ᏙᏆᏆ

"Ah," upon seeing my dumbfounded reaction, the stranger seems flustered and scratch the back of his head and looked away.

I feel Esma elbowing me quietly on my back.

"𝘛-𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯!" she whispered right behind my back. I blinked, then gasped.

"O-Oh! Prince— uhm, hey— no wait, I mean," feeling flustered myself, I awkwardly bow in courtesy. Same as Esma behind me, but I can tell she's slapping her forehead internally upon seeing my sloppy action.

"Pft—"

I lift my head a little when I hear muffled laughter. It's coming from the other guy beside Prince Lucean.

"Ridley," the Prince hushed his royal guard, and Ridley only nods while still covering his mouth with his hand.

𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘬, that's so bad. I wish there's a hole nearby where I can toss myself into and never come out. I scratched the back of my head, looking up at those piercing grey eyes once again.

"Sorry, err— Your Highness sir. I wish you can forgive my impoliteness,"

"No need to apologize," he replied with a thin smile.

Hm, he's a nice Prince. And his charming face is a plus too.

"Oh! and, yes! I read books about Master William Keendown in my spare time! Just the stories about his magnificent creations are fascinating," I beamed cheerfully, pointing at the sword.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Lucean smiling warmly toward me. Oh gosh, don't smile like that, please. I feel my cheeks are burning up again, but I tried to hide them by smiling brightly at the Prince after I stopped rambling.

"I'm pleased that there is someone who likes the work of Master William. Unfortunately, there is rarely anyone who appreciates his works and only considers all the sword made by William Keendown is only a sword that has magic in it,"

"Totally agree," I nod.

Suddenly there's a silence. I gasped when I realize I just talked informally to someone! not just someone, to Prince Lucean. Lucean's face looked amused, Ridley muffled another laughter and Esma elbowed me on my waist, making me wince in pain.

"I mean— thanks— no, uh, thank you, Prince sir," I mumbled at the end, smiling sheepishly at the charming Prince.

"It's alright. You're quite funny,"

"I'll take that as a compliment," I replied.

Ridley moved closer to Lucean. "We should probably get going. It'll be a trouble if someone else walks in and spotted you here," his voice is quiet but I can hear it pretty clearly.

"Fine," Lucean replied. He then glanced at me and formed a soft gaze that I couldn't understand. "Will you be attending the party?"

"Party," I mumbled, feeling light-headed because of the Prince's gaze. I blinked several times before understanding what he meant. "Oh! of course, Your Highness,"

"Good. See you then, and have a good day," Prince Lucean nods, then turned around toward the exit. Ridley bows a little too before following the Prince.

After they both headed out, Esma looked at me with a bewildered expression.

"W-What just happened?" she asked, half-whisper half-yelling at me.

I took a deep breath, then looked at Esma while flashing a big grin.

"𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 happened,"

.

.

.

An hour after the departure of Brahms and Esma to the town of Astille, in the Cottingham mansion, there was a young lady who was drinking her tea alone. What happened a week ago really changed her life. Her actions have been caught, the servants who had always spoiled her changed, his parents also changed, and this was all because of his brother who always took everything she wanted to have.

Love, attention, looks!

How come he's prettier than her?!

Mercie put down her teacup harshly to the table, causing some of the tea to spurt out and wet the table.

"I'll get you for this, Brahms," she growls under her breath.