Villains also get Second chance

His eyes opened and he looked at me and nodded, 

"It is, I apologize for my mistake. Though there are some punishments in it that are a part of our palace education policy, many are not, like we never inflict physical pain unless the mistake is severe.

Thank you for pointing it out, I will look into the matter in detail and will take care of it." his voice was calm and professional again, as if he was not the one who had lost his temper and cursed a minute ago.

"No, I am not here for that, I want the right over his education and well being." I asked and he took a pause as he looked deep into me as if he was trying to search my soul, did he still think I was doing it to control Killian and take over dukedom, if that's the case then he was not worth my forgiveness.

"Mari, i thought you are leaving me and Killian in a few months." he said in such a deep voice that i felt a dagger hit straight to my heart, did he just call me Mari! That also with so much tenderness.

"I..i will '' i replied closing my eyes, wasn't it him that proposed a divorce, then why did it felt like i was the one who wanted to leave and i was the one who was having an illicit relationship.

"That's what i thought, then what will be the meaning of transferring the rights to you, when you will return it in a few months." he asked again and i felt all my nerves getting hurt.

"I will return it to you after being sure that everything is perfect, as a work occupied person, you would not get time to look into every detail, your highness." i replied and he finally nodded,

"Alright then, i will have to burden once again with a responsibility," he replied in a professional tone. This man had switches and levers.

His expressions and behaviour changed in every second as if a lever was pulled and the new behaviour was there.

"Is there anything else too?" he asked me as I did not stand and walked out.

I looked around the files, it would take me at least fifteen minutes to find the file.

"Ah, yes, last night, i was not able to have dinner with both of you, so i was wondering can we have dinner in the lake garden today?" I asked with a bright smile, hoping that he would take the hook.

His face immediately brightened as he said, "sure, i will arrange it right away." 

"Ah, thank you, hope I am not being a burden to you." i said with a sweet and shy face.

'Ah Mari, don't be over dramatic, he would be suspicious' the villain in me shouted, when i felt his gaze on me.

"Ah, I mean, you had spent the whole night taking care of me." i added, to divert his mind, but he still continued to look at me.

'Had my dramatic skills fallen that much, in the name of god, go out of the office, Cassius, i did not have much time.' i repeated it in my heart 

"Alright, I will make the arrangements" he said finally as he stood up.

"Ah, if you don't mind, can i sit here for a while, i am feeling tired.'' I said and he nodded, I took a sigh of relief but the man did not go out, he walked to the sofa and rang the bell.

Soon almost 6 maids were standing there, and I cursed. Why have i not hid the bell before asking him.

'You are such a fool, Mari!!' my eyes roamed on the desk trying to find the particular file when he was giving instructions to the maid. It took me some time when I finally saw the bunch of letters and the record book below them.

I moved and tried to hold it when his voice rang in my ears, "what are you doing?" my heart jumped so hard in my ribcage and i turned only to get crushed in his strong chest.

He held my waist in his arms to steady me as i rubbed my head, 

"Why were you standing just behind me?'' I asked in an accusing manner and he raised a brow.

"I was standing here since the start, why were you so distracted, and what were you trying to find?" he asked as his eyes moved towards the table. 

I had shifted the file from its original position, what if he found out the difference, oh lord, now i had even become the thief, what else i had to face in this life!

"Aah" i yelped, holding my leg and his attention turned back to me, 

"What happened to you?" he asked in a worried tone, and I made my face further pitiful.

"My ankle, it twisted and my heels are hurting now."  I said , trying my best to look hurt.

He stared at me, and I thought he had caught my lie, but in the next second something unexpected happened.

He kneeled down in front of me and lifted my gown a bit to see where I was hurt.

My eyes widened as I could not believe that a proud man like him was kneeling down in front of a lady, no matter what the reason was. He could have called maids again to tend to my wound and I would have used the chance to shift the file back to his original position.

His thumb grazed over my ankles and it felt so strange, his touch was so cold yet I felt warmth spreading in my heels as if it was scalding.

I shook my head to snap out of the daze and put my hand on the table, acting as if i was taking its support and slowly moved it towards the file and in one swift motion i shifted it back perfectly.

But then I felt his hands moving further up as he lifted my dress up to my knees and I gasped.