"You know me, my lady?" The crown prince asked. Curiosity was visible on his voice. Neirin gave a polite smile every move she does was calculated. Her gaze were on him, specifically, in his eyes that was covered by glass.
"Who wouldn't know the future heir of the empire, your highness?" Neirin answered like it was given. She acted polite and well verse enough even though they all knew that she came from a questionable background.
Her emerald eyes carefully observed his actions. He had a very handsome face. Dark eyes and gold rimmed glasses as though he can see through everyone's soul. He had dark hair and a gentle smile that he always flashed and and his mouth that knows what to say in order to entice every lady in the empire.
He had the temperament of a poet as though he walked out of those romance novels. However, no one should be fooled by his demeanor for this man in front of Neirin was a snake. A traitor who stab people at their backs and a man who desired the world.
He was greed himself.
The crown prince Cassius stretched his right arm and offered his hands to her. He acted so respectful that people who doesn't know what was going will glance over in order to see the scene. In their eyes, the scene that was unfolding right now looked as though it came from a painting. It was calm and respectful. Such scenes were fantasies of all the noble ladies in the empire.
"Would the lady mind if I escort you to my father?" he asked in a polite voice. If someone different was in her shoes, they would have swoon over his gentleness and his smiles but Neirin was different. She smiled shyly as her cheeks were painted with the color of pink like a fresh picked flower.
Neirin accepted his offer.
"It would be my honor, your highness." She uttered. Her voice was delicate. The servants who witness their little exchange moved in order not to disturb them. However, Neirin was sure that she will the one of the topics of gossip in the capital once she returned to the mansion.
As they entered the palace, Neirin was greeted by the towering ceiling of the imperial palace and the biggest chandelier she could ever possibly seen. The ceiling was decorated with paintings of the history of the imperial family and the chandelier shines through its golden handle and the jewels placed on it.
Everything had the color of gold, red, and white. They were almost blinding. From time to time there would be servants roaming around holding papers and cleaning materials. However, they won't forget to give greetings to the crown prince.
His highness, Cassius would never failed to smile at them. From the servants point of view he was a good monarch and that he will lead the country to its peak for he had been the best all of his life. The crown prince led Neirin through the stairs turning left as they entered the hallway leading to the emperor's office.
No one spoke however, they were sensitive to each other's presence. A little while had passed until the first sentence was spoken.
"Forgive me if I may ask my lady," the crown prince started the conversation as they walked to the stairs up to the hall once again. Neirin glanced at him. She gave a nod indicating that she was welcoming his questions.
Seeing her signal, the crown prince did not hesitate to ask his question. "How are you and the young master related."
Such question was rather impolite for Neirin and to all the people in the nobility. However, the prince had specifically chosen this question to see how she will answer or how she will react. In the prince's perspective, a question that was sensitive like this can unmask people.
He thought that he would be able to see how she handle such situation and could conclude whether she can be a used for him or not. He could then put her into the places where he put people whether he sort people out for a future he wanted.
"He's my step brother, your highness," Neirin answered as though she wasn't offended at all. She acted so calm and professional.
She looked outside the window seeing the trees and the flowers on the garden. They were blooming despite of the cold weather. Neirin then answered without any hesitation. She wasn't embarrassed or anything, instead, she gladly took the lead.
"I am an illegitimate child that the duke had before he meet the former duchess. Although I am someone with a questionable background, I thank my father for looking at me and finding me." Neirin lied herself without any second thoughts. Besides Vincent no one will know who she was and her purpose.
The crown prince suspiciously glanced at her. They looked so harmonious while walking but right now, they were at each other's throat throwing questions one after another. "I am happy enough that the duke was able to find such young lady at the very end." A subtle smile formed on the crown prince's face. "If I may ask, what were your occupation before the duke found you."
Neirin chuckled. "It's quite offensive my dear prince for you to ask me like that," she answered. The prince paused as he was ready to utter his words but then, Neirin cut him off, "I kill people for living, your highness." The crown prince paused. He stood there at the moment while Neirin continued to walk leaving him behind.
She continued, "Be it what price as long as I won't get hungry, I would do it. It's a life I am proud to tell to anyone who cross me and my family." Neirin turned looking at the crown prince with a gentle smile as though she had said nothing wrong. "Isn't that why my father asked me to do his dirty job? And also the reason why the emperor had called me?" Silence lingered between them. The crown prince just stare at her in daze. Neirin tilted her head a little bit.
"Do not tell me your highness, are you expecting me to act all dumb and stupid?" she chuckled. "Or perhaps, are you thinking that I can be easily swayed by your words?" People would assume that Neirin who was a 20 year old woman was naïve enough. She was founded by the duke months ago and in their perspective, she did not receive any etiquette since she was young. She would appear to be at the bottom of the hierarchy no matter what.
That was what the crown prince had thought. He wanted to establish a relationship with this woman and later used the influence of the Halstead duchy to influence the deepest part of the empire. However, right now, she appeared to be no naïve woman. Instead, she appeared just like the former duke.
Calculating and vicious.
She knew her strength and she knew how to monopolize them. Neirin appeared as though she wasn't a naïve girl. The prince had never encountered such lady before felt his shivers down through his bone. He felt like he was seeing a diamond under many pebbles.
Such people were dangerous especially if they aren't by his side. He should start his plan now on how he can put her by his side. Hence, as the crown prince calculated he smiled brushing everything that had happened. He then gave a bow. "Please forgive my rudeness my lady. It's just a matter of curiosity," he added.
Nerin bowed back. Her lips were smiling. "Your highness, it is okay. People can be curious. We are humans, it will always be part of our nature. However, in the future I won't tolerate such questions. I hope you understand." Neirin gave a friendly warning.
The crown prince was taken back again. He gave a slight nod. Just as that, Neirin turned around., "Your highness, it would be best if you stay here while I greet the emperor myself. I think you need time to go over your thoughts."
"If that's what the lady sees," Cassius answered politely. In his mind he was already thinking of many ways to corner the duchess once again. He wanted her to be by his side for his future plans.
Without anymore words exchanged through them, Neirin proceed to where her destination was while the crown prince watched her back disappeared through his sight.
After a few walks and turns, Neirin reached the emperor's door office. It was a double door made with fine woods and had different gold carvings that signifies the strength of the emperor. In this continent he was the embodiment of power.
Heaving her breath, Neirin nodded to the knights situated at the door. With her signal, the knights shouted, indicating her presence.
"The duchess of the Halstead is here to greet the emperor!"
"Let her come in!" A deep voice was heard inside the office. Neirin gave a polite smile as she saw the light seeped through the doors.