âDerek, do you think I had Rosaline investigated because she was suspicious? Do you think sheâs suspicious? Youâve been working with her for five years and you still donât know her personality? Rosaline is crazy about me. Sheâs so loyal that she doesnât do anything if itâs not for me. Do you understand?â
Derek smiled awkwardly. Rosaline, crazy for Cahir? It seemed unlikely, but he wisely opted not to reply.
âAny little thing about Rosaline is fine. Report to me about things that might change her mind, or something. Go ahead.â
He scratched his nape. There really was nothing to say because her routine was so monotonous that there was nothing that didnât revolve around her work for Cahir. But that glare⌠Derek had to say something.
âI donât care about the price. Please have it ready as soon as possible.â He purposely left out who the recipient was.
Rosaline stopped writing. âYour Majesty? Who are you going to give this gift to?â she urged. She needed to know so that she could choose the design based on the personâs taste/
Cahir leaned down slowly until he was close enough for their breaths to tickle each otherâs faces. âItâs not a gift, itâs a bonus. Rosaline, itâs yours.â
The hand holding her quill drew idle circles on the notepad, creating a large ink blot and obscuring the word âpinkâ.
âYour Majesty, I donât need it.â Rosaline came to her senses a beat too late.
A pink diamond! Pink diamonds were rare, only three or four of them were found per year throughout the continent. The price of one is equivalent to the annual operating cost of a small country. Of course, it wasnât impossible to buy it using the deep pockets of the royal family, but Rosaline couldnât fathom owning one herself.
âIâm not giving it to you because you need it. Iâm giving it to you because I want to. Bring the pink diamond necklace to me as soon as possible.â
He wasnât joking.
Rosaline pictured giving Cahir a box containing the necklace, and then he would hold the box for a while before giving it back to her.
It felt weird to even think of it. It would be better if he used all that money to buy a good commercial establishment near the palace.
âYour Majesty, I really donât need it.â
âDonât make me repeat myself, Rosaline. Do you want a specific date? I just told you to get it ready as soon as possible because I was worried that you would be busy. Can you prepare it by tomorrow?â
She was speechless. Heâd end up getting his way anyway, so what use was it to resist?
A hand came up to hold her jaw. It was a rough move, but Cahirâs touch was gentle. Their eyes met.
Hesitant, Cahir tried to say something but quickly shut up. It was a rare sight.