Ileus: The Dark Prince

Kaizan was extremely angry at the way Paige reacted. How could she not hear what Ara said about Olivia? Or was she just playing deaf, so enamored by Ara? Nothing made sense. Through all the choking mint smell, Kaizan sensed her wolf. Had Ara been a witch, he would have come to know if she had bewitched Paige, but she wasn't a witch. And that meant that she was highly manipulative. The way she changed her colors in front of Paige, it was too repulsive. It meant that she had a hidden agenda. 

Sitting at the table, he crossed his foot over the ankle and tapped the air with it. With his fingers he was drumming the wood surface impatiently as he waited for Finn. There was a mountain pile of work but his mind was too occupied with Ara. 

Finn came after what seemed like eternity, though only a few minutes had passed. He jumped up from his chair. "Did you find information about Ara?" 

"My spies are at it, m'lord," Finn replied with patience that only angered him all the more. "They have gone to her village and will return by evening. I will let you know as soon as they are back." 

Kaizan exhaled a heavy breath. "I don't trust that girl!" He revealed his disapproval. 

Finn watched him getting so anxious after a long time. He remained quiet. There was nothing he could do to console him at the moment. Over the last few days, he had visited Kaizan's house once and it was enough to understand Ara's personality. The girl was too depressed and did everything to dampen the lively atmosphere of the house. 

Kaizan pounded the table and walked to the window that overlooked the courtyard. He raked his hair with his fingers. "She is manipulating Paige and it is getting absurd!" 

Seeing how flustered he was, Finn suggested, "If you think that it is right, I would suggest a simple solution to your problem." 

Kaizan turned his head over his shoulder as his brows bunched up. "What solution?" 

"We can transfer Paige to nearby villages for duties. That way Ara will stay with her, away from the family." 

Kaizan pursed his lips as he again raked his fingers through his hair. "But that isn't the permanent solution. Moreover, I really want my sister to come out of the clutches of that bitch! Paige just can't see through her shenanigans!" 

"Sometimes, you are so much in love with your partner that you realize that they are manipulated long after the damage is done. I believe Paige is in that phase now." 

Kaizan rubbed his face, his anxiety increasing by the minute. "Find information about her as soon as possible!" 

"I will, m'lord," said Finn. He bowed and left. 

For the next few hours, Kaizan couldn't really concentrate on his job. The documents that sat on his desk remained mostly untouched. During lunch he went to meet Olivia, and found that she was sitting with Anastasia and Adrianna. They were all sitting in the gardens of the west wing. Soft warm breeze flowed bringing in the scent of jacarandas mixed with junipers. The children were playing with the nannies. Nicolai was making faces at which Alexander giggled and clapped as he watched his older brother with pure interest. Soon his kids would join them… Kaizan rubbed his chest as a warm feeling infused in him. 

The ladies were playing a board game. It was intriguing to note that Dmitri and Ileus were also there. Though the two were talking about something regarding trade with the Aztec kingdom, their attention was very much on their women or rather who was winning. Fortunately for Kaizan, Olivia was winning and she was beaming with joy. A smile curved his lips up. He hadn't seen her this happy in a long time. He was glad that she decided to stay with Anastasia. 

"Kaizan!" Olivia exclaimed. 

He walked to her and sat beside her. He kissed her temple and asked, "How is my lovely wife doing?" 

She waved at the board game and replied, "I am winning so much!" She giggled when Adrianna grunted. 

"Come on, Mother!" Anastasia said. "This is just a game. You have to admit that Olivia is better than all of us combined!" 

Adrianna pursed her lips. "You know that I am only allowing you to win. Once I get inside that brain of yours and see the strategy, I will ensure that you lose!" 

"You can't cheat!" Olivia whined. 

Impatient, Adrianna waved her hand and rolled her eyes. Seeing that Kaizan was with his wife, Ileus jumped at the opportunity and sat behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Baby, I can make you win," he said. 

Anastasia cocked her eyebrow. "And how is that?" She looked back at the board. From her position, it was impossible to save herself. 

He leaned and whispered in her ear. "I can only reveal my secret behind that pergola. Out here everyone will listen," said the sly wolf. 

Anastasia narrowed her eyes and in a low voice said, "I will not be maneuvered by you! I know what you are going to do!" 

"You wound me, Ana. My intentions are pure." 

It was not long before the servants laid the lunch for all of them. When Olivia was alone, sitting on a garden swing, enjoying the mashed cheese potatoes and sausages, Kaizan came to sit with. Ileus had taken his wife behind the pergola where he was revealing his secret. Seriously, the two were absolutely insatiable. But Kaizan was no one to complain. He was the same with Olivia. 

She wiped his lips with her finger and removed a crumb. "I was thinking of coming home tomorrow," she said. "I miss you!" 

"Stay here, Olivia," he said. "This change is good for you." 

She sighed. "But how long Kaizan?" 

Kaizan pulled her closer to him and stroked her hair gently. "Only a few more days…" 

He returned to his office with a good feeling and ended up clearing all the pending work. It was in the evening that Finn returned along with two of his spies. "They have brought information about Ara!" he said. 

--- 

The next day, Kaizan was having breakfast with his parents in the garden that faced the dining hall. Ookashi and Nate didn't want to go to the dining hall and face Ara. Paige had come very late the last night and tensions were off the roof in the house. However, it was not long when Paige came down with Ara. She strode in the garden, her face red in anger. 

"Why have you transferred me?" she growled at Kaizan, shoving a paper in his face. "Is this your way of snatching this property from me? Have you stooped so bloody low?" 

Unaffected by Paige's angry burst, Kaizan looked at Ara. "I am sure you would be joining her, won't you?" 

"And let you enjoy all this wealth?" Ara sneered. "Paige will be resigning from her job!" she declared. "We are going to stay here."

Kaizan chuckled. He wiped his mouth with the napkin. Leaning back in his chair, he cocked his head and said, "Are you so worried as to who would look after your pregnancy?" 

Blood drained from her face. "I am not pregnant!" 

Paige snapped her head to look at Ara. "P—pregnant…"