Chapter 137
Karmen descended the final step of the staircase, pausing as his eyes landed on Katelyn seated gracefully on the living room couch.
The sight of her instantly reminded him of the musical they were meant to attend together that evening, about which he had completely forgotten.
“Good evening, Princess Katelyn,” Karmen said as he came to a stop before her.
Katelyn looked up at him. “Good evening,” she replied calmly before standing up. “I tried calling you so many times, but you didn’t answer even once p>
There was no bitterness or anger in her tone.
Karmen immediately reached into the pocket of his trousers and pulled out his phone, his brows furrowing as he saw over ten missed calls from Katelyn.
“It’s still not too late, is it?” he asked as he looked up at her.
“No, Karmen. The musical ended a while ago,” she said with resignation and disappointment.
“Please forgive me. I was busy with important work, and it slipped off my mind,” Karmen said, lowering his eyes in guilt.
“Your Highness, when did you return to the mansion?” Albus asked with a surprised tone as he stepped in from outside, unintentionally breaking the tension between the two.
“Just a little while ago,” Katelyn responded calmly. “I won’t be going back to the hotel. My brother has permitted me to stay here until he and Amelie return,” she explained.
“I see. Then please, make yourself comfortable,” Albus said with a respectful bow. “May I ask what Her Highness would like for dinner p>
“I don’t have an appetite,” Katelyn replied softly, before turning and walking away, her figure disappearing down the hallway.
Albus watched her go with a confused frown. He glanced toward Karmen and asked in a lowered voice, “Did something happen to the princess? She seemed… upset p>
Karmen didn’t respond, however, he felt even more guilty. Without a word, he turned and made his way silently toward the corridor that led to Katelyn’s room.
Giving a gentle knock on the door, he spoke, “Princess, would you like to go out for dinner?” He thought it would be the best way to make up for what he had messed up.
Katelyn, who had just sat on the bed, promptly straightened up, hearing that.
’A dinner date with Karmen?’ she thought and gazed at the door.
“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting for me in the evening. But it wasn’t intentional. I won’t make excuses, so allow me to take you outside for dinner,” he said, trying to keep his tone formal.
The door opened, and his eyes met Katelyn’s.
“I don’t have much of an appetite, but since you are asking for it sincerely, I will go with you,” Katelyn said, not trying to sound desperate. “Just give me a moment p>
“Sure. I’ll be waiting for you outside the car,” Karmen replied, taking a step back. He pivoted on his feet and walked away while Katelyn hurried to the dressing table, looking at herself in the mirror.
She carried her handbag and ran outside to the waiting car.
Her feet slowed as she neared the entrance. With a poised look, she stepped out and saw Karmen standing outside a black car.
Seeing Katelyn, he promptly opened the backseat door for her.
“Are you my driver?” Katelyn questioned with a frown.
“Pardon me?” Karmen couldn’t understand her.
“Why are you asking me to sit in the backseat? It will make you look like you are my driver,” she muttered. ’He doesn’t have feelings for me,’ Katelyn mumbled.
Karmen shut the door. “I thought that would be more appropriate,” he said. Before he could say more, Katelyn opened the front passenger door and slid into the seat.
Karmen was quick to settle in the driver’s seat and drove the car out of the mansion.
Katelyn would steal glances at him, admiring him silently. Her eyes drifted down to his hands resting on the steering wheel and his sleeves rolled up, revealing the veins that stood out on his forearms.
Karmen’s sudden yawn caught Katelyn’s attention.
“You look tired. Have you been working since morning?” she asked with concern.
“No,” Karmen replied, shaking his head. “An important task came in this afternoon and kept me busy all evening,” he explained without going into the details.
Katelyn frowned slightly, worry knitting her brows. “Gabriel puts you through a lot, doesn’t he? He should give you some days off,” she muttered, half in complaint, half in genuine care.
“I’m his beta. Of course, I have to work without slacking off. And I hate vacations,” Karmen replied, passing a small smile.
This was one of the rarest moments for Katelyn. She had always seen him keeping a serious look on his face. Her heart fluttered slowly against her chest to see him smile.
“Why do you hate vacations? Everyone enjoys them,” Katelyn mumbled.
“They make you lazy,” Karmen replied.
“Still, your body demands rest. Now, Gabriel is away, you can take some days off too,” Katelyn suggested to him.
Karmen chuckled and shook his head. “I have work to do in his absence,” he asserted.
Katelyn was annoyed to learn that. But she couldn’t even tell Gabriel to free Karmen for a few days.
“Don’t you get scared of my brother?” she asked, an unexpected question.
Karmen furrowed his brows. “Why would I be afraid p>
“Umm… My brother is scary. He just loves to be violent in most situations. He easily gets angry,” Katelyn replied in a low voice. “When the attack happened on Amelie, I thought Gabriel would put me in prison too since I was the one who told Jodie about Amelie. It still gives me shivers,” she murmured.
“Maybe you haven’t understood your brother well. Gabriel isn’t scary at all,” Karmen replied. “He is the most caring person I’ve ever met p>
Katelyn’s gaze softened to hear those words. “I do agree with that. His care and love for Amelie are evident to all of us. Well, we aren’t supposed to talk about my brother on our dat–” she paused, quickly pressing her hand on her mouth as she realized what she was about to say.