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

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!"

"Well, then I am thankful for making me the head of the ministry!" replied Hazel with a smile on her face. Though she was smiling sweetly at him, her cunning behaviour could not be hidden.

Alcastra's eyes widened. He had not thought that she would directly aim for the head of the ministry. But as he was the one who had offered it, he could not go back to his words!

His smile had turned uglier than his cries, "you! You want to be the head of the ministry?" he could not help but ask in a shocked voice.

"Why? Didn't his highness offer the same post! How could I deny such a good offer?" her smile was sweet and warm as if she was the most innocent person there. 

Alcastra gritted his teeth yet nodded, "of course, anything for my friend and his wife."  He took the cup and drank the cold and bitter liquid in a single gulp. Now all he could hope was that she would not mess much with the work.

"Thank you! I knew that you would not deny. Anyways, it is our first time that we have visited your palace after our marriage. Should you not offer a wedding gift." asked the man who did not even remember what he had given and when to take it back? What he lacked was a wedding gift!

Alcastra frowned as he had already lost a good post. But then his eyes moved to a beautiful girl and the way Richard was looking at him and his lips curled upwards. 

Richard must be trying to pamper his wife further. And girls could easily be pampered by good jewels and rare stones. With that thought he felt at ease,

"Of course." he clapped his hands and a group of servants came closer and bowed their heads.

"Your highness."

"Bring the rarest jewels of the empire for the lady!" he announced with a prideful face, thinking that they would feel honoured and the lady would be mesmerised by the shine of the jewels. 

But Hazel did not even look at him as if she could not hear him while continuing to munch on her cookie.

"Yes, your highness." They nodded and left but soon returned with a lot of boxes of velvet and mahogany boxes. The table was filled with all kinds of jewels, gold sets, earrings, and precious rings and other stones.

If iit had been any other person, their eyes would have sparkled with the shine of the jewels but hazel didn't even blink at them.

She just passed a glance at them and then enjoyed her meal. Though she did not know why Richard had asked for the wedding gift, she was sure that he was not talking about these stones that had nothing but lustre. After living her life once, she was not interested in these artificial things too. All she wanted was revenge and power. And both could be given to her by Richard!

Richard was noticing every single action of Hazel since the start. It was a test for both Alcastra and Hazel, and once again she had passed it with flying colours. His lips curled upwards and he laughed heartily, gaining the attention of both persons.

"I am amazed at your thinking that I would lack some stones that you offered as our wedding gift!! I must say that I am disappointed by your lack of enthusiasm!" he shook his head and his hearty laugh changed into a grim face.

Alcastra blinked and the smile on his face froze! Both husband and wife were surely here to torment him! Did Richard not hear when he had instructed the maids to bring the jewels then why had he not said anything then? Now he was mocking him for his lack of enthusiasm!

How cruel and cunning! But he knew that he could not displease the man sitting in front of them.

He smiled awkwardly at his statement, "if it is about lack of anything. I am sure that there is nothing that my lord lacks, then what shall I offer as a wedding gift?"

"I only tried to please the lady by giving her something that would look nice on her!" he looked at Hazel with a smile full of flattery but she did not pay any attention to him.

Finally putting her cup down, she smiled, "your highness, there is something i want. But I am hesitating to ask. That was why I wanted to know what you could offer me as my wedding gift." Her words were once again naive and sweet, but Alcastra was not a fool to fall in the same trap again.

He shook his head and then smiled, "my lady, i may be the crown prince but my father is the one who is ruling the empire. I will try to fulfil your every wish but if it would be in my powers." he replied in a grave voice and both husband and wife exchanged glances.

"Of course, i will only ask for a simple dinner with you that is it.'' Hazel replied in a coquettish voice. Her face turned red and she tucked her hairs on the back of her ears. Her bowed eyes were looking alluring that even Alcastra forgot that he had to stay alert!

His expressions soften when he felt that he was being more harsh on the little girl than required. He should have considered that she was meeting him for the first time.

"Of course, anytime, my lady. It would be a gift for me that I would get a chance to have a meal with you." a bright smile formed on his face again and his eyes filled with pride.

"How about tonight! But I wanted to have a meal at a special place that is closer to my heart." Her voice that was no less than music to his ears had captivated Alcastra that he did not feel the trap at all. 

He nodded with an arrogant face, "of course, though i have a tight schedule, i will make sure that i will arrange the time for you. Where would you like to have dinner, my lady?" asked the crown prince with a smile that showed he was in a dilemma but he was still agreeing to her.

In his heart he was relieved that she only needed to share a meal but on his face he showed like he was doing a big favour on her.

"Is that a promise, your highness?" she asked again but he still did not feel the reason to be careful. After all, it was just a meal. Even if she would ask him to sit in a public place, he would manage by asking his knights to empty the whole area a few hours ago.

"Of course, my lady. Anything you say. I am a man of my words. I think you should have realised it by the way I offered the post of the head of the ministry to you.'' He did not forget to remind her that she was the one who had asked him for the most difficult thing yet as a magnanimous and upright person, he had fulfilled her wish.

"Of course, I have no doubt that you are a great ruler and the man of your words. I am honored to meet you, your highness." She bowed her head a bit but what she did not notice was that the face of Richard darken when she praised him so much.

His eyes gleamed and something dark and crazy passed through his eyes.

"Then ask freely, even if it is a small inn, I will come there for you, my lady." he bent and took her hand in his hands with a will to kiss the back of her hands, but before he could do so. Richard took away her hand and replaced it with his.

"...."

"....."

They both looked at him in confusion. But when Alcastra's eyes met Richard's, he gulped! The man was looking at him as if he would rip him apart if he dared to touch his wife again. He had never thought that the man would be this possessive.

He could only let go of her hands with an awkward smile, and then looked at the lady who was still silent, 

"My lady."

"Ah, yes. Of course, I want to have a meal with you at my home, your highness."

"......."