Back in the meeting room:
Everyone racked their brains over how to crack the code. The code was so confusing and carefully encrypted. Everyone sticked to their places for an hour or more and discussed their possible answers regarding the incident while having one question in their minds, "who was it plotting against their kingdom? ".
As this question was raised, few loyal subjects are truly worried about their kingdom thinking how to tackle the opposite enemy who might be stronger when compared to their kingdom, while others were concerned about their higher positions and there future thinking it would cause a great impact if a war broke out. As more questions raised, the concern for positions and power switched to suspicions on the trusted subjects. But, obviously no one was going to raise their suspicions.
However, all in all it's just a hunch from their side and most of them hoped it won't come true. So, they decided to gather all the possible theories and hunches of one another to connect some dots. In cases like these, intuition has a major role to play, so for now they were sticking to it until further lead is gained. Now the main concern on the table was, who killed Samuel Cullen and what kingdom information did he disclose to their rivals which is making them to stay at a huge disadvantage stage.
Soon, the emperor dismissed the sudden but important gathering and went back to his chambers. Watching the emperor leave the room, all other members started to vacate the room. Aeinshia saw her father to take his leave, as he scrambled to his feet to evacuate the room, so she wanted to follow his suit.
She went near the huge door only to be stopped by someone. Initially, Aeinshia thought it might be Felix and other than him no one could dare to hold her hand in broad daylight. But boy was she in for a surprise.
She slightly shrugged her hand indicating the opposite person to take off their hand but, the hand that's grabbing her only tightened its grip more when she shook her hand. Now, this was annoying for her.
Frustrated, "What is it Felix? ", she asked as she turned around to face Felix.
Her eyes once again widened in shock noticing it was Prince Evan who was holding her. She immediately took her hand from his grasp. Her eyes immediately turned to find her brother.
She doesn't really have to search the whole room to find Felix. There sat a boy, who seemed engrossed in decoding the secret message , practically ignoring all his surroundings, it's Felix. He really doesn't care what happens when he gets into work, only gets indulged in his thoughts paying no heed to others. It was this quality of him that Aeinshia likes alot. It sometimes can get annoying but, that's what has gained his own identity among the royals. His determination and focus on his work was admirable for everyone in the entire kingdom.
" Stupid brother, you might have not even noticed everyone left already ", thinking that her gaze finally landed on Evan.
He stood still, waiting for her to notice him and when she finally gave her attention to him, "Care for a walk? ", before he could complete this sentence,he grabbed her hand, walked together with her, hand in hand.
Aeinshia wanted to stop him, at the same time she doesn't want to stop him. Mixed feelings were occupying her brain. This was happening a lot with her. She wanted to be close with him. She loved Evan. But, for some she keeps on wanting to push away his love. She didnt understand why exactly she was doing it. She wants to stop him but, didnt have the heart to say that to his face. Its not that she doesn't want to be with him, its just some kind of phobia she developed that surfaced only around him.
" Hey!! Isn't it princess Aeinshia whose hand our prince is holding? ", a maid servant asked excitedly since, she was new working in the palace.
The maid next to her slightly budged her new friend's shoulder telling her to stay quiet, not wishing to get into any trouble with the prince or with the princess.
It was a serious crime if the servants were found to be gossiping while working about their owner's and not to mention the new maid just now spoke about the Royal people which might even kill them if they felt offended by those comments.
Aeinshia heard her, but didn't bother herself. But what she didn't expect was, when Evan heard the maid's comment a small smile danced on his lips, showing he was in a good mood and not the type to nitpick about such petty matters. "Now thats what people should gossip about. His beautiful smile" Aeinshia thought as soon as she took in his smile. She realized quickly and composed while giving a small mental talk to herself to stay calm. But, the smile on his was so genuine.
Many guards and servants saw them. Few muttered in their hearts that these young kids are so brazen to walk together hand in hand in broad daylight and thought it was the princess's fault for not telling the Prince to not to stick to her instead allowing him to be intimate with her .
While few others thought, it was nothing as they would however marry in the near future as this was an order passed by the emperor which cannot be taken back easily since, the words came out of an emperor's mouth are like orders came out from the god itself and no one could question his decisions.
"Where are you taking me Evan? ",her sound low revealing her fatigue. she was already tired and the secret peeks from others making it even more uncomfortable for her.
" Let's go to empress garden. But, before that we got a work to do? ", he enthusiastically led her towards his chambers.
Aeinshia's mind once again started to wander at the mention of Empress garden. She loved her empress mother dearly and they shared many good memories in her garden.
That garden used to be the empress' favorite place. It's said that she herself planted the flowers in that garden. Which was true. Little Aeinshia and Evan saw the empress plant and talk about the plants she planted and took care with utmosy sincerity and love. It was this garden where Aeinshia stayed most of her childhood, played with Evan and shared many happy evenings with her empress mother.
However, after the empress's death Aeinshia never went to visit the garden which would only remind of her empress mother, which, only made her miss motherly love that she always desired.
After the first empress death, her uncle denied to marry another empress and didn't even promote any of his four queens as the empress leaving the spot beside him empty.
Her rushing thoughts took a halt only when her legs took a stop. Aeinshia understood She entered into an unfamiliar room. She scanned the entire room came into a conclusion that it must be his room. "Why did you bring me to your chambers?", she asked innocently not knowing why they should visit his room before going for a walk in the garden.
" You need to change your clothing. Don't you see you got your dress torn", his eyes directed her eyes to show the torn cloth. It was ripped at the hem if the dress which isn't really a problem for her but, it wasn't her home and at present she was in palace many eyes watching her.
Her expression changed in a lightening speed when she realized what he heard was true, how could I be so careless? How can I forget about this even when I saw a piece of cloth got attached to the sharp edge of the handle in Marquess Cullen's mansion. I must have forgotten about it since I got very happy finding an evidence related to the case. But even then, it was so embarrassing. I even went straight into the meeting room with these ruined clothes of mine. I just hope it was only Prince Evan who noticed it... She went on and on as she cursed herself for being forgetful as she muttered all these in her heart, she then closed her eyes, her teeth biting her lower lip, took a deep breath and signed a calm breath as she composed herself.
Turning to the Prince, ''Since my clothes are torn now, I think it's better to return to my home ", she replied sternly .
Her reply disappointed him. But he was not the type to lose hope easily. He was man of determination, " It's not a problem. I already have a solution ", he smirked in triumph.
" And what could it be? ", she asked haughtily amused hearing him.
He went near a wardrobe and picked a dress for her, " You can wear it for now? ", as he told he handed the dress to her.
Taking it in her hands, she began to inspect it. It was a beautiful blue gown which must have cost him a lot. Of course, it's not her business to worry about the money, and since he is a Prince, money can't be any problem to him. She could gladly accept his kindness.
But the what bothered her most was he doing with a girl's dress in his wardrobe. This questioned lingered in her brain and bothered her too much for her liking.
"And what business does a girl's dress have in a prince's wardrobe? ", she asked him as her eyes landed on his face not wanting to miss any of his emotions when he was answering.
And then something unexpected happened. Not in a million years Aeinshia would have expected to see this. Especially as this was coming from the cold hearted and emotionless Prince Evan Seazle.