Substitute Wife for the Mafia King R18-Chapter 276: Saving Face

“I suggest you turn up to the event to at least help him save face. It would reflect very poorly on you and also on the prince if you don’t turn up. The prince has always been kind to you, so even if you don’t like him back, you shouldn’t do things that will publicly throw him under the bus. You do know this right?” My sister continued on patiently. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

I nodded my head a few times solemnly because I couldn’t help but agree with her. Desmond had always been kind to me, and I knew that many things that he did were for my sake. Even I knew that I shouldn’t throw him under the bus, both in public and in private.

“You also need to act a little smarter, my sister dear. You do realize just how our parents have been much kinder and considerate to you ever since you managed to secure the prince’s favor. I’m not saying this to scare you, but if anything were to happen, I am sure that the prince will defend you and keep you safe. Maybe he can defend you much better than I ever could and that truly puts me at ease,” Diana said that she took both my hands into hers and held it tightly.

The way her eyes seemed to quiver with emotion as she stared directly into my eyes made my heart clench painfully in my chest because I could sense just how worried she must have been for me all this time. While I always tried my best to support her and some of her crazy demands, Diana had always had my back ever since we were very small children. However, as we grew up some things extended far beyond our control and her influence. Numerous public matters became things that she could no longer deal with and shelter me from. I honestly had never thought that my misfortune had also brought about distress for my sister.

“I’ll go...” I mumbled softly in complete defeat.

“You’re doing the right thing,” Diana said with conviction as she gave my hands another squeeze.

“I hope so...” I murmured, although I wasn’t quite convinced.

I wasn’t certain if I had made the right decision at that time; however, I was certain that Diana was right that the prince would defend me and that he would do everything in his power to protect me from any harm or ill intentions that awaited me in my future.

“Well then, now that is settled. Why don’t I help you pick out your outfit for the event? Photos of you and the prince are going to be shown everywhere to the public, so I have to make sure that you look extremely attractive and eye-catching!” Diana said as she clapped her hands together in glee.

“You don’t have to do that,” I said passively.

“Why not? Would you prefer mother to pick it out for you instead of me?” She asked before showing me a disappointed look.

“Of course not,” I mumbled as I found myself giving in again.

Diana had always had a way with getting her way with me, and I didn’t mind it.

“Fine I’ll let you help me,” I replied while feeling suddenly more tired than before.

“In return, I’ll let you help pick my outfits as well. I’m going to need quite a few of them actually,” she said before smiling brightly at me.

“Why do you need so many outfits?” I asked curiously.

“Oh, I guess it slipped my mind and I forgot to tell you because many things were going on. Actually, I didn’t think that it was going to happen given that we couldn’t quite leave the house with all the reporters surrounding us on the outside. Anyways, I’m going on a short trip. I’ll be staying over for two nights and going on a few dates in between,” Diana announced while she looked excited.

I realized without need to ask that she was going on a trip with Anthony. I didn’t dare ask for more details so all I could do was nod my head.

“Are you sure that you want me to help you?” I asked in case there would be a rare chance that she would change her mind.

“Of course, if not you then who else? I only have one sister,” Diana replied followed by a soft laugh.

“Right...” I was forced to agree with that fact.

“If you start dating the prince for real, I’m sure that all the attention will be on you and no one would care about my relationship with Anthony anymore. That actually might work in my favor, I am quite sick of their attention although I am quite used to it as well,” Diana said as she started going through the dresses in my closet. I headed over to the closet as well and pretended that I was interested in choosing the perfect outfit for my appearance at the event.

“What about this one?” Diana suggested as she pulled out a sparkling red dress that was surely eye-catching.

“I’ll go with whatever you pick,” I replied honestly because I couldn’t have cared less about what I wore to the event.

Although I pretended to be fine, my mind was no longer preoccupied with finding the perfect outfit.

...

**Three days later**

“I have to admit that I didn’t think that you would turn up. This feels a little like a dream come true,” Desmond said softly as they took my hand into his and raised it to his lips.

He kissed the back of my hand so graciously that my heart skipped a beat. Just then, he truly looked like a prince and he also acted like one. I almost couldn’t stifle my giggle when I realized that he actually is a prince. Based on Diana’s recommendation and the promise that I made to her, I turned up to the official opening of the school. I could have told the prince beforehand, but I figured that since I had decided to make my appearance anyway, I might as well turn up to surprise him.

“Honestly, I didn’t think that I would turn up either,” I replied quite straightforwardly.

–To be continued...

Please support my other books: Forbidden Heat, Love Slave to My Devil CEO Boss, Love Slave to the Mafia Boss’s Passion, Lust contracts, Conquering the Emperor and The Alpha Prince’s Purchased Maid.