11 Part 11 : How Andrew Views it

-"Andrew's POV"-

{Recap from chapter 4...}

This is a special chapter covering Andrew's perspective.

.......

Tap... tap... tap...

The sounds of my shoes clicking softly resounded as I walked along the halls of the Roselle estate, filled with large square windows and servants passing by, creating a dignified atmosphere, worthy of a Ducal household.

I came here expectant of seeing my new fiancé. We were actually supposed to meet tommorow, but catching her off guard would be more interesting, wouldn't it? Naturally, I kept my arrival a secret.

Let's see what she's been up to without my presence. My lips curled upwards upon the thought.

As I got closer towards the door to her room, the voice of someone unexpected breached my ears, making me alarmed.

"Dump that scumbag prince and choose me instead!"

That voice-

Clayden!

I clenched my fist tightly upon hearing that idiot's words. What audacity he has!

To dare say that about m- to the fiancé of the royal prince of all people... that impudent-

Wait, as a royal family member I must refrain from cursing. Ahem.

I peeked through the small gap on the door, curious towards Airene's reaction. But there was nothing but silence, causing me to question the lack of enthusiasm Airene had regarding the sudden proposal. Though she looked baffled, she quickly regained her composure. Though, the question marks in her eyes could practically be seen.

It finally donned upon me that Airene was... one of us. A normal five year old brat would either shout in confusion, panic, or maybe shriek in excitement. But her reaction was like that of an adult's

I knew it. Something is different from her.

The door the slammed open, causing my full figure to emerge. I strutted towards their location and grasped tight hold of Clayden's wrist.

"What are you doing to my fiancé?"

Furious, I threatened him with an interrogative tone.

Though I may not be that intimate with Airene, I should at least act the part of a proper fiancé. Aside from that... she will be... beneficial to our country. Since I could now proudly state that the rumours have all been false.

Clayden simply lazily smirked at me as if he could read my mind. Hence, I glared coldly at him. He may be my cousin and all, but he is still a pain in the butt.

"Your highness, I was just joking about this, you see. Airene's powers is extraordinary. Wait, no that is an understatement... though, needless to say, it's a waste on you."

See, I told you. A royal pain in the butt.

He even dared to mock me, ever since we were born, we had somehow never gotten along.

I recalled Queen Mother giggling while explaining how Clayden and I met. We sat on the rocking chair and she started telling me the story.

'When you were two years old, your cousin, Clayden came to visit. He looked upon the cradle and eyed intently at you, the baby inside. He roughly placed his palm atop your delicate skin and asked me with an expressionless face.

"Auntie, why does he look so ugly?"

I was surprised by the sudden question and couldn't help but burst out in laughter. I gently stroked his head and explained to him.

"My dear, that's because he's still a baby."

I said.

But strangely, as if you could understand what we were talking about, you spat on Clayden's face. And eyed at him with your tearless bulging round eyes, as if you were looking at an idiot. Looking at how you kids interracted, I couldn't help but feel that you two were similar to your parents.'

She ended the short story with a giggle.

Indeed, fated enemies.

I chose to not answer to his sarcastic remark so as to not look so petty. But well, being shameless is a... different matter.

Airene proceeded to suspiciously whisper to Clayden, but worry could be seen from her face. After she finished, she tensely laid back on the red cushion behind her and gazed intently at me.

"Your highness, Clayden is my personal magic tutor. What he said before was just a joke... right Clayden?"

Her gaze then shifted to Clayden who just sat there, smiling mischeviously before slightly nodding his head twice. Looking at Airene's reaction, I am pretty sure there's nothing shady going on between them. But the fact that Clayden is involved in this made me unwilling to be silent.

She then placed both of our hands on top of one another as if trying to get us to make up. But I regret to say that your efforts are futile, my dear fiancé.

The maids came and placed down some tea and snacks for us to enjoy.

That was when I decided to force her to call me by my name, as to prove my significance to Clayden.

"Andrew..."

As she uttered my birthname, I smiled in delight. Though strangely, it felt nice. So now, I should be on even playing field with Clayden, right?

Gazing back towards her, though she looked annoyed, her ears were... slightly red. Upon realising this, my smile deepened.

But the moment was interrupted when, Clayden taunted me yet again by calling her nickname, Ai. So naturally, I followed suit and asked to call her like that as well... in private of course.

Clayden, oh, Clayden. Though you might refuse to directly admit it, you've lost. I am her fiancé, and there is nothing you can do to change that.

...

We conversed for a while until it was time for the both of us to depart. The conversation was mostly Clayden and I arguing, though. The bastard keeps on intruding whenever I try to talk to Ai. God-

Ahem. As a member of the royal family I do not swear.

***

One fateful day, as usual, I paid a visit to the Roselle Estate. Luckily, Clayden was absent on that particular day. So I knew that this was the only chance I had of talking to Ai without a third party interrupting us.

Beaming with satisfaction, I walked towards the garden we normally trained and had tea in. The garden was decorated with lush greenery and a small pond with a large and white quartz gazebo in the center. The carvings of the gazebo indicated the tedious work the craftsman had done. Aside from that, runes were also imprinted on the walls, indicating a barrier Airene had put up with Vird's guidance.

Seeing that she wasn't at her usual spot, I roamed around freely around the garden, searching from her amidst the trees and bushes.

....

And there, I saw her sweaty figure in a large empty bald field, though the sides were surrounded by trees.

She was wearing casual menswear with her hair tied up in a fox tail. Though she looked exhausted, her eyes flickered with preservance and determination, like that of a warrior's.

In a stance, she seemed to struggle when trying to let out her mana but she eventually succeeded time and time again.

After a few rounds, she lay on the ground, panting heavily.

Though not long after, she stood up yet again and practiced concentrating her mana to one spot. I've long known that she had immense raw potential in magic, but even knowing that, she still trains regularly even without supervision. Her sword was also strapped on her waist, indicating that she was practicing her swordsmanship as well.

A smile appeared on my face seeing her like that. I crouched behind a tree, shutting my eyes as I listened to the whooshing sounds coming from her body. The whole scenario lasted for nearly three hours, and my time was spent just... silently listening to her.

Deciding to not interrupt, without a word, I left after asking her personal maid a few questions about her training.

4 hours daily...

Then I guess I better work hard as well to be worthy of you, my dear fiancé.

Because of this simple encounter by chance, I had started to care more about this... fiancé of mine. Because of that, I decided to command a few of my private guards to... see without fail that she is well every passing day.

But that's not something she should be aware of, is it?

........

Min: Prince Andrew has been revealed to be a stalker!

:O