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"You wanted to say something earlier. What is it?"
"Oh! Yes. About that…" I said pausing. "The festival."
"What about it?"
"A-ah, umm… it's coming up soon. So," I paused again.
'Bloody hell..just say it Eva.' I thought. I quickly looked away.
"It's nothing. Not important"
"Eva." He said, moving closer to me. I felt my face get hot.
"I-it's really not important. And you seem to be very busy these days so-"
"Still. Ask." He said. As if he knew what I was going to say.
"Well… if you have time, would you like to," I paused. "Can I- can we go to the festival. Together?" I cringed the second the words left my mouth. I felt him back away slightly.
'He is definitely not saying yes.'
"Alright." He responded. He backed away from me. I couldn't help but glance up at him, excitement obvious on my face.
"Really? We can- we can go together?"
He looked at me with an amused smile.
"Why are you so shocked? Did you think I'd say no?"
"You just don't seem like you'd enjoy it, that's all". He placed his finger on my chin, pulling my face towards his.
"Well, I do want something in return…" he said, staring at my lips. My heart leaped.
"I, um…" I didn't know what to say. The 4th Prince smiled before slowly backing away from me.
"There's no need to get scared Eva, I'm just kidding-"
I pecked his cheek lightly before quickly pulling away.
"I-I, I think, Bella is calling me now." I suddenly said. As I rushed to open the door, a big hand held it shut. Hitting the door loudly, I flinched.
I felt the 4th Prince move closer towards my back. Until him his warm breath was the back of my neck. I gulped.
"Who? I didn't hear anything." He spoke lowly. I shuddered slightly as my heartbeat skyrocketed.
"I, uhm." I paused as he moved closer to my ear, I moved away, my face was boiling. He didn't say anything, but I knew his eyes were on me. Cautiously, I opened one of my eyes.
His face was not even inches away from mine, the 4th Prince's long dark hair pulled back and held in place with an expensive hairpin, strands peaking out to the sides of his face. My mind trailed back to what I had concluded in the Inn. My feelings for the 4th Prince.
I stared back at him, studying his features greedily, in case I would suddenly never see him again. My body moved on its own as I lifted my hand to the side of his face. Gently, I carefully pushed his hair back behind his ear. He grabbed my hand, still maintaining eye contact. Did he really…feel how I felt?
The 4th Prince carefully leaned in to kiss me, I wanted to kiss him, continue what happened in the carriage, my mind trailed back to my conversation with the queen, what I promised her I would do. My frantic heartbeat making it even harder to hear my thoughts.
With clenched fists, turned away from him. It took almost all of my strength. Realizing what my answer was, the 4th Prince quickly backed away from me. Any signs of the feelings he just shared were ripped away. He returned to his usual, stoic expression. I pursed my lips as my heart ached. Everything in me wanted to hug him, kiss him, be with him. But I couldn't do that right now. I glanced at him slightly.
"4th, 4th Prince." I started, in an attempt to ease his pain, or maybe mine. "You know, exactly, how I- feel… but right now. It's just." I stopped talking, realizing I was making it worse. I clenched my eyes shut as I cursed at myself internally.
'Of course, I had to screw up everything! Did I forget who I keep toying with??!?' My thoughts ate at me inside out, leaving me feeling some sort of way.
"The festival…" the 4th Prince suddenly said. "I will see you then."
I felt a glimmer of hope. As I nodded rapidly.
"Yes! Yes I'll, I will definitely be there." I confirmed. He didn't say anything else to me, taking it as my que to leave, I bowed curtly before opening the door. Barely missing the last words of the 4th Prince as I stepped out of the room.
"I can wait for you, Eva." The 4th Prince whispered.
***
It felt like I had been in there for ages. The maids and servants must have noticed my flustered expression. I quickly calmed myself down before they could form any ideas. Bella, who was standing a bit farther away, rushed up to me.
"Miss! Are you alright?" She asked. I stared at her with a smile and nodded.
"Yes! I'm fine. Let's go back, hmm?" I said. Bella nodded. We began our walk back to the room.
I quickly focused on ways that I could get more information. I didn't want to use the 4th Prince like the Queen suggested. As much as I respected her, I could not do that to the Prince. I sighed, thinking about other characters in the storyline.
There were still many that I had not met, for example the rest of the Prince's and their wife's. If I remember correctly, I had only met the 10th consort, but apart from that, The 4th and 2nd Prince were the only ones I knew.
If I remembered correctly, in the original version, the 4th Prince had no consorts, his role as a side character was simplified that way. However, the 2nd Prince… if I was not mistaken, had many consorts.
Each year a lady in training would always be selected by him, usually the fairest and prettiest…
My footsteps stopped.
"Charlotte." I said out loud. Bella turned to look at me, a confused expression on her face.
"Miss? Is something the matter?"
"Bella. When is the festival?" I asked. Bella thought for a moment.
"If I remember correctly, it is about three weeks from now." She responded. My face grew cold.
"Bella, I need to see Lady Charlotte, do you know where she is??" I asked. Bella nodded.
"Yes, she would be staying near where the other ladies in training would be staying, not too far from your place, Miss." She said. My feet moved quickly.
"Bring her to my place. Have her tell no one she is there, it's very important." I said. Bella nodded with a bow but I noticed the uneasy look on her face.
"Bella," I started. "I know I have been very secretive these days but I don't want you to get involved with all of this. I want you to know that I am doing this for your safety, alright?"
"Miss… you're starting to scare me. Is something bad going to happen?" She asked uncomfortably. I shook my head.
"Not if I can help it. That's why I need you to bring Lady Charlotte to my room immediately. Alright?" I said. Bella's uneasiness faded as she nodded seriously.
"Yes Miss. I will bring her to our room at once."
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(Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed.)