The Lord’s Desire

He was handsome. Had short hair, sea-green eyes, broad shoulders, clean-shaven face, tall and lean. His demeanor alone was enough proof that he was rich and influential.

If only she didn notice the dragon tassel chain pin of Ardens royal family, she would think he was an aristocrat or a prince from another kingdom who was a friend of His Majesty.

But Melrose had never heard about the King having relatives aside from Princess Victoria, who was married to a prince in another kingdom. Or was it just she wasn informed?

”My humble guests, let me introduce to you my cousin, Lord Knight – as how he wanted to be addressed since he doesn want the title of a prince, ” the King informed.

”You might be wondering why he is not familiar to you. That is because he was raised on the east by my late Aunt, Princess Celestine, and has been traveling the world. He decided to have a vacation here for a few months. ”

”My, my, is this my chance to marry a royalty? ” Arianne whispered.

”He doesn look friendly though, ” Melrose said.

The man had a dark air in him. He had an exquisite beauty as a man but even a tinge of gentleness couldn be found in his eyes. He looked dark. Dangerous.

And Melrose had never been fond of people with dark personalities. Most especially someone who reminded her of darkness.

”I could tell that, ” Arianne agreed. ”But like they say don judge the book by its cover. What if he is a kind man like His Majesty? They are relatives, after all. ”

Melrose could only wonder.

Before they could talk more, Lord Lewis appeared on their sight and she immediately knew what he came for. He led her to the King. She had been through this many times that it felt like a routine.

”Your Majesty, ” Lord Lewis curtsied.

”Happy birthday, Your Majesty, ” Melrose greeted along with a curtsy.

”What a pleasant gift this is. ” The King smiled at her. She was about to smile but stopped halfway when she glanced at Lord Knight who was just beside the King.

The man was… more than breathtaking.

He already looked good earlier but she realized he looked a lot better this close.

He was tall, taller than the King. He was lean but had a better build than most men. His sea-green eyes had a strange tint of something else that she wondered how could ones eyes look so unique among others. His jaw was defined and stark, complimenting his protruding adams apple just below it. He stood in a calm stance, looking intimidating and regal as if he was a creature of night who came there to send someones soul to hell.

Melrose almost stepped back when Lord Knight met her gaze. But it was very quick it only took a fraction of second before he brought his eyes to the crowd with a stern expression as if there was nothing worth looking at.

”Reed, this is Lord Lewis and his only daughter, Lady Lewis. ” She snapped out of her reverie when the King spoke.

Lord Knight drifted his gaze to Lord Lewis.

”Nice to meet you Lord and Lady Lewis, ” he said in a deep voice without sparing the lady a glance.

Melrose felt his indifference. Not that she wanted his attention, but most men were polite enough to at least look and smile at her during introductions.

”Lady Lewis is my betrothed, Reed. Our wedding is in a few months. I hope you can stay until then. ”

Only this time Lord Knight glanced at her. His eyes remained at her for a moment without bearing any expression. Melrose couldn smile like she used to do when being introduced to someone, and she knew why.

Lord Knight looked more vicious in this proximity. The description of villains in the novels she had read matched his demeanor. She must admit she was being unfair for her prejudices, but she couldn help her mind. After all, instinct allowed people to feel danger without actually seeing it.

”We will see that, ” Lord Knight replied.

”How about you, Lord Knight? Are you a married man? ” Lord Lewis asked.

”No, Im not. ”

”Betrothed, perhaps? ”

”No. ”

For sure many ladies would fight for the spot as his wife if this would come out, Melrose thought. Another reason for ladies to fight. Back when the King had reached the marrying age, every ladies tried their luck and some bridges were burned just because of competition. Until now, some hadn give up like Penelope.

”Oh. But for sure you have plans? ”

”I have no plans as of the moment. ”

Well, Lord Knight didn look that old to rush marriage. He seemed to be in his mid twenties. Besides, most women were blinded by looks and wealth, for sure they would flock on his feet the moment hed announce his need for a wife despite the danger he pose.

”While you are staying here, I suggest you must take the chance to find yourself a suitable wife, Lord Knight. There are many beautiful young ladies here in Arden. Or at least keep someone to entertain you. ”

Melrose had the urge to stop her father from talking. She knew the meaning behind his last words. How could his father say that? If Lord Knight was someone conservative, he would be offended.

Melrose studied Lord Knights expression to see if he was offended but she couldn read him.

She only noticed his eyes darkened a bit. Or was it done by the lights?

”I believe women are not kept for entertainment, Lord Lewis. ”

Melrose was surprised. She didn expect that answer from him. Did she judged him poorly?

”I could not agree more, ” Melrose spoke.

Lord Knight glanced her way.

”Men should only keep women only for marriage, Father, ” she added.

”Indeed. ” The King nodded. The gentle expression on his face was in stark contrast with Lord Knights.

The night was long. Melrose danced with the King of course, but His Majesty knew she didn like too much dancing so he let her off the hook not so long after they started.

When she went back to Arianne, most ladies were fussing about the new man in town. Like she presumed, Lord Knights arrival created a big buzz especially because he was single. Many mothers were dying to wed their daughters before they passed marrying age, and a rich and handsome son-in-law sounded appealing. She could only wonder if Lord Knight had enough patience for such matters.

”What do you think about Lord Knight? ” Arianne asked, looking at the lord in the distance. He was standing near a table of wines not so far, speaking with two elder men.

”I think… hes better than I thought, ” Melrose returned, recalling how Lord Knight indirectly implied his respect for women.

”If thats the case, should I try my luck if I could as well marry a royalty? ”

”Should you? ” Melrose raised a brow at her friend, smiling.

Melrose looked at her drink, then to the center of gossip tonight.

One of the elder men he was speaking with called a lady, must be his daughter, probably to introduce her to the lord. Lord Knight held the same indifferent expression as he spoke. He must have lost count of the ladies introduced to him that night and probably couldn recall each ladys name. Neither he seemed pleased with the attention he was receiving.

”Natasha is beautiful but Lord Knight doesn look the least bit interested in her. Poor girl, ” Arianne spoke as they eyed the same person.

”Its either hes not interested in her or hes not interested in anyone. ”

”What do you mean? ”

Melrose shrugged. ”Maybe he left a lady in another town and is yet to get over her. Or it could be no one is suitable for his standard. He is a man who had seen the world, after all. He had met tons of ladies, that is for sure. ”

”A broken man? ” Arianne wrinkled her nose as she hardly could place that character anywhere near Lord Knight.

”Then maybe he likes men? ” Melrose whispered, grinning on her own whimsical humor.

However, when she looked ahead, the glass on her hand almost slip from her grip when Lord Knight suddenly held her gaze. His chiseled face held no movement, yet his eyes had a sharp glint as if he knew they were gossiping about him.

For a moment, Melrose stopped breathing.