Chapter 5
"Ms. Wood," the magistrate stammered, "The Crown Prince is visiting Villanueva and wishes to stay at your inn. It's his personal request. What do you say?"
What was I supposed to say?
As a mere innkeeper, how could I possibly refuse the Crown Prince?
What’s more, that “Crown Prince” was standing right behind the magistrate, dressed in a pale robe, idly turning a small pendant in his hand, his eyes curved in a faint, knowing smile as he looked at me.
"Ms. Wood," he drawled, his tone lazy, "Any problem with me staying at your place?"
Yes.
A huge problem.
But I couldn't say that. I just gritted my teeth and forced a smile. "Your Highness, it’s an honor to have you here. My humble inn is quite simple. I hope you won’t mind."
"Not at all."
With that, he brushed past the magistrate and swaggered right into my inn.
He looked around, his gaze sweeping over the counter, the tables and chairs, the stairs, and finally settling on me.
"I like things quiet," Payton said, sounding pleased. "Your inn is not big. It's just right."
Just right?
Something about the way he said it made me feel like he had something else in mind besides just staying the night.
Sure enough, the next moment, he tilted his chin at the guards behind him. "I'm reserving the whole inn. Clear out everyone except my people, and double the payment for all expenses."
The guards nodded and hurried off to carry out his orders.
Before I could say a word, he was already upstairs, pushing open the door to the largest guest room, then glancing back at me.
"Ms. Wood, I need someone to attend to me."
"You'll do."
I was stunned.
He was definitely up to something, but I had zero proof.
Kellan was startled by all the commotion and shrank back behind me, peeking out with half his face, eyes wide with curiosity as he stared at Payton.
His eyes sparkled. He clearly recognized Payton as the daddy he'd been missing so much. But he remembered what I'd told him and held back, not calling out.
Payton noticed Kellan and paused, his gaze lingering on the little guy's face.
My heart jumped into my throat.
Was he going to figure it out?
He looked just like Payton, almost as if he'd been stamped from the same mold.
But Payton only stared for a few seconds before looking away, sounding totally nonchalant. "Your kid?"
"Yeah."
"How old?"
"Three."
He just nodded, didn't press further, and headed upstairs.
I let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly pulled Kellan into the kitchen.
Kellan looked up at me, his little face scrunched in confusion. "Mommy, why is Daddy staying at our place? Did he remember us?"
"No," I whispered, crouching down, "Daddy's still sick. He doesn't know who we are. He just thinks we're strangers."
"Then why is Daddy staying with us?"
"Because... because he thinks our place looks nice."
Kellan nodded, still puzzled, then asked, "Can I talk to Daddy?"
"Sure, but you can't call him 'Daddy.' You have to call him 'Your Highness,' okay?"
"Got it!" Kellan nodded earnestly, his little face full of determination. "We're going to play the 'Daddy doesn't remember us' game!"
I gently patted his head, my heart swirling with complicated feelings.
He was only three, and already he had to pretend in front of his own father. My heart twisted with pain.
But I had no other choice.
The King and Queen's warnings hung over my head like a sword, and Payton's memory was a ticking time bomb. Every step I took felt like walking on thin ice.
At noon, I carried the food upstairs and knocked on the guest room door.
"Your Highness, lunch is ready."
The door swung open, and there was Payton, dressed in a black silk robe with the collar slightly open, revealing his elegant collarbone and a glimpse of his chest. His long hair spilled over his shoulders, giving him an air of lazy danger.
He leaned against the doorframe, looking down at me, his gaze drifting from my face to the tray in my hands, then back again.
"Come in."
I walked in with my head down, set the food on the table, and was about to leave.
"Stop."
I stopped, but didn't turn around.
He came up behind me, his warm breath brushing against my ear.
"Ms. Wood, are you afraid of me?"
"I wouldn't dare."
"Wouldn't dare?" He let out a low chuckle, then toyed with a strand of my hair, wrapping it around his finger. "So why are you avoiding my eyes?"
I took a deep breath, turned around, and met his gaze.
Up close, his features were even more striking. My reflection shimmered in those deep eyes, as if they could pull me right in.
My heart skipped a beat, but I kept my expression steady. "Your Highness, you're overthinking it. I simply didn’t dare to offend you."
"Offended?" He lowered his head, leaning in until his nose was almost touching my forehead. "When you tried to climb out the window and run last night, why weren’t you worried about offending me then?"
I was stunned.