The Princess's Dangerous Vampire Mate-Chapter 36: The Wagon port - I

We were nearing and I could feel it. The excitement of finally reaching the destination I had dreamed of was rushing into my body.

The houses of the residents could be seen and the residents were appearing more in numbers. A wide smile stretched on my face as I realized that, finally, we were close to the capital, very, very close.

"You see to be very happy, my lady." The merchant commented as he watched me with keen eyes. "I must say, what a beautiful smile it is."

I lowered my gaze as my cheeks heated up. "Thank you, sir." I used a royal term making him arch a brow in return. "What?" I giggled and watched him too. "You look at me like I am a. . ."

". . . A Princess." He finished. "For you, your quick wit, your eternal beauty and just, everything about you, is Royalty."

"What royalty?" I tilted my head at him.

He laughed a bit before saying, "Because, for a villager like me, Royalty is out of reach."

So was I, I realized. I was supposed to be out of his reach, his sight, and even his thinking but here I was, in front of him, laughing along and blushing profusely like a lovesick woman.

I looked away from him quickly. His eyes would hold me captive again and I did not want that.

My feelings were irrelevant.

********

"We cannot thank you enough for your help. The journey has been tremendously easy because of you." Gemma, on behalf of you, thanked Chiara and the others.

Merilyn and I smiled in return. My eyes caught Lara and I smiled at her before saying, "Thank you for the proposal, Lara. We would have not reached here quickly otherwise."

She blushed and muttered, "It’s alright."

"Well then," Gemma smiled and nodded to them, "We must take our leave."

Chiara smiled back and we moved to gather our bundles. Mine was in his carriage and I have to move and stand next to him to retrieve it.

I walked and simply took my bundle in my own hands but it did not sit right with me that after he had done so much for us I should at least thank him instead of ignoring him and walking away. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Thank you, Tristan," I said. "The journey has been wonderful because of you as my companion."

He smiled and his eyes twinkled. "Yes, the same could be said for me as well. Thank you for accepting the offer presented by Lara even though I know that she can be very persuasive in getting what she wants."

I laughed at the thought. "Poor She, she could not even sit next to me due to the injury she faced at the beginning of the journey."

He smiled widely at that but then it dimmed. "What about you? What are you going to do in the capital?" He asked. "Are you meeting someone?"

I nodded. I did not have a particular answer but yes I would be meeting quite a few people.

"Would have time to meet with me as well?"

My eyes snapped to his and I breathed in shock. What? "What?"

He nodded. Thankfully we were at the back of a carriage so no one could see us.

"Yes, I am asking you if you would have time to meet with me after you have finished meeting with the people you wanted to meet."

My eyes lowered to the ground for a moment realised that he was right all along. I was a liar.

"Maybe," I smiled at him. This time my expressions along with my smile were fake. "If it allows I would love to meet you again."

It? It was everything.

He nodded in return and pointed to the manuscripts he had the characteristics about the abducted children in. "Whenever we meet again and if we both have a few moments to spare I would love to talk to you about what I have found about these abductions."

My mood soured at that. I had forgotten that he had more details than I did and if I would to begin then I would take years to reach where he had already.

"Perhaps, two days from now we could schedule a meeting about it." I offered. "I would love to know what you have found and would love to give my input on as well."

He nodded with attention. "A good bit of it. But I am still nowhere. Which is one of the reasons why I have reached the capital hear people happen to know a lot more."

Ah, that’s good enough. I have at least three weeks with me which was twenty-one days. These should surely be enough with Tristan’s help to reach somewhere.

"My lady?"

I looked at him immediately as he addressed me. "Yes?"

"Are you not interested in talking to me?" He asked bluntly and I just stared at him having no idea what to say.

"No, no," had I not been engaged to someone else I would have loved the idea of being courted by him. "It’s just —"

"Layla!" Merilyn’s shout reached my ears and immediately turned away. I could not have been more thankful to her for this. She came closer and looked at the two of us.

"Sir Tristan," she gave him a slight bow, "I wanted to personally thank you too. If fate ever wills it, we shall meet again and I would pay."

Tristan laughed at that and I admired it. It was rich and unadulterated of any arrogance or pride. He seemed to be genuinely happy.

"I am afraid I would not let that happen. I would never let a lady pay."

Merilyn laughed at that and I could see a blush forming.

That’s it.

"Well, we must go back to Gemma. She is waiting." I smiled and nodded at him in farewell. His eyes held a knowing look but of what, I didn’t know.

Who cares? We were never going to be meet ever again.

"Clear the way!" Someone yelled and we all looked, "The Second and third crowned princes are coming!"