I Married the President

Chapter 400: Chapter 400: When You Say It Like That, I’m Scared

Adrian Quincy held her tightly, his voice deep as he said, "Don’t be afraid. It’s over now."

Having survived the ordeal, Claire Sinclair looked up to meet his gaze. "I’m not scared anymore. But that was really dangerous. I’ve never experienced anything like that in my entire life."

"From now on, I’ll assign more men to protect you. What happened today will not happen again," Adrian Quincy promised.

Claire Sinclair was taken aback for a moment, then she muttered softly, "But being on the defensive like this isn’t a real solution. Who wants to kill me?"

"Enemies."

"But I don’t have any enemies."

Adrian Quincy took her hand and led her upstairs. "Not your enemies," he said as they walked. "Our enemies. The moment you sent Hector Collier’s grandson to prison, you fired the first shot in this war."

"..." Claire Sinclair was at a loss for words.

Hearing his words, she finally realized that the enemies she and Officer Tanner had encountered were sent by Hector Collier for revenge. But there was one thing she didn’t understand.

"All we did was send his grandson to prison for reform. It’s not like it was a death sentence. Why would he want me and Officer Tanner to pay with our lives?"

"The night he was imprisoned, Deacon Collier was poisoned to death."

"What?" Claire Sinclair was stunned.

Adrian Quincy turned abruptly to face her, his tone grave. "Someone wants to use Hector Collier to target us. From now on, you must be vigilant. Anyone who approaches you without a good reason could be an assassin sent by our enemies."

"You’re scaring me when you say it like that..."

Adrian Quincy softened his tone, raising a hand to gently caress her cheek. "Claire, this path was never going to be easy. You have to be a little braver. For there to be an era of peace and prosperity, some of us must bear the heavy burdens."

"Uh..." ’What a terrifying pep talk!’

Even though she knew it was a dark sort of encouragement, his words successfully eased her anxiety. "I’m not strong enough yet, but I’ll work harder!"

"Come with me." Adrian Quincy took her hand again and led her into the bedroom.

Hanging on a freestanding clothes rack in the bedroom was a simple yet elegant qipao embroidered with peonies. Its masterful tailoring was a perfect expression of Astorian culture.

Claire Sinclair walked over, pleasantly surprised. As she reached out to touch the embroidery, she felt as if she were standing in the Imperial Garden. "This qipao is gorgeous!"

Adrian Quincy came up behind her, wrapping his arms gently around her slender waist and pulling her into his embrace. His warm chest pressed against her back, and his breath fanned across the top of her head.

Claire Sinclair looked back in confusion. "Is this for me?"

"You’ll wear this to the state banquet."

"What state banquet?"

"The state banquet to welcome Princess Morinka. You’ll be my date."

"Huh?" Claire Sinclair froze. ’I’ve been so busy with work these past few days, I almost forgot that Princess Morinka’s visit to Astoria is just around the corner!’

Adrian Quincy’s large, gentle hand slowly swept across her flat stomach. "You’ve put on a little weight. Keep eating more. A qipao looks better with some curves."

"Are you saying I’m getting fat?" Claire Sinclair was terrified of losing her figure.

Adrian Quincy pulled her tighter into his embrace, his voice deep. "Claire, you’re already so thin. Don’t ever doubt your beauty. I’d actually like it if you gained a few more pounds."

Claire Sinclair pouted, turning to face him. She looped her arms around his neck, a small smile playing on her lips. "If I get fat one day, will you still like me?"

’It was a silly question, but she really wanted to know the answer.’

Adrian Quincy replied, "By the day you get fat, I’ll probably be fat too."

Claire Sinclair could almost picture it. "So we’d both just be a couple of fat people?"

Adrian Quincy helpfully reminded her, "Claire, that’s called getting plump in our golden years."