My Sister-In-Law Is My Mate!?!

Instead of walking to a large hall or the meeting room where foreign convoys were greeted and welcomed, they were taken into his private chamber garden which was still larger than the main garden of Hazel's place. The luxury was on another level too.

Maids came forward and pulled seats for all of them to sit. Sitting in a small dining room for four people, they were served tea.

Taking the bittersweet liquid in her hands, she took a sip. The liquid left a sweet scent in her nostrils and wetted her dry lips. Her anxiety seemed to calm a bit when she felt the warmth in her throat.

"So, when did you two get married?" asked the prince again, she was sure that he would not leave her until he found all the gossip behind her marriage but she was not sure what story Richard planned. 

She did not want to ruin or create misunderstanding by speaking in between when she had no idea what the matter was. Richard took the tea in his hands and removed his fingers on the tips of the cup but took no initiative to drink it.

"It has been a week. And we are here to ask for the funds I have invested in your empire.`` His abrupt reply was enough to create havoc in the mind of the crown prince whose body stiffened suddenly. 

He looked at Richard as if he was speaking foreign language which he was not able to understand at all.

He was thinking of asking for more favours in the name of hazel and here he was! Asking for the old funds back!

"Did you not say that you are not in a hurry to get your funds back? You know that since the war had ended, the condition of the empire is not good and i had invested all the money taken from you in the relief funds!" His voice was a bit panicky, even when he was trying to look calm, a layer of sweat could be seen forming on his forehead while his pupils widened.

Richard just looked at the worried man nonchalantly. His expressions were cold and his whole aura screamed, "do not come closer and i didn't care"

"Of course, I have said so since I was in love with Hazel and she belonged to this empire. Her well being was my responsibility. But now that she was not part of the empire anymore. Why would I care?" her words were filled with arrogance and so domineering yet he said them so easily with a shrug of his shoulders.

Alcastra gritted his teeth as he did not know how to reply to the man! He wanted to shout at him yet he did not dare to flare him or upset him.

"But I thought that we were friends, even before we met!" pleaded Alcastra as he looked at Richard but his expressions did not soften at all, so he looked back at Hazel, hoping she would take his side. But she stood there silently while taking slow sips of her drink and enjoying the view as if she could see the pleading gaze of the prince.

She had never thought that she would be able to witness the pitiful state of the cold and merciless man who was no less than god in the empire.

Was that the reason he was so sure that the whole empire would bow down in front of her?

She could not help but admire the man more and more as she came to know more about him.

"Nothing is free in this world! If you need a thing, there must be something you have to give in exchange! 

But as a friend from a long time, I can make it easy for you.`` Richard only spoke when he saw that the crown prince had lost all hopes and was taking a big sigh!

Alcastra raised his dim eyes again and looked at Richard with the last ray of hope.

"My wife has always been curious about how the administration works! She wanted to work in the ministry of her empire. But I did not know if I should send her to any lower post. So, i wanted to know is there any appropriate post for her in your ministry?" he finally took a sip of his tea nonchalantly as if he had asked for a flower blooming in the garden!

The message was clear, if Alcastra wanted to retain the money, he had to provide the highest post to the girl! Alcastra looked at the frail girl who had not opened her mouth even once. 

He had to admit that she was one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen. But the way she was only smiling without a word of opposition, he was sure she was no less than a flower vase.

He even remembered how her father had told him multiple times that his elder daughter was mentally retarded. That was why he wanted to annul the marriage between her and duke Jonathan.

So, even if he gave a higher post to her, he would still be able to manipulate and control her decisions. Maybe she just wanted to enjoy the authority as she had always been neglected by her family.

With that thought, he felt confident again. A smile formed on his lips as he looked back at Richard again.

"Of course, your wife is like my sister in law. How can I let her adjust with a menial post? She would be the member of the committee who runs under the head of the ministry." he replied with a smirk, as if he was a very magnanimous person to offer such a high post to her.

Richard did not reply. Though he had seen through the thoughts of the crown prince and knew that he was trying to fool her, he still wanted her to decide. If she could not see through this small trick she would not be able to do anything even if he had fought for her justice here.

Hazel looked back at Alcastra as her lips curved upward into a beautiful smile that was able to melt even the snow. 

It only increased Alcastra's face as he saw her taking the bait. 

"I do not think that being the part of a committee that had no role except giving advice would help me in learning anything. I think the post of a mere head of the department is better than this as I would be able to run my department freely.

Perhaps you think that I was no less than a flower vase who did not know how to make decisions?" Her words were full of smiles and sweet voices yet it was filled with mockery and the tone was so cold that it stunned him.

He had never thought that she would not only be able to read his mind but would have the courage to even speak up loudly. Was she not sitting silently all the time?!

A cold chuckle brought him back to his senses and he looked at the man who was enjoying his demise.

A booting and warm smile was on Richard's face that he was stunned again.

"So, now that you know that my wife is not a fool, have you changed your decision and decided to offer her a better post or shall I go to another empire?" his words were cold when he looked at him again. As if the man with a pampered gaze was nothing but an illusion.

Sweat started to form on the face of the crown prince. It was not like he could not return the money, he had enough treasure to fill the loan more than ten times. But he did not want to spend his own money when he could get it for free.

He had taken money from Richard many times in the past too. But not even once had he asked it back or charged any interest for it.

He took a deep sigh and then looked seriously at the girl as if he was finally ready for some bargain!

"Well, I did not know the lady would think like that. I just did not want to burden the newly wed wife with a lot of responsibilities.

But if you are interested in another post, then I would be happy to oblige. As I had told, Richard was no less than a family.

For him, the whole ministry is open. So, even if you want the post of the head of the ministry, feel free to ask, i will grant you, your wish.'' His tone was filled with magnanimity, but he knew that since he had said it like that, Hazel would feel embarrassed if she would ask for such a high post. And as she had said, the post of the department would be better. So, he would give her the post of head of the department with not much revenue,

"Well, then I am thankful for making me the head of the ministry!"