As she falls towards me, I unconsciously catch her.
The fall was surprising and she was quite heavy that I lost my balance and hit the ground
"Ugh…. What in the Sun s—" I stared at her, who is also staring at me.
"I told you to move"
"In that small amount of time, how do you expect me to move? In the first place, why are you coming from the sky?"
She stood up.
I stood as well and tapped the back part of my pants.
"Are you alright?" I asked
I could see her rolling her eyes as she replied; "Yeah, thanks"
'What's with the attitude lady' —though I want to speak out the words in my mind, I still can't disrespect a lady. Even though she's coming from I don't know, heaven or so.
"Well now that everyone is alright and this small accidental meeting has come to an end, I'd like to excuse myself—"
She suddenly grabbed my sleeves
"—Yes?" I asked
"Payback"
"….hm?"
"I said, payback"
'Pay back??????? Could it be that in this century, if someone falls out of the sky at you, you gotta pay the other person???? Some kind of new scam method??'
"Uh, Sorry I can't quite understand. I need to pay you?"
She let out a deep sigh "Ugh, no!"
"Then what is it?!"
"I made a mistake so I'll pay you"
'Ohhhhhh.'
"—But look here, lady. Do I look like someone who needs money?"
She looks at me from head to toe
"No" she answered. "And I know you're the heir of the Duke of Welsh." She followed.
"You knew? See, you don't need t—"
"That's why I need to! Because I— I need to talk with the duke"
"You need to what?"
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"Prince"
"Ah, Jay. Come in"
Jay enters the room carrying a tray with tea. He put it down on my table
"Thanks"
"It's nothing your majesty— but if it's alright, I'd like to ask something"
I put down my pen and grabbed my tea as I looked back at him "Sure, go on."
"Have you heard of the 2nd prince's whereabouts?"
"Hm? Howen? Last time he asked me to allow him to inspect the pier for a couple of days. Why do you ask?"
"Well, a guard reported that the 2nd prince has not been seen for the last four days"
I lost the grip on the cup— causing it to fall and shatter.
"He's gone?!"
Jay quickly cleaned the floor. "Yes, your majesty"
"Does the second queen know about this?"
He shrugged his head. "Based on our investigation the second queen still hasn't heard the news. It might be because the 2nd prince ordered his men not to speak to anyone about the situation"
"Then how did you know about this."
"One of them confessed earlier because he is worried about Prince Howen's safety— it's not like they need to worry that much"
"I see…."
"You have a lot of thoughts, my prince. Have you already managed to fix all the puzzles?"
I glanced at him before grabbing my pen again.
"Yeah. Howen at the moment is staying at the Floyent kingdom's duke household— the Welsh. After all, the Laficent Kingdom and Welsh dukedom are on good terms. So, I can guarantee his safety."
"Have you also thought of the reason why Prince Howen decided to go there?"
"Simple. He's worried about chess— just like what you said, it's not like we have to worry about her…. Still having Howen stay there isn't a bad idea. I just hope that they won't start a fight there"
*sigh.
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"You're the Laficent kingdom, 2nd princess…. unbelievable"
'I can't believe this…. on what odds really —A princess? Not just any princess but Howen's reason for arrival… my source of newly built headache, and I was just catching it in my arms. Don't tell me next time I'm going to catch a saint….'
"Why? Won't believe me? Hah! —I have tons of ways to make you believe"
I glanced back at her "Nah, your attitude is enough proof"
"You say what?"
"I said I greeted Her Highness 2nd Princess of Laficent Kingdom. So, what kind of talk do you want to deal with the duke?"
"It's something important that even an heir like you won't understand"
'I don't really know why and how but her attitude really sticks on my nerves, Sooooo….'
"Oh wow, really??? Then why would the DUKE of the WELSH –—the southern duke, the oh-so-great war tactician, the sword master, and someone who can par with the kings give his son a really, REALLY IMPORTANT JOB from the Laficent kingdom"
I really made it sound as sarcastic as I can be.
I can see she's annoyed but what can I do— I'm loving this.
"Hmph. Well fine, we can just say that he really trusted you so it would be fine if I talk to you about this matter"
I nodded in agreement while smiling.
'See, sarcasm works like magic all the time. And I'd like to thank my past self for learning this even though I'm busy with left and right war.'
"Let's continue our talk somewhere private," she said as she glanced behind.
'Five men hiding behind. Fully equipped with weapons and I could guess they aren't here just to walk the talk.'
"You're a pretty famous princess," I said as I held out my hands to her.
Reaching my hand, she replied "—yeah I'm a beauty after all" with a smirk on her face.
"Can't deny that" I answered as I used my magic to create a fake image of us walking outside the alley to the plaza. Those people cluelessly followed the fake while both of us, use teleportation to the eastern capital wall.
