"You, Director Ginny! You with the colorful imagination. How can you fib like that? This sort of news would make you famous! More so than you are now! Why have you not told this to anyone? If it were me, I would have told the first passing person," said Olivia as she seemed a bit shocked over the news that her good friend had just told her.
"No! It is too embarrassing, especially if my old past relations ever found out! You must promise me that you will not tell anyone what I have told you! I would die of embarrassment. Please, you must not tell, Olivia," said Elizabella as the rosy tint never left her face.
"I need to take a moment to process all of this... I am going to get some air and maybe a drink of water..." said Olivia as she got up from her chair and headed to the same exit that Prince Maxen had just used.
Olivia was still dazed as she made her way to the exit and left the stage room. She took a few steps out when she heard a male voice call out.
**********
"Excuse me, Miss? Would you mind if I asked you, do you know Director Ginny?" asked Prince Maxen as Olivia looked up at him before appearing flustered.
"P-Prince Wolf!? Why would you ask me anything!? I-I am just the daughter of a small noble! Why would you talk to me!?" stammered Olivia out loud with a high pitch voice, as she felt nervous while Prince Maxen smiled softly at her.
"Now this is a normal reaction from a girl," thought Prince Maxen to himself before continuing his speech. "I was wondering if you knew her."
"Yes, of course I know her! We carpool often and you can say we are good friends!" said Olivia excitedly, then curiously looked at him. "Why are you asking?"
"Oh, well I-"
"Olivia! May I trouble you with bringing me some water? My snacks are a bit dry-" Elizabella interrupted them as they both looked at her while she straightened her glasses and curtsied at the Prince. "Good day, Your Royal Highness. A pleasure meeting you here."
"Yes indeed, Director Ginny. A fine pleasure," said Prince Maxen while he gave Elizabella a beautiful smile, making her want to roll her eyes at him.
"This guy just won't let it drop! I can feel his anger through that fake smile he is giving me. Don't tell me that he came all the way here, just to annoy me... sigh... this prince is hopeless..." thought Elizabella with a sweet smile herself before turning to Olivia. "Olivia, dear, may I trouble you with getting me some water as well? My snacks are dry and that little number I just did has left me thirsty."
"Oh! Right! Yes, I will go and get it for you. Hold on, I will be back. It was nice meeting you, Prince Wolf. Ah! My name is Olivia Holland, from the Viscount Holland household," said Olivia as she quickly introduced herself and curtsied, while Prince Maxen smiled gently at her.
"Yes, it was nice meeting you, Lady Olivia Holland," said Prince Maxen, making Olivia squeal as she quickly took her leave and left them alone.
"We need to talk," said Prince Maxen as his smile faded and walked towards the door of the stage room.
"Whatever you say, Your Royal Highness," said Elizabella as she gracefully followed him inside before he turned to look at her, making her stop.
"I want to ask, have you told anyone about what happened today?" said Prince Maxen with a frown.
"Honestly, I have not even thought of this afternoon or you, Your Royal Highness, as I would like to put it as a nightmare that never happened," said Elizabella with a straight face.
"I see. Then what you told your friend just now was a different secret?" questioned Prince Maxen with a skeptical look.
"Since I am sure that Your Royal Highness would never level yourself to us common folk, then perhaps you do not understand the art of lying or covering up your tracks so you will not get caught. I thought, maybe, I may have acted strange today, so to avoid any unnecessary questions that would lead to unease, one must first give them a diversion. In this case, an unrelated secret that does not involve anything that happened this afternoon. However, you coming here may spur different rumors if others see us alone and talking as long as we have. I hope that may have cleared up any misunderstanding that may have surfaced between us, Your Royal Highness," said Elizabella with a polite smile while having her back straight and ending with a curtsy.
"...Hmm..." thought Prince Maxen as he glared at her and thought to himself. "I of course know that! Although the Palace calls it 'Crowd Control.' Hold on, why is she still giving me my more formal title when even her friend gave me my informal title? Her friend was even nervous when speaking to me when I am certain that Director Ginny comes from a lower titled household. She should not be able to conduct herself this calmly... This girl is too odd..."
"If that is all, Your Royal Highness, I really should get back to the auditions that I am holding now. Not that I would not want to continue our delightful conversation," said Elizabella still with her polite smile and gestured to the door when she noticed that he was in thought, as he frowned while he looked around the empty stage room. "I can see you out, if you would like."
"Well, I can SEE that you are very busy," said Prince Maxen with a beautiful smile while thinking that he has never felt like he was being kicked out of anywhere until today as Elizabella mirrored his smile. "I should really get going."
"Yes, I will lead you the way..." said Elizabella as she walked him out while he seemed to huff off, making her smirk inwardly.
When Elizabella saw him off, she saw Olivia hiding in a corner from a far off column in the hall.
"What are you doing, Olivia?" asked Elizabella as she came closer to Olivia.
"Why was Prince Wolf looking for you?" asked Olivia curiously as she handed Elizabella a bottle water. "Do you know the Prince?"
"Oh, well he was just curious about the auditions. A friend of his is interested and he was just scoping for details," said Elizabella as she turned to go back inside with Olivia behind her.
"It must be nice to be his friend..." mumbled Olivia.