Meeting the menacing gaze, a cold ran down his spine. Cyrus went to a corner after learning his lesson. Angering his prince is the last thing he would do.
Alora's eyes fell on the prince who was glaring at someone. She hurried to stand but he kept holding her.
"Err- Prince Agost!?"
Her mellow voice snapped him out of annoyance at his aide and turned to her. Agost caught her glistening eyes that made her ruby eyes sparkle brightly.
'Did she cry?' He wondered.
Helena wanted to help Alora but her lady-in-waiting will report everything to her mother. 'Oh wait.' Eugenie assigned her in charge of Agost's stay in the palace. So his mother has no choice.
She hurried to them and held Alora's arms while Agost helped Alora to stand.
Agost was first to speak, "Are you alright, my lady?"
Helena: "..."
His voice calling Alora 'my lady' sounded intimate to her. Not just his voice, his gaze, and expression were a lot gentler and pleasing.
Helena suddenly recalled Alora addressing Agost as a prince when none of them knew how he looked.
'They know each other!?' It came as a bit of a shock.
Alora suddenly perceived that she was apologizing a lot after coming to the palace. She should have used the king's garden where nobody would appear.
Nevertheless, it was her mistake to run inside without watching out. "My apology for causing the trouble."
Agost reached out for her hand. Alora was taken back before fathoming that he was initiating a hand kiss which is a greeting gesture that indicates courtesy, politeness, respect, and admiration.
In Anka, women are considered as respectable and courtesy is shown to them. However, it was the woman's choice whether to offer her hand for such a greeting.
Nevertheless, Crisal doesn't follow that custom. Thus rejecting was rude considering he was a guest of the royals. Alora hesitatingly let him greet her.
Helena's expression was ugly. She was trained for every such thing. Why didn't Agost do the same to her but Alora?
Agost lowered, lightly held the delicate hand, and barely touched his lips on top of her knuckles. Without making Alora uncomfortable, he stood straight.
Cyrus: "..."
'When did Prince Agost become chivalrous? Is he mistaking the redhead lady as Princess Freya?' Cyrus was controlling his urge to stop the prince.
"I wasn't able to introduce myself the previous time," Agost said unhurriedly, taking his time, watching her every reaction. From the batting of her eyelids to her lips that barely moved to her hands that stayed apart, unlike the ladies who held them in front of their stomachs.
Little did he know, Alora was in a hurry to find her father. Else she wouldn't have entered the different side of the palace.
Helena and her lady-in-waiting's displeasure was all over their faces. They weren't sure if they were angry at Alora or Agost for giving her so much attention.
"I am Agost Wilburn from the Crisal Kingdom." Agost introduced himself in the hopes of knowing her name.
Alora doesn't have to bow to the prince of another kingdom. She politely introduced herself, "Greeting to the Second Prince of Crisal. I am Alora Linwood Roosevelt."
'Thud.'
The bag slipped from Cyrus's hands when he heard Alora's introduction. If Alora was a Roosevelt, why does she have red hair? He stared at her with wide eyes.
Alora's attention shifted to Cyrus. Every nerve of her was urging her to pick the bag for him but his stare of disbelief kept her clear-headed.
Agost didn't hide his surprise and flashed her a faint smile, ignoring his aide, "Apology for not identifying you, My Princess." He successfully got her attention and saw her pearly white cheeks turning pink.
Alora and Helena: "..."
'My Princess' definitely sounded too intimate and a romantic advance.
Alora realized Wayne was right, Prince of Crisal was courting her. Anyway, she wasn't in the mood or she didn't have time for it. Well, she didn't know how to react in the first place. So she wanted to flee.
"I wish you a pleasant stay in the palace."
Alora flashed a smile at Helena and tried to leave but Agost spoke, "My Princess, would you mind if I make a request?"
Cyrus: "..."
When did his prince become so polite and tender? He was getting goosebumps.
Alora abruptly halted hearing Agost. Honestly, she wanted to turn down and meet her father. But declining a request always feels rude to her unless she is helpless. Thus she understood why her mother had assumed her as Goody-two-shoes. "Please."
"Would you like to join us?" Agost said what came to his lips, intending to spend some time with her. Seeing her waiting for him to complete, he had to quickly come up with a reason, "You could show us around and tell us about the palace."
Helena and her lady-in-waiting felt like wallpapers hearing their conversation. As a princess, Helena felt humiliated. She wanted to return.
Alora was only aware of the few sections in the palace. If she goes deep inside, she will probably forget her way out. "Prince Agost, Princess Helena has grown up in the palace and is aware of everything. I may not be helpful to you. If you will excuse me, I have some work."
Helena calmed down a bit but was still annoyed at the prince who didn't respect her presence. Alora was innocent, Helena wasn't. She knew Agost wanted to spend some time with Alora.
Agost couldn't force Alora. So he could only accept and watch her sprint away without any reservation about walking like a lady.
'Till next time, My Princess.'
They turned to move when a tall, threatening frame entered the hallway. Agost and Arihan's eyes met as they passed by each other. Yet, both of them didn't react.
Helena's lady-in-waiting blushed heavily at the sight of Arihan and curtsied him, "General Darwin."
Arihan ignored it and went to find the troublesome lady who purposefully ignored him and ran away from the training.
The expression on Agost's face briefly changed after hearing the name. It went unnoticed quickly.
Cyrus exclaimed looking at Arihan, "General Darwin is so young!?" Numerous stories of Arihan's savage skills and his achievements were famous in the Crisal military. He was expecting to see an experienced man in his late thirties.
For the rest of the way, Helena uttered nothing. When they reached the chambers, she solemnly said, "It might be a bit tricky to go around in the palace. The guards will help you. And using your magical powers in the palace is a punishable offense." She turned around and left hearing Cyrus thanking her.
Repeatedly thinking of Agost's action, Helena was furious. She shut herself in the chambers when her lady-in-waiting went to report everything to Catherine. But yes, the story was twisted to their view.
"Duchess Blewett, Princess Helena was courteous and accommodating to the Prince Agost but that Witch came out of nowhere and purposely bumped into him for attention. Unfortunately, they had met before somewhere as per Prince's words.
I heard that the witch never left the Crown Princess and Queen quarters, why did she suddenly appear on the guest floor?"
Watching Catherine's expression change, she scoffed to rile up Catherine, "She was seducing the prince in broad daylight, right in front of us."
She sighed in disappointment shaking her head, "Prince Agost fell into her trap and asked her to accompany him. She definitely did her witchcraft for his attention."
Catherine was fuming mad. With Prince Agost's attention on Alora, her daughter, Helena's efforts looked like a work of a servant. "Eugenie, how dare you make my daughter a maid?" She furiously glared at the wall, trembling in rage.