After the Emperor left, we just kept looking at each other. I was feeling awkward as time went by, yet the prince just kept looking at me.
I decided that since he doesn't look like he would talk anytime soon to start a conversation, even if I got the same one worded answers like the Emperor.
"Ahem, so your highness, how is your studies going?" . I wanted to crawl into a hole, even if I wanted to say something why am I repeating the same question as the Emperor, oh stupid me.
"Alex, call me Alex", I heard the prince reply while I was busy mentally beating myself. I looked up to him and he was staring right at me, it was almost like a big cat ready to pounce , a little endearing yet unsettling look.
"Um.. Alex, is it really OK to call you this?" , " I say it's OK, so don't worry. My studies are fine, boring but manageable". I just noticed this is the longest he ever spoke in the time I have seen him. Even in the novel he kept his words to himself, fully embodied the saying that silence is gold. Yet he is now saying this much in a day, and the worst is I don't know why.
I took a deep breath to stabilise myself, and tried my best to smile " oh I find studies boring at times roo,Is there anything you enjoy doing?" , "Not before today, I always found life boring" .
OK, so he is still bored with the entire world. Somehow I find the first half of his sentence unnerving, but I can't seem to understand what an emotionally absent person would find enjoyable.
"Um..your, Ahem, Alex. It's getting kind of late, I need to depart early in the morning . Would it be OK if I excuse myself now?" . This was my last ditch effort , its incredibly rude for a lower rank to ask to leave before the higher rank did. Nevertheless if I stay here any longer my brain powers will likely fail me . I gambled on the bit of favor he had been showing me since earlier, and guess what, it actually worked.
"Oh, my apologies. I didn't notice the time, I will walk you back to your sleeping quarters for the night." That went as great as it could possibly go. We walked in silence all the way back to where I would stay for the night, at least he wasn't solely focused on me anymore.
At the door to my chamber, the prince stood there and I was finding it difficult to say anything. I can't really ask him to go away, as this is his house and I am but a guest, not to mention he is royalty and higher ranking noble.
I waited a few minutes, where he just kept looking at the door as if he had a vendetta against it , I decided to throw a ball just to end the situation. "Alex, if I may ask, what are you doing tomorrow morning" . In my head that was meant to remind him of his morning duties so he would leave me alone as tactful as I can go, sometimes even I am astounded by how clever I am.
I could swear I have seen his eyes twinkle for a minute, "I can be free all day , nothing important is going on tomorrow" .
Plan failed, I felt the despair in my head, how can I convince this one to leave now.
Alex looked at me then at the window which had the moon showing its full glory, "Ren, can I come by in the morning? You said you were leaving" .
I jumped at the opportunity, as long as I am free tonight. I can leave tomorrow's problem for tomorrow's me. "Yes, Alex. You can stop by anytime." I said with a huge smile on my face, I honestly couldn't stop smiling, I could see the end of this stressful interaction.
If you had ever been stuck talking to your least favourite boss at an after work event, you would know how I feel.
Alex didn't answer me immediately, he kept looking at mu face foe a few seconds before just saying goodnight and leaving.
That was weird, but I am happy with my freedom, Dear bed here I come.