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"What a day really" I walk towards the eastern city wall near the dukedom's borderline while dragging a cart to help deliver Charles wood.
"I apologize for dragging you into this mess, young duke" he apologizes
"Ah— no, no. It's alright, it was my fault for starting a fight. Anyhow, is this the place you wanted to go?"
"Yes, young master. Thank you for helping me"
"No worries, I'll wait for you here so do your work."
"Yes sir!"
He walked carrying his chopped wood to a small selling store when suddenly I saw a bright light appearing behind the wall.
"That elemental symbol…."
I was surprised to see Lewis holding hands with a lady. 'A LADY?!'
"Wae-wait OHHHH!" I screamed pointing at them.
Lewis's face was surprised too! "Elijah??" he pointed back at me and I'm like "YOO— DAMN LEWIS YOU BAD B—"
Before I could say my last words, I was killed.
Just kidding, Lewis just threw a gun at me.
"Ouch, why did you throw your gun at me?"
"Be grateful I didn't shoot you" He glared.
'As a true friend,'
my reaction was just normal. But his are not
"Fine. Anyways, the hell you teleporting out of nowhere and outside the wa— oh wait. Are you running away with her? —GASP."
I know Lewis has two guns with him and he's pulling out another one so I followed. "I'm just joking"
"Well, you better be"
The lady behind him clapped. "Okay, enough of this misunderstanding. My advice to you is that next time, don't just suddenly offer your hand for a lady" she said facing Lewis, and Lewis was like;
"You reached for my hand"
"Yeah, because you offer it to me"
"I just want to escort you"
"You didn't have to; I can escort myself."
Lewis can't believe her words that he ended up saying
"Wow great, then walk yourself"
He replied leaving her standing behind the tree.
"HOW DARE YOU NOT ESCORT ME?! I A PRINCESS OF LAFICENT KINGDOM!" the lady shouted back at him.
'Gasp— a princess?!'
"SEE! THAT ATTITUDE OF YOURS!" he shouts back
'Gasp— Lewis just snapped.'
"MY ATTITUDE?!"
'Oh wow, I'm really witnessing a battle between a person with pure blood royalty and a person with a high chance to be royalty. Where's my popcorn?!'
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A transmission of magic just connects right through the crystal globe on my table.
(""Glad to see you're still alive— Duke of Welsh"")
I smirked. "Yeah right. Imagine you can't conquer this land cause I'm still breathing"
The king of Laficent laughed. (""You know that I'll never harm my friend's land."")
"I know. Anyhow, it's been a while, why did you call me?"
(""I know my son is in there. As you might hear from rumors…. my power to control Laficent kingdom is slowly weakening"")
"Is it because of the second queen?"
(""That's right. I can't even protect my own children, maybe I'm really not suitable to be a parent"")
I could see the sadness in his eyes.
I sighed. "Don't be like that, even I can't protect my own children"
(""What a lie, I know you can"")
"No…"
'—Because I already failed once'
(""Rowederis?"")
I look at him. He was worried and I could tell it by the look on his face.
"I'm alright. Anyways, you don't have to worry. As you already suspected. Your son is under Welsh protection and I sent a lot of guards to follow the 2nd princess. I just hope she won't be startled. Also, I told Lewis— my son. To take care of the 2nd prince."
He smiled. (""Thank you."") He replied and then the connection got cut off.
"Well, that doesn't sound bad"
I laughed as I recall all those memories, I spent together with them.
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"So, you guys were followed?" Young master Elijah asked young master Lewis and the lady behind.
All of them rode the carriage where I put the woods to deliver as I drove back to the Masson Dukedom.
"Yeah, we got away by using illusionary magic" Young master Lewis replied.
"That's glad to hear." Young master Elijah said in relief.
"Enough. Where are we going?" The lady asked in a tone that only royals could use.
I got so scared that I didn't even know what to reply.
"Change your tone and your attitude," Young master Lewis said.
The lady glared at him.
"You want to start a fight again with me?"
Young master Lewis sighed. "If you can't accept the truth that your attitude is trash then you're nothing but garbage"
"—Gasp!" Young master Elijah and I were surprised by their sharp conversation.
'Is this really that young master Welsh that can't even hurt a grass???'
"I— You!" the lady can't even talk back
Young master Elijah coughed calling all attention of everyone. "Let's leave the fight for later. We will be arriving at my dukedom"
"So, we are in Eastern dukedom" Young master Lewis.
We saw the gates of the Masson dukedom.
I stopped and all of them stepped down.
Even though they keep on fighting, young master Lewis still escorts the lady.
I bowed to the three of them and drove away.
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'I want to laugh like— damn.'
"Is there something wrong Elijah?" Lewis asked.
"No, nothing. Anyways, are the two of you, staying here for the night?"
