He looks tired and... angry? I wondered what pissed him off when he was having a fun night at the brothel.

"Your Highness, I'm sorry but I have to talk to Lady Tran first. Do you mind waiting?" He asked only out of politeness. Immediately reached for my wrist and pulled me off my cushion.

"Hey! That's hurt!" I shouted quietly.

He didn't care and pulled me out the room. Do sprinted non-stop until we reached to our secret place in the garden. He stood there like a statue, expression as hard as stone. I swung my wrist off his hand, catching for my breath.

"What do you need?" I asked confusingly.

"You cannot speak with the prince."

"What?"

"You heard me." He annoyed.

Now I'm also annoyed.

"I'm so sorry but who even are you to control who I can speak or not? Remember. You are just a commoner that my father brought back to become my brother. So, unless you have a clear enough reason to stop me from doing so. Don't you dare controlling me around."

Do was taken aback by what I said. By my reminder of his status. By my reminder of who he is. Pain flicked in his eyes. And pain churned in me too.

It shouldn't have bother me to stand up for myself. To prove the power I possess as a woman. It shouldn't have.

Do is too stunned to speak anything but he still tried to select what to tell me. He paced around and signed. My patience is wearing thin. I frowned and turned around, about to go off this place if he didn't call me back.

"Milady!"

"What!"

"Fine. You want the reason? I will give you. You will soon have to marry the prince."

I froze.

Marry the prince? What? How? Why? There is no way it's Father's idea. Right? Father would never do that to me. He would never let me marry a person that I haven't approved of. This is just a plan right? There is still a chance for me to stop this right? I looked into Do's eyes for confirmation.

He knew what I was thinking. He knew and he shook his head. At that moment, for the first time, my world collapsed.

My knees wobbled. I crumbled on the ground, trembling.

"Why... Tell me why." I cried out.

Do followed my lead and knelt down. He grabbed my shoulders.

"The King needs a successor and the only option he has left is prince Sam. It's Father's and Uncle's suggestion to make him the crown prince. Father and Uncle will support the new crown prince. And in exchange for our house's power, he has to make you his crown princess. That's the deal."

I flickered with confusion. "But why does it have to be me? Can't they ask for a position in the court for you?"

Do scoffed. "Milady. Have you always been this naive? With my ability, I could get a high position in the court whenever I want. But what Father and Uncle want is the throne. They want to overthrow the Royal!"

Words like thunder in my ears. Overthrow the Royal? Are they fucking insane?

"They want me to be a spy beside the crown prince? And you! You want to overthrow them too, don't you? That's why you tell me about the affair." Yes, I'm naive, not stupid to not realising this fact. "Why didn't you stop them?"

"Who told you I didn't! I tried but they didn't listen. I spent the whole night outside to find a cousin of you that would willing to go for your sake but none of them have the status as high as you to fit the title." Do snapped.

I have never seen him this angry before. Come to think of it. Why did he care so much about me? If he wants to overthrow the Royal, he will want me to become the crown princess too. It would be more convenient for him to use me, wouldn't it?

"Why do you care so much?"

"What do you mean why do I care? After all these years, you didn't even realise one bit? About this. About my affection?"

The realisation hit in. Tran Thu Do. He likes me.

The thought made me blushed. Happiness tingled in me. For the first time, I realised maybe I have an affection for him too. I looked at the handsome face in front of me. Even when he is angry, his beauty still shines through. For the first time, I realised I love the way that he frowned and worried about me.

Maybe that's why I always cause troubles for him to come and save me. Maybe that's why I always pick up fights for him to protect me. Maybe that's why I am so scared of finding a husband.

Because I want him.

Do looked at me with love in his eyes and I'm afraid I can't resist it. Because if he looked into my eyes for ten more seconds, he would know. He would know that I-

His lips crushed into mine.