C2 The bride

She entered to see a messy room, the bed cover was strewn on the floor and papers flew across the room.

Her heart started to race when she saw the handsome young man, looking out of the open window and lost in his own thoughts. His side profile as he stood there was so damn gorgeous. Simply put, the beauty of this man could destroy a nation! His brows, eyes, nose, down to his red lips. Every of his features were just so perfect.

She adores and love everything about this man sadly, he doesn't know that. Not that it would change anything if he does. He was already betrothed to another.

"If you keep on sitting there you will catch a cold" Ivanna said placing the suit gently on the bed then went over to close the windows.

She felt so cold.

How was he able to remain here like this?

---------------

His heart jolted the moment he heard that sweet, tiny voice he longed to hear bringing him out of his thoughts and then she came closer, her scent invading his nose and getting into his head.

It was quite hard to keep his composure.

He watched as she ran around cleaning up the mess he created.

"You didn't visit for two days" Ian said standing up to help her pick the papers.

"Oh! That I... I was quite busy" She lied picking a piece of paper which he happened to also pick. His hands brushed hers and she looked up at him, meeting his golden coloured eyes, she had to force herself to look away.

"I see"

"Mm. I heard you'll be getting married soon" She asked casually as if it was just a normal topic to her.

Ian froze.

So she knows!

Of course words travels fast, the news of him getting married definately is big news and should have spread all across the city by now.

"Mmmm, to a princess in the northern region"

"Oh, I see. Is she to your taste? Do you like her?"

Ian shrugged "I haven't met her Ivy, so I don't know"

They finished picking up the papers, Ivanna gave him the wrapped suit.

"You should wear this for your... Uhmmm date?"

"You want to take me out on a date?" Ian teased her, a slight smile on his lips.

Ivanna jumped "Date? No! I mean with your... Your bride okay? Not me"

"Are you saying I'm not good enough for you?" Ian turned to her with a sad face and almost laughed when he saw how flustered she was.

"What... No! You're good enough" She blurted out then realizing what she just said "I... I meant you... You... " Ivanna was so flustered and didn't know what to say, she tried to hide her blush.

Ian started to laugh seeing her pink face.

"What are you laughing at?!" She glared at him

"Nothing" He stopped laughing "You look so ugly when you glare like that though"

"You...! Stop teasing me" Ivanna got angry and threw a pillow at him which he easily caught then she threw another one that landed on his face.

"Hmph, go get dresssed" Ivanna said and sat down randomly picking what she thought was a magazine.

No, no, not that!

Ian swiftly snatched it from her.

He could not let her see it for it would only hurt her. He wasn't oblivious to the feelings they both shared for each other. He knew very well but it was too dangerous. His father (the emperor) would not hesitate to destroy her once he finds out.

"Give me that!" Ivanna frowned "You can't just take things from me"

She tried to take it back but he hid it behind his back and when she still reached out for it, he raised the hands he was using to hold it up. He was quite taller than she was so she could never reach it. Even when she stood on her tip toes and tried to get it, she ended up pushing him, he lost his balance and they both fell on the bed with Ivanna on top of him. She didn't realize their weird position and was still struggling to reach the pieces of paper.

The papers contained pictures of his bride his mother had sent to him earlier which he hadn't even taken a look at and had kept it carelessly. He would never let her see it now.

Her scent was so alluring that he wanted to pin her down and kiss her senseless.

Squirming and moving all around him, did she not know what she was doing to him?

Her hair fell on him while her hands unknowingly grazed his arms. With such a flowery soft touch from her, Ian felt himself hardening.

This woman! She's still so clueless!

Ian held her waist with one hand and whispered softly into her ears "Are you seducing me Ivy?"

She blinked innocently then when she saw how awkward their position was, she became embarrassed and wanted scramble off but Ian held her in place, his hands squeezed her waist a little. Anyone who saw then like this would think they were making out.

Ivanna started to feel her heart beating faster as he pushed her closer to him such that their noses were almost touching. Their breaths fanning against each other. One slight move and their lips would meet.

Just then the door flew open.

Ivanna's heart almost flew out of her mouth as she quickly leapt to her feets anxiously.

...

Fiona was wondering why Ivanna hadn't returned for so long. She was getting worried thinking her brother might have done something to her even though it was almost impossible that her brother would hurt her still... With her brother's temper this days nothing's impossible so she immediately stood up and went straight to her brother's room.

She opened the door only to meet a woman making out with her brother!

Fiona blinked her eyes then blinked again to be sure she wasn't hallucinating when she saw the face of the person.

Eh... Isn't that Ivanna!

She awkwardly stood there knowing she had interrupted something but damn! Ivanna and her brother?! She never imagined this!