Catie always loved to read and spending quality time with books is quite better that spending a lot of time communicating with people. She started to understand bit by bit about this new world. Although she did understand a few things about this kingdom, she still doesn't know how things work. Genevive was really focused on reading and her mind kept spinning and spinning that the only thing that can make her focus was a good treat.
Despite being thin, Catie really loved eating. So much that the maids in her old residence called her a glutton. Oh how she missed her world. But today she needs to forget about it for a little while. She was focused on reading the history of the Kingdom as she drank her apple juice. Then there was a knock on the door and she expected that the carrot cake she requested was here.
"Come in" Genevive said. The door opened with a 'clank and somone came close to her and brought her a carrot cake and blueberry cheesecake. She turned to look and wanted to say thank you but upon seing the person it felt like the words got stuck in her throat.
"What are you reading?" Prince Gabriel had arrived.
"Yo-Your Majesty. Oh, Uh I.. Uhm.. Welcome your Majesty. I'm sorry I didn't know you arrived. Ple- Please have a seat." She hurriedly curtsied towards the prince and he nodded and sat down.
'It's a great day to start doing good things first.' Genevive thought.
"It's partly my fault. I apologize for not informing you." The prince said.
That, she couldn't find any answer. So she decided to smile. Spending time with this boy is really awkward.
"Do you want Apple juice your majesty?" She asked out of courteousness.
"No thank you." The prince answered shortly.
Hearing that answer, Genevive then diverted her gaze towards the book on her table and started to eat the cake. But after seing the cake, she remembered the prince had brought the cake to her.
" Ah by the way, Thank you for bringing this your highness."
He just turned his head. A rude thing to do. Can he just answer her kindly or just acknowledge her thanks? But he is a prince so he had the right. She diverted her gaze towards her book.
"I don't approve this." The prince said.
"Pardon me?"
" I don't approve this marraige. Just so you know"
The prince was constantly thinking about how to prove something. Prove that Lady Genevive really changed. So he thought of something. Actually from the first, he really didn't like being told what to do. And then when he heard that he was bethrothed, he could only accept it as he was a prince after all. A prince couldn't freely choose whoever he likes.
Genevive smiled at what he said. "Don't worry your highness, the feeling is mutual."
Hearing that, the Prince got off gaurd. He wondered if she was really that Genevive he met before. But it piqued his interest somehow. He remembered clearly what Genevive had been showing him since they were first introduced to each other. She had been so clingy to him, and acting close with him. It was obvious she liked him. Now, she said she didn't like the engagement too? Who is she trying to dupe? How could he believe that?
"It seems you've changed your decision." Prince Gabriel said.
Hearing that, Genevive could only purse her lips and look away. She remembered the same prince asking her if she liked the marraige that was arranged for them. And she had answered 'If it's you Gabriel I don't mind.' She shamelessly called the prince his name instead of 'your majesty'.
"What's your reason for changing your decision?" The prince asked again.
" Uh. It's nothing much, your highness. I just thought, since you don't like me I might as well, uhm, disapprove the arranged marraige." She said, she was trying to think of something to say. She can't really tell the prince that she was a different person right? She would be branded as an impostor!
"Quite thoughtful of you.. Since we both disapprove the marraige, why don't you tell our parents to cancel it?" Since she came up with that idea then he might as well test her. He didn't sugarcoat anything and the sarcasm on his remark was pretty obvious.
"That, I also thought of that too but, we have to honor our great grandparents' choices. And also, asking our parents to cancel the engagment will take much time, I don't want to be a hassle to my father anymore." She answered with confidence. 'Plus I don't want to end up with someone much worse than you.' She added in her mind. The way he asked her was somewhat rude. But she didn't mind it though she was actually surprised that such young prince emmited coldness.
She gathered information on her own by sneaking in corners unnoticed and eavesdrop on the maids that were talking about the prince. She learned about the twins' attitude. She chose to believe them at first but, if she saw that that really wasn't the case, she'd just drop the ideas.
"Hm.. interesting" The prince murmured under his breath smirked at the prospect and he was right. That indeed the Genevive he knew was now someone different. And the difference is really, really far. Now he felt really interested to know more about this little girl. The girl was constantly reading books of sorts. He too had be reading as way of 'spending time' with her. And as for 'accompanying her' he didn't really mind reading. And plus, she was reading like every minute not even bothering to go downstairs for lunch which resulted to them eating at the library.
Genevive was taught proper etiquette which Catie herself was taught long before. Although this time it was quite hard because the proper ways here were a bit more complexed than that of her world. And she did know that not eating in the dining table was a rude thing to do, she had asked the prince anyway so that shouldn't be a problem...
"Do you ever stop to take a break from reading?" The prince unexpectedly initiated a conversation, but Genevive was too busy reading to respond to the other party and possibly create conversation but it would be rude not to answer... But if possible she would answer as short as possible.
"If I have to your highness" She answered quite shortly.
"Why?"
"To pass time"
"So you pass time by reading intently as if you don't know the history of our kingdom? And make it seem like a study for an exam?"
"I want to know better"
"..."