Later that evening…

  Beautiful lights glowed magically across the luxurious dining room. Mouth?watering delicacies were spread across the small, black?polished wooden table where Ariel, Raymond, and the Queen Dowager, Alicia, sat.

  It was a warm and welcoming setting—but for Ariel, it was anything but warm.

  The summer air seemed to scorch her, even inside the well?ventilated room where the air conditioner released a steady cool breeze.

  It wasn't the hot food that made her uncomfortable—it was the awkward atmosphere between her and Raymond.

  To him, the scene he had stumbled upon earlier was proof that his plan was working perfectly. But to her, it was mortifying. Her father walking in on a private moment—an accidental private moment never meant to happen—was too much embarrassment to swallow in one day.

  Ariel stole a glance at him, only to find him focused on his food. When he turned his head toward her, she quickly averted her gaze, scanning the room instead to avoid his eyes.

  Raymond noticed her awkwardness. He smirked faintly, shook his head, and returned his attention to the meal.

  Ariel cleared her throat and took a sip of water, trying to calm her raging nerves.

  All the while, Alicia observed the tension. She could feel the distance between father and daughter—mostly from Ariel—and wondered what had transpired to create such an atmosphere.

  Just then, the door creaked open, and all eyes turned to the newcomer.

  Daniel strode in, his domineering aura sweeping into the room.

  He bowed to his grandmother, who acknowledged him with a nod and a smile.

  Turning to Raymond, he offered a slight bow, his eyes shifting awkwardly to avoid his gaze. Raymond simply inclined his head in response.

  Finally, Daniel looked at Ariel. Their eyes locked for a brief moment before both quickly looked away, clearing their throats in unison as Daniel took his seat.

  Alicia's smile widened at the awkward exchange between the three. She was certain something juicy had happened. She would probe the old man later for details—but for now, it was time for warm dinner pleasantries.

  "Mmm…" Alicia cleared her throat to gain their attention. All heads turned toward her.

  "Good evening, everyone. Thank you for accompanying me at this lovely dinner. It is such an honor to have you all together again after our last visit. I hope you enjoy this meal—please, dig in before it gets cold."

  Ariel and Raymond bowed politely before taking up their cutlery and beginning to eat.

  After a few minutes…

  "So, Ariel darling," Alicia began, "what do you think of the palace so far? Is it to your liking?"

  Ariel swallowed her food and replied sweetly, "The palace is lovely, Your Majesty. Although I haven't seen much of it yet, I'm sure I'll make time to go on a tour."

  "Oh… you haven't seen the entire palace yet?" Alicia asked.

  Ariel didn't reply—she only smiled faintly.

  "My goodness, dear," Alicia pressed, "what were you doing all afternoon? Lying in bed inside such grandeur without any curiosity to explore? Were you so in love with your room that you decided to tangle with the sheets instead of marveling at the splendor?"

  Ariel immediately stiffened, her eyes wide.

  "Cough! Cough!" Raymond choked on his food.

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  Daniel froze completely, a spoon of food suspended mid?air.

  Well..only for a second did Daniel's gaze lock onto Ariel before he quickly shoved food into his mouth, feigning cold indifference as if nothing had happened.

  "Oh, Father, are you okay?" Ariel exclaimed, rubbing Raymond's back and handing him a glass of water.

  Alicia grinned inwardly, delighted by the awkwardness that had erupted the moment she spoke.

  'So it happened in Ariel's bedroom. Hehehe. Don't worry—you can't hide it from me for long. I'll make you cough it up one way or another,' she mused, a small sinister smile tugging at her lips before she turned to Raymond.

  "Oh, Raymond dear, are you alright? You really should get that old throat of yours checked before it gets worse."

  Raymond coughed a few more times before calming down. "I am fine, Your Majesty. Thank you." He drew a steady breath. "I'm sorry for making you worry. This old throat still causes trouble. My apologies."

  "Oh, it's quite alright, Raymond. We're getting older, not younger—such things happen to us old folk. Nothing to apologize for." She then turned to Ariel. "My dear, forgive my earlier remark. I simply assumed you'd be thrilled to explore the palace since it's your first time here. I forgot that you and your father traveled a long way—you must have been tired and wanted to rest. So you chose to relax and settle in before exploring, yes?"

  Ariel nodded quickly. "It's okay, Your Majesty. There's no need to apologize. I'll definitely make time to explore the palace another day."

  "Nonsense!" Alicia declared. "You deserve to have your first day be special. Don't worry, dear—Daniel will give you a personal tour of the palace after dinner. And I trust you'll also have time to… interact before the competition." She winked at Ariel.

  Ariel froze, her face flushing crimson as she shifted her gaze awkwardly toward Daniel—who was now casually picking his teeth with a golden toothpick, acting utterly oblivious to the situation.

  Ariel felt heat rising in her chest.

  How dare he act so casual, as if nothing had ever happened between them. He should have been trying to ease them out of this situation—not ignoring it entirely.

  She huffed silently, her gaze lingering on him.

  He had changed.

