Royally Bounded

Chapter 130

Hayden

My eyes shot open when I felt a hard kick to my face. I pushed the feet away until it hit my nose again. I was going to fucking cuss, but as soon as I opened my eyes, I saw Clara and our sons sleeping closely together.

She turned to face me, her hands tucking underneath her head. She was so fucking beautiful asleep. The low sunlight outlined her soft skin. Xander was embracing his mum, nearly drooling over her pillow. Damien stopped moving when I looked at him. He had his fists above his head again.

My lips twitched abruptly at them. If Clara and my bed was small, she would have fucking forced me to the guest room or some shit. I hated how people occupied the space that belong to Clara and me, but she wanted our kids here for the night, and I gave in.

I pulled the duvet over them then walked straight out of the bedroom to the empty room across. Tucking my hands in my sweats pockets, I went around a final time before tucking in the boxes to the closet. I didn't want Clara to see any traces of our unborn kid.

"King Hayden," Rueben called for me as I walked down the hallway. "Prince Nicolas is on the phone waiting for you."

I furrowed my brows the nodded. Once I arrived to my office, I answered the call, hearing the foreign yet familiar voice.

"Hayden," Nicolas greeted. "It's been a while. How are you?"

"I don't think you called me to have a reunion," I said, monotoned.

"Nothing can be hide from you. I'm going to be in Nascadia tomorrow. Can I meet with you? I think you would want to talk about our cooperation."

* * *

I parked over at the side of the street then stepped out of my car. I stopped at my steps, tilting my head back to read the name of the private winery. I entered the store, and the server greeted me like he expected my presence. He guided me to the downstairs cellar.

When I stepped down the stairs, I saw a man swirling his wine glass. He had clearer eye circles. His brown hair over to one side. He stared at the wine, observing its movement. He was dressed in a full suit, not missing any details that could ruin his image. He was another man who strived for perfection.

"Have a seat," Nicolas offered. He glanced back at the servant who poured wine for me then left the room. It was only two of us sitting across from each other.

I waited for him to speak. A short chuckle just broke from his lips as he looked at me, trying to find a fault but failed.

"No wonder Maisie is deeply in love with you," he said. "You have this aura that no one else could possess. It's impossible to ignore your presence."

"I'm not here to talk to you about Maisie," I clarified, settling my wine glass down.

He shook his head, almost defeated. "Just like Maisie, I've fallen in love with someone since we were teens. She loves you, exactly the way I love her. It's just that she ignores me."

I didn't have fucking time to listen to his love story. I came here for one purpose, and it was to negotiate with him to work with me. He just took the advantage and used me as some ranting machine. It was fucking pathetic.

"Go home and tell your wife then," I snapped. "I'm not your wife."

"Do you know why she even married me? She had no choice after you divorced her and kicked her out of Nascadia. She doesn't even truly love me," he fired back.

"Are you seriously blaming me for your distorted marriage? You never had to agree to marry her in the first place."

"You're right, but I love her too much. I can't leave her unprotected."