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Reika frowned. "I'm not going to have to kiss his ring or something silly like that, am I?"
Leo snorted. "The French and Spaniard Dark Lords have bloody ridiculous practices, but not here in England. However, think of exactly what you want when you ask him for something. Khan doesn't like people who constantly change their minds."
Reika asked, "When will I meet him?"
Leo shrugged. "Tomorrow afternoon. So it'd be best for you to retire early so you're ready to face him with a clear mind. I can escort you upstairs, if you like."
Stone took a step toward Reika. "I can take her to her room."
Leo raised his brows. "Will you be able to keep your hands off her?"
Reika clapped her hands. "For crying out loud, I'm standing right here. Why does everyone keep talking as if I'm invisible? Just because English wasn't my first language doesn't mean I can't understand you. I lived in Canada longer than Japan, you know."
Stone ignored Leo to look at Reika. "Everyone is just being nice to you right now. Probably because people usually aren't so calm after being brought to the past, or so I've heard."
She smiled. "Well, it's a shock, for sure. But I always try to find the best in every situation. And freaking out or crying won't help me."
The image of Reika sobbing into a pillow flashed into his mind, and it made Stone want to hit the wall. No bride of his should ever have to cry.
Fuck.He really needed to stop thinking of her as his long-term. "No matter what happens, you can ask me anything. I will always help you."
As they stared at one another, something passed between them, and her smile wrapped around Stone's heart.
He'd never known kindness, or playfulness, or any sort of light emotion until he'd started working for Leo.
And even then, it'd been few and far between.
However, just being with Reika made everything seem a little bit brighter. As if her smiles, and laughter, and mere sunny presence could make each and every day the best one yet.
Bloody hell.When had he started to become so romantic?
Especially because if she ever learned of his past, of the things he'd been forced to do to stay alive, she probably would want nothing to do with him.
Leo cleared his throat and broke the moment. "I'm not leaving you two alone in here. So let's go to the kitchen and I'll arrange for the maids to clean up whilst we both escort Reika to her room."
Stone glared at Leo. Many wouldn't, but he knew the Dark Lord well, had his complete trust, and was one of a handful allowed to show disrespect in private. "I will take her."
Leo opened his mouth, but Reika spoke first. "I won't leave until the kitchen's clean—I don't ask others to do what I won't do myself. Both of you can go to bed and I'll ask one of the night guards to take me to my room."
"No," Stone stated.
Reika raised her brows. "Everyone's told me how the staff here can be trusted, and that they'd never betray Leo. Were they lying?"
"Of course not, but—"
"Then I don't see the problem. Unless you're going to stay and help clean up, then I'll see you tomorrow, right?"
He ignored Leo's snort. "I'll help you clean up then."
She smiled at him. "The thought of seeing such a tall, muscled male wearing an apron and washing dishes would be really funny."
He frowned. "I never said I'd wear an apron."
"But maybe you should. That way you'll be less intimidating to the kitchen maids."
He grunted. "Being intimidating is my job."
She shrugged. "Apron required, Mr. Riley."
