The Dragon Prince's Bride
Chapter 249. Chasing you.

Chapter 249: 249. Chasing you.

After Raknar disappeared that afternoon with Regina, no one saw him again until the next day.

They thought they should properly discuss Lyle’s capture so Barak went to his parents and they let him in on their previous plans. "Since it’s that time of the year when the Tragonians and Avelians exchange visit," Bashan explained and Barak only now realized that truly, it had been a year since that time.

That also meant that his marriage anniversary was quickly approaching. It seemed so unreal that a year had passed by so quickly.

"And it’s the turn of Avelah to come to Trago," Bashan continued. "we have planned for it to seem as though the royal family of Avelah coming to Trago on a visit is just a facade for them to actually invade Trago and get back their princess... at least this is what it would seem to our enemies, Lyle and everyone who is backing him."

"They should be arriving by tomorrow or the next, so let us await their arrival before we discuss further on the matter of Lyle’s capture. For now, go back to your wife and enjoy some peaceful time together."

And so Barak without further questions, did as his father had told him to.

***

The afternoon sun was not as hot as most days. In fact the weather was cool, and a refreshing breeze blowed through the garden where Aria stood tending to some flowers while humming a tune.

She could not for the life of her remember when last she had been in such a good mood. Her mistress was back, the physician had come in earlier that morning to check on the condition of her and the baby and both mother and child were said to be perfectly fine.

Above all else, the crown prince was back! After all those months of being away, he was back and he did not seem to hold any grudge against her mistress.

Rather he clung to her like he was the child in her womb. Even this morning when Aria had gone in to help her mistress bathe, he had sent her away saying he’d bathe and dress his wife himself and indeed when next Aria entered the room to deliver their breakfast, he had done a marvelous job.

The best of it all was that for a long time, Aria had not seen her mistress smiling so brightly. She looked so beautiful that morning that Aria almost burst into tears.

Everything was finally returning to how it was supposed to be.

"Eh, look who we have here." Aria slightly flinched at the sound of a familiar voice that had grown quite distant over the past months.

Slowly, she straightened up from the plant she was tending to and turned towards the person and before her stood a face she had not seen up close in months.

After Barak disappeared, their usual coincidental meetings had ceased, probably because he had been away every time looking for his dead or vanished brother.

She had seen him from afar sometimes and those times she could not help but notice the dark circles around his eyes. The stress was evident upon his face.

Well, it was a troubling time and everyone was under stress, but whenever she caught a glimpse of him then, she could not really explain why her gaze dwelled on him and she noticed the tiredness on his features.

The second prince who was somewhat playful with her, always smiling bright and mischievously had suddenly turned to a man with hardened features.

But now that he stood before her for the first time in months, something inside her stirred. That bright smile had returned to his face, his features had softened again and he was looking as mischievous as she remembered.

It was evident that for the first time in a long time, he had a good and well-deserved sleep.

Suddenly realizing she was staring, Aria quicklrd bowed her head low and politely, "May the blessings of the goddess be upon the second prince Raknar."

"It is you... The purple-eyed Aria." Aria’s eyes widened at those words and her head lifted without being told to.

"You know my name?" She asked in surprise. It was the first time he’d said it. He always addressed her as purple-eyed maiden, or you or he would just start up a conversation without referring to her at all.

"How ridiculous... I have been chasing you around since I returned to Trago and you think I do not know your name?"

Aria almost scoffed and bowed her head again.

What an incredulous thing to say? Anyone who heard would think wrongly of his words.

She knew their coincidental meetings were no coincidence at all, but she did not expect he would admit it without even being asked. And why would he put it like that? ’chasing you around’.

Those words would send the wrong message.

"Forgive me, Your highness, I was merely surprised that you knew the name of a common maid like me. And please I think it would be best you refrain from saying words like that lest you create a misunderstanding."

Raknar scratched his brow with his index finger as he stared blankly at her. "Misunderstanding? What do you mean?"

Aria without being told to lift her head, remained in that position with her head bowed as she responded to his question.

"Earlier you said you were ’chasing me around’. Those words could mislead people and cause them to spread negative rumors about you, Your highness. It would do your reputation no good if lies begin to spread that you are ’chasing’ a maid around."

"And why would that be a lie?" He questioned further.

Still with her head bowed, Aria was beginning to wonder if this prince was really all well in his head. "It would be a lie because those words would be fashioned in a way that would make it seem you are pursuing me romantically which is not true and—"

"Why is it not true?" Those words cut through whatever Aria was going to say. But his next words caused her to forget her place as maid and lift her head without being told to. "I am pursuing you romantically... what else could I have in mind while pursuing you?"

Purple eyes dilated, her jaw loosened and her mouth fell open.

"W-What?" She stuttered.

One step closer and he was standing right in front of her with only just a space as big as a foot between them.

The man who inherited his father’s entire height, taller than his older brother and hugely built too, only a little leaner than Barak... That man now stood in front of her, with his head and back lowered to meet her gaze.

"I am interested in you, Aria... You must know this already."