line for a long time for an appointment. This year’s bottles had already been booked two years ago. So how did you simply ‘order’ it?” He asked as everyone else took a tasting sip of their wine except Tommy. He was served grape juice.
Natalia didn’t know the importance attached to the wine! Back at the castle, they had an entire underground cellar for the wine alone. She remembered it was her father’s favourite and had Elva request a bottle from home as a customary dinner present?
Feeling Arian’s sinful hand getting out of bound, she clamped a restraining hand on it and blurted without thinking.
“He’s close friends with my father. My manager ordered a bottle when I was informed of dinner. I didn’t know how important it was.” She confessed, but it only made the tycoon more confused.
“Just yesterday?” He asked in puzzlement. Natalia nervously sealed her lips not knowing what to say.
“My parents were ‘simple business owners’ right?” Selena flew up again from where she’d been silenced across the table and mocked.
Natalia turned to her with an unperturbed look.
“But their daughter patronizes only the world best designers, uses the limited editions of priceless cars, have vacations in any country of her choice at any time she wants without delay, throws money and assets around without a care of how much they cost and oh!…. Order rare wines worth hundreds of millions of dollars overnight with ease. And uncle…” She spared Sir Argent a look, viciousness glinting at the edge of her orbs.
“You know Senator Well’s daughter attends our school right?” The rest of the diners confusedly looked back and forth between the two females at the table.
The business tycoon cleared his throat.
“Mhn. I’m familiar with Senator Wells but not his daughter.” Selena smirked and faced Natalia back.
“She’s our school queen because her net worth is much higher than the rest of us females. A few weeks ago, she booked an early appointment with an awarded world best designer who has a VERY tight schedule. But a night before, our Natalia who owns a little inheritance, booked hers needing the same slot and ordered a double cash repayment to whoever she’ld be replacing with some other impressive compensations. And that left me wondering….”
“If the proven richest girl in school gets this huge kick in the butt without much effort, WHO EXACTLY ARE YOU, Natalia Kendell?!” She snarled hatefully…
***
( Empire Astheria, Located Somewhere In Australia.)
“Minister Lawrence, it’s a pleasure.” Queen Fiona smiled, raising her head from her work.
“And I too, your Majesty.” He bowed in subservience as she directed him to seat.
“You might be wondering why I asked you here?” She started as soon as the royal guards left them alone in the ancestry study.
“Indeed I am, Your Highness. If it was related to the official reports of the Empire’s finance then you’ld have made note of it during the cabinet’s meetings and my department would’ve gotten prepared.”
The Queen calmly smiled at his uneasiness.
“There’s nothing to worry about, Minister Lawrence. Actually, it’s about my grand daughter, the heiress and soon to be Empress, Alexis.” He calmed down a bit.
“But before this meeting commences, I’ld like you to assure me of your utmost secrecy on whatever is discussed here today.” She ordered with no trace of humour. The minister gave his loyal promise.
The Queen trusted Lawrence more than the other ministers. He’d been loyally serving the Santiana’s for generations despite his old age.
“After my death, the Princess Alexis will be my successor. Correct?”
He nodded.
“Should anything premature happen to her…. who’ld be the next eligible family to carry on leadership?”
His grey brows puckered in a thoughtful frown.
“Your Majesty, it’ld depend on the candidate majority of the ministers recommend. Since the Princess is the only surviving heir, if anything happens to her after your demise then the family who’ll ascend the throne will be the one voted in for by the cabinet and crowned. His surname and that of his family’s, will then be instated for eternity…”
***
Natalia stood by the wash sink in one of the Argent’s restroom, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She left the tap running, trying to steady her heartbeat as she remembered her narrow escape.
( Flash back. )
The princess stared back at Selena with an expressionless look after she’d asked the billion dollar question.
So someone had been snooping??
She tried not to scoff as she elegantly wiped her lips with a napkin. What kept her calm was the fact that Selena’s accusations were from the moment she left Astheria or else??
