Crown Prince Rhys knew before the event that he will be required to show himself to the guests at least once a day. Lennox and the other elders are the ones that will really choose his future queen. Yet they still wanted to give the women the illusion that they have a chance.
This event is a waste of time, in his opinion. But it is a tradition and Mowsland takes its tradition seriously. Even if he is the crown prince, this is something he couldn't just say no to. Lennox promised they will only stay in the blue drawing room for five minutes and that's it.
The moment he, Lennox, and Kayden stepped out of one of the hidden doors, Rhys scanned the room. It was an unconscious impulse before he could even think who he was looking for.
[She's not here.]
"Your Highness, what a pleasure to see you."
Rhys glanced at the princess standing in front of him. He forgot her name but he remembered that she came from a small country north of Mowsland. Just one look at her face and he knew she was here purely to find a husband. He gave her a nod. She almost swooned, just like the rest of the ladies now surrounding them.
He looked up again, scanning the room beyond the women in front of him.
"Who are you looking for?" Kayden whispered. His voice was too quiet that Rhys knew even Lennox standing on his other side didn't hear it.
He didn't look at the royal guard when he whispered back, "No one."
Rhys knew that Kayden has more questions but the royal guard remained silent on his side.
"Ah. Princess Miya. You are also here," Lennox suddenly said.
Rhys glanced at the old man as he welcomed the princess of Ufrad who approached them much later than the others. The other women moved to give way to her. It was either everyone acknowledges her high status and her country's wealth and power or they are intimidated with her for different reasons.
Considering how she talked and acted during lunch, Rhys will not be surprised if it was the latter. Princess Miya is a force to be reckoned with. And it was not a compliment. He doesn't like the calculating and overconfident glint in her eyes. It was as if she knew that she will end up the victor over all the women in attendance. And maybe she is, if he considers the way Lennox obviously favors her over the others.
"Your Highness," Princess Miya greeted Rhys with a smile. "What an honor to see you again in just one day."
Rhys nodded. She continued to speak but his attention was no longer on her. He caught sight of someone walking toward the main door of the blue drawing room. He lifted his gaze and saw the petite frame and raven hair that are unique to only one woman present for this event.
Lady Temari. She didn't even turn their way. She continued her hurried steps with a lady's maid behind her. He watched her as she opens the door, went out with the lady's maid and then closed the said door as softly as possible.
Suspicious.
[What is she up to now?]
Rhys stared at the closed door for a few more seconds before he lowered his gaze to the women in front of him. He caught Princess Miya's hard gaze directed at him. She blinked and smiled as if nothing happened. Too late. He knew that she saw him looking past them. He also saw the way her expression changed.
[She knew who I was looking at.]
"Well then, our crown prince still has another appointment. He has to go now," Lennox said beside him.
The women made a sound of disappointment and protest. Rhys knew he was supposed to smile at them but he couldn't. He nodded instead and turned his back on them. He entered the secret door and got into the dark and narrow hallway. Kayden and Lennox followed behind him.
The secret door closed behind them and Rhys knew the women in the blue drawing room will be facing a full length mirror. Even if they try to open it again they will not succeed. Unlike the hidden door in the royal library, the secret doors in drawing rooms and other parts of the castles couldn't be opened from the outside. That was why Lennox was confident to use it even when there were a lot of people present.
"What is my other appointment?" Rhys asked the royal advisor.
"Nothing. I just said that so we can go. You were distracted, Your Highness."
Rhys stopped walking and turned to the old man. "I wasn't."
"Yes, you were." Lennox stared at him hard. It was the same look he used to give him when he knew Rhys sneaked out of the castle. "Princess Miya was talking to you but you were not paying attention. She noticed it as well as some of the ladies. You were looking at someone else."
Rhys hardened his expression. "Just get to the point Lennox. I don't have the patience for this."
"Are you interested in her, Your Highness?"
Rhys didn't answer. He just stared at the royal advisor, silently urging him to continue.
"I don't know what is it about Lady Temari of Winterfield that caught your attention but you must know that she didn't have the qualities of a queen."
"I didn't say I want to marry her," Rhys said in annoyance.
Lennox narrowed his eyes. "But you didn't deny that you are interested in her. Your Highness, I suggest not to waste your time on her. She will soon leave the castle. You already know that the candidates that will not pass the standards of the elders will have to go."
Rhys didn't answer. He just continued to walk ahead of Lennox and Kayden. He was irritated but he was trained to ignore emotions like that. They continued to walk in silence until they exit the hidden hallway and stepped out of a small room that served as Rhys's office.
"I shall go now, Your Highness. I am needed at the west tower. I was informed that there is new information about the ships from other countries that haven't reached any ports of Mowsland yet."
"Go on," Rhys told Lennox. The old man bowed in respect and went out of the room.
Silence surrounded Rhys and Kayden. After a while, he sighed and turned to the royal guard. "Just say it. I know you have something to say."
Kayden shrugged and met his eyes. "Nothing. I just find it interesting that you pay too much attention to her."
"I don't do that," Rhys argued.
Kayden smirked. "If you say so, Your Highness."