Haipa hoped that the stranger wasn't here to assassinate them.

The new government has been in power long enough for them to expect something like that.

“It's clear that he's dangerous, -but to us? Very questionable.” She thought.

No one should expect any safety while being in his presence, but King Rike had made it clear that he wasn’t there to harm them.

Haipa was still curious who this man really was.

Already she had made her way towards the guest-room they had given him.

This was for the best. They couldn't have thrown a diplomat of another kingdom into a prison.

Some of their future plans already entailed having a friendly relationship with the country of Chauk.

They had technologies and resources which would greatly come in handy in the rebuilding of Alaran as a proper land for the people.

The first step had already been taken by Crown Rike, and now it was their turn to behave properly.

Though Haipa thought, “why was he given to me to take care of?!”

She’d already guess that Aini and Baohu had history with him, but they didn’t look too happy when seeing him.

Baohu did not truly believe that this was the same man he knew, but the king of Chauk gave them his word.

“That should mean that it’s fine, right?” Haipa thought.

Baohu also wanted him to be under the constant watch of guards, but Aini disagreed.

"It wouldn't be proper," she said.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

That was true. How would it look to Chauk if their representative were under such suspicion that he had to placed under guards?

They could have used an excuse.

'It's for his safety' or something.

Even with Haipa’s intelligence, lying was not one of her strengths.

She thought, “Aini's better at this. She would come up with something that sounds more believable, but she wasn't on board with that idea in the first place. That meant that there wasn't a chance that she would waste any time on it, even just speculative.”

Despite the danger he potentially posed, Haipa couldn't deny that he was incredibly handsome. She felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment as she struggled to keep her eyes from lingering on his impressive physique.

Clearing her throat, Haipa took a step forward and knocked on the strangers door.

"Mister Burell, do you have a moment to talk?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Come in," he responded in a gruff voice.

Entering the room, Haipa was struck by the sight of the man before her. He sat shirtless, his wet hair falling in tousled waves around his shoulders. Water droplets glistened on his chiseled chest, drawing her gaze to his well-defined abs.

She couldn't help but notice the tension in the air. She knew that he could be an enemy of the state, but there was something about him that made her feel drawn to him.

For a moment, she forgot why she was there as she found herself lost in his piercing gaze. He seemed to be studying her, as if trying to gauge her intentions.

Breaking the silence, Haipa stammered, "I- ah, I- I just wanted to ask what your relationship is with the Empress and the Imperial Bodyguard."

Burell listened carefully while maintaining constant eye contact with her.

Haipa couldn't help but notice how his rugged features softened when he smiled, and how his eyes sparkled with interest as she spoke.

His lips quirked in a wry smile. "Is that all you wanted to ask?" he replied, his voice low and husky.

Haipa felt her pulse quicken at the sound of his voice. Even though he posed a threat to their empire, she couldn't help but feel an unexpected connection to him.

As she looked into his golden eyes, she found herself wondering what it would be like to be held in his strong arms, to feel his lips on hers...

Shaking her head, Haipa pushed those thoughts aside. She knew that she couldn't afford to let her guard down, not even for a moment.

"I- I apologize," she stuttered. "I shouldn't have been so forward."

Burell chuckled softly. "No need to apologize," he said. "I appreciate your honesty."

Haipa felt a sense of relief wash over her. Perhaps Burell wasn't as dangerous as she had initially thought.

She couldn't deny the pull she felt towards him, but she knew that it was impossible for anything to come of it.

Or was it?