Ayra rushed towards their meeting spot and gave her best smile towards the man in her dream. Nearby the red flower tree, Seth Collins, the long timing boyfriend of Ayra Chole was standing with a bright smile. Seth was the son of a minister and came from a noble family. With his tanned skin and a little chubby cheeks, he emitted an aura of noble man which made Ayra very proud of her own choice. Even his blue eyes were so calm and peaceful that made Ayra's mind falling in peace subconsciously. She didn't had too expectations regarding his future husband. She was happy with his average status and calm personality. From her own experience, she believed that Seth loved her wholeheartedly which was enough for her life. She only needed true love in her life which she found inside Seth. Even her family was so doting on her that they accepted her affair as soon as they heard about it. If nothing goes wrong, they planned to get married at the end of this year. But they still dated secretly. It was something that excited her always. It was determined that Seth would be appointed as the next minister of Ethan's kingdom.

Ayra jumped onto him and gave him a quick hug. After leaving his embrace, she exclaimed while eyeing on his new attire deeply,

" You look so handsome today, Seth."

Seth who was always very respectful towards her smiled shyly and replied,

" You are also looking amazing today, Princess."

Ayra blushed slightly and asked with a pout,

" Why didn't you go inside? Almost everyone knows about us."

Seth suddenly became serious and replied politely,

" I can't join today, Princess. We suddenly received a letter from our aunt that she has fallen sick. Now father is receiving guests in here, I have only left to take care of her. I just come to inform you that I won't be able to visit you late at night today. I will be back within tomorrow. I hope that you don't get upset?"

Ayra ushered considerably,

" Then you shouldn't be late, Seth. Why will I get upset? Nothing is more important than a person's health. You should hurry up now."

Seth smiled in relief. He really thought too much and feard that Ayra would be angry on him. Just when Ayra kept blinking at his face, he suddenly bent down a little and pecked on Ayra's cheeks lovingly.

With their hands nudging at each ones lightly, he whispered with an assuring smile,

" I will be coming back tomorrow. Wait for me."

After that saying, he turned around and walked out of the castle through the secret path. Behind him, Ayra stood in daze with a fluttering heart. It moved her heart that he was actually worried for her emotions.

With a shy smile, she started to head back for the ball happily. Her cheeks were still getting hot after that kiss. But she didn't know that this whole act was deeply watched by a pair of red eyes.

With her head hanging down, she started to walk through the empty corridor and suddenly heard a creak sound behind. Still walking ahead, she tilted her head back to see but got bumped against a hard chest suddenly.

" Ahh!", she cried out in surprise and looked up confusingly. At then, it happened...

She met his pair of dark eyes that kept piercing through her heart like a sharp dagger. With a confused frown, she spoke questioningly,

" Excuse me,who..who are you?"

Cedric who felt his blood boiling inside after their kissing moment but tried his best to reserve a calm smile for her on his lips. He maintained a calm smile and addressed her status slowly,

" Hello.. Princess.."

Ayra felt a little uncomfortable at the way,he called her Princess as if he was hinting something else. Then without any prior warning, Cerdic picked up her right hand like a gentleman and planted a sweet kiss on its palm. With his head still bending down on her palm,he introduced himself while glancing up at her perturbed face calmly,

" Cedric Arnaldo Dixon, the king of Basarisk."

Ayra froze in her spot and withdrawed her hand shockingly. She didn't expect to meet him such an unexpected way. Her mother had warned her several times regarding this man and repeatedly advised her to behave politely with him.

Ayra panicked and instantly bowed respectively. With her heart bumping like a racing horse, she greeted back shakingly,

" Your highness! Pardon my behavior. It's my first time meeting you."

Cedric was very displeased at her formal greeting. Just a little while ago, she was jumping onto that chubby boy so enthusiastically. Whatever, he couldn't ask so much for the time being. When the right times come, he would definitely get that kiss not even that..he would make sure that she wanted to get intimated with him on the bed whenever they met. It was all some silent vows that he made inside his heart.

Ayra didn't know what was he thinking. But something made her very awkward when she met his red eyes.

Did she see those eyes before? How could be that possible?

She dismissed such impossible ideas and asked with a nervous smile,

" Your highness, were you looking for someone?"

Cedric liked the way that she kept panicking without meeting his eyes. He got a little closer and answered with a deep mysterious voice,

" Looking..for you.."

Ayra was stunned for a moment and looked up at him astonishingly. With her bones getting numb slowly, she muttured awkwardly,

" Pardon..wh.. whattttt..."

Cedric chuckled lightly that made her jaws clenching hard. What was he laughing about?

Just when she opened her mouth to speak, Cerdic suddenly lifted his palm to touch her cheek. Ayra instinctively wanted to dodge but Cedric's calm voice came out first,

" You got a little dirt in here."

Ayra didn't dare to move a bit and felt his cold palm brushing off on her left cheek which was just kissed by Seth a few moments ago. Cedric continued wiping slowly. His eyes were sharp and stuck on the place where Seth kissed her. He didn't want any other's touch on her.

She was his.. that was something,he decided already..Even if Dalastia declared a war against him, he was going to conquer this woman by heart or....by blood.. Choice was her..

Ayra couldn't help but staring at his red eyes in deep thoughts. After some time, she spoke out invoulantarily,

" Your highness.. Have.. have we met before?"

********************

Let me know your opinions in the comment section. But from my own gut feelings, I can only assume that this Sequel would be more thrilling than the previous one. Because there are much more mysterious characters to unfold in this season. Thanks to all of you for your lovely comments. I am teared up after finding out that all the old readers are still here and voting for this book. I can't ask more than this. Thank you ❤️