30 Chapter 30. A real crown.

Following the foot steps started to come in his direction.

"Didn't think I would be caught so early", the person spoke in a carefree manner as he approached Evan.

As one might have expected, it's not that Peter lacked in his hiding skills, if not for the dull sounds he made earlier, he wouldn't have been caught that easily. Those muffled sounds only came just for a fleeting moment, but that was enough to alert the prince and except Peter, no one dares to follow the prince in his palace. And Evan already knew it was Peter from his footsteps. He could recognize people by their footsteps.

" If that's how low your skills were, won't you become a chopped meat if I sent you out for investigation in the territories of enemy", he sounded so harsh and his face gave a vibe of don't try to fool around. He was definitely pissed. He had to leave his private moment because of him.

Peter couldn't care much about his best friend's always stern behavior, however, it's clearly evident that he felt a tinge of heartache looking at his friends sudden change of biasing attitude of Evan compared to him and the princess, nevertheless he didn't speak anything as he continued being his cheerful nature.

"Not everyone has your high sensing capabilities my dear friend... ", he joined Evan side and patted him on his shoulder while laughing jovially, " Shall we take a seat..? ", he paced front towards the plum trees even though his voice came out asking Evan's consent.

After renovating the past Plum garden into Nahia gardens, there's only one bench left in the whole garden and that was in the plum garden. This bench holds quite a few memories to both Evan and Aeinshia, so he ordered to clear all the benches and leave this only bench undisturbed.

Both of them began to stride towards this bench while conversing about the investigation. Almost instantly, at the mention of work, Peter too changed his easy going behavior to a serious one. The duo were sure dangerous when they talked about the work. Peter updated him about the whole situation, asserting every point he found and voicing out his suspicions and theories to Evan.

"Ask the physician to meet me tomorrow. This case will be handled by me", Evan declared, as he personally thought it was a very sensitive case.

Peter nodded in agreement and opened his mouth as he knew what Evan's next dialogue gonna be, " I already confined all the servants and butler in the Marquis mansion ".

Evan's lips slightly curled up when he heard Peter. They sure know each other very well and what goes on each other's mind while they work. Personally, Evan thought both of them are perfect crime partners and wonderful teammates. They were like made for each other to be each other's best friends.

Soon, they reached to the bench and took their seats, making themselves comfortable.

"We could start the investigation officially from tomorrow. The emperor told not to leave anyone who seems involved in it as he suspects other countries might have conspired together with Samuel...", Peter reported about the Emperor's orders.

Ten minutes passed, both of them deeply got involved in telling each other's speculations about the mystery code.

As they both contemplated on what might be the code, they heard Aeinshia's voice.

Aeinshia came back to the place where she left Evan before from the flower garden. She couldn't find him there, so she started to call him name.

Evan immediately elbowed at Peter's stomach, indicating him go away.

Peter understood, Evan doesn't want any audience, but he didn't get enough fun before as he came just few minutes before Aeinshia left, who immediately rushed to get Evan's gift.

" I'm appointed to guard you, Prince", Peter spoke as a perfect guard who need to protect the weak prince from assassins and be like his shadow wherever the prince goes.

Evan rolled his eyes " You don't have to guard me when I am with Aeinshia ", he shook his head helplessly as he didn't know how indirectly does he have to tell Peter to get lost.

He didn't have any objections for Peter to watch their interactions, however if Aeinshia gets to know about it, she might not talk to him freely and doesn't open up which means all the attempts he made till now to make her fall in love and be close to her will be a futile.

Peter wasn't dumb, well he was far from the word itself. He knew exactly, why Evan wants to get rid of him, but he want to tease his one and only made for himself best friend some more.

"I don't see her as a potential danger to you.... I am just protecting you from others", Peter twisted Evan's words indirectly telling Evan, 'I am not understanding what you mean,but it's my duty to guard you from any harm', as he kept an innocent look on his face.

Evan laughed loudly in a creepy way, "I agree you are dumb, but don't pretend. I know you well Peter. Otherwise, could it be that you like to put your nose in every unnecessary business?", he spoke still holding back his anger.

He could say Aeinshia was near to them and can find him out any minute.

Peter didn't expect Evan to behave this way. To be precise, he was taken aback when he saw Evan laugh through his teeth holding back his anger. This is his first time seeing hum this state and felt quite amusing.

"I will find you at arbor in five minutes", Evan spoke briefly, following it he waved his hand for Aeinshia. Peter saw her, got up to leave the grounds, giving his friend the space he required.

Aeinshia smiled brightly when she saw Evan and rushed towards him. She saw Peter to leave as she approached Evan. She wanted to greet Peter, however his back was facing her and he was about to leave the garden. So she suspended her idea.

Her hands were clasped at her back, a broad smile was dancing on her thin lips.

"So what did you bring for me? ", he asked curiously to know what it could be.

She came, stood in front of him. When he asked her, she leaned a little into him, placed a crown on his head.

It's a red spray roses, baby's breath and ruscus flower crown. She weaved it perfectly and placed it on his head.

"Brother Evan, this is how you weaves a flower crown", she said admiring her own skills and sat beside him.

Evan was dumbstruck, usually boys present flower bands to girls and here the situation got reverse. However, he is not the type to admit defeat just like that. His breath hitched when she leaned in closet to him. He wanted to give up and just hold on to her tightly. But. he had to be patient.

" It's perfect," he stood from his place as he gave a satisfying answer for her and copied her actions.

Taking the flower crown into his hand, he decided to be brave and boldly leaned into her, "Since you gave me a flower crown, in return I will give you a real crown, " he whispered in her ears and left her alone in this garden as he promised to meet Peter at the arbor.

Aeinshia knew he was referring to the Empress crown when he spoke. She started to feel a warm sensation from the bottom of her heart. A bright smile engulfed her face. The warm feeling spread through out aver chest and made its way into her whole body. She liked it. She liked everything. She looked around and smiled brightly. It was their very first moment together. This place was very special to her before but, now it was like a breath of love to her. Evan's love for her. Only her.

Her hand reached to the place where he sat before and caressed it lightly, missing his presence. As she brushed it lightly, she felt words engraved beneath her hand.

She removed her hand almost right away and saw what was written on it.