Chapter 18
Two days had gone by since Arina left the Fire realm and she missed everyone so terribly much. Cyrus with his teases and his arrogant smirk, Jenna and her...very unique attitude, and her mother. She missed the Queen so much but knew she couldn't just run back to her.... mainly because she didn't know the way back. Kaiden had been helpful trying to help her cope with everything.
Arina walked around the palace trying to familiarize herself with it...well it's better that sitting in her room all day. As she passed by the servants would bow and greet her; an action she was already used to due to her status in the royal family of Fire. She could walk around freely as the only people in the castle were Kaiden, The servants and herself. She learnt that the rest of the royal family lived in another castle, meaning this was the prince's personal castle. This fact have Arina a sort of comfort because she was sure as hell not ready to meet her in-laws.
"Your highness Your lunch is ready."
"Would Prince Kaiden be joining me?."
"Umm...No, milady, His highness is still busy and he ordered your lunch to be served first." The maid replied stammering. Her reaction passed Arina's eyes because her mind was fully occupied by the thought of a certain prince who couldn't even spare time to eat with his so called mate, she hadn't seen him since the day before
and he also missed breakfast. She didn't want to admit it but it bothered her.
The maid led the way and Arina followed but she soon realized that they weren't going in the direction of the dining room she usually ate in. Arina instantly went on guard, ready to sprint at any second. In fact the only reason she was still here was because she was sure that guards were stationed at every corner of the palace.
Soon they were outside the palace and in the middle of a beautiful and lush garden. Her eyes quickly caught site of a small shade made of fine looking wood. She was about to say something when she noticed the maid had disappeared. She must have
left as soon as they got there, Arina couldn't be bothered about her anymore when she had this magnificent sight before her.
The view in front of her eyes was a kaleidoscope of colours and fresh and vibrant scents that surrounded her. A breathtakingly handsome man waved at her from the sides and her jaw dropped. Kaiden was standing there, hands in his pockets looking stupidly handsome. And to Arina, the worst thing was that she knew he wasn't even trying to be handsome. How could someone be so effortlessly handsome?!!.
His smile widened like he could tell what she was thinking.
'_Can he actually read my mind._' Arina panicked. Yes, he's handsome but she didn't want to admit it!!.
"Oh love, I know I'm handsome but don't worry, this handsome guy heart and soul belongs to you" He said taking her hand and placing it on his heart.
Her face flushed red as she felt his strong heartbeat behind her palm. She quickly removed her hand as though she had been; scalded by something unimaginably hot.
'_Well to be honest, he IS unimaginably hot._'
" Come love." He said pulling her gently towards the shade. There was a small table for two set under the shade adorned with beautiful flowers. Kaiden pulled out a chair and gestured to Arina to sit. She did as he said still entranced by everything around her, even in all her time in the Fire realm, no scenery had enchanted her as much as this field.
"Did you prepare all this?. " Arina asked though she already knew his answer. Now she understood why he had been absent all this tim. It was to prepare this picnic for her.
"Of course it was, which other romantic, and dangerously handsome prince can you see around here?." He asked looking around like he was searching for someone. Arina could only smile at his cheekiness though she couldn't deny that what he said made her heart flutter.
Kaiden opened the meal and a tantalizing aroma wafted into Arina's nostrils. A well cooked steak sat before her eyes as
she stared at the steak already salivating. Suddenly, the prince took away the plate in front of her snapping her out of her daze. She looked up at him with accusing eyes only to find him diligently cutting the steak silently. How the hell could he make cutting a steak look like some kind of honourable task. Wait a minute, that wasn't the real issue... Why would he take the steak away from her.?!!
Arina's eyes widened further when she saw him use his fork and bring a piece of steak to her mouth, before she could refuse her lips had already opened up and taken the food. Kaiden smiled at her - another lethal blow to her shaking defense- and brought another piece to her mouth, this time she could act promptly.
" What are you doing?, Eat your food, I can feed myself". She said, her face burning.
Kaiden's eyes darkened slightly and his smile disappeared but he dropped the fork and instead ate it. Arina's eyes quickly glued to her plate as she ate her food, refusing to meet his gaze which was still on her. After a while of eating in silence, Kaiden raised another piece to her mouth.
"Just let me feed you".
Arina no longer had the heart to
stop him so all she could do was nod and open her mouth to let him feed her. Kaiden smiled and his eyes instantly became brighter.
He quickly picked another piece from his plate and brought it to her mouth making her frown but she still ate it. Before he could bring another one, Arina used her fork
to pick a piece from her plate and brought it to him, his eyes widened slightly and so did his smile.
"You can't just feed me and forget to feed yourself, so open your mouth" she commanded, which the Prince wholeheartedly did.
The maids and guerds who saw this scene could only whisper to themselves about how their cold and aloof Crown Prince suddenly became this adorable and meek