All eyes darted on prince Angelus and Lady Saskia. The two of them navigated through the routes in the palace to reach the pavilion in which queen Rosalyn arranged their breakfast.
"Ladies first, " Prince Angelus put his best foot forward and let Lady Saskia be seated first. He pulled a chair for her and aided her to be comfortable.
Lady Saskia smiled. "Thank you, Your Highness, " she muttered under her breath.
Estella ushered the housemaids to come forward with the food. The table was set before them, with all the delicacies that spoke of Sevigoria's culture.
Prince Angelus fought the urge to yawn. It's been moments in truth. However, he was bored to death. Lady Saskia had an ambience of innocence and naivety around him. Qualities that touched every nerve in his body in the worst ways.
He gave his mother credit in her selection, and Queen Rosalyn picked the perfect wallpaper for the future queen of Sevigoria. Saskia seemed the perfect puppet for his mother and his sisters.
"Shall we offer prayer, your highness?" Last Saskia inquired.
Prince Angelus nodded. He reached forth his hands to hold hers across the table. Lady Saskia took his hands in hers and closed her eyes.
"Dear lord, we set forth the food which we are about to receive in your goodness," she prayed.
"Amen, " the prince let out.
"Amen, " Lady Saskia sounded in faith.
Estella dished out food to her plate while Aila served Prince Angelus. Prince Angelus stared at Captain Davon and his soldiers stationed at the corner of the pavilion. He tried to find a loophole in their formation on which he could slip through and go out of the palace to find his beloved Gael.
Captain Davon sensed his wondering gaze and became alert. He knew of Prince Angelus's ways and refused to let him slip away from the palace. He motioned to the guards to be vigilant to the prince's movements.
Prince Angelus frowned, Captain Davon was good at his job, and it didn't help that he was the queen's loyal dog.
"Aren't you hungry, my prince? " Saskia drew his attention with her words.
Prince Angelus took a bite of his food. His thoughts engulfed with the reflectings of Gael. The way the male walked, talked, and the way he smiled. His eyes lit up and glistened as his mind mirrored Gael's image vividly. He glowed.
In his affection for Gael, he learnt to live away from the shackles of his life. Since their encounter, he felt Gael's fragrance in every path he took. His lips curled up into a sweet smile.
Lady Saskia stared into his green eyes, which radiated with energy. His smile was gentle, screaming with happiness. Her heart melted. She felt happy to see the prince marvel at her company.
'I don't understand why people call you a beast. You're charming in every way, ' Lady Saskia blushed.
"If you weren't the crown prince, what would your life be like?" she initiated a conversation with Prince Angelus.
Prince Angelus from his plate, his eyes darted to her. Desire pooled in his eyes. Had he not been a prince, he'd be Gael's husband. The freedom to pursue his love and embrace the forbidden feelings brewing in his heart would be awarded to him. He wouldn't have to wait till nightfall to sneak out of the palace in hopes of meeting the man he adored.
"I would open a small flower shop in a peaceful village and live happily away from the politics of the palace," he lied through his teeth. He gave a polite answer he figured a simple-minded person like Saskia would appreciate.
In truth, he'd marry Gael and use the man's money and influence to conquer the kingdom, dethrone the ruling king, and become the king. Prince Angelus deluded himself to believing that ruling Sevigoria is his destiny. No matter how he chooses to live his life, he refuses to let another sit on his throne. His delusional mind refused to let go of either his dreams or his love.
"How sweet, " Saskia thought out loud. She fell for the idea of the person she believed the prince to be from his answer.
Faber, Jesper, and Aila shook their heads in disbelief. They knew better than to be convinced the man they served would be comfortable operating a flower shop in a small village had he not been in line for the throne. Not even Captain Davon could be roped into the answer Prince Angelus gave.
"It is, isn't it, " Prince Angelus plastered a fake smile on his lips. "Enough about me, tell me about yourself. What do you fancy in life, my lady? "
Lady Saskia pondered on the question for a moment. She didn't expect the prince to pay heed to her interests and wasn't prepared with an answer.
"I like writing short stories, " Saskia answered truthfully. She pushed her hair behind her ear, and she felt all knotted up inside for revealing her truth. It wasn't acceptable for women to write books.
The task was left for men as many other jobs in the kingdom, admitting she dared to step into a man's shoes as a hobby threatened her ruin. However, she refused to live a lie and pretended she didn't fancy writing her stories.
"What style of stories do you write, my lady, " Prince Angelus's interest was piqued. A noble lady daring enough to do that which if forbidden of ladies.
Lady Saskia blushed. Wearing her heart on her sleeve with the future king of Sevigoria had her heart racing. "I find romance in fantasy realms in my head to be appealing, so I note them down, " she admitted aloud.
The prince marvelled at the loveliness in Saskia's eyes as she spoke of her interest. He saw the beauty of her passion. It resembled his yearning and adoration for Gael. He related to it immensely as both were forbidden and yet had ways of making them extremely happy.
"What would you sacrifice to see your books published and distributed around the world? " he dared to ask.
Lady Saskia raised her head, her eyes locked with his. The question he asked was one lady Saskia never dared to entertain. No one in the ton would read a book written by a woman, and they would scorn her where they to learn she wrote romantic texts.
Her heart felt heavy, to be born in a world that surpresses her ability to do the one thing that brings her joy. She pressed her lips tightly and restrained from giving a response.
"Have you considered publishing under a male name? " Prince Angelus asked.
"I could never, " Lady Saskia replied hastily. "Then no one will know I wrote the stories. "
"Is it more important to get recognition that would be the end of you. Or marvel at the joy of sharing the beautiful love stories in your head with the world?"
Lady Saskia pondered over his words. She saw sense in the points Prince Angelus raised to her. Saskia pushed it to the back of her mind, to consider it once she was in the comfort of her room.
"What do you fancy, Your Highness?"