Chapter 6. Almost Convinced

* Ivan *

I could see that she's trying to hide it. Just like how desperate people do. I know that nobles of the Palace would mind their manners even if they were backed into a corner. A princess like her would smile behind perfect manners.

But her emotion always found a way to show itself. Princess Dorina held that chipped mug between both hands as though the warmth alone could keep the world outside from catching her.

She wasn't looking at the room anymore. Her mind was looking somewhere far beyond these old wooden walls. Maybe back at their Palace.

Whatever mess had driven a royal princess into my beerhouse last night it's probably something serious. I watched her quietly for another moment before taking another drink from my own tea.

"You alright, Princess?"

She blinked, almost as if she'd forgotten I was still standing there.

"What?"

"You've been staring at that wall for a good minute."

I jerked my chin toward the window. "Didn't look like you were seeing it, though."

She lowered her beautiful brown eyes. Last night I thought they were black, but in the light of day I could see them clearly, surrounded by thick dark lashes. Hers was a beautiful light brown color that sparkled when he smile, but right now they were almost teary.

I wanted to kick myself for taking note of her in every detail. For a heartbeat, she said nothing. Then she sighed.

"Time is running fast for me."

That wasn't the answer I expected.

"My father." She rubbed her forehead. "He'll find me soon."

There she said it. I'm certain the Alpha King was using all the royal guards and warriors to find her. She continued talking.

"My guards are probably searching every road by now."

She laughed softly, but there wasn't any humor in it. "They're very good at their jobs."

"Of course they are." I agreed.

The entire kingdom had probably heard a princess had disappeared. If they hadn't yet. They would before noon.

She looked at me with those eyes of hers. There was urgency in them.

"Ivan." I almost sighed at how good my name sounded from her lips.

"Hm?"

She took a slow breath. "I need your help."

I already didn't like where this was going. As I recalled how she said it last night.

"I can pay you."

I stared at her; of course she could pay. Then I laughed. A single dry laugh escaped my mouth.

"Oh, come on now, Princess."

She frowned, unhappy with my sarcasm.

"What?"

"You think I'm that broke?"

"No," she shook her head. "You opened with money."

"My beerhouse feeds me just fine," I answered fast. I folded my arms across my chest. Can't tell her I have a gold bar hidden and those gold coins I acquired from her Father. I kept it only for crisis, and I am not showing off in front of her.

"I don't need charity from a royal Princess."

A faint sting settled somewhere inside my chest. Ridiculous. It wasn't about the money. It was the assumption.

As though any man could simply be bought by her money and gold. She immediately shook her head again.

"No. I mean, to pay for your services." Her voice came quicker this time.

"Think of it as a job that I am offering you."

"A job?"

"I wasn't trying to insult you. You have a decent source of money."

She bit the inside of her cheek. But I was waiting for her explanations. Then she stepped closer to me. Not enough to invade my space; the urge to pull her close was so strong I had to clench my knuckles.

She stood just enough that I could see genuine regret on her face.

"My apologies." She lowered her head ever so slightly.

"I truly didn't mean it that way." Her voice softened. "I simply thought that compensation would make this easier for you."

I studied her for several seconds. Damn, she was beautiful, but she's not the kind that I usually hang out with. Moon Goddess, what is wrong with me?

The woman had probably solved half her life's problems by offering rewards through servants. She genuinely hadn't realized how it sounded to a poor man like me.

I exhaled through my nose.

"Tch. You nobles."

She tilted her head. "What does that mean, now?"

"Your kind just throw gold at everything."

"I do not." She looked at me with an irritated expression.

"You were about to." I smiled sarcastically. "So."

I set my mug down on the table beside where she stood.

"What exactly are you buying from me now?"

She hesitated for a few seconds. Then squared her shoulders with all the courage of someone about to leap off a cliff.

"It doesn't have to be real, Ivan."

My brow lifted as she continued. "We only have to convince everyone. Including my father."

I said nothing but watched her face.

"And the people in the Palace."

I blinked, like it was that simple. Her father is a shrewd Alpha King. And I will have a problem pretending, but I didn't tell her that.

"The Council also."

I rubbed a hand over my face.

"Oh, this keeps getting better, Princess."

She clasped her hands together. "I need a husband."

"I heard that part last night."

"Just. A temporary one," she added.

" Even better."

She ignored my sarcasm. "If my Father believes I've chosen someone strong enough. He'll stop arranging my political engagement with Alex Ashborne ."

I looked at her for a long moment.

"So. You want me to pretend that I loved a princess. And what is wrong with marrying an Alpha, a noble blood like yourself?"

She look at me and shook her head. "No. Anyone but Alex Ashborne, my father would just dominate him and use his noble family for politics. He's an Alpha but my father's words are his rule to follow, he would only be after our Royal lineage too. Both of us would only be together for the benefit of both our families. "

She sighedand added. "Honestly, I am tired of men telling me what to do like my Father, the Alpha King."

The corner of my mouth twisted. "So you think I could defy your father? You think he won't try to skin me alive."

She winced. "When you put it like that."

"I don't have to put it any way." I barked a short laugh. "That's exactly what will happen to me."

She stepped closer towards me again, determination replacing embarrassment.

"I know you can handle my father's wrath, he won't kill you if I pretend that I am in love with you."

"Is that supposed to be a good thing?"

"I don't expect this to become a real marriage. I simply need someone Father cannot dismiss."

I looked her up and down. Just beautiful with a to-die-for body and a massive fortune. Only a crazy wolf would say no to her.

"And you think that's me?"

"If you would agree to this."

There wasn't even a moment's hesitation on her.

"You stood in front of an entire room full of drunk wolves last night. You weren't intimidated." I recalled.

"You weren't impressed by my title," she said afterward. "And," she admitted quietly, "you're strong."

I snorted. "So your grand plan is to drag an ill-mannered beerhouse owner into the Royal Palace."

"Yes."

"The same man your father would probably have arrested just for the language I use when I open my mouth."

" Preferably after you've tried not to swear."

I laughed outright. A real one this time. The sound filled the little room.

"Oh, poor Princess. You really are this desperate."

She met my gaze without looking away. "I am."

The humor slowly left my face. I realized she wasn't joking and that she was hanging almost by a thread. She was cornered.

And somehow. Out of every powerful Alpha, noble heir, and decorated warrior in the kingdom. She had walked into my beerhouse and asked the one wolf with absolutely nothing to lose.

My mind calculated how much gold she would give me and the things it could do for my business and my house. I gritted my teeth and shook my head.