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Upon entering the manor, I felt the dark feeling grow. I couldn't help but shudder.
"Miss? Are you cold?" Bella asked. I looked at her once more. Could she not feel this? I then realized what was happening. I gulped slightly. This must be the Black Jade's doing!
"Bella, Can you please find me a coat?" I asked softly. She nodded with a smile before bowing.
"Yes, Miss!" She said, before leaving the manor to find one. I sighed after she left. Looking back in front of me, I tried to trace where this feeling was coming from. I pursed my lips.
'The instructor isn't here yet. And soon, I will be living here, right? It should be fine if I take a look around..' I thought. Clenching my fists, I walked deeper into the manor.
I peeked around each door, servants greeting me as I passed them, but there was no feeling like last time.
'Maybe it's somewhere in the front of the manor?' I thought. I walked back to the entrance while looking around. As I walked past the 4th Prince's room, I came to a sharp halt. My fear grew as I turned slightly.
"It's, in here?" I muttered to myself. I could hear the Prince talking to someone, I gulped slightly before raising my hand to knock on the door.
'Could I have been wrong? Is the 4th Prince... Is he…'
The door opened abruptly as I toppled backward. I quickly shut my eyes, waiting to meet the floor. Instead, a strong arm pulled me up, as I hit someone's chest. I looked up slowly, the 4th Prince staring down at me.
"....."
Faster than lightning, I ran out of his arms. I bowed deeply.
"4-4th Prince! I'm-"
"What are you doing here?" He asked, completely ignoring what had just happened. I cleared my throat and tried to calm my rapid heartbeat. Before I could respond.
The pit deep sensation got stronger, I shuddered again. Clenching my fists, I quickly looked around.
'Where...Where was this coming from!?!'
"Miss Eva?" The 4th Prince said again. When I looked up at him, the feeling quickly disappeared. I let out a breath of relief, bowing once more.
"Apologies, I just wanted to come and-"
"Brother? Who is there?" A sudden voice said. As the person came out from behind him, the Erie feeling grew. My eyes widened.
The 2nd Prince.
***
I was staring at her when my brother suddenly spoke up.
"Brother? Who is there-" After seeing her, his expression changed but was quickly replaced. The grim look in his eyes shifting to a forced smile.
"The Black Jade... Miss Eva. correct?" He said. Her eyes quickly averted his gaze, she bowed deeply.
"2nd Prince." She said quickly as if she was trying to hide the slight tremble in her voice. I glanced at both of them.
"Elder Brother… Do you two know each other?" He let out a low laugh.
"No, No, I only met her at the entrance ceremony. Isn't that right, Black Jade?" He said. She bowed once more.
"Y-Yes, your highness." She said stiffly. I clenched my hands tightly. Collecting myself, I turned towards the 2nd Prince.
"Brother, If you don't mind, I would like to speak to Miss Eva now," I said. He chuckled and waved his hand.
"Yes of course. Miss Eva," He said. She jumped slightly hearing him say her name, she quickly bowed. "I shall take my leave."
"Yes, your highness." She said. He stared at her for another moment before walking towards the door. As he walked, Miss Eva pulled closer to me. She clutched the sides of her dress tightly. The 2nd Prince paused and glanced down at her. She quickly tensed up.
"Brother," I said, moving in front of her slightly. He nodded before finally leaving my manor.
***
I let out the breath I was holding, relaxing my shoulders.
'What on earth was that??' I thought. The 2nd Prince was finally gone, the lump in my throat vanishing as well. I noticed the 4th Prince staring at my trembling hands. I quickly covered them. His gaze turned cold.
"You have seen my brother before?" He said. I could hear a tiny of anger in his voice. I quickly shook my head.
"N-No! I haven't, 4th Prince." I said. He took several steps closer to me, I tried to keep eye contact, but his gaze was too intense! I quickly turned my face away. He clenched his jaw and placed his hand firmly on the wall behind me. I flinched.
'Oh gosh, What have I done now!' I cursed myself mentally.
"You.." He said slowly. I gulped before looking up at him. "Have you been with my brother?"
"..."
'What?!?!' My face grew hot after processing what the Prince just said. I shook my head vigorously.
"4-4th Prince! I- Of course not!!!" I said. I covered my face with my hands. The 2nd Prince and I…
'This is bad! Stop imagining it!' I scolded myself. I took a deep breath before turning to the 4th Prince, He was still staring at me, disbelieving.
"You!" I started. I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. I looked back up at him.
"4th Prince, I can assure you, I have never met the 2nd Prince until now," I said calmly. He moved his face closer to mine, staring straight into my eyes.
"You are positive?" He said. I quickly understood how close we were standing to each other. His eyes were scanning over me. My heartbeat sped up. My eyes widened in realization.
"You… 4th Prince, Are you jealous?" I asked, barely holding in my smile. Instead of the expected response, he moved closer towards me. I sucked a breath in sharply.
His leg was touching my own, his chest almost touching mine. Even if I wanted, to look down, his face was right in front of mine. I turned my face to the side and closed my eyes tightly, fingers itching at the wall.
"Eva," He said, dropping all formalities. My breathing became uneven simply from his voice, sending my heart into a panicked frenzy.
"You!-" Before I could get another word out, he moved closer to my ear.
" You boldly ask the king to marry me, and hug me in public yet now…" I gulped as he spoke. He used his finger and turned my face towards him. I froze.
"You can't even look me in the eyes?" He said. He gazed into my eyes. His long lashes fluttering as he blinked. My face felt even hotter than earlier. Before I could say something, He lifted his hand. I closed my eyes instinctively.
"!!!!"
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(Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed.)