Wife of The Demon Prince
Chapter 73: Father-in-law

Chapter 73: Father-in-law

As the days passed. The day Hamon said he’d visit the Boxton mansion eventually arrived. All the corners of the mansion was scoured by the servants before the crown Prince’s arrival.

It was still quite early in the morning. Even Richard had decided to stay at home to welcome the crown Prince when he arrives. Anne had also been very excited preparing to meet the Prince. No one said it, but they were all anticipating the crown Prince’s arrival.

The other day Henry had replied to Ara’s letter and it turned out he would be coming to the south the same day the crown Prince would come to visit.

After a few hours of anticipating the crown Prince’s arrival. There was a rattling noise that came from outside. Ara peeped and saw a familiar black carriage entering the mansion grounds.

At the entrance of the mansion, the carriage stopped then the guard opened the carriage door for the Prince.

Hamon stepped out of the carriage.

"Oh Lord!"

"He’s so handsome!"

Some of the maids standing outside gushed at Hamon’s appearance, while some stared at him with their mouths agape.

He was tall and his black tailcoat rested perfectly on his solid figure, his sliver hair was tied behind his head. His face had a sculptural handsomeness to it, while his crimson eyes contained a cold chill. He was perfect in every way, and the air of pride around him struck the female servants. The Boxton servants thought they had gotten used to seeing Henry, but the crown Prince was something else.

Ara stepped out of the mansion to welcome him.

"Welcome. How was your short trip here?" She asked as she approached him from the entrance.

Hamon smiled as he saw her approaching, "Good. How have you been?"

"I’m fine..."

Hamon’s brows drew together. He noticed something different about her, he then asked, "Why do your eyes look puffy today?" He used his slender fingers to lift her chin slightly to examine her face.

She glanced up at him, "Um...it’s nothing, I guess it’s just lack of sleep..." She mumbled.

Ara hadn’t been able to sleep well ever since she’d had that conversation with her father in the study room. She remembered how she’d felt like she had been stabbed with a thousand needles. It was really heart breaking.

Ara soon straightened her face so Hamon wouldn’t noticed her disappointment.

Hamon stepped back a little to study her expression, "Hmm. Were you having sleepless nights because you missed your future husband so much? You should have just called me to come put you to sleep." He teased with a cheesy expression.

For some reasons Ara felt Hamon seemed playful. Was he trying to cheer up her sullen mood? She’d once asked Merek if the crown Prince was a playful person, but Merek’s reply was; "His Highness never plays with anybody."

Was it that the Prince was only this way to her alone? She shook the thoughts away and said instead, "Let’s go inside, my father is waiting for you at the dinning hall. I stopped him from coming out to welcome you since we want it to look like a causal visit."

The crown Prince wasn’t supposed to come to the Boxton mansion himself to ask for her hand in marriage. So they had made it appear like he just stopped by for a visit. No matter the fact that Ara and the Prince were lovers, some people would still speculate why the crown Prince would visit the Boxton himself.

For now, it was best to keep Richard out of the way and have it look like Hamon was simply passing by. Everything needed a justification, Hamon had also suggested the same the last time they met. If it weren’t for that, Ara would have had a hard time convincing her stubborn father to wait inside.

Ara motioned for Hamon, "Your Highness, Come this way..."

"Why are you calling me Your Highness, again?" He asked displeased.

"..."

Ara couldn’t think of what to say. How could she address him by his name when they weren’t the only ones outside? She secretly glanced at the guards and maids who stood outside with them and wondered if addressing him by his name would be ok.

Hamon seemed to know what she was thinking. His lips tugged up in a crooked smile, "Aren’t we supposed to be lovers in public? So it doesn’t matter." He chortled in a low voice for only her to hear.

Ara thought about it for a moment, since they were supposed to act madly in love in public and while her family were present.

"Hamon..." She mumbled.

The servants and guards standing nearby widened their eyes in surprise. Only the royal family were allowed to address the crown Prince by his name.

Hamon looked pleased as he sniggered, "That’s more like it. I like my name more when you say it, you make it sound as sweet as honey."

One of the maids nudged the other maid standing beside her at the Prince’s comment. His words sounded so romantic that seemed like it had come out unintentionally.

Ara felt heat rushed to her face, she turned her burning face away from Hamon and made to lead him inside, "I didn’t forget my promise, Come with me."

