THE MASTER’S THIRD WIFE Episode 72

(Heart of ice…)

By: Faith Lucky

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Lord Xander sat down as Axel pulled out the chair for him. He picked a napkin, wiped it gently across his mouth before glancing at Kaylan.

He wouldn’t deny the fact that he very much liked the sight before him.

It was stunning. Dazzling. “Do you like it here?” He asked, putting so much effort not to use his usual cold voice.

He had never had any reason to be nice to anyone let alone a woman but tonight was different.

She saved his life. Just for tonight, he would try not to be his cold and grumpy self.

Kayla smiled and nodded. Her hands felt like jellyfish. She was starting to sweat. “I love everything here and thanks for the meal…”

Xander said nothing as he picked up his spoon. The silence between them was a loud one coupled with the tension.

Kayla sat still. She felt so awkward. She picked up the chopstick and it fell right back on the table. She couldn’t understand why her fingers were shaking badly.

Xander stared at her, wondering why she wasn’t eating. “Do you want something else princess?” He asked.

Kaylan shook her head. “No….” She mumbled and picked it up again but just couldn’t.

Xander was still staring at her. He looked away for sometime trying to ignore the nervous lady but couldn’t.

He looked at her again and moved forward in his chair. “Pick up your spoon and look at me.” He spoke softly.

Kaylan stared at him. She was finding it hard to believe that he could talk so softly after all. She did as she was told and picked up her spoon then watched him.

“You don’t need to be nervous. Feel free and eat. I’m not eating you but the food.” Xander said again and Kaylan nodded.

She suddenly felt at ease and was able to hold her spoon. She started eating, avoiding his gaze.

Xander was stuck with her looks. He simply couldn’t look away no matter how hard he try.

Minutes later, Xander stopped eating and wiped his lips gently with his napkin. Kaylan concentrated on her food. She didn’t want to look up and get trapped in those sexy dark eyes.

Suddenly, she felt a movement in her leg. She froze and looked down only to see a snake crawling right under her legs.

Kaylan opened her mouth and screamed out. Xander was startled as he stared sharply at her and jumped out of his seat. He hurried up to her and before he could ask what was wrong, Kaylan jumped on him still screaming.

“It’s okay…it’s okay…I’m here…” Xander cooed, patting her back.

Kaylan panted, holding Xander so tight. “It’s…a snake….a snake under my leg.” She cried.

“It’s not harmful. It’s not going to bite.”

Kaylan looked at him, confused. “What are you saying? A snake is under the table. We should kill it! All snakes are harmful!” She insisted, pointing at the palace she fled from.

“The snakes here don’t bite. Not even the one in this Mansion. Nothing is going to harm you as long as I’m here.” Xander said again and Kaylan stared into his face.

Xander stared back, his hands still holding her. “Can you come down now? You are still on me.”

“No!” Kaylan snapped, staring at the ground. The last thing she would do was stepping foot on the ground again.

Xander was stupefied. And transfixed. He’s never been in a situation as the current one and was thereby confused on what to do.

Kaylan clamped her hands tightly around his neck, refusing to let go. She caught sight of the snake crawling away and screamed again, burying her face in Xander’s neck.

“It’s gone now.” Xander said the words through clenched teeth. He didn’t like the fact that Kaylan was putting him in a tight situation.

“Is it? Are you sure? You have to go check… please..”

“Seriously? Get off me princess.”

“I said no…”

Axel came running, wondering what was wrong. “My Lord…is everything ok?”

“Everything is fine. Leave us.” Xander said, feeling a little embarrassed.

He wasn’t looking at Axel but he could imagine the look on his face seeing Kaylan clinging to him like gum.

Axel left and Xander looked at Kaylan. “The snake is gone. Why are you so scared of a harmless snake?”

Kaylan scoffed. “I don’t believe that.”

“Okay. I’m putting you down.” Xander replied and gently placed her back in her seat but kaylan’s hand didn’t leave his neck. “Come on princess. The snake is gone. Whether harmful or not…. it’s gone.”

“O….Kay.” Kaylan stammered and slowly let go of him.

Xander stood up straight, turned and walked back to his seat. He rested his gaze on Tanya trying hard not to smile as he watched her looking all over, perhaps, making sure the snake was really gone.

“It’s getting late princess. It’s time you return to your room.” Xander said, getting up.

Kaylan nodded, almost relieved. “Yeah. To my room.” She said and stood up. She looked at Xander and bowed then started walking away.

Xander held her hand as she was about walking past him.

