Previously...

"What do you want?" I finally asked.

A smile crept out from his face. The same smile I saw back then at the airport.

"I want you."

My Underworld

"I-I beg your pardon?" I asked flabbergasted.

"You heard me. I want-" He repeated.

"I heard you!"

I suddenly cover my chest with my arms and hands. "You won't do anything unpleasant, right?" I asked pertaining to myself while I look at him questioningly.

This made me earn a smirk from the devil himself.

"Only if you want me to." He said suggestively.

"How immodest!" I said. Abhorred by his statement.

"You seem to be forgetting that you're the first one to assume that, but I won't mind if you do." He paused. "Who am I to refuse a beautiful lady?" He finished.

"Y-you...you perv!" I said. I'm pretty sure that I'm blushing from embarrassment now.

A few seconds later I heard him laugh.

"Stop it." I said. Feigning that I felt so insulted.

He suddenly lean forward, making his face just a few inches away from mine. I suddenly felt conscious when he look at me straight in the eyes.

"What?"

I saw him smirk and suddenly gave me a flick in the forehead.

"Hey. That actually hurts."I said while rubbing my forehead. He did exert some force.

"You didn't let me finish your highness. You're quick to assume things. Didn't know that your imagination is that wild." He said with a teasing tone.

He's enjoying my humiliation! If my face earlier is pinkish, I bet a million bucks now that my face is as red as a tomato. The nerve of this guy.

"Back to business. I want you to be my date tonight at the gala in Alastair Mansion."

"Why me? Why a person who's unwilling to go with you? With that face of yours, you can easily find a women who's more willing to go with you."

"Did you think I ask you because I like it? I did it because I need you to do something for me."

"And that would be?" I ask curiously.

"Get the blue gemstone inside that mansion."

"I do what!? You're asking me to steal for you?" I look at him incredulously. " You must be nuts."

Me, trying to steal a gemstone? Our country is known for having an abundant supply of precious stones. It's an audacity to ask someone, let alone the princess, from Atlantria to steal a petty gemstone. It's a scandal if the society finds out about it.

"And why would I do something like that for you? You're asking me to steal! " I said with a huff.

"We're not stealing. We're simply taking what is rightfully mine." He paused. "Besides, I'm still not sure if that's the real gemstone that's why I need your help to determine its authenticity." He said and shifted his attention to his laptop.

"How would I know that?"

"Simple. You just do." He said, not removing his eyes and fingers on his laptop.

I look at him like he's gone crazy. "That's the most bullshitting answer I've ever heard."

"For a royalty, you got a foul mouth." He commented. "Here." He suddenly turn his laptop screen and showed an image to me. "That's the gemstone i'm talking about. The blue stone of Queen Catherine."

"That's the stone Cain showed us." I said while looking at the image.

"Apparently, that's fake."

"How'd you know it was fake?" I ask him. He looked at me with a puzzled look on his face but quickly recovered. It was only for a few seconds.

When he didn't answer my question I suddenly ask, "What's so special about those stones anyway? Why do you want it so badly?"

"The same thing why I wanted that necklace of yours." He answered that got me more curious and confuse.

"I told you that my ring is a heirloom from my grandfather. " I said exasperatingly. " How is it related to those gemstones?"

"Didn't I told you that your grandfather is a lying bastard." He said without a second thought and that made me angry.

I stand up from my sit and with clenched fist. "I told you not to disrespect my grandfather in front of me." I said angrily.

"Whatever you say your highness." He said sarcastically.

I composed myself once again. 'Breathe Tasha. Don't let the anger get the best of you.' I said to myself.

"Let's just say I manage to stea-"

"We're not stealing it." He corrected.

"Okay..fine.. I manage to get it. How sure are you that I won't betray you?"

He paused for a few seconds before answering me.

"I want to bargain with you." He proposed. That pique my interest.

"Say it."

"Help me collect all the gemstones."

"I don't know in what way do you want me to help you find those stones but if I agree to this, what do I get out of it?"

"Refuge."

I was stunned.

"I'll give you refuge. With me on your side, I don't think the royals of Atlantria will be able to find you."

I'm still weighing his proposal.

"Plus, as we look for the other gemstones, you'll be able to travel around while you're with me too. That will be fulfilling your desire to travel the world is it not?"

"I..." I was hesitant to agree to his proposal.

I do find his proposal tempting. I'll be able to travel without thinking the dangers of being caught and in exchange i'll help him look for the gemstones. That's like killing two birds with one stone, but can I trust this guy to fulfill the other side of the bargain? I can tell that he hates my grandfather to the bones. What if he's doing it just to take revenge?

I was so wrap up with my thoughts that I fail to notice that he's already standing in front of me.

"So, what's your answer mademoiselle?"

Looking at his eyes I finally made my decision.

"Deal."

I smile crept up on his face.

"Great. You should go and change. I'll tell you the details in the car. We're going to the gala."

"But I don't have a dress."

"Mason already taken care that of. Mr. Reeves will give it to you."

"H-how did Mason know my size?" I looked at him with horrified expression. It made me earn another flick in the forehead.

"Hey what was that for?" I said rubbing my forehead once again.

Ugh...this guy really flicks hard. It hurts!

"That's his talent. Just one look at a girl, he immediately knows their size." He said and return to his seat.

"That's one peculiar talent he has." I commented. That pervert really live up to his name.

"Get going and change. We don't have all the time in the world." Axel said impatiently while typing something in his laptop.

"Okay okay."

As if on cue, Mr. Reeves entered the room holding a huge white box.

"This way Mademoiselle." He led me to another oak door inside the room

Before I turn around and follow Mr. Reeves I saw Axel with a smirk plastered on his face and said, "Welcome to my underworld."

End of Chapter 12

Author's Note: I change the Welcome to THE Underworld into Welcome to MY Underworld.