Substitute Wife for the Mafia King R18

Chapter 212: Old Flame

I’ve waited far too long for this...

The door closed behind us and then I heard the sound of the door knob locking. The room felt cozy enough and felt very suitable for a meeting that didn’t involve many people. Prince Desmond gestured with his hand for me to take a seat on the sofa. I didn’t think that I would feel this nervous in his presence but the way that my heart was racing in my chest told me that I was wrong. Although the prince’s presence wasn’t at all as intimidating as Bradon’s, his presence was commanding and that reminded me that despite the informal setting of our meeting, I was in the presence of royalty.

“You don’t have to look so nervous,” the prince said to break the silence hanging in between us.

I wished that it would be that easy. He offered me a smile that I felt looked very genuine and I ended up smiling in return.

“I am nervous...” I replied honestly.

“Is it because it’s been many years since we’ve met?” he asked before he smiled at me again.

“Yes. Thank you for coming to see me,” I said as I tried to stop myself from feeling emotional at our reunion.

“I’m sorry for the long wait. I should have found a way to get in touch with you ever since I learnt of your return. The king’s condition has been unstable for far longer than the public knows and that’s been keeping me quite busy. Of course, I’m not using that as an excuse for myself,” the prince said while sounding too apologetic for my liking.

“It’s more than good enough that you are here now, Your Highness,” I replied politely.

The prince shook his head slowly from side to side as he let out a sigh. When he looked at me again, there was a sorrowful look in his gray eyes.

“Drop the formalities, Dahlia. Just call me by my name like you used to,” he said encouragingly.

“Are you sure?” I asked before biting down on my lower lip in my hesitation.

“You can’t even do that for me? I’m not here to see you as the prince and I think you know that already. You did receive my gift didn’t you?” he asked although I was certain that he already knew the answer.

That maid must have been someone that he sent. I wasn’t sure of it then, but I am absolutely certain of it now. She must have reported back to him after she made sure to deliver that book to me directly.

“Desmond...” I called him by his name just like he wanted me to.

“Does it feel strange for you to call me by my name now? What about you try practicing it a couple more times until you get used to it again?” he suggested with a teasing laugh.

“No, thanks. I’ll manage just fine, Desmond,” I replied while making sure to place obvious stress on his name.

“That’s it. You sound so much more like you now,” he said before laughing with clear delight.

Although he was being pushy, I had to admit that what he did truly helped to break the ice wall between us. I smiled before giggling lightly as I felt some tension melt away from my chest. Perhaps, there wasn’t anything for me to fear. Although time had passed by and we haven’t been in touch at all since I decided to leave this country for good, Desmond hadn’t seemed to change so much. The way he smiled at me and the way we could laugh together started to feel natural and it reminded me of the old times that we shared.

“Really?” I asked as I tried to stop myself from giggling.

“I know that I promised Bradon not to lay as much as a finger on your hair and all that but...can’t we just do it once for old times sake?” he asked as he leaned forward.

The mischievous look in his eyes as he stared at my face before his gaze slowly swept down along the entire length of my body told me that he wasn’t just playing with me with empty words. I leaned forward as I placed my elbows on my knees to stare right back at him.

“Will once really be enough for you, Your Highness?” I asked before narrowing my eyes seductively.

“Welcome back. I really missed you, Dahlia,” he confessed softly.

...

**Years before**

I think someone is following me...

I walked a little faster along the hallway inside the palace that would eventually lead me back to the ballroom where the party was being held in honor of the crown prince’s birthday. Although the party was held every year and we as members of the Alnault family were naturally invited to attend as if it was one of our duties, this year’s party was much grander than those held the years before.

Other girls may feel excited to be invited to the palace to celebrate the prince’s birthday, but for me, it felt like a chore and nothing more. There must have been a time when I was a young girl when I enjoyed parties like this but that was back when I didn’t know much about anything that was going on including the politics that were intensely at play at these kinds of events.

My mother didn’t spare any time and expense in preparing my sister and I for the party. Dresses were designed and made in advance and the best stylists in the country were hired to dress us. Of course, Diana was supposed to be the face of our family while I was to serve as the secondary decoration. Regardless of my insignificant role at the party, I still had to look at least decently presentable when I stood next to my sister.

When I became old enough to properly understand that the party was just another event where noble families would do their best to build a relationship with the king and the royal family, the party lost all of its charm.

–To be continued...

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