Crown Prince Ignis was in a terrible mood today. He was in his room alone, being served by few servants for his morning snack. He was sleepless the whole night because he kept thinking about Anna, who had zero interest in him. He thought, at least Anna would feel something, just something… even if it was anger.
Because what he saw was Anna being completely nonchalant of him.
He glared at the servants who trembled whenever Crown Prince darted his eyes at them. They dared not raised their heads as they were afraid it would offend the Crown Prince. Ignis had a fearsome reputation of a handsome, powerful, but heartless Crown Prince who would murder anyone who dared to offend or displease him.
Although Ignis never actually killed someone that was not waging war against him or his kingdom. He didn't care much about his reputation either because it also indirectly helped him to scare off some nobles who tried to approach him for a favour or two.
But he felt that his reputation might have hindered him of some sort.
'Maybe Anna doesn't have any interest in me because of my reputation…'
"Hey, you!" Crown Prince darted his eyes at one maidservant who brought a tray of snack for him. The maid was shocked, and her tray shook horribly.
"Y—Y—Yes, Your Highness," the maid answered with a stutter. She was too scared of Prince Ignis. In fact, only the stupid noblewomen who dreamed of becoming the next Queen had shown interest in Ignis.
And unfortunately, there was an abundance of those dreamy noblewomen, thinking they could tame the beast and become his Queen. It was such a cliché idea from many novels, and Ignis always hated those who had that dreamy idea.
"Come here," Ignis ordered. The maid felt her leg wobbled as she was frightened to the bone. She was just a new maid, and being tasked to serve the Crown Prince was not her choice. Edith assigned her because she said Prince Ignis might need a company of young maidservants after so many years in the military barrack.
The maid walked towards Ignis carefully and then stood in front of Prince Ignis with her eyes looking down. She was too scared to look up and face the Crown Prince.
Crown Prince Ignis was displeased when he saw this. It was indirectly proving that he was indeed too intimidating for his subjects.
"Raise your heads! Don't you realize that I'm talking to you!" the maid jolted. She looked up immediately, but the moment her eyes met with Prince Ignis' vermillion eyes, she felt that her entire body lost its strength and fainted on the spot.
Everyone was shocked when the maid suddenly fainted. They were afraid Prince Ignis would get offended. They hurriedly carried the maid out.
"Y—Your Highness, she is just a new maid, she is just not used to it—" one senior butler tried to pacify Prince Ignis. But it only made the Crown Prince even more offended.
"LEAVE! I DON'T WANT ANY OF YOU IN MY ROOM!"
The servants hurriedly left the Crown Prince alone. Ignis was looking at the chess table, and he was convinced that he was too scary for everyone. It might also be the reason why Anna didn't have a slight interest in him.
He sat inside his room alone for a while, and after two hours, someone suddenly pushed the door open. Ignis darted his eyes at the door and yelled, "Leave before I—"
Crown Prince Ignis zipped his mouth when he saw Anna entered his room with a broom and a duster. She frowned at Ignis and asked, "What's with the ruckus, Your Highness."
Prince Ignis gulped. He looked away immediately and replied, "It's nothing. Why are you here anyway?"
"Well, in my schedule, I should be cleaning your room. Because you are supposed to be meeting the young noble ladies in your private pavilion, remember?" Anna said. "I cleaned your private pavilion just now and count about six high-class noblewomen there."
"Hah, you see how many high-rank noblewomen want to marry me, right? Don't you feel intimidated by them?" Ignis asked. He wanted to create that sense of crisis in Anna. But Anna shook her head lightly.
"Not really. They are chatting while I cleaned up the pavilion. Anyway, they are all beautiful. You should pick one," Anna said.
"…" Ignis didn't move his butt and continued sitting silently while staring at Anna, who nonchalantly started cleaning the room.
She didn't seem to care much if Prince Ignis would be angry at her for lacking respect.
But it was also a sign that Anna didn't fear him.
Honestly, Ignis hated that he had to meet those noblewomen. But his pride forced him to invite some young and single noblewomen for a teatime. He couldn't accept that he had fallen in love with Anna, yet Anna didn't have a slight interest in him.
'Well, at least Queen Mother finally shut up from questioning me about Black Swan, thinking I might finally pick a bride.'
Ignis stood from his chair and walked towards Anna. He stopped in front of Anna, who was sweeping the marble floor. Anna looked up and frowned, "Your Highness, you may leave now."
"I have a question for you," Prince Ignis said. He leaned towards Anna until their face was close enough that Anna could feel Prince Ignis' breath.
He stared at Anna with his vermillion eyes, the same eyes that made the previous maid fainted, "Do you find me scary?"