The Cursed King

"No, I never use those services," Loriel insisted.

He was lonely, but it was because he was missing her a lot, not a companion per se. Loriel didn't need anyone to keep him company, especially to cuddle him or be his arm candy.

Nah… he had Pot and Pebble for that. He couldn't really tolerate most humans. So, why would he pay people to be with him? That just didn't make sense.

Now, the man looked really annoyed. He pursed his lips as he said, "Do you think… someone like me needs to pay people to keep me company?"

Elise realized the usually calm and sweet man had become irritated. So, she quickly apologized. 

"I am sorry if I offended you with my words," she said sweetly. "I know you don't need to pay people to be your girlfriend. I am sure girls would flock on you. I was just joking earlier. I am sorry it wasn't funny."

"Oh…" This time, it was Loriel's turn to feel surprised. So, Elise was just pulling his leg? He didn't expect that. He really thought she was serious.

Well, Elise was just saying those words spontaneously. If Loriel used services for hire, she would not judge him. But seeing how offended he was just now, the woman quickly concluded that Loriel really didn't do it. That's why she apologized and just made light of the situation by saying that she was joking.

Loriel looked at his wife deeply.

He didn't remember Elise joked around like this in the past. Now, she was acting so carefree and relaxed, unlike his wife in the past who was uptight and easily sad.

Loriel liked the new Elise. But, to be honest, even if Elise was as uptight as she was before, Loriel would love her the same. He was just glad to see her looking confident and happy like she was now.

"I am sorry," Elise lowered her face. She felt bad about what she said just now. Of course, she knew someone like Loriel wouldn't need to pay anyone to be his date.

For one, the man didn't need to impress anyone that he had to feel the need to get a girlfriend. And secondly, he also wouldn't have any problem getting girls.

Not only he was wealthy, but he was also really handsome. If Elise wanted to be honest with herself, this man was the most good-looking man she had ever met.

Loriel was also kind and smart. He was exactly the type of man that most women would want to marry.

"No... don't say sorry, you are not at fault," Loriel laughed awkwardly. "I think I was just being too uptight. So, I misunderstood you. That was a good one… hehe. Yeah, I don't use girlfriend for hire nor cuddle buddy, but I know such services exist, because I read a lot… of useless world trivia. Anyway… What I was trying to say was…"

Suddenly, Loriel didn't remember what he was trying to say. He was distracted because he wanted to convince Elise that he never rented a girlfriend or someone to cuddle with him.

Dammit.

"Yes?" Elise asked him attentively. "What do you have in mind?"

"What I meant to say was…" Luckily, Loriel remembered at the last minute. "People would be suspicious if I only show up during the gala. Since it is easy to rent a boyfriend, especially a handsome and successful-looking dude from the internet, people who are suspicious of your relationship status might think you got me from the internet if they only saw me that one time."

"Oh… I never thought of it that way," said Elise. She pressed her lips, looking distraught. 

Loriel was right. If renting a boyfriend was that easy, her office mates might suspect that she hired Loriel to be her fake boyfriend just to distract their minds from the gossip between Elise and Marc.

Then, bringing Loriel to the year-end gala would be counter-productive and waste Loriel's precious time.

Uff… what should she do?

"You can prevent such issue if I also show up in your office several times, after the gala. You know… I can pick you up or drop you off, or something. They will be convinced that we are in a relationship and you don't have to worry about being gossiped again," Loriel suggested. "What do you think?"

The former king was actually very happy with this situation. If Elise needed a fake boyfriend, he would jump into the opportunity and offered himself.

Of course, he hoped it could open the door to her heart and he would be her boyfriend for real.

Later, after they were dating for some time, Loriel planned to propose to Elise properly and marry her.

Even though Elise was already his wife, but Loriel didn't mind marrying her again and started over from zero. Anything would do. He didn't mind. As long as he was with her.

In a way, he would also see this as an opportunity to make up to her and rebuild their relationship from the beginning.

This time, he would do everything right. He would love her and care for her with all his heart and soul, and most importantly, he would let her know how much he loved her.

"Oh my… you are absolutely right," Elise let out a sigh. She looked at Loriel with a shy expression, trying to ask him if he would consider going to her office too.

She thought he had a point and his suggestion was good. However, would he do it for her? Was it not too excessive?

The man must have so many other more important things to do than going to her office and picked her up just to fool her office mates into thinking that he was Elise's boyfriend…

"Well..? What do you think?" Loriel didn't want to offer himself. He wanted Elise to ask him for it. He wanted to hear from her lips that she wanted him to be her boyfriend, even if it was only a fake one.

Elise bit her lip. She must ask him. If you never asked, you would never get, was her motto. If Loriel was too busy, or he was out of town, then Elise could find another solution.

Finally, the words he had been wanting to hear, came out of her lips.

"Loriel… would you mind being my fake boyfriend in front of my office mates?" Elise asked the man with a barely audible voice. "This means, going to my office and pick me up several times, just to kill the gossip."

She quickly added, "I would totally understand if you are too busy for this or if you feel uncomfortable. I will just rent a real boyfriend-for-hire from the internet to make things easier."

"Wait… what?" Loriel batted his eyes when he heard her words. The man quickly waved both hands, "No! Don't get a rented boyfriend from the internet. I will do it for you. Just use your money for other more important things. Don't spend it on renting another man."

"Ah… so, will you do that for me? Will you really pose as my boyfriend?" Elise grabbed Loriel's arms excitedly. "Do you really not mind?"

  "I don't mind even if you want me to be your boyfriend for real," said Loriel with a chuckle. 

He was serious with his words, but of course, Elise thought he was joking.

"Thank you so much!! I will treat you to dinner again after I get my salary. Next time, we can have a nice dinner without any interference," said Elise happily.

Because she was so excited, Elise spontaneously kissed Loriel on the cheek.

This simple and sweet gesture made the man's heart flutter.

Gosh… he was dying to kiss her back!