Lewis looked at the princess.
"If you won't be back at the Floyent kingdom tonight, will they see it as a conspiracy?" Lewis replied.
"Can your Illusionary magic continue to act till they can see me walking inside my chamber?" The princess replied
"I'll do my best," Lewis said.
'Oh— so they can hold a normal conversation.'
"Ehem, so the two of you would be staying here for tonight?" I asked again.
Lewis nodded. "Yes. But this is only a secret between us all"
I nodded. 'I mean If anyone knew that there's a princess staying in the dukedom. Father would kill me.'
"Then let's hide the princess. I'll tell everyone that she's…." I stared at her. "She's your commoner friend you met today"
The lady nods.
'I was scared I thought she'd be mad.'
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"Heir of the Duke of East but can't give us separate bedrooms" She complained.
I loosened my necktie and sat on the bed. "You know we are hiding. Stop complaining"
"How can I stop complaining?! We are a different gender. Everyone can see that"
The princess actually has a point and I'm having a feeling that Elijah is planning something but this isn't Welsh, not my home. So, I can't complain.
"Eh—"
'Think right Clyne! Even Welsh isn't your home. What the hell are you thinking'
"You going insane?" she asked.
I sighed deeply. "Maybe… Change your clothes already… Commoners aren't supposed to be seen wearing high-class dresses"
"Hmph! —Fine. I'm also tired" She walks towards the cabinet next to the bed and she loosens her hair ties when she suddenly tripped straight to me.
I, again— like last time when she falls. Unconsciously catches her. We are now lying in bed.
'Thank God there's the bed.'
"You alright? I know you are tired, me too but watch where you walk"
"I will, thanks again" She slowly stood up when the door opened.
"—!!!!!" It was Elijah standing with another person who resembled Elijah a lot. They're both surprised and I can't seem to understand why. But when I look back at her and our position at the moment, reasons came flashing fast.
"I— we can explain"
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'Oh wow, I did plan to make this happen but to happen this fast and in front of the Duke of the East...'
"This— as you can see, is an accident." Lewis doing his best to clear all misunderstandings.
'Though I already know that it was an accident, after all, I knew Lewis won't do that, and also based on how stressed Lewis is and how calm the princess's expression…. means she might just have tripped and nothing else happened… though I don't know what father might think'
We all stared at my father who at the moment is still calculating all things in his mind. To make it easier to understand 'He's quite slow in terms of processing things…'
He coughed "Oh, It's alright. We know that the woody floor in this room is quite loose so yeaaaaah, It's fine. We… yeah." Father said.
I really want to laugh at how awkward this situation but yeah, Lewis's mood isn't good at the moment so maybe later.
"Shall we all have some tea downstairs?" Father suggested. All of us could only nod twice.
"All right, take your time changing. I and my son here— will wait for the two of you with tea. See ya!" I know Dad is aged 49 but dragging me like this gave me the thought that maybe he's still in his Twenties.
"Father stops, we're like 10 rooms away now."
"I know. Anyways, go tell the maids to prepare tea downstairs." Father walks towards her office.
"I thought you'd be joining us?" I hold him in his arms. 'Am feeling that my father is planning something'
"Yes, I'm just going to call someone, you know, for work. Bye!" He shrugged my arm and then ran upstairs.
I heard a loud bang from behind me. I looked back and saw Lewis's room door wide open and him running towards me.
"Elijah, where's your father? Where's the Duke of ea—"
I hold him on both of his shoulders. "Sorry Lewis, I promised that your visit here would only stay on just the three of us but I can't stop my gossiping father…"
Lewis could only hide his face in embarrassment and I could only fix his loose necktie to help him relax.
'The secrets that are supposed to stay within the three of us, might already reach the duke of the north.'
We both sigh.
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"What's with the long faces," Father said as he approached us while smiling
Both Lewis and I are stressed to the point that we can't even drink tea. Only the princess with calm exposure remains the same.
'Really what a day—'
Father sat in front of us.
"I called over to the Welsh dukedom"
I could hear Lewis saying 'Oh god no—'
"And the Duke of Welsh asked me to tell you that if you want to stay here at the east— you can stay whenever you want" Father followed.
Lewis smiled and looked at me with the eye saying 'Can I be your new sibling'. As fast as I could I replied with my eyes with a big 'No.'
"So, what's your decision?" Father asked him.
Lewis could only sigh "Thank you for the hospitality but I'm afraid I need to go back"
He's sad and I'm sad too! It's been years since the last time Lewis and I had a sleepover! 'Where's the freedom!'
"If that is so, it's alright. The gate of Masson dukedom is always open for the Welsh dukedom"
Father called for a carriage that would send Lewis and the princess back to the place they wanted to go. I could only wave back as they slowly disappeared from my vision
"Father what have you done!" I screamed at him.
