The Prince's Duchess { Illyria Series 1 } - COMPLETED

Chapter 48: The Truth about Laila-Part 1

Sarina's POV:

K.C was beside me at all times when we left for Danati. I let myself feel a pang of sadness at the the memory of Leone as he held me one last time before I left for the plane.

Under his request, I am using his own private jet to fly to the Mediterranean Sea where supposedly Danati is located.

Like Illyria, it seems like this island country has a unique land characteristic. From what I read on the internet. Danai used to be a small piece of land that separated from some undisclosed Gulf country and is now a unique landmass that is surrounded by smaller islands. The geography still retained a few deserts like landscapes but the main island has beautiful green vegetation that mingled with the dry areas quite well.

I looked at my dress which consisted of a black long sleeve blouse and a floral skirt that reached my legs. A scarf was draped around my shoulder in case I need to cover my head.

Kassim's words about respecting his country's culture made me wonder how will behave in front of him.

My first meeting with him started out good but then his demeanor changed the moment he found out I was his cousin's lover. From a nice gentleman; he turned into this forceful, sarcastic man who thinks I am after Leone's money.

That hurt me because I never once coveted my fiance's fortune. His money was the last thing on my mind because it was the man himself that attracted me in the first place.

Sometimes, I forget Leone was even a prince at times.

"Ugh. I don't get it." I unintentionally said what I was thinking.

"Get what?" K.C turned to me. Her brown eyes looking at me curiously.

"Why does his cousin hate me? I have not even done anything horrible to him and yet why do I have this feeling that my 2 weeks with him will be hell."

That made my friend's mouth tighten.

"Remember when I told you that I knew Mr. Kassim during our reunion night?"

"Yes."

"Well, I have had assignments wherein I was his bodyguard during his stay in Illyria and he normally has two faces. The common princely one which is a kind and considerate gentleman." K.C's face was devoid from any emotion as she spoke. "And then there is the devil's own face wherein he becomes the complete opposite. Rude, overbearing and uncaring, without any regard for anyone's welfare."

My friend then went on to tell me that Kassim is very possessive of Leone but because his cousin has been changing at a rapid pace; she speculated that this must be the reason why the Danati prince was making my life more.... complicated.

"Jesus. It feels like I am competing with a woman." I huffed exasperatedly.

This made K.C choke a bit before she hid her smile; A gruff snort from the huge Amir, who was sitting just opposite of us.

"Uh...well close kinship between men is kinda common among Danatis. Since Leone is half Danatian by blood and the only male cousin close to him; It...means a lot to us."

"Oh, right. I did read up on...that aspect of your culture." I sighed. "So do you have any idea on how I can get along with him?"

K.C and Amir shared a look before the male bodyguard began explaining about how in Danati, the women are judged by the 6 virtues like honesty, kindness, patience, bravery, fidelity and the last one which is a secret criterion that only the men are aware of.

"Forgive me for stepping pass my boundaries my lady but I think the Prince is checking if you have the right to be the honorable wife of his cousin, In terms of Danati culture; that makes you kin as well. For us family is everything." Amir explained rather loftily. " I would do the same to any woman my brothers would bring home."