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Natalie became uncomfortable with his penetrating gaze and was thinking of ways to alleviate the tension in the air when he suddenly broke into a wide grin and she released the breath she had been holding in.

“Seriously!” She hit him on the chest not that it hurt him. That man had muscles on him as firm as a rock.

“You’re so cute to tease,” He laughed at her yet asked, “Why would you call me a nutcase?”

“Why would you ask me such a stupid question,” She threw back at him. “You know what? I’m going to get back at you for that!” Natalie promised him.

“I can’t wait,” Eric was up for the challenge, staring at her through lowered lashes as he gulped his first glass of wine.

Silence descended on them and Natalie used that chance to feed herself while he busied himself with the wine. Eric would spoil her rotten if she lets her. He was a kind and caring man, at least to her, because to others, his title, ‘king of hell’ perfectly depicted him.

But Natalie was not scared of Eric, not when she spent all of her life around him – around them. They were practically family. She knew the princes like the back of her hand having played the role of an unofficial mother in their lives – at least to the youngest of them, Elijah.

“So, how’s your wife?”

.....

And by wife, she was referring to his daughter Rose. That was what everyone in the family called her because the young girl was more demanding than a nagging wife but the man doted on her nonetheless.

“What do you think? She’s bouncing with her endless energy as usual and no, she’s not at home. She’s out of the country – at her mother’s place. The woman suddenly asked to see her,”

And by woman, Eric meant his baby mama. Rose’s mom had only been his girlfriend by the time she was pregnant with his child and while Eric was willing to settle down with her, Karen realized he wasn’t good enough for her and wanted nothing to do with him.

“Any woman in your life then?” She questioned.

He smirked, “Why are you so interested? Are you an option?”

This fool! Natalie shook her head in amusement, he never changed at all.

“It’s been years since Karen left you, Eric. You’re not getting any older. You need to settle down and start a family. Even your daughter supports that as well, hence, there’s no room for excuses,” She said.

“I’ll get a wife when I’m ready,” Was all he said.

“You’re forty,”

Eric leaned closer, using her words against her, “There’s no age barrier in love,” he winked at her.

Natalie snorted a laugh. He never changed.

Eric tilted his head questioningly, “What about you? You said you were never going to come back. Could it be... you’re here for her?” He asked hesitantly.

Natalie’s eyes slightly widened, even a blind man could sense her discomfort at that sensitive conversation he brought up.

“It’s nothing like that,” She said, without looking him in the eyes.

“It’s not too late to find her,”

“Can we just drop the conversation?” Natalie’s voice was taut and she was close to losing it.

“Fine” Eric dropped the case yet brought up another issue, “But don’t tell me we are not having revenge on that man?”

If Natalie had been annoyed at the earlier conversation, she trembled now.

“There will be nothing like revenge. I just came here to rest and live out the rest of my life with people that matter,” she said to him, vexed by the conversation.

Eric frowned, “So you’re just going to let him go like that?”

“Yes, I’m going to let him go because that’s the right thing to do rather than dwell on the past,” She nodded her head, “He hurt me real bad and that’s a good reason to never set my eyes on him again,” Natalie didn’t even want to think about him.

“And what if he finds you this time? What will you do if he comes to discover you are alive when he believes you are dead?” Eric intentionally asked that question to get her reaction and it didn’t fail his expectations.

Natalie shivered, gulping down a lump in her throat. She suddenly lost appetite for the food in front of her and folded both hands on her lap.

However, even amid the fear, she still lifted her head proudly, “I’m not the same naive woman from years back, Eric. If he tries to get in my way this time, I’ll crush him with everything I have,” Natalie’s gaze was empty yet chilling as she meant every single word she said. She was done running away.

Eric was pleased with that response, that was what he wanted. If that bastard were to find her, she needed even lift a finger, he’d willingly let the world burn for her sake. That was how much he loved her – not that she knew. And he’d keep the secret until the time was right.

They didn’t say much after that conversation and their car arrived in no time. Eric was the first to step out and held the door open with one hand while the other helped her to step out.

“Wow,” Natalie breathed, staring up at the grandiose castle. She had almost forgotten how breathing-taking it could be staring at it from a distance.

“You should see the inside,” Eric came up behind her, almost startling her. Sometimes one needed to tie a bell around that man; he walked stealthily. Natalie had been distracted by the magnificent view, she had almost forgotten him.

“I made renovations that would interest you,” He invited her, hand stretched out towards her.

Natalie smiled, taking his hand in hers as he gave her a tour of the castle that had changed drastically since her last visit. Maybe it wasn’t so bad coming back here.