51“You are right.” Milan says as they continue fencing. “I have to stop breathing down her neck.” He adds.“A woman like that needs her space.” Zane says. “I have no idea why you both are always at loggerheads, because as complex as Emilia seems, she is very easy to understand.”“I understand what you are trying to say, Zane, but I must confess that it is not as easy as you are making it seem.” Milan says. “As much as I try, I just end up annoying her.” He adds.“You just have to be patient with her.” Zane says and they finish fencing. “If you leave her alone, she will learn to trust you, and I can assure you that she will most likely fall in love with this place and not run away again.” He adds.“I will do this, and I really hope that it works.” Milan says with a deep sigh.“So, we’ll see tomorrow, yeah?” Zane asks as they are about tro part ways.“Yeah, tomorrow.” Milan says and goes back into the Mansion. As he walks back to his suite, he asks one of the guards to go inform Emma t

After playing their games of chess and constituting nuisance that even made the maids to come to inform Emma that her mother sought her presence, Emilia was finally escorted back to her chambers.She envisaged the presence of Milan more than she wanted to believe, and even planned to confront him about his trick that morning in deceiving her into believing that he was sincerely repentant.But, when she got to the room, he wasn't there. She went into her room and went into the washroom to quickly soak herself there for a few minutes, coming out only when the water had gone cold.She went back to her room wrapped in a clean white towel, sat on the chair in front of her vanity table rubbing the new rose oil that Betty brought in for her, when the door opened and slammed loudly.Emilia's eyes impulsively flicked to the adjoining door which she left open when she came in initially-without knowing why-and saw no one.But from the way the hairs at the nape of her neck rose, and her nose pick

55The two of them say nothing to each other. Instead, they stare at the lake. Minute after minute, hour after hour passes, and they are silent.After a while, Emilia looks at Milan. “Don’t you have something else to do besides sitting here with me?” She asks.“I cleared my schedule,” Milan tells her.“I see,” Emilia says and looks away.“I really want us to go horseriding together, why are you punishing me by refusing?” Milan asks.Emilia says nothing.“You are clearly still mad at me.” Milan points out. “I can see that you are punishing me for my actions.” He says.“I am glad you can see that,” Emilia replies.“So, the daffodils are not even going to save me?” He asks with a smile.“No,” Emilia says and keeps staring at the lake. “Why do you want to go horseriding with me?” She asks Milan.‘Because I want you to be free.” Milan answers.Emilia scoffs. “Free? Free?” She asks incredulously.“Yes, free,” Milan replies.“You are so funny. How could I be free while horseriding in this pr

57Emilia starts to fume. “What do you mean, and why the hell are you arrogant?” She asks Milan.“I am just so sure that you are reasonable, Emilia. I saw that in you a long time ago, most especially when we were both in the woods together, and I told you that you could be in so much danger if you stayed in the woods on your own.” Milan says.Emilia glares at him and shakes her head internally. This guy does not even know shit about her; he does not know half of what she is capable of.Well, it is a good thing that he does not- it will make him definitely let his guard down just when she needs it to be down.“Fine.” She says.“Good girl,” Milan mutters under his breath.“What did you just say?” Emilia asks.“Nothing. I said, ‘thank you’.” Milan says.They both keep riding, and although this is the first time Emilia is riding a horse, she seems proficient at it. Milan is very surprised.“Are you sure this is your first time on a horse?” He asks as they ride side by side.“Yup,” Emilia