Mind Your Words

The camp of the Vamieres Army was much vaster and grander than Rizelle thought and once again, she was reminded of how magnificent Esriven was compared to her small yet beautiful Linolia. Walking around with her husband next to her, she was completely absorbed by her surroundings, too busy to care about other things and even the Prince.

General Elias was walking a few steps behind them with Fina and Vincent who followed the Princess. Though Fina appeared to be blown away just like her Princess, Vincent had his gaze on the Princess all the while. He struggled to understand why she wished to visit the camp.

When Prince Nicien watched the expression on the face of his wife, he was reminded of a certain memory from the past. This made him slightly lower his head and a subtle smile was formed on his lips.

Being in an unfamiliar place, he was scared that she won't be able to be the same anymore but... he was glad that she still haven't changed.

In fact, he didn't expect her to enjoy visiting the camp to this extent and he was proven wrong. However, he didn't say anything like always and simply walked beside her, quietly.

She seemed to be too busy to talk to him anyway.

"I think I understand why you spend most of your time here instead of the palace," Princess Rizelle suddenly pointed out, making the Prince shift his gaze in her direction. Then with a bright smile on her face, she added, "The atmosphere and everything about this place feels lively compared to the suffocating palace."

"Suffocating palace," Nicien Vamieres muttered and broke his gaze on her to look straight. "That's strange coming from you, Princess."

"Why?" Rizelle Vamieres promptly asked. Turning in the Prince's direction, she noticed how he hesitated to answer her. "You talk as if you know how I spent my life in the royal palace of my Linolia, Your Highness," she pointed out; confused and cautious at the same time.

She was convinced that he wasn't talking about her life in the Esriven royal palace. After all, it had only been a few days.

Nicien Vamieres slightly narrowed his eyes but he never halted his steps. He then responded by saying, "I don't think there is a way for me to know that, Your Highness." He paused and glanced around only to see the rare look that General Elias Gylaw gave him. However, he ignored it and continued, "It's not like I've been to Linolia."

"I'm aware of that," the Princess replied with a chuckle. "I'm just surprised that you seem to know I enjoyed my life in the Linolia palace rather than feeling suffocating."

Once again, the Prince briefly glanced at General Elias as if he was seeking some help. However, the look on the General's face proved that he was equally struggling.

The two men didn't even know that Princess Rizelle was staring at them. It wasn't just a simple stare as the stare was observing and full of curiosity. Nevertheless, she didn't make any comment on it and only smiled to herself.

"I bet you will be busy, Your Highness," she spoke up after a few seconds. "I can look around on my own. You don't have to mind me."

Prince Nicien seemed to be debating on his mind but he didn't take long to say, "I'll come and find you later." Rizelle nodded and with that, he turned around and started walking. General Elias followed him right away.

Staring at the Princess who had her gaze on the Prince who made his way towards his tent, Fina sighed and walked closer to her. "I thought that you want a tour of this place, Your Highness. It's too vast to wander for just the three of us."

"I already look around enough," Princess Rizelle simply responded with a huge smile, making Fina raise a brow. Then she shifted her gaze to Vincent who was still standing three or four steps behind and said, "Let's leave and have a tour of the capital."

"Your Highness!" Fina shouted with both shock and concern the moment she heard the Princess. She knew that the Princess often spent her time outside the palace but that was when they were in Linolia. This was Esriven and with their little knowledge of the capital, it will be so easy to get lost!

Not to mention that it wasn't safe for the Princess at all.

"Here, people won't recognize me," Princess Rizelle said to Fina. Compared to the concerned maid, she was more than calm though she had a little smile on her face. Then she added, "It's a good chance to have fun and also the peace that we always crave. Don't you think so, Fina?"

Unable to come up with a way to make the Princess change her mind, Fina ended up looking at Vincent, hopefully. Nevertheless...

"I don't even know when I would get this chance again," Rizelle Vamieres spoke up before the guard could. "I'm going no matter what. It's up to you two to follow me or not."

Fina grew even more worried but Vincent was quite calm. When he heard the Princess, he slightly smiled. "Please rest assured, Your Highness. As you said, no one wouldn't recognize you but it never hurts to be careful. I will follow you. It's my duty anyway."

Princess Rizelle exchanged the smile before she briefly glanced at her maid and started walking towards the gate of the camp with Vincent trailing behind.

"Wait for me, Your Highness!" Overwhelmed by concern, Fina hurriedly ran after the two.

*

"Your Highness, didn't you say that you will put your work aside for today? Why did you leave when the Princess told you not to mind her?"

General Elias was standing before the desk inside the Commander's tent. With confusion written all over his face, he was glancing down at the Prince who was sitting on the chair behind the desk.

What was going on in his mind?

There was no response and it went on for a while.

"Your Highness... "

"The Princess appears simple and carefree but... she's very observing and curious," Nicien Vamieres muttered, making the General raise a brow. Then he paused for a while and looked up at General Elias before he warned, "Mind your words around her, Elias. If you make a mistake, I won't let it slide."