12 I Don't Need the Prince! 09

George waltz right up to Ariel and harshly grabbed her arm. The coachman and maids around them looked on worriedly, but how can they defy the prince?

They could only turn around and pray that the lady remained safe.

George stared at the stunned Ariel and his furrowed brows wrinkled more. "Why are you limping?"

From the moment the carriage doors opened, George had wanted to help her down. When he noticed her slight limp and her pale face, his brows twisted unconsciousness. Maybe he himself did not know how important Ariel had gotten to him. Maybe he did not know how her soft, bright smile warmed the edges of his heart.

Good thing Avina did not know what was in his mind or she would say, "Bro, I haven't even been here for 2 weeks yet. If you like me this much from smiling, why didn't you like Ariel before!" She would also instantly wack him on top of his head too.

Fortunately (or is it, unfortunately), she did not know and did not hit his head.

Ariel gave him a weak, comforting smile, "It's nothing, I just tripped on the stairs."

If by "tripping," she meant falling down a whole flight of stairs, then the word "tripping" did no justice at all.

Ariel was not injured severely, maybe just a dull ache, but nothing too much. She didn't want to worry George too much; he was a prince! He had so much to do in so little time in the day.

How could he worry about her measly injury?

To prevent him from thinking further of her foot, she invited him, "Would you like to go inside for a cup of tea? Mother recently bought a new tea set."

George could only put down his worries and lend his hands to help her inside.

Inside, Ariel ordered the maid to prepare a set of Morning Dusk tea and to set it outside on the veranda.

The veranda faced to the west letting its viewers witness a beautiful sunset. The garden below it bloomed with a variety of flowers, all letting off a lovely floral smell.

Mother preferred her tea time to be spent on the veranda, and Ariel thought it would be perfect for now. The sun was just about to set, and the glow would cast a lovely orange on the garden.

George led Ariel to her seat before sitting in front of her.

Although the couple was engaged at a young age, they were not very close. Maybe that was why George was so easily captivated by Jane in the novel. Though Avina would argue it was not an excuse to annul the engagement in front of the whole kingdom.

When George finally thought of a topic to discuss, the maid had opened the door carrying inside the tea. Frustrated, George could only sip on his tea.

Avina watched amused at George's every move but did not display any thoughts outwardly.

'He's a little funny don't you think, 5025?' Avina also took a sip from her teacup. She admired the fragrant taste before conversing more with 5025. George may be a boring conversationalist, but 5025 was not.

5025 did not understand what its host was implying. George hadn't made a joke at all; he was just quiet. "What do you mean?"

Avina sneered, "Look at him. I haven't even interacted with him much, but I can feel he already likes me; he probably hasn't noticed though. Well, he likes my Ariel impression." Though she did not say it this time, it was clear in her nature she also thought her charms were too much for meager men.

5025 tilted its data to the side, "Isn't that because Host is too nice?" It didn't understand what its Host was saying. Don't people like nice people? Why is Host saying it like it's a bad thing?

Avina could only sigh in her heart. Her system was just too pure. "Nevermind."

5025 still had questions but it chose not to say them. It didn't think its Host would answer anyway.

"How have you been, Lady Ariel?" in the end, George was the first one to start. He couldn't help but scold his inability to converse. How humiliating!

Avina stifled her smile and said, "I've been doing quite well. I've made a new friend lately. How about you, Prince George?"

George was a little curious about her newly made friend but felt it was too rude to pry. He, once again, could only sip his tea. "I've also been doing well lately."

Ariel smiles lightly at his reply, and George froze. He did not know what there was to smile at. It was just a common reply.

Ariel let out a small chuckle covering her mouth with her hand. "Don't work too much. You should take a break every so often."

George also let out a small smile from her concern. He covered it up immediately by sipping his tea, but he couldn't hide the gentle light from his eyes. Her concern was soft and warm just as she was.

The two spent the rest of the afternoon sipping on their tea and eating pastries conversing over light topics. The sun slowly set behind them gradually illuminating the garden in a soft orange luster.

Slowly, fireflies let out a gentle rhythmic glow blinking here and there. It was getting late, and George had to leave.

"It is getting late, let me see you off," Ariel was the first one this time to help him. She stood up from her seat, but before she could help George, he had already held her hands.

The two of them passed time slowly together, but George did not forget about her injury. He only placed it to the side for her. The moment Ariel got up, he had already rushed to her side lending her his arm.

Ariel could only smile apologetically at him, and the two walked to the front doors.

If it was possible, Ariel may have invited him for dinner, but she knew he had taken important time off to see her; she couldn't waste any more of his time. If he still had work to do after supper, when will he sleep.

As George stepped into his carriage, he stared at his fiance. Her small figure stood silently just below him. Her hair fell softly onto her back and her hands were held in front of her lap. She carried a gentle, soft warmth to her small body and always carried a small smile.

He fell into deep contemplation.

How come he never realized how his fiance supported him in silence? How many years has he been with her, but never realized how considerate and caring she was.

Being a prince may seem like an easy role with luxury surrounding you, but how many people actually thought of the effort it takes. A prince was the future king! A king! Someone who would eventually lead a whole kingdom in hopes of prosperity. Someone who would have to handle diplomatic relations with other kingdoms and empires.

It was already a peaceful age without war, but if there were wars, the king would be the first to carry out strategies and protect the people. There was too much work to be done as a king compared to the luxury that came with it. (Of course, this only applies to good kings.)

From an early age, George was taught by various tutors in hopes of preparing him to succeed his father; it was not easy.

In his heart, George decided to treat his fiance better. He never treated her badly, but he couldn't think of the times he treated her well either.

"Tomorrow," George said but soon paused. Ariel stared at him blankly wondering what he wanted to say. "Come to the palace. I'll take you on a tour of the greenhouse."

Ariel was a little shocked by his invitation. After all, over the years, the number of times he invited her could be counted on her hands. He had only invited her to balls and parties hosted by the Royal Family; none of them being personally.

Ariel, a little excited, accepted, "Okay! I will see you tomorrow, Prince George!" Her hands squeezed tightly as her eyes shined in anticipation. Tomorrow could be counted as a date!

George smiled slightly before telling her to go back inside before it got cold. Then he went inside the carriage, and it drove off slowly into the distance.

'Did you hear that 5025?' Avina asked 5025 as she walked into her room to rest.

'The Prince invited you to see flowers?'

'Yes, but our next plan is about to take action.' Avina and 5025 already prepared the next few steps to a successful mission. She did not think that the plan would hatch so soon, but it's better this way. She can return home sooner this way.

5025 soon got excited its data started to shake. With this, they could easily gather enough intellect before they completely finish the mission. The mission world was 2 or 3 plans away from finishing!

Hooray!