The Second Prince smiled and strolled inside towards the table and seated himself next to me. "It's a lot easier without having to act. As I thought, the brains behind Marquis Saravelle is actually Aster. I had a feeling ever since I heard him in one of the court meetings."
"You are allowed to participate in court meetings?" I asked, surprised.
"Of course not." He winked at me. "I snuck in."
"And you weren't discovered?" I stared at him dumbly.
"I have my allies cover for me. They're smart people just like you, Aster."
I glare at him, a bit annoyed. "I have been wondering for a while... even yesterday... but why are you calling me by my first name?"
He looked a bit hurt as he said, "Aren't we friends?"
"Just when did we become friends?!" I asked in shock.
"Yesterday when I said that I wanted to be your friend and that I would come to visit your manor, you agreed... Or could it be that you were so lost in eating cake that you don't remember...?
'Is he provoking me? Is he provoking me? There's no way I'd admit something so embarrassing!'
"Of-of course I remember, your highness." I averted my eyes.
"You even said that you'd help me secure the throne." He continued.
I stood up, slamming my fork on the table. "There's no way I said that!" I exclaimed
"Hahaha." He scratched his chin. "I got found out. True, you did not say that, but I would like your help."
"Nope."
"Please?"
"Don't wanna."
"Pretty please?"
"I. Said. No!"
He stared deep into my eyes with a look of confidence as he said, "Fine. I will convince you someday."
'So annoying! There's no way I'm gonna let him know that I just told my father to support him.'
I took a deep breath. "So?" I asked.
"So what?" He asked me.
"So, why are you here?" I asked.
"I wanted to see my friend." He said with a smile that showed his white teeth.
I tried to control the urge to smack that smirk off his face. "And?"
"And..." He continued. "I want to know about your shop 'Der Rosengarten'."
My heart skipped a beat at those words. 'No one knows about it... How does he...?'
"Der Rosengarten? Do you mean the shop that is gaining popularity recently for its cosmetics? How can I tell you anything about it? I do not understand." I replied dryly.
"I'm sure you understand what I mean..." He said looking straight into my eyes.
I turned to the side calmly. "Father, there's a letter from Mother in your study. Why don't you read it and give a reply quickly...Mother will get angry if you tardy any further."
"Oh! I forgot about that!" Father jumped from his seat and dashed to his study, the door slamming shut behind him.
I then turned to the Second prince. "How do you know about it? I run the shop under an alias and in disguise."
"You seem pretty calm for someone whose secret got found out." He commented
"I'll ask you again, how did you find out?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"On better observation, I find out that you're angry..." He said.
"Luis Phillip Berthold! Do not test my patience!" I glared at him.
"Whew, relax. I had an informant of mine work in your shop." He placed his chin on the palm of his hand in an amused manner. "Still...to call a prince by his given name... are you not afraid of being punished?"