My heart jumped as I looked towards the Queen. She was much more collected than when I mentioned his name earlier, but I still noticed
The way her hands clenched the armchair slightly. She cleared her throat before standing. She turned towards me.
"Come here again tomorrow at the Same time. I will have my maids discuss when your new tutoring shall begin. Also." She paused. "The festival is just around the corner. After that the 4th Prince will become quite busy, during or before the festival will be the best time to ask." She advised. I nodded in understanding. As I was about to leave, I paused. I turned back to glance at the Queen.
"Is there… anything you want me to my say to him for you?" I asked. She looked at me shocked before quickly calming herself. She didn't respond. I bowed to her before turning back to the door.
"It will take time." The Queen suddenly said "But, I'm willing to try."
I smiled softly but didn't turn around. I knew she probably wouldn't want me to see her expression right now. But I could still feel her aura.
Her calm yet doubtful aura.
"Thank you, your majesty." I said softly.
"Madam Elizabeth." She corrected me. I was shocked but nonetheless complied.
"Madam..Madam Elizabeth." I said. Finally, I pushed the doors slightly. The maids quickly pulled it open for me. I walked out before turning around to properly bow at the door. Turning around again, I walked down the steps. I didn't have to look up to sense who was in front of me. I felt my heartbeat speed up. I attempted to bow slightly.
"G-Good evening my Prince-"
"Come with me." He said sternly, before turning around and walking someplace else. I rushed to catch up with his swift footsteps.
"W-where are we going?" I asked, still not looking up at him. I simply followed his dark boots.
I didn't realize that we had arrived at his manor until I heard a door open. As I glanced up slightly, I noticed his broad back and long black hair. I quickly looked back down. All the work I had done to try and calm my heartbeat was thrown out of the window. I was a blubbering mess from simply standing next to him. I walked inside the room, noticing the change from the concrete to wood flooring. I fiddled with my fingers flustered. I then felt his gaze on me. My hands started trembling slightly. I bit my lip, trying my best to suppress the wave of, very, inappropriate thoughts. My chin was pulled up by his finger, forcing me to look at him. I held my breath as I greedily took in all his features. My eyes fluttered in realization as I quickly looked away.
"You've been ignoring me."
"I, I just got here." I said softly.
"I mean now. You're still looking away from me."
"No, I'm not." I said looking away from him. He moved closer to my face, leaving no room for me to look elsewhere as his grey eyes gazed at me.
"I missed you." He suddenly said before hugging me. My mind went blank as my head rested in his chest. I slowly pulled my arms around his waist. I couldn't help but smell his strong and alluring sent.
"You're not saying anything. Are you regretting what happened?" He said. My face flushed as I frantically pulled away.
"No that's not!" I paused looking at his face. I looked away once more. "I just… don't know what to say." His warm hand caressed my cheek. I felt my legs go numb.
'Why was he suddenly being so nice to me???'
I turned away from his touch. It made me feel weird. A good kind of weird.
Ahh… but internally…
'I am truly living the life right now!! Fans must be jealous of me! Ha ha! Yes!'
"What did she say to you?" He asked, slowly regaining his usual composure.
"A-ah, yes the Queen." I shifted slightly. "She had asked me to check her health again. She also said that," I glanced up at him slightly. "She would be getting me a new tutor."
His eyes narrowed as he looked at me. "A new tutor? The one I have for you is fine. You don't need a new one." I stayed quiet while looking at my hands.
"Do you think you need a new one?"
'What?? Why was he asking me this?' I thought.
"U-um, whatever is best for me… I think." I said. I couldn't exactly agree with the Queen, or go against her. I pursed my lips. I suddenly remembered the festival.
"That's right, 4th Prince are you-" I glanced up at him.
Just as before, he was looking down at me. I quickly noticed the small bags under his eyes. I immediately stopped talking as I glanced at him.
'Was the 4th Prince ill?' I thought. His aura was the same as before, I couldn't sense anything was wrong. Subconsciously, I grabbed his hand, holding it delicately. I closed my eyes.
Almost immediately, I heard his heartbeat, I tried to search for something, anything that would tell me about his condition. I huffed before glancing up at him.
"4th Prince, are you ill?" I asked. There was a shocked expression on his face but he quickly frowned.
"Why do you ask that?" He said. I pursed my lips once more.
"Forgive me, 4th Prince." I said, before lifting my hand and placing it on his forehead. He froze. I placed my other hand on my own head, comparing the temperature.
"You are a bit hot. Have you been sleeping well?" I asked, my hand that was on his forehead moved down to his neck. I felt him gulp slightly. He suddenly grabbed my arm.
"What do you think you're doing? Are you temping me?"
My face flushed as I frantically waved my hands in front of my face.
"N-no! I wasn't!! I was checking if you have a fever. That's all." I sputtered out. He leaned his face closer to mine. He might have had eyebags, but god...he was still very attractive. I gulped.
"By placing your hands on me? You are able to tell? And what makes you think I'm sick," he questioned. A slight look of amusement on his face as I struggled to find the right words.
"I was just… you looked exhausted so i just wanted to check if you were ill…" my voice trailed off at the end.
"So you were worried about me?"
"Why wouldn't I be worried!" I said staring at him. My eyes widened as I realized what I said. I looked away from him.
'Damnit Eva!' I cursed at myself inwardly. I knew he wouldn't let go of that anytime soon.
I wasn't exactly sure what to do. We stood there in silence before I heard him speak up.
"I've had documents that needed to be signed off. I didn't get much sleep last night after coming back." He explained.
"O-oh. I see." I said quietly. It was good that he wasn't sick.
"..."
"You were… going to ask me something?"
"H-huh?"
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(Author here! Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!)