Kaylan looked at their joined hands then his face. “My Lord…”

“Thank you princess. For saving my life.” He said in a low voice and for a full minute, Kaylan couldn’t blink.

“Axel will take you to your room. Goodnight.” Xander said and called for Axel. He appeared almost immediately and escorted the princess back to her room.

*
*
*

Jaden sat on bed her arms curled around her as she waited for her friend to come back. Thirty minutes later, the door opened and Kaylan together with Axel entered the room.

“Kaylan!” Jaden voiced out as she jumped down from the bed.

Axel bowed as he stood in front of the door. “I will take my leave now my princess.”

“You didn’t have to walk me all the way to this place.” Kaylan said with an eye roll.

“I was only carrying out the Master’s other.” Axel replied kindly and left the room.

“How have you been? You look a little happy.” Jaden said, observing her.

Kaylan shrugged and smiled. “He was a bit nice although I could see it in his eyes that he was struggling to keep up with it. I need to undress and take my bath.” Kaylan replied, walking past Jaden who turned to look at her.

“But it’s a good start you know. It’s great that you’ve finally spent your first evening together. It’s high time you start acting like a couple.”

Kaylan sat on the bed, taking off her shoes. “Well yeah but as it is I think we are still far from it. Xander isn’t ready.” Kaylan replied and stood up.

She went in for a bath while Jaden laid on the bed, wishing Lord Xander was a nice cute and harmless guy.

Few minutes later, Kaylan came out of the washroom. She put on her nighties and went straight to bed ignoring Jaden who was trying to get more gist from her.

*
*

*The Next Morning*

Madame Nadie walked into the kitchen, observing the activities going on that morning. The maids on duty for breakfast were already there busy with cooking.

She walked over to a side and surveyed what was bubbling on fire. “Is this part of today’s menu, Cammie?”

“Yes Madame Nadie.” The maid quickly replied and set back to work as she left her side.

An hour later, the maids were done setting the table for the family. It was actually a Sunday and Madame Nadie no wanted every member of the family to have a special breakfast.

She personally decided to visit Lord Xander’s room and invite him since she knew he might send whomever she send away.
She got to his door and knocked but got no response. She knocked again and when there was no response again, she decided to go in uninvited.

She got in and saw him sitting on the bed, his dark eyes gazing far away.

She sighed and shook her head. She knew something had always bothered him but couldn’t place her fingers on it.

“My Lord?” She called.

“What do you want?” Lord Xander replied with that far away look still in his eyes.

“It’s nice to say good morning to an elder in the morning….”

Xander turned to look at her, cutting her short with the hostile in his eyes. “What do you want? It’s a no or yes question.”

“Don’t be so harsh my Lord. Whatever it is that is bothering you can be solved only if you share it with me. Just give me a chance to be an aunt to you for once.” Madame Nadie said softly with this self pity look on her face.

Xander looked away. “I’m fine. I never told you I have a problem. I ask you once again, what do you want?”

“I watched you grow, Xander. I partly raised you too. Why are you always like this even to me your aunt?”

Xander said nothing. He decided it was best if he gave her the silent treatment.

Madame Nadie saw that her efforts were yielding no result and gave up. She looked at him again as she got to the door. “Anyway breakfast is ready. We are having a family breakfast this morning. Come down if you want.” Madame Nadie said softly, bowed and left the room.

Xander sighed deeply. He ran his fingers into his dark curly hair and closed his eyes.

*
*

“I think I have a great idea for today, Jaden.” Kaylan said happily as she stood in front of the giant mirror, brushing her dark brown hair.

Jaden looked away from the coffee she was making and glanced at her friend. “And what could that be?”

“Let’s pluck out some flowers, Jaden. We can take them to the market for sale.” Kaylan replied and Jaden shook her head.

“I can see you’ve not learnt your lessons already Kaylan. Why would you want to go to the market after what happened the last time?”

Kaylan rolled her eyes. “Here we go again. Why do you always develop cold feet at any slightest given opportunity? Anyway, I’m not ready for your argument right now. That’s what I really wanna do today.” Kayla said with a smile.

Jaden shook her head and continued making her coffee. Just then there was a knock on the door.

Kaylan opened it and found one of the maids there she immediately, she knew she was there to call them down for breakfast.

“Madame Nadie….”

“I’ll be there.” Kaylan cut in politely and closed the door. She walked back to the mirror to take one look at herself. “A maid will serve you your meal, Jaden. Bye” She said to Jaden before leaving the room.
*
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TBC.