She hadn’t forgotten their agreement on the contract, she was supposed to address him by his name when they were alone, but they had been meeting in public places that his name did not stick to her mouth.

Only after hearing her reaffirmed did Hamon made to follow, "Let’s go then."

They walked inside the mansion, "Hamon... This way, I’ll show you to the dinning hall." She turned her head to look at him and noticed the maids eyes shining brightly in admiration as they had believed the couple were really in love with each other.

Just when they were almost close to the dinning hall, all the maids following them turned back. Ara dropped the act and took a deep breath, "Saying your name in public makes me feel somehow embarrassed..."

"Why is that?" He questioned.

"I don’t know, maybe because you make me call you by you name?" She asked unsure.

"It’s not my fault. I was merely reminding you of the contract agreement. Unless you agree to take the punishment than call me by my name." He responded in a nonchalant tone as if he was only doing it for the contract.

’What a tease!’ She smiled faintly. But this time, she felt like his teasing was not so annoying. After her conversation with her father, she thought she might need little of his teasing to distract her mind from wandering back to that hurtful conversation. At least Hamon made her feel... wanted for some reason, but with her father, it was more like an official relationship, it was as if to him she was nothing but the first daughter of the Boxton household who should do and think about nothing but her responsibilities.

"Thank you for your support."

"My support?" Hamon gave her a questioning look.

She continued to explain, "I mean, you pretending to love me in the presence of others will help me out greatly. Am thankful for that." She said.

Hamon paused for a brief moment at her words, there was a tiny flicker in his eyes, and the word ’pretending’ resounded in his mind, but she didn’t catch his reaction as she was a little bit worried at the meeting between Hamon and her father.

When they reached the door of the dinning hall, she stopped and glanced up at him, "Good luck on your meeting with my family." With that, she pushed the door opened.

She saw her father and Anne waiting anxiously for them in the dinning hall.

As the crown Prince stepped in, Richard abruptly stood up and bowed deeply, "Hail the crown Prince."

Although it was a common greeting to the crown Prince, but it was not one for meeting the in laws.

Hamon strode towards Richard and raised the man up straight, "Please rise up, you don’t have to greet me like that. My father-in-law isn’t supposed to bow to me this way, I feel burdened by it."

"Your Highness...you don’t have to call me father-in-law..."

Hamon’s brows knitted together, "Why? Won’t you give me your daughter’s hand in marriage?"

Richard was quick to reply, "No! That’s not what I meant. You can take my daughter anytime you want, I have nothing against it, Your Highness."

Ara felt a sting in her heart at how her father’s reply came quickly. Was he that eager to give her away to the crown Prince?

Hamon gave him a satisfied look, "Good, I hope you won’t go back on your words, you must keep to it."

"Take a seat, Your Highness." Richard motioned for him to sit.

Hamon sat on the head chair. Normally, Richard was the one who sat there, while Ara and Anne at the sides. But this time, Hamon sat on the head chair while Richard on his right and Ara and her sister on the left.

In the hierarchical society, everyone was to be seated according to their status. Hamon was none other than the crown Prince, and except for the king and queen, there was no higher position than the Prince now.

"Your Highness, What would you like to have?"

Hamon glanced at Richard then shifted his gaze to Ara, "I’ll have anything your daughter serves me."

At Hamon’s affectionate tone, Richard and Anne’s gazes immediately moved to Ara.

She smiled awkwardly, "Alright, Hamon..."

Richard’s brows furrowed at how his daughter addressed the crown Prince by his name. He was worried it might be an act of disrespect, but when he glanced at the Prince. He...was smiling warmly at his daughter? Their relationship had really progressed to the point that they were this affectionate. Was the crown Prince really in love with his daughter?

Richard found it surprising and he glanced towards his daughter.

Ara hadn’t even realized she’d causally called him by his name, but when she realized it, it was already spilled out.

’Well...I’ll have to get used to it either way.’

The maids finally brought in the different delicacies from the kitchen. Ara had been particularly meticulous about the menu choice.

As the dishes were brought to the table. Ara selected the ones she’d thought Hamon would like, then served it to his plate.

"Here try this, I bet you’d like it ." She mumbled.

Hamon nodded with a pleased expression and started eating, only then did the others started to eat as well.

Anne didn’t touch her food as she was busy staring at the crown Prince. She still could not believe she was sharing a table with her idol! He looked like the Prince from those fantasy novels she’d normally read.