"I know right? I don't know too, it was Rowederis order and I don't get why he sounds mad after hearing about his son finally choosing a fiancé"
"Well, duhhhhh. Because she's not his fiancé!"
"Oh, then who is she?"
"She's! —"
I was stopped. 'Oh yeah, I can't tell it…' So instead of saying she's actually a princess, I could only say. "She's you know maybe… maybbbeeeee a future fiancé or so but maybbbeeeee nooot"
Amid all, I said my father just smiled. "Still, a maybe is a chance. I don't really get Rowederis for being mad about nothing. He's really old now"
'Sorry, Lewis… but I can't just choke my father… can I?'
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"I'm screwed"
Slouching at the couch, he just blankly stared out the window as we traveled back to the capital
"I don't get it. Why are you screwed?"
He stared back at me. "You really don't get things, do you?"
That annoyed me so much but— "It's not like I didn't get it. I'm a princess of Laficent, what do you think of me? Someone stupid?"
"What do you want to say, just spit it"
"What I want to say is that I felt like there's no need to overreact that much. If your father —the Duke of Welsh really knows you then explaining things would be easy right"
He stared at the sky and sighed.
"Your right, I'll think about that when I get home. At the moment, we have better problems to solve" He sat properly again.
"Problems?"
"Yeah, I already removed the illusions I created earlier because we will be going back to the capital, and seeing two Lewis and two princesses of Laficent walking could only create more problems"
"Alright"
"And about that Important job, my father ordered me to do so —It's about your brother."
"Brother?"
"Yes, the 2nd prince."
I got so scared that I stood up, while the carriage was moving, grabbed Lewis's collar, and forcefully turned his head to look at me. "Brother Howen! What about him!? Did something happen to him?!"
While thinking a lot of things I didn't notice Lewis patting my head. "Relax. He's alright"
I let out a big sigh as I sat back properly.
"You really love to go on top of someone huh?"
I could only roll my eyes. "That… —right my bad." I crossed my arm.
"It's fine, getting scared and worried about family is normal but I do hope you stop climbing on top of a person you're talking to" He fixed his collar back
"I'll put that in mind. Anyways, what about my brother Howen? How did you know him?"
Lewis slouched back again. "He's at the Welsh household."
"He's what?!"
"Yeah, you heard it right. Only you, me, the duke, and two people of Welsh knew that he's a prince and a runaway at most."
"Is he alright?"
"I told you he is… physically I guess… but mentally… he's blaming himself for your situation right now"
"He didn't need to… It's not even his fault!"
"I know relax. Anyways, let's talk about other things when the two of you meet each other."
"How are we going to meet each other? I'm already a hostage of Floyent"
Lewis crossed his arms and stared at the carriage roof. He nodded twice and glanced back at me "It would be risky but the only chance we have is the upcoming hunt."
"Hunt?"
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The hunt would be held at the Welsh dukedom so it would be the best opportunity to have Howen meet the princess.
"How can we meet at the hunt, as the heir, you need to participate in the event"
"I know. We can make arrangements, just follow my plan, and then everything will work well"
"And your plan is?"
"You need to walk to the forest. Just act as if you saw something cute then I'll come to kidnap you" My suggestion was easy enough for a child to understand and follow but the princess's expression was 'doubt'
"What's with the face"
"I am doubting you. also, do I look like the type of person who liked cute things?"
She said straight into my face.
The fact that she's not sugarcoating everything she said is fun.
"You can continue doubting but just follow the plan. I'll send someone to notify you the moment you need to act, understand?"
She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine. But do take care of my mentally weak big brother"
"I will that's my job"
The carriage stopped and then I stepped out. I reached my hand for her to escort her but she declined and stepped out on her own. The carriage left.
"I already gave you advice earlier, stop offering your hand for no one. You're the heir of Welsh, have some high pride."
"You're a no one. You are a princess. And I don't just offer my hand to anyone." I spoke trying to highlight some of my words with tone.
"Great. Then we'll be going separate ways, I can't be seen with an heir of humble Welsh like you." She said as she struggled to drag her dress away.
"Fine suit yourself." I walk in the other direction.
I don't know why but I unconsciously turned around to look back at her and was surprised to see her doing the same. Standing there she's looking at me straight into my eyes with worried but at the same time thankful eyes.
I can't help but think… '2 months huh…. we won't be seeing each other for 2 months…what if something bad happens in that gap'
Even though I was thinking about a lot of things, I still smiled and raised my hand to wave goodbye to her.
She also raised her hand but instead of a goodbye, she raised her middle finger at me and then shouted— "F/ck you, quick-tempered moon brat!"
I raised a middle finger back at her. "F/ck you too, Ms. Ice garbage attitude —hope your trip!"