4 The Bookstore (Olivia POV)

The first class at the palace with Francis was over. That's not too hard, I could say it was too easy for a prince. I knew he was hiding something. He was pretending to be a stupid prince, I could sense it.

When the class was over, his tutor left us alone. Carefully, I approached him. "I'm on your side." I whispered, making sure no one could hear it. Startled, Francis flinched but I didn't care. "It's true that I was ordered to spy on you. I won't deny it. But I can report them any information you want and tell you some information I know." I continued.

Francis didn't agree to it, he gave no answer.

I could understand his position. I'm from the empress side after all, there's no way he would believe me in this state. So, I left him with his knight and about to go somewhere else before returning back home.

Outside the classroom, there was a maid who was waiting. "Lady Whitley," she bowed and greeted me. "Her highness the empress wants to see you."

"Lead the way for me," I answered. That maid nodded and led me the way there. I hadn't seen the empress for quite a long time; I wondered how she was going.

I need to walk for a long time to arrive at the empress' palace. I could understand that since Francis' palace was the most secluded place.

"We're here, my lady." The maid bowed and entered the empress' room to notify the empress that I had arrived. Not long after that, she returned back to me and let me in.

Inside the room, I could see the empress sitting on a big chair. I bowed and greeted her. "Greetings your highness. I'm Olivia Whitley from the Whitley family."

"Hello Olivia. It's been a while since the last time we met. Have a seat." I sat in front of her. "How are you? Did Prince Francis give you a hard time? Tell me."

I smiled at her politely. "Thank you to your highness, there's nothing bad that happened to me. Please don't worry about Prince Francis. He ditched his class a lot and he didn't even understand some basic things." I explained to her the condition.

"As expected of the son of a commoner. Such a shame this empire has him as the first prince." The empress took her teacup and sipped it.

"Yes, don't worry about him, I will handle him for you."

…

After spending some time with the empress, I finally could go to meet my friend without being too late. I asked the coachman to take me to drop me at the front gate of a small alley and wait for me there.

I got out of my carriage, wearing a cloak that covered all my body and a hood. Then, I pick a fabric to cover half my face from under my eyes. In this state, Francis and his knight called me Charlize. When I was ready, I walked inside the alley, to a bookstore where I used to meet.

In front of the bookstore, there was a boy looking around. He is Noah, Francis' loyal knight. When our eyes met, he bowed slightly to me. "Mis Charlize, Francis is waiting for you." I nodded to him and entered the book store.

I found Francis between the bookshelves and walked toward him. "Here you are, runaway prince." I whispered to him, right to his ear.

"Charlize, you startled me." He protested. I just laughed a bit as my response. "Anyway, something happened at the palace." His face turned so serious. I could say he was talking about a study partner. What else could it be?

Francis held my hand and brought me to the corner of the library, and asked me to sit beside him. "That woman she assigned a study partner for me. So, I'm being watched more closely now."

"It's mean, we can't meet for the time being?" I asked.

"Yes. It will be dangerous for you if they know I meet you here. Let's meet at the new year party in six months."

I nodded. "Okay. Make sure you're safe. And remember, you're fifteen now. Make sure from this year until you're eighteen, you get a high score for the yearly evaluation. That way you are able to take the final test when you're eighteen." I gave my advice to him as usual.

"Okay, I will do my best. You have taught me a lot, so I won't let you down." He smiled brightly, full of confidence. "Anyway, do you know Olivia Whitley? She's my study partner."

"Olivia Whitley? She's the daughter of Marquis Whitley. She has been working for that man since she was nine. People said that she's very talented and I admit it." I described myself to Francis as Charlize.

"I see, so she's that kind of person." Francis nodded his head several times. "But there's something I don't understand about her. She said that she's ordered to spy on me, but she's on my side and will report that woman any information I want."

"What?!" I jolted, pretended to be surprised. "That can be a trap. Be careful not to fall for it. What else did she say to you?"

"Not too much. And she gave me some cookies, they're delicious. I wonder if those cookies are poisoned, but I guess not. There's no effect on my body." He answered it lightly.

"Drink this. This is an antidote that I can get from that family. At least we can make sure you're not poisoned." I gave him a bottle of blue liquid inside it.

"Alright." He took the bottle and drank the liquid inside it. "It's quite late, we better go back to our place. Be careful on your way back."

I looked outside through the window. "Yes, it's quite late. You should be careful too." I replied to him and left him there, at the corner of the room.

Outside the bookstore, I could find Noah there. "Please take care of him." That's what I said to him before I left him. He only replied to me with a nod.