Fooling you

Chapter 6 : Evan's invitation

The crisp morning air and cheerful chirping of birds stirred Violette awake. Wrapped in her delicate satin nightdress, she shivered as sunlight kissed her face, coaxing one eye, forced to open. Stretching slowly, a soft yawn escaped her lips, and she straightened, letting the morning fully claim her.

Still dazed, Violette's muddled mind struggled to place her surroundings. The modern, modest chamber was a far cry from the ornate elegance of her royal quarters. A heavy sigh escaped her as memories of yesterday's journey to her sister's house surfaced. Amusingly, she found herself fond of the cozy gold-and-brown decor—it radiated a warmth she hadn't expected to appreciate.

Reaching for her phone, the screen glowed with the time: 9 p.m. She groaned softly. Oversleeping like this was uncharacteristic, but the exhaustion from her travels had clearly, taken its toll.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Her tired body, still heavy with exhaustion, seemed to drain her remaining energy. Letting out a soft yawn, she rasped in a hoarse voice, "Come in." The reply was immediate. "Your Highness, after you retired to your chamber, a notice arrived from the President. It seems your fiancé wishes for a face-to-face discussion.

"Asher's voice was steady yet formal, his charming face carefully hidden behind the door, maintaining Violette's privacy as he awaited her response."Is that so? At what time? I will gladly oblige, following his schedule," Violette declared firmly, her tone void of affection.

The clear, detached command made Asher clench his teeth, though she remained oblivious. Her thoughts were consumed with strategies to tame her so-called fiancé."He requested lunch with Your Highness," Asher replied, his voice tight. A smile curled on Violette's lips. Evan's swift response thrilled her, sending a rush of excitement through her veins—an emotion she hadn't felt in years.

"Approved. Be ready in three hours so we can depart punctually." Her tone was resolute, a queen commanding her domain. Without hesitation, Violette began preparing herself, her movements precise and methodical. She'd been trained since childhood in the traditions of Hillstain to handle herself independently while outside her country—a principle she upheld with pride.

"Understood, Your Highness," Asher replied curtly, though the moment grated on him. He despised when Violette wielded her authority so effortlessly, her regal demeanor a painful reminder of his own past. A fleeting memory of his father burned through his mind, stoking his anger. Unable to suppress the contempt twisting his features, he turned sharply and left to prepare her vehicle, his usual stoic mask slipping back into place as he walked away.

***

As Violette stepped out of her chamber, she found Asher standing at her door, his posture rigid and composed. His presence sent a quiet thrill through her, though she quickly masked it. There was something magnetic about him—the way he held himself, the unwavering professionalism that she couldn't help but admire.

"Morning, Ash," she said softly, her voice carrying an unspoken hope.

"Morning, Your Highness," came his polite yet distant reply. The flatness in his tone might have stung, but Violette didn't dwell on it. Instead, she convinced herself it was simply part of who he was—reserved, perhaps even shy. She didn't pause to question why she found even his aloofness so endearing.

Huffing lightly, she teased, "We're not in public, Ash. Why won't you call me Vivi like before?"His reply was curt and matter-of-fact. "Protocol. We're not in Hillstain, and there are too many people watching."

The words felt like a barrier, yet she chose to see it as his sense of duty rather than indifference. She didn't consciously realize how much she had built him up in her mind, how her admiration blurred the lines between reality and her own idealized image of him.

When she suggested breakfast together, his refusal was unsurprising, yet it still left a faint disappointment. Straightening her posture, she walked past him with quiet dignity, unaware of the subtle tension she carried. Behind her, Asher followed, his silent presence a constant reminder of how far away he truly felt.

As Violette stepped out of her chamber, she found Asher standing stoically at her door. The sight of him, ever composed and distant, sent a flutter through her chest. To her, he wasn't just her bodyguard—he was the embodiment of perfection, the man she admired above all others. His unwavering demeanor only fueled her fascination.

***

Violette descended gracefully, her freshly adorned yellow-pink flowery dress swaying delicately with each step. The intricate design complemented her perfectly blended cold-tone makeup, creating an air of effortless elegance. Though Asher remained as stoic as ever, indifferent to her carefully curated appearance, Tatiana more than made up for his lack of reaction.

The pregnant Tatiana, seated comfortably in her simple yet elegant white dress, was idly scrolling through her phone as she waited. The empty antique plate before her hinted at her patience, a quiet testament to her willingness to wait for her younger sister. As Violette reached her, a pang of guilt struck her heart—Tatiana had clearly been waiting for her to wake.

Noticing her approach, Tatiana set her phone aside and greeted her with a warm, affectionate smile, her tone brimming with compliments. "Ah, finally, my gorgeous baby sister is awake! Oh my, that outfit looks absolutely marvelous on you!" Her eyes sparkled with genuine admiration, making up for the praise Violette had silently wished for earlier.

Violette giggled softly. "I'm sorry for being late," she said, settling into her seat. "I was completely worn out from yesterday's journey."

"No problem. Eat your breakfast to recharge," Tatiana replied warmly. "What's your agenda for today?"

"I'll be meeting Evan sooner than expected," Violette said with quiet satisfaction. "Yesterday's negotiation with the president succeeded." Tatiana raised an eyebrow, "That's surprising. What time?"

"Around noon. I'll prepare and leave in two hours," Violette replied. Leaning closer, she whispered, "Asher told me this morning. It didn't register it was him at first, but when I saw him waiting outside my room, he seemed so stern. It upsets me—he's changed so much." Tatiana sipped her tea quietly, her thoughts turning over. As someone who had deeply loved her husband, she knew how love etched someone's voice into your mind. She recalled how, even blindfolded in a hospital years ago, she instantly recognized Fian's voice despite their years apart. The fact that Violette hadn't immediately realized it was Asher planted a seed of doubt.

Perhaps it's not love, but admiration, she thought. A small sigh of relief escaped her—if that was the case, the King's concerns about Asher were valid.

"Don't worry about him," Tatiana said lightly, avoiding further comments about Asher. He was under Kingsley's surveillance—security the King trusted completely. "

Vivi," she continued, "Kingsley will handle your safety while you're here. Yesterday, the airport guards ensured you arrived smoothly, but since it's just you and Asher traveling, I'll assign a few of my men to stay near you. Is that alright?"

Violette smiled. "Of course, as long as I can move freely."

With her plate now clean, Violette excused herself to prepare for her meeting with Evan. As she ascended the stairs, her mind brimmed with possibilities. If Evan had shifted his plans to meet her, it was a golden opportunity to solidify her own. The thought of a contractual fiancé ignited a thrill within her—an excitement she hadn't felt in years.

For the first time in a long while, her heart buzzed with anticipation, eager to see how the day would unfold.

***