Ileus: The Dark Prince

Kaizan pinned Ara with his glare as he gritted his teeth. The girl was getting out of control and he had to nip it in the bud. "Why do you want to know about our orchards?" he asked, emphasizing on 'our orchards'. 

Ara shifted in her place as if the question unsettled her. She looked at Paige for help. "I— I am just worried about Paige. She is such a sweet girl and is only a soldier in the king's army. I mean," she shrugged, "how much is she earning? All the income that comes from the orchards goes to a common kitty…" 

"Ara!" Kaizan's voice boomed in hall. "Don't cross your line. This is a family matter and you still aren't family!" 

"Kaizan!" Paige protested. "She is with me now. She can ask whatever questions she want to." 

Kaizan snapped his head to look at Paige and she seemed like she was seething with rage. Her cheeks were flushed red and her eyes were wide. What had Ara done to his little sister that she retorted? His gaze went to his mother and father and even they were so unnerved by the situation. Ookashi was staring at Paige. Suddenly, he heard a soft sniffle. 

"Ara!" Paige's voice toned several notches down. "Please don't cry. I am so sorry, darling, please." She started stroking Ara's forearm in order to quiet her. 

"I was—" she sniffled as she wiped a tear from her left cheek. "I only want your prosperity, Paige. Is it something wrong?" 

"Of course not." Paige assured her. "I know your intentions are pure. Please don't cry and have your food." She gave water to Ara. 

Ara gulped down the water and glanced at Kaizan. She placed the glass on the table and gazed at everyone who was sitting. "I don't mean any harm to all of you. Now that Paige and I are partners, I really wanted to see how much Paige can support me. And honestly, her salary as a soldier is not sufficient for both of us because we have big plans. And that is why both Paige and I discussed yesterday night on how to go ahead." 

Ookashi and Nate froze in their place. No one had ever talked like this. They knew where this conversation was going. 

Ara held Paige's hand and squeezed it. She lifted it up to her lips and kissed it. A pale blush rose on Paige's cheeks. She continued, unfazed by everyone's unease. "I know that this can come as a shock, but it is vital for me to know that Paige is able to support both of us. And so, we have decided that you should give Paige her share of property." She glanced at her Paige and asked in a sultry voice, "Is that right, Paige?" 

Paige nodded slightly as if in a trance. Her lips parted. Then she turned her face to see others who had become quiet. All at once she realized that discomfort marred the air. She dropped her head low and stared in her lap, as her heart sped up. 

Before Kaizan could speak anything, in a very stern voice Nate said, "Do you mean that you will not be working and going to depend on Paige for all your necessities?" 

Ara jerked her head back slightly. "I— I will—" She looked at Paige for help again. 

"Father, she—" Paige intervened. 

Nate put his hands up in the air to stop her from speaking. "Stay quiet," he said in a dangerous voice. "I am not talking to you." 

Paige became quiet immediately. She had never seen her father so angry in a long time. Ara gulped. Nate's aura was so strong that she winced. A ragged breath left her. "I haven't decided. Moreover, Paige has never demanded that I also work." 

"Father, this is our relationship. I don't want Ara to work. She is so weak and fragile," Paige intervened in a low voice. Nate's harsh glare quieted her again. 

Nate leaned over and crossed his arms on the table. "So, tell me Ara. If I don't give Paige her share of property, will you leave her?" he asked. 

Ara blinked and her mouth dropped to the floor. She looked… shocked. "I won't leave her," she replied after a moment of gathering her wits. "But both of us want to move away from here eventually… And for that she must get her share. After all, she is your daughter and she has equal share in your property." 

Nate narrowed his eyes. "When Kaizan got married and Olivia came, she could have also asked to stay away and take her share of property, but she didn't. But believe me that I would have given it to her because she was legally married to my son and is his mate. But you—" he smirked. "Are you her mate? I would have without a doubt given Paige's share to her had you been her mate."

"B— but that's unfair!" Ara cried. "We love each other!" 

"Do I look like a fool to you, Ara?" Nate's voice came out as a growl. "If you loved her, you wouldn't have talked about Paige supporting you, but you would have been talking about how to support her." 

"What?" Ara cried again. "I support Paige so much. I only want her welfare." Her eyes became watery. "All I have ever wanted was Paige's success. What is wrong if both of us want to live separately and not with the family?" Tears ran out of her eyes. "I love Paige and you are hurting me by saying this." She threw her napkin on the table and got up. "I have lost my appetite. I am going back to my room." Saying that she got up, forcing the chair to screech over the surface loudly. "I can't have food with people who suspect me!" She gave a sad look to Paige. 

"Ara!" Paige called her desperately. "Have your food, baby."

"No, I am going," she replied. "I didn't expect to be insulted like this." She stopped there for a while as if waiting for someone to tell her to sit back. 

"Please go," Kaizan said. "The exit is that side." He pointed to the right. 

Ara's eyes flew wide open. "I knew!" she wailed. "No one likes me!" She strode out of the dining room. Paige followed her like a dog after giving Kaizan a spiteful look. 

When the two left, Nate relaxed back in his chair. He had never thought that he had to see a day like this. He folded his napkin and threw it on the table. He too got up and walked out of the dining room. "Nate!" Ookashi called him. But he didn't stop. His mood was ruined for the day. Ookashi glanced at Kaizan and Olivia. "I don't know what is wrong with Paige. Why is she so enthralled by Ara? That girl is practically an emotional wreck. Why can't Paige see that she is using her?" 

Kaizan stared at her mother with admiration. "So, even you saw that?" 

Ookashi rolled her eyes. "A moron can see it. Why can't Paige?"

"Because she is blind!" Kaizan sighed. He picked up sausages from the table. His eyes went to Olivia. "Why aren't you eating?" 

Olivia shook her head as if shaking the heaviness in the air and started eating. 

"Tonight, we are going to the palace, okay?"