Rumais served them their breakfast inside the hut. It consisted of muffins, bread, croissant, beans, sausages, scrambled eggs and orange plus cranberry juice. Everything looked sumptuous and on any other day, Aselia would have devoured it all.

She found it hard to eat today, her stomach was in knots, so she only took a few bites. Xiran noticed that.

"Why aren’t you eating?" He inquired pointing to her food.

"I am not really hungry right now. I ate a lot last night."

"Is something the matter?" There was concern in his voice as he himself stopped eating and looked at her.

"No, everything is fine."

"Then eat, please!!!" He pleaded and she took a few more bites just for his sake. For she could see how turmoiled his face was. He was trying his utmost best to hide his wounded heart, the heart which he offered her and she refused to take.

After breakfast, Carios arrived to pick them up. Aselia thanked Rumail for his hospitality before leaving.

"It was a pleasure to serve you, my lady." He offered her a polite smile and she was reminded of Yurian.

Xiran had wrapped his coat around Aselia, and keeping her warm was not the only reason behind it.

The car was parked on the road so they had to walk a bit of distance, Aselia noticed that Xiran had taken a white mask from Carios and was wearing it now. He gave one to her as well and she covered her face.

Is that why no one knew about his existence? She looked at him curiously.

Soon they reached the road where a brand new white luxury car with black mirrors was parked. Xiran opened the door for Aselia and once she was settled in, he closed it behind her.

Carios opened the other door and Xiran sat down next to her. Carios took the driving wheel and they sped off. The car was next-level innovation with its plush and comfortable seats to its sleek design.

"This car is next level." Aselia seemed impressed.

Xiran smiled at her words before speaking: "Yes, it’s one of my favourites."

"You have more?" She was amazed and her puzzled expression made Xiran laugh as he removed his mask and placed it in his pants pocket.

"Would you like to see?" He inquired.

"Yes, I like cars, especially sports cars."

"Tomorrow, then. I will take you out more, so you won’t feel suffocated being cramped in there." He smiled at her curiosity.

"Really? But I am not going to wear a dress next time."

"You can wear whatever you like." He touched her face with those words and held her gaze. She looked away and he let his hand drop. Hurt creeping back in his sad eyes.

She began to observe the city outside. People were waking up and streets had begun to bustle with morning activities. Some waited for their rides while others rushed past to reach their destinations on time on foot.

The streets were sparkly clean and she could see all kinds of creatures living in this city side by side. It was a different world and almost unbelievable, she had heard Xiran praise the Mayor of the City for doing a fine job of maintaining the peace.

The city was a mingle of skyscrapers, parks, schools, restaurants and shopping malls. Complete care had been taken to plant flowers, and trees along the green belts at every turn. It kept the environment balanced and clean. Aselia was impressed at how beautiful the city was. She was lost in its beauty unable to realize the man sitting next to her own it.

They entered a residential locale and soon stopped outside a grand two-storey fashionable house. It was a wooden house with white and dull grey paint on its exterior. The house was surrounded by a lush green lawn. Xiran took out his mask and wore it.

Carios opened the door and Xiran got down and went to the other side to let Aselia out. She had a million questions running through her mind.

"Where are we? Why are we here?" Aselia asked him with curiosity.

"Come, I will explain." He ushered her towards the house. Carios got in the car and left. Aselia looked in bewilderment at Xiran and then at the leaving car.

Xiran opened the small white door which marked the beginning of the hedge which went around the lawn and the house. A white stone path led to the main gate of the house.

Aselia glanced around the garden and it was filled with flower beds and different kinds of flowers. Ranging from daisies to roses to lilacs. A small fountain representing a female angel stood in the centre of the lawn and crystal-clear water gushed out of it. Two red maple trees stood tall in the corner, their leaves giving the hue of being set on fire. A hammock was attached between the two trees. Aselia felt that autumn and spring had arrived simultaneously in this garden.

Xiran opened the main door of the house which was made up of white wood and gestured for her to step inside. She peered at him with questioning eyes but received no answer. She sighed and stepped inside.

The door led into the living room which was on the right side and there was an open kitchen on the left side. A gigantic window faced the garden and had creamy golden curtains hanging in front of it. A fireplace was set in the front wall and there was a white L-shaped sofa with a marble table placed in the centre of the room. Aselia marvelled at the simplicity and elegance of how everything had been neatly placed.

There was a winding wooden staircase on the left which connected the ground floor to the first floor.

"Come, I will show you around." Xiran offered.

But Aselia didn’t budge from her spot and asked: "Why are we here? Whose house is this?"

"It’s my house and we are going to stay here for a few days so you could get some sunlight and be able to breathe fresh air. You are becoming too pale because of being cooped in the dungeon."

Aselia blinked twice at him unable to fully comprehend what he was saying: "So we are going to play house for a few days?" She questioned.

"Sure why not, if that’s what you want? Come I will show you your room." He offered her his hand which she took and felt a tinge of warmth spread all over her. His hands were fiery against her icy cold ones.

"You are cold. You should change and I will light up the fireplace." He began to lead her upstairs. There was a small TV lounge and three rooms, upstairs. He opened the door to the one on left and they stepped inside.

The room was spacious and decorated with fineness. From its light blue curtains which hung in front of a tiny window to its mahogany furniture and cupboard. The ambience of the room gave her only one feeling: "Home..."

Xiran observed her lost in thoughts so he spoke: "It will be your room for a few days. Everything you will need is in the cupboard over here. If you need anything else let me know. I will be downstairs, keeping the fire going in the fireplace." She nodded and he let go of her hand and left the room, his warmth following behind him as the door clicked shut.

Aselia stood there for a few minutes taking in her surroundings before advancing to the cupboard. She opened the doors and gasped. It was lined with apparel of all kinds ranging from lingerie to jeans and shirts, from dresses of various lengths and fabrics to comfy trousers and t-shirts.

’I bet he took help from Rivan and Frila to arrange a complete wardrobe for me.’ Aselia thought to herself. She took out navy blue flannel trousers with star patterns and a teal fleece full sleeves t-shirt. She then rummaged through the lingerie, hoping he wasn’t the one who had picked them. Her face went red at the thought.

An assortment of bras was neatly hanging on one side of the cupboard. Sports, pushups, strapless, full cup, bandeau, bralette, triangle, etc. Aselia chose a black bralette with matching panties. Taking it off the hangar she placed the hangar back and took her clothes and lingerie to the bed and placed them on it.

She took off his coat and smelled it one last time before placing it on the bed and her dress followed the same fate.

She took a hot bath and settled down in the white marble tub to help herself relax and hoped her cold body would become warm for a change. When the water began to turn cold she decided to step out.

Drying herself with a towel she changed into the new comfortable clothes. She stepped outside the washroom and carefully hung the beautiful dress she had been wearing since last night in the cupboard along with his coat.

She pat-dried her hair and advanced to the dressing table in the corner to apply some moisturiser. It was decorated with an array of make-up products, perfumes and creams. She choose a hydrating cream that smelled like cherries and applied it all over her hands and arms. Then she chose the face cream and repeated the process on her face. After that, she brushed her hair and let them hang loose so it could dry properly.

Satisfied and clean, she decided to head down and see what he was up to.