"......"
"......"
".....?"
"......?"
"WHAT!?"
"REALLY!?"
Prince Zeno and I squeaked almost exactly at the same time and abruptly looked at each other in bafflement.
"Ugh-huh, that's what it's said. In your mother's documents. You must remember that the guards had taken them during the enemy crises incident."
"A-Ah? But, how come!?.."
"Micheal, give me the files I had asked you to bring along with you..."
The Queen didn't hesitate a minute nor did she give us some time to process her words. As a matter of fact, she seemed to enjoy our shocked expressions like a mean sadist.
I never knew this angel was such a sadistic demon!!
"Yes, Your majesty."
The guard bowed his head low and gave the queen a few envelopes that were sealed with the Rottenstein's family stamps"
I looked into the letters she gave me.
It consists of my mother's will. She had already written and signed the Rottenstein family treasure on my name in such a manner that I, the first daughter of my house had complete authority on what to do with it. Whether I could have complete right over it or choose to share them with a relative I prefer to.
She had already made them ready. Her will. To guard her daughters even after her death.
I grit my lips in frustration.
My mother really did love me. I-I was just too late to realize it..
My fingers flipped few more letters and soon enough my attention was caught by a few messy old letters, crawled under the other files.
"My mother's.. Penpal-letters...? "
I tried comprehending the unfamiliar handwriting when the letter suddenly slipped from my hands to Prince Zeno's in an instant.
"Well, this seems really interesting!.. "
"H-Hey!? "
"So well, let's see..."
He read.
...
"I am really very fortunate to be friends with you, Termaine I had never been this close to anyone before. It's a pity, we weren't born sisters or into the same family. A-Ah wait! I know! You said you have a daughter didn't you?. Wouldn't it be nice if she gets married to my son. We could become a great family then!.."
....
I abruptly grabbed the letter of Prince Zeno's fingers. It was really embarrassing letting another person read aloud a personal letter received from one of her close intimate. Especially when they had used such an informal tone with her.
I read the letter written by mother when my eyes widen in astonishment.
...
I am sorry to respond late for your letter, Princess Caroline. How is your health? Are you eating well? I am so honored to be your closest friend and so are you to me.
And, You are right. It would be great if our kids finally meet and become friends with each other, Princess. We should really introduce them to each other and it would be really exciting if they get married. Ha.. We really do talk like old woman don't we.... .....
....
My finger dropped the letter in a slow motion as my jaw simultaneously dropped open.
Married...
She actually decided to get me married with her friend's son. And that friends son is Prince Zenon Altizer Charming..
I-It.. It.. Can't be..
A-And... Why..? Doesn't she know Prince Zeno is a Prince Charming and Villainess do not get Charmings..
That's our given fate.. No-one can change it but..
'Mamma, I wanna grow up, become a true princess and marry a Prince Charming..'
The childish voice of the five year old me echoed into my ears awakening my nostalgia.
Wait.. Could it be because of that!?.. Had she planned all this already!? And, is this the promise my mother mentioned about to Prince Zeno on her death bed...
Aghhh, Mom! I now, know how much you had loved me... But.. b-but.. This!!
I mentally banged my head on the wall repeatedly.
This is more than I can handle!!!?!
My sweat abruptly start to precipitate on my body in nervousness and bafflement of the situation when my mental monologue was suddenly interrupted by Prince Zeno's voice.
"But, it's just a childish unofficial engagement, isn't it..? Mamma.. " he asked out in the blue.
The teasing expression of his mother, who had so far been enjoying herself by observing how panicked the so called engaged couple looked, immediately turned a little glum and confused.
"Y-Yes.. That's right. Zeno.. "
"Then, I request you to not tell of this to anyone else, step-mother."
Then, he turned to me.
"So, let's just forget this has ever happened.. Shall we..?Lady Rottenstein.." He flashed his refreshing smile.
"I-If you.. Say so Zeno-chan.."
The Queen said doubtfully as I twitched my fingers tight in confusion.
Prince Zeno... Didn't he want to marry me from the time we first met at the prison. Shouldn't he logically be very happy about this now..? Then, w-why is he reacting this way..? I-I mean it's not like he is actually very bothered by this..Is he? Well...Has he finally realized my true worth as a third-grade villainess in Fairytale and actually regrets about his relationship with me..
No.
No-No...he's not that kind of a person to judge people like that, I just know it!.
But...what could be the cause?...
I turned to him.
Prince Zeno's expression looked pleasant and completely normal.
And, even though he was smiling brightly as usual, for some reason, I knew he wasn't very pleased now..
Why.. Why are you like this, Prince Zeno.. ?
The situation had become so tense that the queen abruptly excused herself.
"..A-alright now.. I-I guess, I must get going.. Shall we proceed Zeno.. ?"
"...."
"..Zeno-chan.. ?"
"..Huh..? A-Ah.. Yes.. We shall my Queen.." he said softly with a smile.
The Queen exited the room with the two guards escorting her. Prince Zeno followed her to the door until I abruptly caught the corner of his blue gold tunic and pulled him back completely startling him.
BANG!
The room's door slammed close, before us.
"W-Wait..! Don't go yet..." I mussed more softly inside the closed door.
The snore of my sister played rhythm on the room. I guess, she had finally entered into a deep sleep.
".....What is it, Lady Rottenstein..? "
"I-I.. am not bothered by it!.. " I squeaked blushing and abruptly looked at my shoes unable to meet his eyes.
".....?"
"T-The ..Unofficial e-engagement b-by our m-mothers...?.. You were worried about that, right?.. I-I am not bothered by it.."
I dropped my head down and heard my heart sprint loud.
"I-I am not.. b-bothered.. being engaged to y-you.. "
Waaaaah!!..
I swear,. my face has turned as red as hair and I might totally be just too overconfident and full-of-myself. ... but still...
With the kind heart of this kind-hearted prince, I am sure it must be the..
I slowly looked up to notice his expression and after few seconds of surprise I finally found a sly smirk spread his face.
I felt the color return my face. I knew it.. I smiled meekly with my eyes looking down on the floor when Prince Zeno suddenly leaned closer to me.
"Then, does that mean, I can still have some hope on you, my sweet fiancee..?"