It would be a big lie if she wasn't impressed. Lucien wasn't lying about the whole beauty valley thing. It was just as he said it to be...even more beautiful.
The water fall...the flowers and animals around make it look too real to be true
She had to touch one to be assure of it's reality.
"It's beautiful...!" She didn't hold back, neither did she hold back her smile
Lucien sigh in relief... finally she had stop glaring at him.
The bunnies were so cute and their cheeks inviting her to squeeze. Yet they ran and she didn't stop running after them too.
Soon she caught one and snuggle it so hard yet gentle
Lucien stood still...he could bask in her childish behavior forever. All his worries seems to melt away
"Let's go into the cabin!".... Kaela suggested. She didn't like the way he looked at Isabella.
She's definitely hiding something....and Kaela vowed to find out whatever Isabella is hiding.
"Let her have her fun!"...he said. Instead he strolled into the cabin and he certainly hoped his eyes were deceiving him
"My Lord!"... Kaela greeted.
"I don't remember telling you where I was going.... Roman!"... Lucien hate being interrupted. And with Isabella around he was yet to tell Roman about their encounter
"Well...you should remember that I'm here to keep your black ass safe!"
Roman's scary smile didn't ease the tension
Until...
"Roman?".... Isabella called out in surprise
Roman rushed to her, holding her so gently. His eyes filled with worry. Isabella didn't understand why he's looking at her with such gaze
"Why did you run? A lady shouldn't run!..."
His voice was far from what Lucien or Kaela knew of
"You won't let me out! I needed fresh air. I got hurt by some men and ended up with him. He's dangerous isn't he? He's kind to me probably he wants to sell me off to slave traders!"
Isabella rant out in one full breathe.
Lucien was astonished. He had no idea she could talk this much
Roman didn't expect her to rant out... but he thought she had finally seen him as someone she could rant to
"Don't mind him. He's just a big bad boy who's learning how to be nice to girls. If his actions seems suspicious he's just cooking up a burning surprise!"
Isabella found reason in what he said... " Like today!"
"Nice!"...
Roman didn't hold back his urge to pat her hair " I will comb your hair!"
Isabella didn't refuse either. She loved it when Roman combs her hair. In as much as they're strangers,she found herself not refusing
Wait....she suddenly hoped she's not in love with him or something
No...!
Lucien watched the combing session unfold before him. He hasn't seen Roman gentle gaze for a long time.
Kaela excused herself...she couldn't stand the sight of the war general combing a vixen hair
Probably she should sit....since she can't stand it
Hehehe
"In the study...now!"
Lucien needed answers...and Roman wasn't ready to give in
"Just a minute more!"
Isabella refute, pouting like an aggrieved child
Her silky smooth hair is one Roman can never get tired of. He has an idea of what Lucien wants to ask him. At this point there was no need hiding it. He can only play him a bit and get something out of it
"Care to explain?"
Lucien fingers kept on tapping the table in subsequent stroke. One habit of his when he's curious or dissatisfied
Roman smiled...an idea flickered in his mind. ' I'm so smart!' he thought within himself
"I just like the girl. She came back with my brothers. She's cute and easy going."
Lucien didn't buy that sob story one bit. The look on his face was calm....too calm
Roman smacked his lips... knowing fully well that lying can't get him anywhere. And if Lucien investigate he'll be in big trouble
"She's Audrey. They brought her few days ago and she ran away. I had to get her back somehow!"
Lucien couldn't believe his ears.
No wonder he felt the need to spoil her so much
She's the one
"And you didn't tell me because....?"
He's still upset he didn't get to know immediately...he could have ushered in with a grand style
"Because she has no memories of us and she needs time. Not you putting her in all the Royal stuff!"
Lucien felt Roman was right to do what he did. But the sudden excitement couldn't be contained in his heart
He dashed out after giving Roman the last order
"Don't ruin my fun!"
The scent of flowers,peace and little meadow brought Isabella back to life. She had been confined to the palace for so long. But now she can roam the world.
Just for a year....
She realized she hadn't heard anything about her kingdom.
About him... neither did he bother about her
It seems the separation was the best pill for her
"Having fun?".... Lucien's voice chimed in with a bright smile on his face.
Though he looked good with a smile but Isabella found it creepy and sinister since there's no reason to smile so effortlessly like that
"Rub that creepy thing off your face!"...she didn't resist her sharp tongue at him
"Creepy...?" Lucien didn't quite understand. Isabella enjoyed leaving him clueless
"Well have you heard anything about glowing valley?"...
She acted curious...out of place to ask...
"What do you want to know? Are you from there?"....
He didn't know much about her... except her father died he had no idea about her.
"I just heard of it during my travels and wondered what kind of place it is and what kind of ruler they have!"
Effortlessly clueless with no hint of suspicion
Lucien wanted to indulge her and to him this was his first step
"Well... it's a peaceful place from what I've heard. Sharp witted people. Under a general's reign at the moment!"
"Why...?"
Clueless Isabella asked again
"They lost their king which led to the trusted general taking over"
Isabella had no idea he knew much like that. Not much...
He didn't know how she and the so called general made a mess of everyone and everything.
"Good for them. Is it too peaceful to be dominated?"
Lucien raised a brow...he knows what she meant by that
A kingdom that is too peaceful,not taking over territories is seen as weak and often preyed upon
"Well....yes...and no!"
Lucien grabbed her hand... hoping to change the topic and scenario.
"Woah!"....
The water fall told in tales... Isabella get to see it. The pride on Lucien face has he watched her smile was endless and priceless
Isabella paused... "Somebody is watching us!"...
Her soft gaze snapped in an instant... turning her into a predator.
Lucien was amazed by her sharp she is. "It's just my guards... shadow guards."
Fair enough!....
But the murderous intent she's feeling is weird
She couldn't rest easy since that moment. Her sense sharp and keen ready to strike. Roman felt something was off
He as well thought that something weird might happen.
Despite that, somebody refuse to let them go back to the palace
"What do you plan to do with my sister?"
Roman had no choice but to ask. He didn't want to give her up so soon
"Just random things...!'
Lucien will never say what's going on in that head of his and Roman knew better than to pester him
"Just keep her interest in mind and keep her away from your other bitches. I won't hesitate the money cut one down if they harm her!"
His tone sounds sinister....cold and unbelievably threatening. But for Lucien who didn't raise a eye brow " She safe with me! I'm not taking her away,she can still stay with you!"
Roman felt excited...that way his brothers can take time playing with their sister.
He couldn't wait to get back home.
Dinner was served...
But Lucien glanced over, suddenly feeling overfed
Isabella dressed plainly,her long hair down covering her face... giving her a striking beauty.
Lucien could stare forever!
"Meal is served your highness,my lord,my lady!" The maid announced
Grilled meat, nourishing soup and light snacks set
The maid came over to pour them wine as they dine
Isabella squint her brows...she noticed something weird
"What kind of wine is this?"....
Twirling the cup with it's content
"Berry wine. I don't want you getting intoxicated!"
Lucien explained... Roman took a sip of his wine. He thought she doubt them. After all to her they're basically strangers
However Isabella didn't take her wine. She looked at it with contempt,sniffed it..and bent it a little bit over the silver edge of the cup
A blue hue....
Just as she suspect