His Contractual Mistress

"Okay, I know! It was my responsibility! Every plan the princess had made should carry by my guidance and smart decision opinion. I knew how dangerous it was, but I still permitted her to visit P Country alone. I should have done that even if Keith was there to take care of her. I know it was stupid when I agree to become bait to lure Liam away, so I travel anywhere to occupy the guy band keeps following me." Pitt explained; he went on...

"I know I have been careless. Liam has eyes everywhere. A possibility that soon, he will find out where the princess is. But I honestly didn't know what she was doing during her stay in P Country. I become less concerned every time she says Keith is watching her."

He added, "When she told me she enrolled in a university using her fake identity, I knew it's not a good idea, but I can't thoroughly scold her. She would reason out; she's doing this for Dream City! She wanted to be competent as a leader. She's trying to be fully in control of her life, of her decision." 

"It's a suicide, Pitt!" James groaned, his sharp glare flying across the lounge, but Pitt only rolled his eyes and ignored him.

"You are lying to us all this time! What if something happens to the princess in that country even Keith provided some men to watch her? You are not thinking!" They argued. 

"I know the risk! You guys don't need to tell me that! I know fully that I am putting her in great danger! So I am always communicating with Keith if the princess is fine or if she is safe. Keith makes sure that enough bodyguards are watching her! His father-in-law, who was a Congressional Representative, made promises to the princess' safety. So I focus on doing my job of luring Liam instead." 

"Now, when did this all begin? How many months has she been there?" Jacob asked afterward. The rest of the knights wanted to hear about it as well. 

They knew the princess was contacting her dad, and a few of them occasionally ask about the company, and a proposal has to be approved. But never imagine that she was actually nowhere in Dubai, but she was just across Australia! P Country is close. They could come and go if only they knew about it. 

Pitt fell in thoughts, contemplating how many months had passed. "Eight? Nine? I guess I lost track now." 

"And you never told us!?" 

Geoffrey shouted at him. Pitt scowled at them. He chuckled then roared...

"You should see how miserable she was when she mended her broken heart! She felt betrayed by the man she had trusted with all her life!" 

Everyone fell silent to what Pitt had said. In the next couple of minutes, no one attempted to open their mouth. Pitt rakes his hair with his fingers, heaving countless sighs, then he continues narrating. 

"When she decided to search for the architect, who could help her finish Dream City… I let her be. After a month of being sad and listless... She tried to get back to her feet." 

Pitt casts a glance at Vincent to give the guy a meaningful look before he went on. 

"She did her research. She started working without needing help from the rest of us. After launching the Italy branch, she attended the gatherings of the tycoons in the business world to meet someone. But she was disappointed when this man never showed up at those parties." 

"And so, when she shared with me her plans to go alone, I disagreed, of course. But I got enough to see and hear her cry again. I could remember those days and nights she would mumble to herself ...." 

"Pitt… I need to be strong…." 

"Pitt, I need to wake up…." 

"Pitt, I have to dedicate my life to Dream City only. It was what I should think about from now on. I should stop dreaming of falling in love or find the right man for me." 

"Is there even a right man for me, Pitt?" 

"Never mind…. Let's just search for the most talented architect in the world, Pitt. Let's travel the world!" 

It did make him rendered speechless and followed her anywhere she wanted to go.

Now remembering those days, he doesn't want to rewind anything. 

Heaving a long sigh, Pitt lowered his gaze on the floor to fight the emotion surging in his eyes. No one of these men ever witnessed how the princess looked miserable again. The first time she was in great sorrow was the death of her mom. 

She shut everyone out. She speaks to no one but only to her dad and grandma. But that made her sick. She had a medical team to watch over her health. 

And so, spoiling her in later years is the way Jacob could at least do. He let her become attached to the boys who unconditionally love her and pampered her until now. More to say, if not because of them, she may develop psychological incompetence growing up. 

When Liam Huo appeared in the picture, they became even overprotected. But then, she had another breakdown because of Bryan, not to mention Liam, who kept pestering her. 

Liam knew her weakness. He plays on the princess' emotion. His violence was never of help to make her fall in love and submit to him. And they did everything to protect her. 

However, when Liam threatens Vincent's life. Pitt sees how the princess fought her anxiety. She stood calm and composed during her fight against him to protect Vincent. 

More to say, the princess made a change of herself for Vincent Shen. When she says she will become stronger, she proves it's not just for her dreams but also for the person she'd fall in love with. 

"We are waiting, Pitt." James impatiently grumbles in his seat. 

Pitt lifted his gaze and met every pair of eyes, keenly scrutinizing at him, listening to his explanation. 

"When the princess had her grand plan, I saw the sparks in her eyes. And I don't want to rub that little happiness she found at the moment. You can blame me all you want. But the princess didn't deserve to be scolded for how recklessly she behaves in these passing months." 

"Not only she's fallen in love with the country, but for the first time, she also fell in love with someone," he added. "The princess just wanted to talk to Mr. Shen and offer a job in Dream City. She visits Metro City to find a chance to meet Mr. Shen. But he has been too busy with his international projects. But it took long before she could lay her business because of some complicated situation between them..." 

Everyone fixes their eyes on Vincent. No one made any reaction but pondered. Now that they've heard Pitt's explanation, they have no reason to doubt why the princess offered most of the projects to Vincent Shen. However, they were still apprehensive about him. 

They could not still accept him laying his hand on the princess. They have a bunch of questions playing in their heads. 

How sincere is he to the princess? 

How pure is his love for the princess? 

How loyal is he to the princess? 

How if? 

They have countless how-ifs in their heads…