"Calm yourself, Orin," Crown Prince Rodale says sternly, putting a firm hand on his brother's wrist,
"You are scaring Miss Amelia."
Prince Orin's expression changes instantly. From harsh, unforgiving lines to smooth softness. He drops his hand from his hilt and turns to Amelia with an apologetic expression.
Amelia had backed up into the Crown Prince's side when Prince Orin had spoken, her expression was of someone who just witnessed a sweet bunny turn into a growling lion.
It was likely the first time she ever saw Prince Orin snap like that. It must have been shocking to see the normally friendly, approachable Prince turn on the dime in an instant. And judging by the Crown Prince narrowed eyes, he also seemed to have witnessed it for the first time.
Prince Orin wasn't the least bit fazed. He smiles slowly though it is a little sad.
Ah, and there it is. The Faker smile.
It was the type of smile that you wanted to return automatically, the one that put you at ease in an instant. Long blond lashes look feather soft as the Second Prince eyes closed in an upside-down 'u', hiding eyes that reminded Livia of the sea. It was a frustratingly warm smile. Deceivingly friendly and open.
"I apologize. I just hate seeing someone I care for getting hurt," Prince Orin says in a deep, sweet voice. He takes a step forward and takes Amelia's small hands into his gently, "I did not wish to scare you, Miss Amelia. It truly frightened me when I heard you had suddenly collapsed," He continues, laying the charm on thick, "I had thought you would never awaken."
'That stupid girl won't be able to resist,' Livia thinks.
Amelia all but sways closer to the Second Prince, "It's fine, there is no harm. See, look, I'm not frightened at all," the little girl says, putting on a brave face while blushing a bit.
The Second Prince laughs, "You are right, you seem to be quite a resilient girl."
Flowers practically blooms around the two as they stare into each other's eyes.
Livia could practically see the bright red +15 over the second Prince's head.
Amazing. Even in the middle of my own event, Amelia manages to steal the spotlight.
Livia refuses to acknowledge the bitter pang of envy in her chest. She was not at all bothered by the fact that the two Princes have all but forgotten that she and the crowd around them existed. At most, she was just a little irritated. Livia had been sitting on the floor for almost ten minutes now and her legs were starting to go numb.
'I am about to sit crisscross applesauce, this dress be damned,' Livia thinks.
As the Second Prince doted on Amelia and the Crown Prince glares at him, Livia wonders just how long this would be drawn out. They had long since veered off the original script and were in unknown waters.
As if hearing her inner thoughts, the Crown Prince glare turns to her. Amelia and the Second Prince snap out of their moment and also return their attention to the seated villainess.
'Wait...This is familiar...does that mean...?'
The Crown Prince Rodale straightens to his full height to better stare down his nose at Livia. The Second Prince smile is still firmly in place, but there was not an ounce of warmth in it. Amelia stands between the two of them, her hands delicately clutched to her chest as she stares with worried but determined eyes.
"Livia Katrina Valentina, from this day onward, our engagement is annulled and void," The Crown Prince announces to the room in a thunderous voice.