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Chapter 18 - From Another Life

In the distance, Kaden stood amongst the crowd of public people. He said nothing, but observed the two.

Kaden was unfazed by Everett who was a sorry excuse for a competition. He was self-assured of his victory, like a seasoned Commander on the battlefield. ??

"Wow, look at that man…"

"So good looking, you think he\'s a celebrity?"

"I\'m already stanning so many idol, but I\'ll drop all my stans just for him."

Kaden ignored the murmurs and glances. He was focused entirely on Lina who had stopped before the one and only painting he had ever drawn.

Kaden watched as she touched her throat and glance to the ground. Even from afar, he could see she was choked up and emotional.

The one and only woman he\'d ever draw.

Kaden was beginning to realize this was no mere coincidence. The way she recognized him, the way she seemed frightened by him, and the way she addressed him by "Your Highness." He wasn\'t a fool.

"Boss, you shouldn\'t smoke indoors," Sebastian whispered, glancing at the cigarette hanging dangerously low in his Boss\'s fingertips. The ashes were burning, the smoke lingering to the ceiling, yet his Boss hadn\'t taken a drawl from it.

Kaden noticed Lina was continuing around the closed-off section, touring different artifacts. Then, she came across a long, thin sword.

His lips curled into a sneer. Just the sight of the weapon was enough for her to freeze. He saw the blood drain from her face.

"Fuck." Kaden straightened up, dropping his cigarette to the ground and stomping it out. He\'ll pay for the damages later.

Without warning, Lina bolted out of the private section. She was a runner.

Everett couldn\'t even catch up to her. He stood there like a fool. And didn\'t even have the audacity to chase after her.

"Boss!" Sebastian gasped when his Boss suddenly stalked off, like a man on a mission.

The Boss looked like he was ready to commit mass murder. The atmosphere grew tense and suffocating.

What was going on?!

- - - - -

Lina ran as far as her legs could carry her. Eventually, she was deep in the museum, in a place no one frequented. She realized it was the hallway leading to the bathroom.

Breathing hard, Lina held back tears as memories of the first life flashing before her eyes. His warning glower, his sneer, the sword pressed to her knife, and the swing of it, as blood spewed and two men screamed.

"... Princess!"

"... Lina!"

Their voices rang in her ears, even though a thousand years had passed. Lina gasped and blocked her ears, whimpering. She couldn\'t forget the way they looked at her. Their wretched roars, the rain that fell heavily, and choking on her own blood.

Suddenly, strong hands grabbed her shoulders and Lina screamed bloody murder. The hands roughly shook her and her head snapped up. Hatred. Worry. Fear. Eyes the color of gold greeted her, filled with the same emotions as that horrid morning.

"Kade…" Lina haphazardly whispered, her legs giving out, but he caught her.

He steadied her against his chest, his arms coming around her trembling body. He pressed his palm against her lowerback, pushing her waist towards him.

"Shh… I\'ve got you," he softly whispered, careful to not touch her. He was always careful with her.

"I\'m sorry," Lina gasped out, holding tightly onto his shirt, onto the familiar warmth.

He smelled like him. He smelled like the past. His touch, his caress, his affection.

It was all coming back to her.

Lina knew she was falling helplessly in love. She was falling quickly and hard.

"For what, my dear dove?" he murmured, stroking the back of her head. They were as soft as he had remembered. Her tiny body shook like dry leaves against the wind.

His hard gaze softened when she buried her face into his clothes.

"Kade…"

Kaden could\'ve sworn his heart stopped right then and there. He could\'ve sworn his empty chest stirred. Hell. He was one of the most heartless man in the city, but the damn organ skipped when she whimpered.

"F-for—"

Lina stiffened. Suddenly, she was aware of her surroundings. The nickname that only he said. And not because she was as peaceful as a dove. No, she was much worse.

"Let go!" Lina shoved him back, her eyes widening at the sight of Kaden. For a split second there, she thought it was Kade, the Second King of Ritan. But back then, when they were young, he was just a forgotten Prince, and her, a favored Princess.

Kaden didn\'t even stumble. He stood firm and unflinching. But he heard the urgency in her voice and stepped away. He was surprised by the lack of tears, but supposed she was just good at holding it back. Unless it was with him, of course.

