Esme awkwardly shifted on the bed, her eyes wide open as she glanced at the thick curtain, wondering whether the person on the other side was awake or sleeping.

    She could not believe that she gave in to his wild demand of her staying here. Her Aunt will probably hang her upside down if she came to know that she is living in one room with a man.

    Aleister was adamant on this, and she knew he won''t hesitate in putting her in a cage if she disagreed. Moreover, the man unabashedly claimed that she must have some wrong intentions towards him for which she was hesitating on staying with him. What wrong intentions could she possibly have?

    But for Esme, her life came first. She was scared of going back to the room and closing her eyes there, not knowing where she would wake up the next time she opened them.

    A few days only... It should not be too much to deal with and by the time she will go back, her Aunt also won''t know.

    Till then, she will have to survive and not think about anything else.

    ''''Don''t feel like sleeping?"

    Esme''s head snapped in his direction. He wasn''t sleeping? "Uh... No,'''' She quickly got off the bed before walking towards fireplace.

    Silence.

    Esme took a seat on the chair in front of the fireplace, her mind stumbling over the words they found carved in that wooden shelf.

    ''Not to be tamed, not to appear

    Neither by a battle hymn, nor by holy water''

    ''''Who won''t be tamed and who will not appear?" Esme asked after contemplating over it, ''''Do you think it is about the book or a person?"

    There was a knock on the door and Aleister pushed himself out of the bed as Rowan stepped inside. He paused, sensing another presence in the room.

    Esme stood up as she slowly nodded at the man.

    Rowan pressed his palm on his neck.

    A small gasp escaped Esme''s mouth. Even from a distance, she could see the glaring red marks on his neck, ''''How did this happen?" She pointed her finger towards it curiously. She knew Rowan was Aleister''s right hand man then he must be strong. Who could do this to him?

    Rowan glanced at her in disbelief.

    Esme was taken aback. Why was he looking at her with accusing eyes?

    Aleister narrowed his eyes.

    ''''I-It''s Leo, Princess,'''' Rowan cleared his throat, ''''My Lord, His Majesty has summoned you in the court. Two other maids have died last night. The magistrate is here as it is said that...''''

    Esme''s eyes narrowed slightly.

    ''''...That you have killed them along with the other 18 maids that have died this month,'''' Rowan completed his words under Esme''s piercing stare. He wondered if she remembered something and was blaming him for touching her hand.

    Aleister nodded, completely unfazed, ''''I will be there.''''

    As Rowan left, Esme walked towards him, ''''It was not you. You were with me last night.''''

    Aleister glanced at her.

    ''''Do you want me to be the witness that you were with me the whole night...?'''' She paused when he took a step towards her.

    ''''Do you hear yourself, Esme? A man and woman together for a whole night. Do you understand how people will perceive it?" He tucked the loose strands of her hair behind her ear when she looked at him through her dense lashes, ''''You are willing to claim it in the court without thinking of your reputation. Since when did you care about me that much?" He waited for her to go red in the face.

    But she surprised him, ''''We are lovers, aren''t we?" She asked with a straight face. As he raised an eyebrow, she continued, ''''They should not be shocked for they think that we are lovers. We are living in one room so there is not much reputation left for me to save. You have done so much for me. This is the least I can do for you.''''

    Aleister was stunned for a moment before he cupped her face, with his thumb stroking her cheek while his other fingers rested behind her ear, ''''No one will ever talk about you. I assure you of that. Get some sleep. I will be back after proving how innocent I am about this matter,'''' A glint flashed through his eyes as his thumb stroked her face for one last time before he turned around and left.

    Esme glanced at his retreating back before walking towards the bed, which was newly arranged in his room. She settled on it with a blank expression on her face. Her grew warm gradually as her cheeks flushed. She grabbed the sheets before covering her faced which turned red like a cooked lobster.

    Even she was surprised at her words. And what he said really made her wonder that why would she want to be the the witness for him putting her reputation on stake? She managed to conceal her thoughts at that time so that he won''t taunt her.

    Esme shook her head, ''''He has helped me so much. It is only right for me to ask whether he needs my help.''''

    That''s humanity.

    But...

    Since when did she not feel shame saying such things blatantly?

    ...

    Duchess Flora poured some tea for Esme, ''''Little lady, see yourself in the mirror. You look so pale.''''

    ''''My Lady, is this...her...Our Prince''s future wife?" An old woman came to stand beside Duchess Flora.

    ''''Yes, it''s her. Lady Esmeray,'''' Duchess Flora smiled before looking at Esme, ''''She is my nanny. She has looked after me since I was born. I call her Aunt Greta.''''

    ''''Meanwhile, Lady Esme can call me Grandma,'''' The old lady smiled, wrinkles appearing on the corner of her eyes as she stood there with her her back bent, holding a cane in her hand.

    Esme shook her head, ''''Then, you will have to call me Esme.''''

    Both the ladies ended up laughing at her words.