The doors creaked open, and I slowly stepped inside, averting my gaze to the floor and focusing on the sound of my heels as I followed another maid's lead to my seat.
"Merlin." A deep voice rang out, and I bit my lip as I looked up to see..
The crown Prince... I felt as if I was the main character in one of those silly books I used to read, as flowers seemed to bloom around his image, and I felt my cheeks flush as I took in his features.
Soft looking lips and slightly chubby cheeks, as if his face hadn't finished maturing just yet.. A sharp chin and shiny white hair that ended just under his ears, bangs slightly obscuring deep black eyes accompanied by thick lashes. He blinked as we made eye contact, and I felt myself make a fatal mistake as my thoughts spilled out.
"..Cute." I gasped, smacking a hand over my mouth. "I mean! That's! Thank you for inviting me, your majesty!" I bowed, head hitting the plate in front of me as I sputtered out my excuses.
"Huh?" He furrowed his brows, and I slowly raised my head to meet his eyes. "What's cute?" I blinked. The maid behind me was making an obvious effort not to laugh. I bit the inside of my cheek and closed my eyes, letting out a deep sigh.
"It's.. nothing, your majesty. I was just thinking of the bird I saw through the window." I smiled, but it probably looked more like a grimace as I mentally scolded myself for my awful explanation.
"Oh, alright!" He immediately lit up, eyebrows relaxing and a smile gracing his lips. "Anna, serve her, she must be pretty hungry."
The maid behind me walked forward and began putting food on my plate, each item fancier than the last. "Yes, your majesty."
"Now," The crown Prince began, looking at me directly. "As you know, I've called to hire you as my personal mage, but this isn't just about your magic.."
My eyes widened. I knew it! An ulterior motive.
The maid who'd finished serving me left the room in a hurry, leaving the two of us alone.
"You see.." His mouth closed into a squiggle, and his cheeks flushed as if he were embarassed. Huh?
"Just about a month ago, I'd gone on a trip and stopped by Ninia for a rest.. A-and.." His eyes glanced around the room as if searching for something. "I saw you helping your aunt by the market.. And I.." His shoulders shook and he furrowed his brows as if he wanted to sink into the ground. "Uhm."
"You?" I tilted my head. I'd come into here thinking I'd meet a rude, cold man who thought he was better than me and yet..
"Eep! W-well you see, I think I.. I think I might- havefalleninlovewithyouatfirstsight!"
..Huh? I blink. He stares at me, biting his lip with his face as red as the carpet beneath us.
"You.. what?" I question, placing down the pastry I'd been eating.
His lips quiver and he stands up suddenly, knocking down his cup with the pure force he uses to grasp the table.
"F-Forget it! I'll see you later!" And with that he runs out of the room, leaving me confused and with a whole breakfast for two to eat on my own.