The Bigshot Married Himself to the Heiress-Chapter 697 - 738: The Prince Begs to Visit

"So, are we going back to the Desmond Manor?"

"Yes! Why shouldn’t we? It’s my home!" Adrian Desmond’s voice was clearly tinged with anger.

Thinking about Kiya’s actions and the defamation against Paige Desmond, Sienna Johnson’s mood soured as well. She had truly misjudged Kiya; it seemed Kiya was just like his father.

"Well, you can’t avoid it forever. If he’s so insistent on meeting Paige through us, then let him. Let him see her and give up."

Adrian Desmond, known for his temper, retorted, "Why should I see him?"

"If you don’t see him, what are you doing back at the Desmond Manor?"

"We’re returning to the Desmond Manor so you don’t tire yourself out. We’ll rest for a while before leaving. Who said we’re going back to meet Kiya? My only connection to Kiya was that he was once my sister’s husband. Now that he isn’t, we’re nothing more than strangers."

「...」

Soon after Adrian Desmond’s car arrived at the Desmond Manor, Kiya, who had received word, quickly arrived.

When Adolph Desmond reported Kiya’s arrival, Sienna Johnson was having lunch. Adrian Desmond’s intention was to ignore him. Sienna Johnson, however, wanted to meet him. She was curious about what he had to say.

However, Sienna Johnson deliberately snubbed Kiya. She said, "Sixth Master and I are having lunch. If he’s not busy, he can wait in the reception hall. If he’s in a hurry and short on time, then he can reschedule for when he has time."

Whether Kiya had time or not, she didn’t know. In any case, they didn’t have time.

"This..." Adolph Desmond looked somewhat troubled.

To not immediately go to the door to greet His Highness was one thing, but to actually make His Highness wait was extremely rude.

Adolph Desmond looked towards Adrian Desmond, waiting for him to make the decision.

Adolph Desmond hadn’t expected Adrian Desmond and Sienna Johnson to be in complete agreement. "What are you still standing there for?" Adrian Desmond snapped. "Didn’t you hear Madam’s instructions just now?"

"Yes!"

Since the Sixth Master had spoken, Adolph Desmond couldn’t say anything more, so he braced himself to deal with His Highness.

Throughout Abyanabad, the only ones who dared to slight His Highness like this were probably their Sixth Master and Madam... No, there was one more: their young mistress, Paige Desmond, who had married out.

Kiya, dressed casually, stood at the entrance of the Desmond Manor, his heart heavy with disappointment.

He knew Paige wasn’t here, nor was his beloved son. They had hidden themselves away, unwilling to see him.

"Your Highness, my apologies," Adolph Desmond said carefully, afraid Kiya would fly into a rage. "The Sixth Master and Madam are currently occupied. Would you mind waiting in the reception hall for a moment?"

"Alright."

Seeing Kiya’s cooperation, Adolph Desmond breathed a sigh of relief. If Kiya had truly insisted on seeing Adrian Desmond immediately, he really wouldn’t have known what to do.

"Your Highness, this way, please."

Adolph led the way, guiding Kiya to the reception hall where the Desmond family entertained distinguished guests.

The reception hall possessed an antique charm, with a window that looked out onto a lake full of lotus flowers. The wind carried the fragrance of lotus blossoms through the room. Nearby, a grove of verdant bamboo rustled with the wind, creating a soft, sighing sound.

Adolph had someone prepare a tea ceremony for Kiya, using clear mountain spring water and high-quality Green Snail Spring green tea. However, Kiya was in no mood to enjoy it. The ceremonial tea placed before him had grown cold, untouched.

Half an hour passed, and Adrian Desmond and Sienna Johnson still hadn’t appeared. Adolph was starting to break out in a cold sweat. To treat His Highness with such discourtesy was too much.

Kiya felt thirsty and lowered his head to drink the tea, but Adolph stopped him, "Your Highness, the tea is cold. Let me pour you another cup."

"No need." Kiya raised the cup and drank the cold tea in one gulp. Adolph didn’t know what to say.

"The Princess Consort has never returned, has she?" Kiya suddenly asked.

"Indeed, she has not."

"Are they alright?"

Adolph replied cautiously, "They’re all doing very well."

"Are they still on the island?"

That was a question Adolph couldn’t answer.

"The lotuses in the lake are blooming beautifully," Kiya mused. "When were they planted? I remember there were no lotuses here before..."

Adolph replied respectfully, "Our Madam is very fond of lotuses. Not long after she left, our Sixth Master had this entire lake filled with lotuses for her. They were planted many years ago. Ever since the lotuses in the lake bloomed, they have bloomed continuously."

Abyanabad has no winter, so the lotuses don’t have a dormant period. They bloom, wither, and bloom again, without the long wait of winter.

"I never thought your Sixth Master was such a romantic."

"The Sixth Master wasn’t like this before. He only became like this after meeting Madam."

Adolph breathed a sigh of relief when Adrian Desmond and Sienna Johnson finally arrived. If they hadn’t come any later, he wouldn’t have known how to handle the situation.

"Sixth Master, Madam..."

"Hmm."

Sienna Johnson was pregnant and naturally couldn’t drink tea. Adolph had initially arranged for fruit juice for her, but she had grown tired of it. Instead, she had someone add a few lotus seeds, believed to have a calming effect, to a cup of plain boiled water.

"Your Highness certainly has patience, waiting for so long," Sienna Johnson teased. "I almost thought Your Highness had already left."

"Where is my Princess Consort? I want to see her."

"Your Princess Consort? Isn’t your Princess Consort in the Imperial Palace? ...Oh, you mean the Princess of Pelindi."

Sienna Johnson was the type who never yielded when she had the upper hand. Adrian Desmond figured she had returned just to make Kiya suffer. And indeed, upon hearing her words, Kiya’s expression turned even more unsightly.

"I want to see Paige!"

"She doesn’t want to see you!" Sienna Johnson retorted without ceremony.

"Please!" Kiya pleaded, his princely dignity cast aside.

Sienna Johnson said coolly, "Kiya, you’re already engaged to the Princess of Pelindi. Why bother with this charade? This act of yours is quite repulsive!"

"I had no other choice!"

Sienna Johnson sneered, "A fine ’no other choice.’ I’m speechless. Is there any excuse better than those four words, ’I had no choice’?"

Since the press conference, Kiya hadn’t rested properly. He was now utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally. No one understood him, no one forgave him. It felt as if the entire world was against him.

"Where are they?"

"It’s not that we’re unwilling to let you see them, but Paige herself doesn’t want to see you," Sienna Johnson said sharply. "Besides, even if you do see her, what would change? You’re already engaged to the Princess of Pelindi, and with what has happened, do you really think there’s any possibility for you two?"

"Have you ever been in love?" Kiya suddenly asked, his gaze fixed on Sienna Johnson.

"That’s none of your business!" Sienna Johnson’s attitude was firm; she clearly had no regard for Kiya’s royal status.

Sienna Johnson took small sips of her drink, appearing as composed as an old monk in deep meditation, her resolve unshakable. Adrian Desmond, beside her, had remained silent since entering the room.

"What must I do for you to let me see Paige?" Kiya asked, his voice devoid of strength.