  From his provocative seductive black shirt and slacks into something gentlemanly. Seductive my foot! The whole man was a walking seductive machine. Those clothes were probably his casuals but his godlike masculine physique just couldn't let normal clothes be normal.

  As if sensing her stare, Daniel turned and met her eyes. Their gazes locked, and Ariel's heart pounded like a war drum in her ears.

  Subconsciously, her eyes dropped to his lips. Those rosy, plush lips—the tender touch of them still lingered on hers. She had always imagined them to be rough, but they were the softest lips she had ever kissed.

  Her mind drifted back to the earlier scene. Although it was accidentally. And sooo unwanted. It still stirred something inside her. She found herself imagining what it might have felt like if it had been a real kiss—lips moving in sync, tongues exploring, bodies pressed together, heat curling around them…

  Ariel shook her head sharply, banishing the thought, and averted her gaze.

  'Damn it, Ariel, get a grip! Sheesh! How can you feel something for this scumbag? He's way out of your league! And it's not going to happen. No!'

  She growled inwardly, snatched up her glass of water, and downed it as if her life depended on it. Yet the heat only grew hotter, like a blazing furnace inside the room.

  Today she had already endured enough of this beast. She couldn't handle him anymore. She had narrowly escaped his monstrous grip once—she wasn't about to let herself fall again.

  Thinking back to the scene where he held her tight, his usual monstrous crimson eyes had darkened even further.

  She could feel the beast's need. It was literally pressing against her stomach, and she knew she was done for as his gaze deepened with lust. She dreaded what was about to happen.

  All her efforts to push away the beastly scumbag had been in vain. He was still going to have his way with her—in the worst possible way. She couldn't fight back. Attacking him might expose her other identity, and things would spiral into chaos.

  Ariel froze as his grip tightened. She closed her eyes, bracing for the inevitable.

  But then—suddenly—her body was spun around and thrown onto the bed. The grip loosened.

  She opened her eyes just in time to see his silhouette vanish through the balcony, leaping off with fluid precision.

  Ariel lay motionless, clutching her chest.

  That was a close call. Too close. And she knew she never wanted to go through it again.

  No. Never.

  With that, Ariel turned to the Queen Dowager and opened her mouth to speak when—

  "I am busy tonight."

  The smooth, husky voice echoed through the room.

  Ariel turned to face Daniel, who had spoken.

  He glanced at her briefly before shifting his gaze to his grandmother.

  "I will give Lady Ariel a tour of the palace another day. Tonight, I have something important to do."

  'Like taking another cold shower!' he growled inwardly. 'This woman still stirs something inside me—even without doing anything but staring at me with those cute black eyes. Wait! Did I just call her eyes cute? The hell! I'd better get out of here before I start blabbering more nonsense. This woman is dangerous.'

  He rose from his chair, bowed, and said, "Please excuse me." Then he turned and left.

  Alicia opened her mouth to speak, but he was already out the door.

  "Huh…" Alicia sighed, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, Ariel. Your future husband is one heck of a grumpy ore hare. But with you around, I'm sure he'll soften a little."

  Ariel flushed and lowered her gaze shyly.

  "Anyway, I'll leave you two to discuss. I also have something important to prepare for the Selection. So, if you'll excuse me." Alicia stood from her seat. "Good night, dearies. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

  Ariel and Raymond rose and bowed. "Have a good night, Your Majesty."

  Alicia hummed as she walked toward the door, then paused. "And oh, for the record—I was actually bidding good?night pleasantries to my dear sweet Ariel. Raymond, a glass of vintage whiskey and a chat with this old lady before bed would be nice." She winked.

  Raymond smiled in response.

  "Well then. Chao…" Alicia said, striding out.

  Ariel turned to face Raymond, who was eyeing her intently with a look that said they had much to discuss.

  Ariel swallowed and looked away shyly.

  'Oh crap. It's going to be a long talk.'

  ..........

  Meanwhile…

  Daniel walked with fast, deliberate steps toward his new study office.

  He had been on his way to his room for a cold shower—to forget about the Flamingo for a while—when his bodyguard, Jack, informed him that someone was waiting in his study and wished to speak with him.

  Daniel paused at the door, drew a deep breath, and entered.

  The atmosphere was thick with tension, like a ticking bomb waiting for the right moment to explode.

  Inside, he immediately faced the back of a man with an athletic, masculine physique, perfectly contoured beneath a maroon suit. His short, wavy black hair glimmered under the dim light.

  As if sensing his presence, the man turned and faced Daniel.

  He bowed slightly. "Greetings, Your Highness."

  Daniel did not bow in return. He kept his expression straight, fists coiled at his sides. Rage boiled within him, but he hid it very...very..well.

  "Lord Slovak," he said through clenched teeth.

  "Your Highness," Ezekiel replied smoothly. "Forgive me for seeking your audience so late. But we have something to discuss. Something very important." A smile tugged at his lips.

  Daniel knew that smile too well. It was not friendly. Not at all.

  It was bad news.

  And one thing was certain—

  It was definitely going to piss him off.