"No, Princess Viviana.
"It's not that I do not wish to speak.
–I spoke, clearing up the misunderstanding.
"It's just….
"Kind of complicated."(Rai)
I added, abandoning my hesitation.
"Take your time, Prince Rai.
"I don't think either of us is in a hurry to call it a day.
"So...why don't you take a seat, Prince Rai?"(Rosalind)
She suggested replying to my vague answer, trying to make me comfortable.
So you wouldn't let GO of me until I spilled the beans…
God! How did I end up in a situation like this?[:Author: God already warned you, my man.]
"After you, Princess Viviana."(Rai)
However, masking my inner thoughts, I acted like a proper gentleman.
"Thank you, Prince Rai."(Rosalind)
She said, giving me a small smile before settling at the edge of the bench.
"*nod."(Rai)
I simply nodded and followed after her, making myself comfortable.
"..."(Rosalind)
"..."(Rai)
A second passed in silence, neither of us speaking a word.
It is my turn to speak, right?
I mean she already waited for long enough.
Calming myself and summoning the courage, I peered at Viviana from my corner of the eyes.
…only once again to be mesmerised by her golden eyes.
Her eyes reflected the city lights twinkling like stars beyond those garden walls, making me feel momentarily liberated.
"I heard that there was a bandit attack on your journey, Prince Rai."(Rosalind)
–She said, trying to initiate a conversation.
"..!!.."(Rai)
I was startled by her knowledge of the incident as she suddenly turned her head towards me, making my gaze turn away immediately to avoid getting caught.
Damn! What is she getting at?
Why does she keep asking the least expected questions at the most unexpected time?
"Yes, Princess Viviana. However, it was just a minor incident, and no one was injured."(Rai)
I replied, similar to earlier, keeping my thoughts to myself.
"Is it now? I also heard you were concussed during the incident."(Rosalind)
Curious, she probed further in a questioning tone. However, I think there is hidden testing in it.
"No, Princess Viviana. Nothing like that happened.
–I clarified(:lied).
"I believe you were misinformed."(Rai)
Without a hint of hesitation, I shamelessly continued my lie with a straight face.
She raised an eyebrow, seemingly unconvinced by my response.
"Hm? Is that so.
"I think I should change my informant."(Rosalind)
Contradicting her initial response, she said in a seriously pondering voice.
Welp! I am sorry. Whoever is gonna lose their job, may your sacrifice be done for a(:My) better world.
"You should, Princess Viviana.
"You shouldn't tolerate these kinds of mistakes."(Rai)
I supported her thought, looking straight into her eyes after finishing my internal prayers.
"I 'dare' not, Prince Rai. I don't have the authority nor the heart to do such a thing.
–Viviana replied once again this time in a dramatic tone, making my head filled with doubt with her words.
-She doesn't have the power to punish her own servants?
"The one I have received the information from is Princess Elizabeth.
"So as her elder Brother, it should be done by you~"(Rosalind)
Locking her eyes to mine, she finally added with a wide grin. The teasing in her voice at the end was as apparent as the darkness in the night sky.
"...*nod.
–The initial words of hers brought clarity to me, making me nod my head.
"..??!!"(Rai)
Only when the words she spoke finally settled in did my expression change to shock as realisation dawned on me.
That.Little.Thief.
How did she even manage to find out what happened?
I am sure she was asleep when the incident happened, and I even warned Kavir to make sure she didn't know anything.
Did she catch on due to my absence the next whole day as I locked myself in my cabin?
"...looks like my precious little Sister sold me out."(Rai)
I muttered in disbelief about how I had been fooled.
"Hooo! Is it hurtful, Prince Rai?~"(Rosalind)
She asked in the same mocking tone and with a wide grin. The only difference is that she is not hiding it anymore.
"...it sure is."(Rai)
I answered honestly.
Is this what it means to get caught red handed? No, I think it was even worse.
But more than that, I should really take more precautions in the future regarding Elza.
Not only did she know everything, but on top of it, she acted as if nothing had happened and managed to fool me.
"Don't blame her, Prince Rai.
"She was just worried about you when you didn't show up the next whole day after the incident.
"So to ease her worries a little, her maid Mia briefed her with some information."(Rosalind)
Princess Viviana added after seeing my contemplated face.
"It seems you both became quite good friends considering she shared all these details with you, Princess Viviana.
–I remarked, my curiosity evident in my tone.
"I can't help but wonder if you two knew each other before this encounter."(Rai)
I questioned with a slight hint of inquiry.
"Ah, it seems Prince Rai wasn't informed of this.
–She seemed to recall something and replied.
"I was with the doctors that King Silverthrone invited to Xantrinia Kingdom to assess Princess Elizabeth's condition."(Rosalind)
Viviana answered by bringing up my Father-the King, who sent me here in the first place.
He had received information that the doctors from Alrafiore had identified the disease afflicting my sister, Elza, and claimed to have a cure for it.
Which ultimately led me and my Sister to a journey to Alchemoria Kingdom, where the medicine could only be prepared and administered within a short window, necessitating a repetitive process over several days.
"You have visited our Kingdom!?
"...that's news to me."(Rai)
I asked dumbfounded.
No one mentioned this to me? Not even my Father.
"Well it's not surprising that you don't know about it.
"My visit wasn't an official one. I merely tagged along on the journey."(Rosalind)
She added it as a matter of factly.
"Still though, I sincerely apologise for not welcoming you when you visited our Kingdom-Xantrinia."(Rai)
I said, giving my genuine apology. I felt even worse as I remembered how the Lotuscrest Family received us and especially how the Queen took care of Elza.
"As I said, it wasn't your fault to begin with, Prince Rai.
"However, if it will make you feel better, I will accept your apology."(Rosalind)
She accepted my apology, summoning the most 'comfortable' words.
"*chuckle…
"So, I assume you both met there?"
After chuckling at the way she accepted it, I asked, sounding doubtful.
I knew Elza. She wasn't the type to hide any information from me, especially if she had made new friends.
In fact, she is most enthusiastic when sharing such things.
"Actually, no, Prince Rai. Princess Elizabeth, similar to you, was unaware of my visit.
"It was today that I privately visited her chamber after the banquet, as I wasn't able to converse with her as she was mostly occupied with my Mother."(Rosalind)
Viviana answered, confirming my doubt.
However, it wasn't that Elza was occupied by your Mother. It was you who were not in the mood.
Now that I think about it, she sure is talkative now, unlike when she was at the banquet.
But I gotta admit, Elza really does make quick friends everywhere she goes.
…which is so unlike me.
"Well that makes sense, I guess.
–I muttered, putting the pieces together.
"So you wanna know whether she knows about her condition, right?"(Rai)
I asked, redirecting to the question she first asked me.
"*nod."(Rosalind)
She simply nodded her head in agreement.
"...guess you were also charmed by her, huh?
"Not like anyone could resist."(Rai)
I self boasted about my little Sister in a light voice and turned silent after finishing it.
"..."(Rosalind)
"..."(Rai)
We both turned silent once again.
After a couple more seconds I, began–
"As you may have already guessed while talking to Elza.
"She tends to become quite reserved when it comes to herself, unlike her usual talkative nature.
"Even when our Mother, Silverthorne Angelica, died…
.
(To be continued…)
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Chapter words : 1380
Total words : 15.91K