"I hope your perspective about your brother changes soon," Karmen said gently as he eased the car to a stop, pulling into the entrance of an upscale restaurant. Pressing the brakes fully, he added, "You should go on inside. I’ll find a parking spot."
Katelyn nodded silently and stepped out of the car. She watched Karmen disappear toward the parking area before turning her attention to the grand revolving door.
Inside, the receptionist immediately recognized the princess. Without hesitation, she quickly informed the manager, who appeared within moments, hurrying to greet Katelyn.
The manager bowed politely. "The VIP section is located on the fifth floor, Your Highness. I will escort you there."
Katelyn smiled lightly. "No need for such formalities. I’m here with someone, so I’ll wait for him."
The manager inclined his head respectfully and stepped aside.
Shortly after, Karmen arrived and gave the manager a brief glance as he stood nearby.
"Shall we head to the fifth floor? The manager said that’s where the VIP area is," Katelyn said warmly.
Together, they approached the elevator. As the doors slid shut behind them, the manager instructed the staff to provide attentive service to the princess, ensuring nothing was lacking during their meal.
Upon reaching the fifth floor, Karmen and Katelyn exited the elevator and selected a quiet table near a floor-to-ceiling window, discreetly tucked away from other diners. Karmen pulled out a chair for Katelyn, who accepted with a grateful smile before settling in.
As she placed her handbag on the chair beside her, a waiter promptly appeared, presenting two menus with a courteous nod before readying his notepad for their orders.
"What would you like?" Karmen asked, his eyes lifting to meet hers. "Since you mentioned not having much of an appetite earlier, maybe something light would be best."
Katelyn smiled, a sudden wave of hunger replacing her earlier nervousness. "Actually, I’m quite hungry now. Let’s go with a full-course meal." The thought of sharing this moment alone with Karmen had restored her appetite.
"Is there anything in particular you’re craving?" she asked, seeking his input.
"I’ll have whatever you choose," Karmen said firmly, closing his menu.
"Alright then," Katelyn replied, confidently placing their order with the waiter. He bowed and quickly retreated to the kitchen.
Karmen picked up his glass of water, taking a few sips. He took out his phone as it buzzed in his pocket and a frown appeared in the middle of his forehead.
"Please excuse me for a moment," Karmen said, rising from the table. He stepped into a quiet corner of the hallway and answered his ringing phone.
"We’ve apprehended the man who attacked Amelie that night," Denzel’s voice came through the line.
"Where are you now?" Karmen asked.
"I’m en route to the prison. Prince Casaio will be the one to interrogate him," Denzel replied.
"Understood. I’ll be there shortly," Karmen said before ending the call.
Returning to the table, he found the dishes already arranged neatly.
"Who was that?" Katelyn asked, watching him closely.
"Denzel. The attacker from Amelie’s wedding night has finally been caught. I’ll have to leave soon," Karmen explained, his expression serious. "Let’s eat quickly."
Katelyn nodded, though a pang of disappointment settled in her chest. This wasn’t how she’d envisioned their time together. Karmen’s work always seemed to come first, pulling him away from moments like these. Why did it have to be this way? Why was he always so busy?
She chewed quietly, reminding herself, ’If I complain, he might just shut me out completely.’
When they finished, Katelyn reached for her wallet, intent on paying. But Karmen shook his head firmly. "I’ve got this," he said, signaling the waiter to settle the bill.
He then drove her back to the mansion in silence.
As they stepped out of the car, Katelyn opened her mouth to say something, but Karmen was already turning away, hastily offering a curt, "Good night."
And just like that, he was gone.
"It didn’t even appear like a date," Katelyn poured and stomped her feel against the floor and walked inside.
~~~~
Casaio’s eyes narrowed as he studied the small, symbolic tattoo etched into the left arm of the man who hung suspended from the chains.
"You still haven’t told us why you attacked Amelie," Casaio said coldly, his gaze flickering between the prisoner and the mark. "Why did you want to kidnap her?"
Just then, Karmen entered the dimly lit prison chamber and bowed respectfully to the prince.
"Take a clear picture of the tattoo on his arm," Casaio instructed, pointing toward the mark.
Karmen swiftly raised his phone and captured the image.
The prince examined the photo on the screen, frowning. "He’s not cooperating... But this tattoo, doesn’t it look familiar to you?"
"No, Your Highness," Karmen replied, his brows furrowing slightly as he examined the tattoo again. "It’s my first time seeing it. Have you come across it before?"
"Yes," Casaio answered, his voice thoughtful. "But I can’t remember where..." he murmured, eyes still fixed on the mark.
Turning his attention back to the captive, Karmen asked, "What’s your name?"
"Mortis Dawn," Casaio answered before the man could speak, handing over a worn wallet to Karmen.
Karmen opened it and swiftly flipped through its contents, checking for other items which could help. "What about his phone?" Karmen asked.
"He threw it in a river," Casaio replied. "He is quite loyal to the person he works."
"Say the name, Mortis," Karmen said firmly, locking eyes with the restrained man. "You’ll be released once you tell us who ordered you to harm Amelie."
But Mortis remained silent, not daring to speak the name.
"Start the torture," Casaio ordered. "Send me the picture of the tattoo," he told Karmen before walking out of the prison.
As he arrived in the premises of the mansion, he took out his phone and opened the contact list.
Dialing a number, he waited for the call to be answered.
"Good evening, Casaio," spoke his beta, Estelle Fayre. "I just returned from my vacation," she added.