I was working on a runic matrix on a glass piece with Alisa when the messenger of Prince Finn arrived to deliver the message.
After wrapping it up and storing it in a special isolated box, I changed my clothes and came to the hall where the messenger was present.
He respectfully knelt in front of me when he saw me and offered me the rolled letter in his hands. I took it and dismissed him.
After that, I came to my bedroom with Alisa. The instant she closed the door, I jumped on the bed and opened the letter with a blush.
The first thing I noticed was his handwriting, which I have seen often when he takes notes in between lessons.
[He wrote it by himself!!!]
We have sent many letters to each other before, but they were all written by Rachel and Alisa, our personal maids due to formality reasons. But today, he wrote it himself.
[I can never forget his beautiful handwriting.]
With an excited blush, I started reading the letter.
[Princess Veronica, I will be waiting for you in the academy garden.]
I was dumbfounded.
[That's it?]
The letter was like a short note, stating only the important message.
[Should I go? Or...]
I turned towards the clock and saw the time 08:07. It was quite late and improper for me to leave the dorms this late at night.
Further contemplating, I gave the letter to Alisa for her to read.
"Oh~my, so bold and dominant. Your Highness, should I bring the contraceptive potion?" she said after reading the letter with a grin.
Her words made me blush hard and stutter.
"Wha~what are you saying? I am asking for some suggestions."
"Yes, Your Highness and I know that. That's why this is my best suggestion for you." She said while giving me a small smile.
"Alisa, please don't tease me. He probably wants to talk about something important, that's why he wants to meet me this late." I said with a small pout.
"If you say so, Your Highness but I still insist you drink some potion for contraception." She insisted and reluctantly I conceded and drank it after a while.
___
We were a little bit surprised when we reached the garden. The whole place was dimly lit in a soft blue glow.
[Blue Ghost fireflies!!!]
The Blue Ghost Fireflies are one of the rarest species of fireflies. They emit a soft blue hue, making the garden beautiful like a cold river.
The Blue Ghost Fireflies reminded me that it's already the early summer as they come only in late spring or early summer.
I slowly walked into the garden, passing the ever-so-cold Rachel. Moving elegantly with each step to not embarrass myself in front of Prince Finn with my excitement.
The full moon and starry sky emitted a divine blue hue, complementing the gorgeous flower garden where the blue ghost fireflies made a similar scene to the starry sky.
The beauty of the surroundings was making me breathless every second, the anticipation and excitement made my heartbeats rise.
After calming myself, I passed a certain parameter and then I saw him, the person who had won my heart. He looked majestic and graceful as always but still, I could somehow sense his nervousness.
I stood at a two-step distance and asked.
"Prince Finn, you realize that this is not a good time to meet for a lady of my status, right?"
"A... My apologies, Princess Veronica but I just..."
"..."
~sigh~ "I am not good at this kind of thing."
He sighed and muttered in a low breath.
"Princess Veronica, today I the 2nd Prince of Divine Sword Kingdom 'Finn Divy Veer', confess my love for you and propose marriage."
"!!!"
[wha!... He!... He just conf!!!...]
My mind went blank on the spot as I stared at him, totally dazed.
Suddenly, something rushed through my veins and spread to my whole body. I realized it, it was blood as my heart was pumping at an incredibly fast rate.
While my elegance, calmness and focus, everything was in disarray. He also looked very nervous while trying to control his expression but he slowly knelt on one knee and extended his hands.
At that moment, I felt cold feet. I was totally confused and scared about what to do.
But suddenly I remembered my mother's words.
"When you feel scared to jump in, that's when you really jump, or you will remain in the same place forever."
Making up my mind, I took a deep breath and slowly placed my right hand on his.
"Yes, I accept."
He smiled and gently kissed my hands. My eyes became watery as I felt the emotion coursing through my hand to my entire being.
"I love you and always will, till my consciousness exists."
That was the last straw that broke as I hugged him, making him fall on the soft grass.
"I love you too, I always have and always will." I nuzzled in his chest, feeling his body heat which comforted me and gave me the feeling of belonging.
While he gently stroked my head with his hand, I stayed in that position for a while.
"You know there are not only fireflies but mosquitos, too." He said in a teasing tone to which I hastily stood up and started adjusting my light pink dress.
"I~I just-" I started to speak but he suddenly made me silent with his lip as he kissed me gently.
His action made me froze on the spot, my eyes widened in shock.
The kiss gave me an electric shock that ran from my lips to my whole body like a snake.
