Standing before me is the only Princess of our Empire. She seemed nice but at the same time she doesn't really get personal space. She's been asking me questions for a while now and I'm getting very annoyed.
"So? Are you giving your handkerchief to the Duke?" She asked.
I still don't know what this handkerchief was meant to do but maybe it's because I had a bit of admiration for her that I pretended I knew and nodded yes. She smiled at me and I couldn't help but blush.
" You're different from the rumours aren't you?"
I feel myself tensed up when I heard her. My palms became sweating and I couldn't help but keep quiet. Even though she doesn't live in the city, she still has heard of me. How far does my fame out I wonder.
"Well never believed any rumours anyway. Duchess can you formally introduce yourself? I would like us to be friends." She said.
Friends, I didn't expect to hear such words from another noble much less than a royal at that. I didn't know what to do. I finally have a friend. I did my introduction and who knew she would reached out and hold my hand.
"Oh very soft. Vivian, you would give me a handkerchief too wouldn't you?" She asked.
Without hesitation I nodded my head, for my friend I'll do anything.
We said goodbyes and left. At night Linda was helping me washed up and I asked her about the handkerchief. How foolish I was? A lady makes a handkerchief and gives it to the one whom she loves as a good luck to win the game. I didn't know that. This was brand new information. I now had to sew some pattern the handkerchief.
I couldn't delay any longer and soon got to work. "What're you doing?" He asked as he went to bed. I was sitting by the window carefully sewing something for him.
"It's a handkerchief. It's for you" I said without lifting my head. "Oh? Thank you." With that he slept and I alone was left with just a candle next to me and sewing all night.
The next morning I almost finished and by the time I got out from the bathroom and he left already. I ran out to go after him and came outside. There were many ladies who gave theirs to fine gentlemen. I also saw Her Majesty giving one to His Majesty. I thought I was late until I saw my husband standing still, it almost felt like he was waiting for me.
" Here." I said handing him my finished product. I didn't know what to put so I just sewed a small version of our crest. I didn't have much time so it looks nasty but still he put it inside his pocket.
"Will you join me for a game?" He asked.
I knew I wasn't athletic and would just bring him down but still he insisted, " You just have to stand behind me and avoid any ball coming your way." He said. This was a new game, I've never heard it before.
"Oh it's the lovely couple." I heard a familiar voice say. I looked towards the source and found Princess Alicia.
"Princess Alicia!" I said with excitement forgetting my manners. I quickly compose myself and gave her a formal greeting. I have her a handkerchief, thankfully she didn't mind my ugly work.
"Ceaser." She said but there was a hint of hate from her tone.
"Alicia." My husband replied in the same manner.
Maybe it's just me but I feel there was some sour feeling between the two people.
"Ah Ceaser and Alicia." Newcomers came and I turned to see who it was. It was the Emperor and Empress. The atmosphere suddenly turned dark. As far as I know the four of them were childhood friends.
"Ah Alicia it's nice to meet you." Our Empress said wearing her ever so sweet smile.
"Of course." The other answered uninterested. There was silence yet again until Jesseline spoke up again, " I see you still behave like a boy. I'm jealous to see you so free without a husband at that age "
Oh come on even I could tell that wasn't a compliment. " Thanks and I see you're still chasing behind other people's things." The princess shot back without any humor.
I wanna go. This is not something I should be part of. The Emperor changed the topic, " Ceaser you're joining the dodge game right? With the Duchess of course."
"Yes" he simply replied.
"We're joining too. Later I'm joining the hunt as well but it seems it would be hard to catch up to you."
The meeting broke off and Ceaser took me to the changing room. I was changed into pants matching the colour with him. We finally looked like a couple. I tied my hair up and upon noticing I saw that he no longer has that blue ribbon.
My heart was happy and I followed him to the location.
"Welcome to the Couples game..." The host said, " All of you couples will be divided into two teams on each side of this massive badminton court, we've taken out the net don't worry. All ladies will stand behind protected by their respective gentleman. All couples will each have a ball to start with and the men should aim for the ladies on the opposite side. Men can catch, throw or pick up any ball as long as the incoming balls doesn't hit your ladies. If they are hit then that couple is out. The last remaining couple will get this prize." The host revealed a pink diamond on a ring.
Everyone was shocked to see it. It's a famous stone and a very lovely story behind it. It is said that a God fell in love with a mortal princess and in the final moments the God wept a single tear from his right eye and that tear became this pink diamond. A symbol of eternal love you might say. But I think it's just a diamond formed after many years during volcanic activities.
The game soon started and we all took our place. Ah what a luck The majesties and we are on opposite sides.
"Ceaser! You're going down." The Emperor yelled. My husband didn't respond but only gave a smirk.