The Cursed King

Loriel had already waited for a really long time for this moment to arrive. His chest was filled with warmth and happiness to the brim.

His heart kept telling him this woman was his wife. His steps were light and he moved like he was dancing. He had to hold back from humming when he prepared the hot chocolate for Elise.

It would be weird to look this happy just because a stranger came to stay the night. Loriel knew he had to manage his reactions.

Meanwhile, Elise studied the man preparing their drinks and she tapped her slender fingers on her lap. She didn't know how she managed to stumble upon someone who'd simply take her in…

Her nanny warned her of predators and bad people in big cities, but Loriel didn't come across as a bad man. Even though she didn't know the man, Elise's gut feeling told her he was okay. The man didn't have any evil intentions toward her.

She didn't exactly know how she could be certain. She just did.

Hmm… Loriel said they need to talk about her stay. Would he really welcome Elise to stay longer than tonight?

She looked around her and think of her situation again. She would love to stay here if he really meant what he said. They could talk about the arrangement.

He might want to know who she was and what's her background. It was only logical to do if someone was to share a home with a roommate.

She didn't mind telling him who she was. However, she needed to find ways to explain her situation properly.

Elise was currently in great trouble. However, the last thing she wanted to do was to burden other people with her problems.

She watched the man's precise and smooth movements and couldn't help but wish that she was as collected as the man.

Loriel looked like someone who still had it all together despite all of the circumstances that befell him. Elise remembered the man said he lost his fortunes and yet he still looked calm and relaxed.

She wanted to be that calm in her situation.

The truth was, Elise just ran away from home. She had led a sheltered life until her dear father suddenly fell ill and had to be treated in a long-term treatment facility.

From then on, things went downhill. Those people wouldn't allow her access to him because…

Because they said she was not his daughter.

She was just an impostor.

Loriel approached the woman who was lost in her thoughts and handed her the mug filled with hot chocolate.

"Here you go," he said in a kind tone. "Please be careful, it's still hot."

A grateful smile formed on Elise's face. "Thank you."

She reached out and accepted the mug from him, their fingers brushing together. A bit skittish, she drew back and carefully held onto the cup. Elise did not wish to give the man any wrong ideas, but her heart raced wildly.

Loriel finally took a seat opposite of hers. He really, really wanted to stay by her side and hug her waist, or even… pull her onto his lap.

However, the man managed to restrain himself and keep his mind focused on the important details, one of which was ascertaining whether she truly was his Elise.

Silence befell between the two of them for a moment.

The wonderful aroma of the sweet drink eased Elise's nerves, but she still fidgeted in her seat and looked at the man in front of her. Loriel still hadn't actually taken a drink and was instead watching her as well with such an intense gaze.

It made her extremely shy.

Elise's face crawled with heat as she looked down. "Thank you very much for the drink… I guess it's time for us to speak about the terms of arrangement for my stay here."

"Yes. How long will you be staying?" he asked with a sweet smile. Loriel hoped his expression now didn't look like a pervert, or a wolf ready to capture a lamb. He wanted to look sincere and honest.

"I can leave in the morning if it's bothersome!" Elise quickly offered.

She loved this place. She liked how big and comfortable it was.

There was a sense of familiarity as soon as she entered the penthouse. It had a calming and relaxing vibe in it, and when she looked at the furniture, somehow she thought they could have been the furniture that she would have picked for herself.

It looked like this man's taste was quite similar to hers.

Loriel placed his mug on the coffee table first and shook his head. "Not at all. I've already told you that I'm in need of someone to help me… with my circumstances."

Elise blinked and looked around their surroundings. "It's actually very hard for me to comprehend that you're someone in need of my money. Your place is very gorgeous. No... actually, it looks really expensive."

"Well, this place has a lot of history in it so I cannot sell it no matter how badly I need money," Loriel explained. "Besides, I still need to keep up appearances when I meet potential investors or old friends. They must not know that I have lost all my money."

"Oh…" Elise nodded. Apparently, Loriel understood what she wanted to ask even before she asked him.

"I don't plan on being financially bankrupt for too long," Loriel said. "Although the recent situation has put me at a certain strain, I'm certain that I'll be able to bounce back soon enough. This is not my first time. My life has been going through so many ups and downs."

Elise smiled. "You sound like a very talented and intelligent man."

The man cleared his throat. "If I wish to maintain this lifestyle, then it is imperative for me to return to my financial state. However, this conversation isn't about me, but about your stay."

"A-ah, I'm very sorry." Elise quickly waved a hand in apology. "It is interesting to know about you, so I couldn't help it."

"That's fine… but yes, similar to you. I share the same curiosity that you hold for me," Loriel said. "It doesn't seem like you are from around here and yet you traveled here for a specific purpose. Is it only to visit Central Park where your mother and father met for the first time?"

Elise took a careful sip of her hot chocolate and was deep in thoughts, She was thinking of the best way to share about herself without giving away too many things.

She finally made a decision.