"What are you doing here?" Lina asked, pressing her body against the wall, hoping to create as much distance as possible. Questions one after the other popped in her head. Did he hear her? Did he hear her call him Kade? Did he know?

"Comforting a damsel in distress," Kaden nonchalantly said.

Lina gawked at him in disbelief. Kaden chuckled in amusement.

"I\'m not a damsel in distress," Lina argued.

"And I\'m not a dark knight coming to save you," Kaden responded.

Lina frowned deeply, her brows wrung in dismay. Kaden\'s lips curled at the sight.

"It\'s usually Prince in shining armor…" Lina mumbled.

Lina shakily touched her neck. She felt no scar. No wound. She was well and alive, her heart racing like a horse in an open field. But no one used that phrase anymore, for this was the modern era.

Her eyes watered. Lina wanted to go home. To go back to the castle, where everyone loved her. But according to history, her home was destroyed and burned to the ground.

Now, Lina was the forgotten Princess, and he was the favored Prince.

"...Kade."

Lina\'s head snapped to him, startled. The wind was knocked from her lung. He was so handsome, she was at a loss for words. His jaw was tense and his eyes were cruel. He had said something she didn\'t hear at first.

"You called me Kade," Kaden repeated.

Lina blinked. "I meant Kaden…"

"I\'m not as stupid as your little blind date," Kaden dryly said, eying her up and down, lingering on her revealed legs. She pressed it together and hugged another man\'s blazer against her body.

His gaze intensified.

Who\'s was it?

Without warning, Kaden grabbed her blazer and she yelped. Immediately, he yanked her towards him.

"Take it off," Kaden commanded.

"But—"

"Now."

Lina realized she was crazy. The way he calmly commanded her, the way punishment lingered in his stare, and the way he tightly gripped the blazer. It made her weak in the knees.

"I\'m cold," Lina deadpanned.

"I\'ll warm you up."

"How?" Lina blurted out.

Kaden took a good look at her. A slow smile spread upon his lips.

"How else does a man warm up a woman?" Kaden asked, his voice low and cunning.

Lina wanted to know. She peered into his eyes, her heart skipping. A fire burned from within. He wasn\'t even touching her, but he might as well have undressed her. His gaze burned with desire. It licked at her skin, warming her entire body.

"The blazer belongs to my brother," Lina finally admitted.

Kaden paused. He flickered to the black blazer and observed it carefully. It was a much smaller size than Everett\'s body frame, but the jacket still hung loosely on her shoulders. So she was telling the truth.

"From the same parents?" Kaden demanded.

Lina shakily nodded her head.

Kaden relaxed. "Good."

"Good," Lina repeated.

"Fantastic," Kaden mused.

"Marvelous…"

Kaden narrowed his eyes. Did she think this was a game? Her lashes fluttered and she looked away, red in the face at the realization of what she had done. He liked that color on her. It spread down her neck and to her chest, like the flush of a climax.

Suddenly, Lina took a step to the left, in an attempt to escape.

Kaden slammed his hand against the wall, blocking her path. Her face was a mere inch away from his toned arm. She turned and he placed his hand on the other side. He caged her in, his face a wisp away from her.

"You remember me, don\'t you?" Kaden demanded.

Her eyes widened. She looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"Of course I remember you. You crashed my date twice," Lina said, her voice a bit shaky.

Lina breathed in deeply to calm her racing heart, but instantly regretted it. His natural scent flooded her system, powerful and dominating. How was she going to run from him when every step she took lead to him?

Lina tried to keep her heart at bay, even though it was threatening to jump out of her chest.

"We\'ve met at least three times now. Why would I forget you?" Lina added on.

The corner of Kaden\'s lips curled upwards, a slight smirk on his face.

"You keep track?" Kaden teased.

Lina\'s face burned at being caught red-handed.

"Not really," Lina responded.

"Right…" Kaden drawled, enjoying the way her cheeks reddened further.

"Then, let me rephrase my question," Kaden slowly said. He glared down at her, daring her to lie to him.

"Do you remember me from another life?" he spat out.

And instantly, her face dropped.