The kiss ended shortly after but my shock remained as I stood there like a statue.
"That was my first kiss, so... Ahm, we should get going; it is getting late." He said while I came back to my senses and blushed hard.
[He k~kissed me, he really...]
My thoughts were in disarray but suddenly, I made a bold move. I stepped forward and this time, I kissed him.
As our lips touched and the same electrocuting feeling washed over me.
[Why~why, this~this, kiss feel so addictive?]
We slowly separated from the kiss and I opened my eyes and took a glance at his blushing face. Seeing that, I smiled giddily while covering my mouth with my right hand.
"Shu~should we do it one more time?" he asked, blushing even more.
"I~I think we should." I said, my eyes down gazing at his shoes shyly.
He stepped forward and this time, we both held each other's heads back and kissed passionately.
___
We came back together to the entrance of the garden while holding each other's hands.
The action was quite romantic and simple which made me blush a little as I was feeling giddy and embarrassed.
Observing us, Alisa's smile widened and Rachel remained cold as ever.
These maids made the biggest contribution to us, so I can't deny the efforts they put in to bring us together.
Like Alisa from my side has always made sure that I do not embarrass myself. And hide the clumsy side of me from him to not lose face in front of him.
Giving both of them a silent thanks in my mind, I started walking beside him in the corridor and we were together till we reached my dorm.
"Princess Veronica, I wished this night would not end but the reputation and prestige of your stature are very important to the empire. So we need to part ways for now."
Saying that he leaned forward and whispered in my ears.
"Thank you and I loved the kiss." Saying that, he suddenly gave a quick peck on my cheeks and stepped back.
"Good night and sweet dreams, Princess Veronica."
Looking at his retreating figure in a daze, I felt something inside me, this feeling was something I had never felt before. It felt sweet, hot, sensational and mind-numbing.
[This was our first time.]
[Yeah our first kiss, second and third too!!! Kya~...]
"Your Highness, as I had said, the contraceptive did come into use, right?"
"wha~wha~what are you talking about? NOOO, we just had some kisses and he proposed to me for marriage." I stuttered and shouted a bit, revealing my first-ever secret moment with him.
Alisa's smile became smug.
"Oh~my, kisses and marriage, the princess finally got her prince."
"Alisa, don't tease me." I shouted and ran inside the dorm.
Reaching my bedroom, I jumped on the bed and hugged my pillow tightly. Exhaling, I released a hot breath and rubbed the pillow against my chest.
"Haa... Prince Finn, I~I... I just..." I squeezed the pillow even tighter and noticed that my body was quite hot.
Slowly, I turned and looked towards my wardrobe where a large mirror was present and saw my unknown smile which was widened from ear to ear. I was heaving hot breaths and my legs felt weak.
For a second, even I was scared but soon I calmed down and adjusted my expression to a beautiful smile.
___
I didn't have any family, friends, or lovers remaining alive; that's why I started working as a maid in the main palace.
Although getting into the palace was not easy, the 2nd concubine saw my talent as a maid and hired me under her. And it took me some time to get to their trust.
I became a humble maid in the 2nd concubine's chambers for five years until the birth of Her Highness, Princess Veronica.
Due to my former records as a dungeon diver and a clean criminal record, I was allowed to become Princess Veronica's personal maid.
I was given an 'A grade' weapon and many other things to protect Her Highness. They even trained me for two years to be her personal maid.
But they suddenly lost interest in her after some time, like all previous efforts were just for a show. Taking care of her, I slowly became fond of her. So, I decided to become her shield and protect her from this selfish world.
I saw her happiness, her sadness, her clumsiness, her admiration and even her crush on Prince Finn. But now, she is showing her unknown dark side, which was hidden very deep inside of her even from me.
I had felt her darkness. It is like a soft clay that can be molded and shaped into anything. I don't know if others from the imperial family know about this, but they should know.
Today was the second time I saw her hidden self, leaking out. When Prince Finn kissed her cheeks, just for a second, her expression changed. I thought it was just my imagination but later realized what it was.
The first time was when the Emperor and the 2nd concubine had a fight.
If my theory about her personality and desire is right, then her trigger is Prince Finn. The day she...
Sqwelp! Drip!
[Wh~at is this... a dagger?]
My eyes widened when I felt and saw a long and thin dagger come out from the center of my chest, and blood splatter all around while my whole body was paralyzed.
[Silent dagger!!! But who can...]
A chill ran down my spine when suddenly I heard a familiar voice in my ears like a whisper.
"So you found out."
___