Chapter Sixty-One: What goes in her mind
After pondering on her words for a few seconds James asked, "Don't you think it's ridiculous?"
"And by that you mean…?"
"Someone hiding things from the King himself so daringly? I'm sure the question 'Is the royal family not powerful enough to stop such nonsense?' crossed through your mind once or twice."
"It has, actually. That's why I'm not a fan of your family, I don't mean that as a person but as your titles. I hate the fact that you can't do anything because of your inner and silent war." She answered honestly.
"Did you find out about that through your family?"
Clair nodded her head in response. "That's why I agreed to marry you, after your very convincing points. It might have been because of your tempting offer to behead you, but um... I think deep inside it scared me. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to protect my family. I mean, the Yves are smack in the middle of everything." She explained herself very honestly again.
She didn't know why, but she felt very comfortable being honest with him. She knew how to hold back, of course, but she just wanted him to know how she felt about the whole thing.
She was still a little angry about his sketchy intentions towards her though.
"That makes sense. I understand your every word and don't blame you for it. I also hate the position we are in. If it ever got out, it would be chaos." He said.
There was silence between them for the following minutes. They just walked around and despite the noisy streets, they both felt a long silence between them.
"To be fair, I don't hate everyone in the royal family." She suddenly spoke.
He laughed, hoping she was referring to him, but he received a big hit when she said the following…
"I mean, I freaking love your uncle's ex-wife. The way she divorced the bastard was epic!"
Mode activated: *Fanatic Clair*
"Oh, you're a fan, I see."
"No, The Greatest Fan." She countered.
He stifled a laugh when he watched the change in her expression.
Clair glared at the bird on top of her car.
Earlier she told him she had called someone to park her car, so she could drive them to her house where they would get ready to go meet his parents.
She carefully walked towards it, begging it from the inside not to do what it looked like it was about to do.
"Maybe you should just shoo it away." He suggested.
"It-" She froze when the bird pooped on her car and then moved to a new spot.
"Let's-" James stiffened when it watched the bird poop again and then move to a new spot only to poop again.
"..."
"..."
They both stared at it, completely speechless.
When the bird finally flew away, they shared a glance.
"At least we know it's petty." He mumbled.
"You probably shouldn't have glared at it." He added.
Clair cried silently, but she nodded her head in agreement.
They walked inside the car and drove back to Clair's place after that. Even if they didn't bring the topic up again, it was as if they had both silently agreed to discuss it later.
When they arrived at Clair's place, they discussed the plan and got ready to leave.
To Clair's surprise, it was royal guards who came to pick them up in a limousine to take them to the family dinner.
Clair was definitely 'thrilled' to meet the person who had sent people to kill her or 'test' her.
.....
Clair tightened her grip on his hand and sent him a very 'sweet' smile, making James avoid her glance since he too was nervous about this.
"I swear if I get myself killed tonight I will murder you." She threatened.
"Don't worry, I'll be here if anything goes wrong." He assured her.
She took a deep breath and walked out of the car with him following behind her. Still holding hands, they walked to the front gate of the house where a group of guards surrounded them.
They all bowed in front of them and waited in silence. She watched James raise his hand and then their heads followed.
'I seriously don't get royalty.' She thought.
"Your Highness, Crown Prince of Seis, "
A man that looked like the 'leader' of all the other guards walked towards James and whispered something in his ear.
"I see, you can all go back to your spots." James said out loud, "There's no need for a greeting." He added.
The man glanced at Clair and only nodded his head.
James who had noticed she didn't feel comfortable with the usual greetings asked his guards to not do it.
Clair sighed in relief, and they continued walking towards the front of the house.
She noticed that Jace had stayed behind, but she didn't comment on it.
"Thank you for that." She whispered.
"You should get used to it. I can't stop it from happening when you get crowned as my queen and start living in the royal palace."
"I have to what... and where? Wait, don't tell me. I rather not think about that right now." She shook her hand and head in denial.
He only laughed and lifted her hand to kiss the back of her palm.
"Smile." He said.
"I can feel the daggers coming from someone." Clair smiled, avoiding the person hiding behind a curtain on the top floor.
When they walked inside the house, two lines of servants bowed to them.
"Your Highness, Crown Prince of Seis"
'Right, the actual kingdom name is Seis. I've been nowhere near there or have I? Maybe in the past I don't remember well.' Clair thought while she watched them greet James.
Technically, this city is outside the actual kingdom because it had become part of Seis recently. So, the royal palace is a few hours away and the cities there are way larger.
She had avoided going anywhere near there if she's honest. Her father's residence was here, anyway. Probably because during the war this part of the country was the enemy's land, long after the war, Seis gained it.
There were still many things she had to learn about this royal family thing. She had studied a lot compared to normal civilians since her father is the head of a noble house.
It's something she couldn't avoid.
Anyway, she smiled when the room fell silent.
It seems they have no idea how to address her.
'Awkward...' She screamed from her insides.