The theater finally cleared out, leaving behind only a handful of crew members diligently cleaning and meticulously putting away the vibrant costumes. Meanwhile, Maia, still in her dressing room, engaged in a deep conversation with Ms. Evelyn.
As Ms. Evelyn carefully took clips from Maia's hair, she teasingly mentioned, "The Duke of Boulder seemed quite taken with you."
"…"
"Maia, are you trying to turn into a spinster?" Evelyn teased, raising an eyebrow and smirking mischievously.
Maia was too stunned to respond. She was truly tired of her nagging about marriage. But she also loved her concern and knew this pestering came from a place of concern.
"Maia, marriage is the only way for you to support your sick mother."
"But The Duke of all people," maia finally said, bewildered, "he's a widowed brute with an illegitimate child and way above my station, and let us not forget he's the crown prince's cousin."
"Speaking of The crown prince, he doesn't seem to think so." Ms Evelyn slid the white envelope closer to maia.
Maia, baffled, looked at the letter and then shook her head. "Absolutely not. He wants a mistress. Also, I'm just a commoner. That would never happen."
"You wouldn't know unless you read it," Ms Evelyn coaxed.
"I've already had my share of dealings with him and read several letters requesting my presence."
Ms. Evelyn opened the letter, ignoring the green daggers that maia threw with her eyes, and placed the unfolded letter on the vanity. "Read it," she urged. "It is from a royal, so it's the law," She smiled.
Maia picked the letter up and read the contents, but this time it was different. The crown princess sent the letter. Ms. Evelyn nudged her, wanting to know what the letter said, so she relented and signed. "The crown princess wants to have tea tomorrow," maia said.
"Well, this could complicate things," Ms. Evelyn mused. "The scandal it would become if the princess allowed the illicit affair between her husband, the crown prince of Lichtberg, and a seductive songstress," a sly grin tugging the corners of her lips.
Maia rolled her eyes. "You have a distorted view, Ms. Evelyn," she retorted, putting her curls into a ponytail, a stark difference from how beautifully she had dressed earlier, now satisfied with her bare face and leaving the vanity. She heard Ms. Evelyn still rambling; maia put on her wool coat and pushed the envelope into her pocket. "There will be no scandals, mistresses, or weddings anytime soon, Ms. Evelyn. I will decline this invitation and any more that may come from the palace," maia declared before hugging her and leaving.
***
Maia made her way to the cross-street corner of Lenox and Preston, the opening to the alleyway market. She stood there before taking in a deep breath, smelling the cool, crisp night air. Last spring, this corner was lit up with crowds of people giggling and dancing, and she was one of them dancing with a gentleman. Just then, a sleek black car crept to a stop in front of her, interrupting her train of thought. Its glossy exterior gleamed under the moonlit sky, halting her from crossing the street.
Maia's heart started to race as the passenger door swung open, and a tall, familiar figure emerged dressed in a black suit. He walked towards the rear of the vehicle, and with a smooth motion, he opened the back door. Maia was frightened and ready to scream, but the man spoke elegantly, catching her off guard. "The crown prince requested your presence."
Bewildered, maia started, "I'm really sorry," her voice trembling as she spoke. Her eyes glistened with the weight of her emotions. "I have to go home now. My mother is ill, and she's been waiting for me," she explained, her tone heavy with anxiety. The fear etched on her face made it clear how much she didn't want to be near these people.
With a serious expression, he replied, "I'll make sure you get home safely," his tone firm and slightly reprimanding as he fixed her with a piercing gaze.
After a moment of hesitation, maia relented and slowly approached the sleek vehicle. Her fingers curled around the top of the cool metal door as she exchanged a pitiful glance with the man before he nodded and urged her into the car.
Maia slid into the leather seats, and she could smell the heavy scent of amber and mint settle around her. The crown prince sat unbothered by her manners. He gave her a look she couldn't comprehend. Prince's eyes seemed clear and calm, and his demeanor exuded an air of confidence and authority. His pitched black hair was neatly combed, and not a single strand stood out of place. The crown prince was impeccably dressed in a tailored grey suit, complementing his murky grey eyes. The suit accentuated his muscular build, the fabric hugging his sharp and natural contours with precision.
At that moment, it was undeniable that he was Lichtberg's finest; every detail spoke of wealth and refinement. His presence alone left women weeping, leaving no doubt that he was the most mesmerizing man in the entire kingdom. Looking down into her hands, intertwining them nervously, she let her head plunge deeper into reclusive.
"If I didn't know any better, it would almost seem as if I'm holding you captive," the crown prince said in a low, smooth voice.
"I-"
"You're quite the busy woman, maia," the prince interjected, his gaze studying her unruly posture and assessing her brazen behavior. Becoming amused by her, his lips curled into a slight smirk, "With all your commitments and responsibilities, I wonder what day might you spare a moment of your precious time for the crown prince of Lichtberg?" he leaned away slightly.
Maia looked up at him because his tone seemed playful, but his eyes were just as chill as ice. The tension between them reminded her of their stark disparity. The crown prince was burdened with the weight of a nation. His every waking moment was dictated by duty and appearance. In contrast, here she was just a commoner daring to decline such an audience, something most aristocrats would have clamored for.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness," Maia murmured, her voice barely rising above a whisper as she cast her gaze downward, not daring to meet the prince's piercing eyes. Her circumstances pressed heavily on her shoulders, and she felt a wave of hopelessness wash over her. "My mother is ill, and I must be there to support us both," she continued, her words laced with a mix of sincerity and desperation. "Please forgive my insolence, but I truly wouldn't want to impose any further. I know your time is incredibly valuable."
"Have you forgotten my name?" he scoffed, Now bored with her excuses.
Her voice trembled slightly, an echo of her futile attempts to turn down the prince's advances once again. "I really believe that someone of higher stature would be far more fitting than someone like me―a mere commoner."
The prince let out a derisive snicker, a sound laced with disdain, and the sharpness of his amusement shot through the air, momentarily pulling Maia's gaze toward him. His eyes narrowed, reflecting a mixture of arrogance and challenge. "Who do you think you are?" he began, his voice rising with indignation. "How dare you presume to tell me whom I should choose to associate with?" The tightness in his tone hinted at a deep-seated entitlement, making it clear that he was accustomed to being treated with reverence, unchallenged in his authority.
Maia's body trembled as she sat before him. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but her hands betrayed her, gripping tightly together as if they might keep her from falling apart. "I-I am no one, Your Highness," she stammered, her voice wavering with fear. "I don't understand what you want from me." Her wide eyes darted around the moving vehicle, seeking an escape.
"What do I want from you?" he mused, a calm smile playing on the corner of his lips as he turned his gaze away from the timid woman beside him. "Surely, my unwavering persistence has made my intentions abundantly clear by now," the prince remarked, adjusting his tailored suit with an air of certainty. The fabric glimmered softly in the moonlight, mirroring the determination in his eyes as he faced the unspoken tension in the car.