Chapter four

THE MIDDLE KINGDOM (DARK FOREST. )

"Like what you see?" Damian asked without opening his eyes, Lia wished the earth would open up and swallow her..

She bit her bottom lip in embarrassment and looked away immediately...

"I wasn't staring at you, I was only trying to kill a mosquito." She lied flatly but he wasn't buying..

He decided not to expose her and just go with the flow..

"Oh I see." He smirked mockingly and laid on his side to stare at her..

"Can I ask you something?" She changed the topic immediately, it would be embarrassing to admit to being caught staring at his mouth watering abs..

"You can ask me anything." He assured her and she asked the one question that has been bugging her..

"Do you often travel alone? What about your guards?" She asked because she hasn't seen any guard around since they left Assyria.

She wondered if he doesn't really have guards or he doesn't need one..

"Oh they're around but you can't see them because they're afraid they might scare you."he patiently explained and Lia nodded in understanding..

"I see.." she muttered and they both stayed that way without saying a word to each other..

"Look at me Lia."Prince Damian's voice was hoarse and deep. It could drive anyone crazy but unfortunately she doesn't wanna be anyone..

She won't ever trust him or any of his kind and only trust herself..

She was told by her Handmaiden that they might try to gain her trust in order to find out the secret of the southern kingdom or the secrets of King Alfred, her father..

No matter how beautiful and gentle he looks, she won't fall for it.

"Look at me Lia."He repeated and She slowly looked at him but the moment their eyes met she couldn't dare to look away..

His jade-like green eyes looked so beautiful and enchanting..

"Are you scared of me ,Lia?" He asked with a serious expression and she shook her head negatively..

"I hate it when you flinch like I'm some contagious disease. Were you expecting me to look terrifying or what?" He asked because he had been noticing how she had been staring at him..

Not that he blamed her for thinking that way..

The wolves were nothing, the things written in books and being told to kids at night..

They both knew it's only a marriage of convenience with the feelings in between but that doesn't mean he would tolerate her treating him like some kinda plague.

Only he knows the reason he'd gotten married to her..

"I'm sorry." She mumbled and tried to sleep but she couldn't help but feel anxious especially when he's right beside her .

What if he wants to consummate their marriage right away? Would she be able to resist?

What if he uses force on her?

Some many crazy thoughts were going through her head and it seems Damian already knows what was running through her mind..

"Relax, I don't bite.. I won't touch you without your consent." He assured her and only then could she finally relax..

"Now sleep, it's gonna be a long day tomorrow." He spoke with his eyes closed and she also closed her eyes.

After tossing and turning for a long time she became really sleepy and she eventually fell asleep..

Once he was sure she was asleep, he opened his eyes and stared at her with an unfathomable expression before closing his eyes again..

THE NEXT DAY..

Prince Damian and the princess woke up early and got ready to leave the Middle kingdom before it gets dark ..

After saying their goodbyes to the Inn owners they embarked on their journey to Valeria..

Lia didn't have enough sleep back at the Inn and ended up falling asleep in the Carriage...

Damian stared at the woman resting in an uncomfortable position and shook his head..

He made her rest her head on his shoulder and covered her properly with a blanket which he'd kept in the carriage..

The journey through the Dark forest was eerie and quiet, the forest is covered with a thick fog making it impossible for anyone to see where they were going..

The path through the forest was rocky and it was quite uncomfortable to ride a carriage through it..

Damian's eyes were closed like he was meditating. The carriage suddenly halted and it got hit by something heavy making them uncomfortable..

He wasn't scared of whatever it is that hits the carriage, he was only worried of waking up the little and fragile human.

"Elias?" He called out to the coachman but got no response, he could loudly hear growling and cracks outside of the carriage but didn't look bothered, thankfully the Little woman was fast asleep and didn't have to witness whatever it is that's gonna happen.

Sometimes you just have to get things done yourself..

He carefully placed in a comfortable position and covered her properly before stepping outta the carriage..

The sight before him was bloody, there were thorn bodies of the beast of the Dark forest..

"Ugh! Show off!" Flake glared at Jason who killed the three beast effortlessly..

"It's your fault for being too slow." Jason huffed and walked towards The prince..

"Your Highness, I'm sorry we arrived late." Anthonio, the Man with a cold dermour spoke and they all bowed in respect for their prince..

"It's fine. What's the situation like?" Prince Damian asked nonchalantly, ignoring the fact that the brains of the beast were all over the place..

"We King Rigan has been silent lately but I think he shouldn't be underestimated." Jason explained and he nodded in understanding..

His coachman covered his blood and had a helpless expression on his face..

"My wife is asleep." Damian warned them to keep their voices down..

"Does she know why you married her?"Samuel the man with a calm expression spoke..

He hardly spoke and was the most dangerous amidst them all..

"Not yet." Prince Damian smirked coldly..

"She'll find out sooner or later." Samuel shrugged his shoulders while the rest were finding it difficult to understand the prince..

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there."Prince Damian didn't seem to care and that's what scares them...

"What about the Duchess? What do you think would happen? This hasn't been done before." Anthonio couldn't help voice out his opinion..

"Let's keep moving, it's gonna get dark soon and more Dark beasts will frequent this path." Prince Damian simply avoided their questions and got back into the carriage leaving his men dumbfounded..

The coachman also got back to his position like nothing happened and began riding the carriage while his guards had transformed into their wolf form and were trailing behind while in a look out for any Dark beast...

Lia slept throughout the ride and was unaware of everything that had happened in the dark...

She slept throughout the journey and only woke up when she'd been brought to the royal chamber..

She opened her eyes right when Damian was about to tuck her in.

"Are we there yet?" She mumbled in her sleep state and Damian nodded..

"We're in my Castle." He informed her and walked away from her..

The room was A Bit dark and she wondered if it was night time yet..

He walked towards the window and pulled the curtains open letting Sunlight shine in..

Lia covered her eyes for a moment before she slowly adjusted to the bright room..

She got outta bed and also walked towards the window to look at the city..

A gasp escaped her lips when she saw the beautiful city Infront of her..

"Welcome to the Southern kingdom." Damian spoke behind her and they both stayed by the window..

"Wow!"she was more than surprised at the wonderful city Infront of her...

"What? Nothing like you were expecting? " He snorted and she unconsciously nodded.

"It's beautiful." She muttered and a smile made its way to her..

As expected of the Valerian empire..

It was beautiful and magnificent with gigantic castles everywhere..

"I could show you around the kingdom tonight if you want." He offered and she looked at him with interest in her eyes..

"Really?" She asked and he smiled..

"Yes but first you need to get changed, the King wants to meet you." He announced and her heart skipped a beat..

He informed her and her heart skipped a beat..

King Rigan , the most powerful man in Valeria and an arrogant King to be precise..

She knew she was gonna be summoned by him sooner or later but she wasn't expecting it to be that soon..

Anxiety began to build up at the depths of her stomach and began to imagine different scenarios in her head..

"If you don't wanna go then it's fine." Prince Damian saw through her and could see how nervous looked when he informed her they were going to the palace..

He also wasn't interested in going but if she wanted he would gladly take her.

"It's fine, I'll meet with the King."