Her casual laugh threw the smug Selena off guard while the rest stared back and forth between them.
“You don’t have to be so dramatic, silly!” She chuckled like it was nothing. “You could’ve easily asked if you were THIS interested.” She sounded like a celebrity. Selena scoffed at her arrogance.
“About the fashion and cars?…. Aren’t you a girl? What girl doesn’t like looking nice in this century? If it’s about the student’s votes, most of them are biased so there’s no need to feel oppressed. And last time I checked, travelling to places of interest is part of a vacation brochure.
“If you’re feeling intimidated about the ease of my travels, it’s all about professional planning. I could introduce my manager to yours for a little brushup, that is, if you don’t mind.” She faked generosity and Selena glared.
Arian slowly removed his traitor hand from her legs…. thankfully!
“And you mentioned being ignorant of the things I give out?… Like you rightly said, I gave out and NOT you! My parents taught me the blessings and happiness attached to humility and generosity. And about the wine?… I said my dad was his friend. Its fast delivery was due to their past relationship and not mine!
“Lastly, Bianca’s issue is MY business! Agreed… Two offers were on the table and the designer had to choose one and she favoured mine. It’s not entirely my fault she got the um… ‘huge kick in the butt’. It’s my decision to keep my inheritance private and I hope you mind your snoopy business!” She finished curtly.
For a moment there, the whole room felt a spark of her domineering aura and was temporarily subdued by it… even Sir Argent. Something the princess didn’t notice herself.
Selena hatefully glared.
“Pardon us, and please excuse me.” Natalia smiled at the rest, returning to her delicate self and walked out of the dinning hall…
***
“Natalia, you okay? I’m coming in.” She heard Arian say, jerking her back to reality.
Natalia switched off the tap as he walked into the spacious restroom. She passed him a smile through the mirror.
“Yeah, I’m fine. You didn’t have to come in, yunno.” She casually shrugged and picked a towel. He leaned on the door frame and gave her a skeptical look.
“You sure? ‘Cause you took a while coming back.” She chuckled and reapplied her cherry colored lip gloss.
“Arian, you’re so predictable. And it makes you so wickedly cute.” She pouted making him grin.
She dumped the tube in her purse before turning around brightly. “Shall we?”
Arian walked over and palmed her soft cheeks with a fond look in his eyes.
“I’m sorry about my dad’s initial questions. It’s an imposing part of him. Really, I didn’t know he’ld be home for dinner.” Regret and worry framed his gorgeous outline.
Natalia flushed and gently nodded. He looked pained and distant and it made her wonder what was bothering him.
“Dinner?… Family??…” She muttered, suddenly becoming conscious of what his enticing hands were doing to her warm skin. Arian nodded and led them out.
“That’s right! What were you doing back there?!…. or more precisely, under the table!” She whisper yelled in remembrance as they waltzed through the hallway.
He turned his head her way and mischievously smirked.
“Sugar, you were first being naughty making me look undignified at table. Do you know how much aristicratic trainings took from my childhood? It’s a wonder why father didn’t scold me at the point.” She scoffed and rolled her eyes.
“And being a perverted nobleman would’ve been a better payback, huh?” She seethed.
Arian suddenly stopped walking making Natalia turn. She looked around the empty hallway and wondered why the heck he stopped.
The hot French displayed a twisted smirk which sent off warning bells in Natalia’s head. She felt the signal to run away.
“Since plan A obviously failed…” He stalked towards her like a predator cornering its prey.
With every step he took, Natalia took two steps away till her back hit the rich, red carpets which draped the walls. They were chosen to match the expensive red rugs beneath their feet.
She could hear the clinking of ceramics from the dining patio just around the corner and her heartbeats doubled in velocity suspecting his intentions.
Her eyes flew up to meet his as he waltzed into her personal space, completely entrapping her. His eyes glistened with mischief as they landed on her glossy, moist lips.
“… I hope plan B wouldn’t.” He whispered and crashed his lips on hers…
Chapter 77