Layana sat in front of a table. Her legs crossed, a tiny smile plastered on her face while she stared at the man in front of her. Mathias sat, jaws and hands clenched, his eyes lowered. Layana has invited him over when she saw him the previous day. He didn't want to be here but he could not defy the princess.
"So general, which would you prefer? Tea or coffee?" she asked with a smile.
"Coffee would be nice" he replied. And Layana gestured for the maid to serve it. She did immediately and left the lounge. Layana took the cup, blew on it and sipped gently.
"Why have you called me here, princess?" Mathias asked.
Layana placed the cup back on the tray. "Are you in a haste?"
"I am" he answered.
"Hmm..." she breathed out, and lifted her eyes to him. "If I didn't know better, I would have said you've been avoiding me. But I know you care about the kingdom more...than anything"
"I do"
"Right" she nodded "I called you here so we could spend time together. It's been a really long time since we did that, you know"
Mathias' head tilted to the side, a slight smirk curved his lips "You seem interested" he said, and she smiled with lowered eyes. And then lifted it back to him.
"I should know more about the man I am going to marry" he raised a brow. "I am willing to accept your proposal, general"
"I see. But you don't have to anymore" he said.
"Why so?"
"I am going to withdrawal the proposal. You shouldn't be with someone like me" he said.
Inwardly, Layana rejoiced when he said he was going to withdraw the proposal. But on the outside was a solemn look.
"Oh" she said "I had really wanted to accept the proposal. Is it that you do not find me attractive anymore?" He didn't say a word, rather drank the coffee. "Please, answer me"
"I am tired" was all he said.
"Tired of me? Or tired of being used?" she threw the question. And he lifted his eyes to her. Wondering what she meant.
"What do you mean?" he asked her.
"You know" she said instead "I was really expecting you to say you're tired of being used." she sipped her coffee with a faint sly smile.
"I don't understand what you're saying. Make your words clearer"
Layana stood and walked to the window "Aren't you tired of the kind of life you're living?" she asked "The kind of life where you can't make decisions for yourself even at this age. Someone helps you make them.....for his own benefits. Isn't that pathetic....Prince Mathias?"
He froze. Eyes grew a bit wide and his lips parted. How did she...
"Surprised, aren't you?" she spoke, and smile went up his face.
"I should be. Because I don't understand why 'prince' is added to my name instead of 'general'" he said, trying to conceal his emotions.
"Oh cut the crap. There's no one in here aside both of us. I know you're Choi Su Jin's son" she said with a smile. He lowered his head, eyes darting here and there. His jaws clenched hard.
"Sigh....your life is so pathetic. I can't imagine living like that. Tsk..so sad" Layana said again.
"You know about me" his voice came "You know I am an enemy. Why invite me here?" he lifted his eyes, gaze dark and scary "Don't you think I'd do something now that you've known my secret?"
"Would you ? I'd like to see you try" she told him.
"You are not scared?"
"Why should I be, when you're in my home? And you didn't think twice before drinking coffee in your enemy's home" her statement made him wonder if the drink was poisoned.
"I can't be so cheap to do that. If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it a long time ago"
He smirked "How about I show you that I would? I can" he stood, taking slow measured steps to her. His eyes burned crimson red and his fangs elongated. Sharp and wicked. Her heart shuddered against her chest, but she threw the fears away.
"You can't. You're a good man. You can't do that" she said.
"A good man?" he snickered "I've killed a lot, without mercy...."
"That was on the battle ground" she said "I know you're a good man"
His smirk faded and he stared in her eyes "You don't know me. I could kill you right now" he lifted his clawed hand to her neck. Layana gulped as his claws reached her neck.
"If you kill me, your life would still be pathetic. I know you don't want this. You want to live your life, as a good person. You also do not desire the throne, that's why you want to withdrawal the proposal"
"You're wrong"
"I'm right. You don't want this" she told him. Mathias stared at her with his red eyes. His teeth clenched hard in his mouth. He didn't want to accept the fact. But it's true. She knows him. He stepped back, and a loud groan left his lips. He fell back on the chair, breathing harshly. Layana let out breath she had been holding. She didn't know she could be this scared. But even so, she walked to him, crouching so he could look at her.
"What do you want?" He asked her.
"I want you to help me. Let's help ourselves" she replied. "I really love my brothers and my father. I don't want anything to happen to them. They've always been by my side. I can't let anything happen to them"
"The half breed doesn't need protection"
"Still, he's in danger. Would you help me?" she asked. Mathias just stared. How can trust him on such? He's the son of an enemy.
"You're not scared of being stabbed in the back?" he asked with a smirk.
"Would you betray me?" she asked him, and his smirk disappeared. He wasn't even sure of himself. "I trust you. You won't betray me" she smiled at him and stood up, his eyes could only follow her face. Wondering. "Think about it. When we eliminate our enemies, we could be friends. I know you don't like me as a woman" she turned her face to the other side like she was disappointed, and he just raised a brow.
"I'll leave you to think about it" she did a slight bow and walked out of the lounge. Mathias stared at the space she left and long sigh left his lips. And then a sly smile went up his face and he look
ed towards the door. What was he thinking?