Not Our First Meeting (1)

XX46, April 2

A young lady wearing a plain black dress came down from the humble carriage with the help of her knight. The tall and gallant knight handed over the young lady parasols and escorted her toward one specific gravestone.

She took the bouquet from the knight and put it in front of the gravestone. It was flowers she arranged herself: white lily, blue iris, and purple lavender.

A minute later, Charlotte elegantly dismissed Wilson the knight from duty. She said that she wished to be alone, while in truth she was hiding in wait for her prey. With her black parasols opened, she stood starring at the name of once her "governess".

The royal graveyard was usually inaccessible for ordinary nobles, but given Charlotte's uncle's history with Princess Eleanor, the King gave her family special permission to visit on the Princess death anniversary.

Charlotte loved Princess Eleanor dearly that she always visited every year at about the same time, which was 9 AM in the morning. Why would she choose those times? It was because the Princess always asked her to visit the palace at that time for their "lessons". Her annual visit allowed her to obtain information that Crown Prince Logan also annually came to see his aunt. Even so, Prince Logan visits were at an irregular time.

It was not very ladylike, but Charlotte put down her knees the grass after half an hour. She didn't have the confidence to stand for hours waiting for her prey to come inside her trap. Somehow, Charlotte wish for the Prince to visit in the morning was being granted.

As soon as she heard the footsteps, Charlotte stood up in a composed and elegant manner. Despite the fact that she didn't care much about decorum, she had the ability to present herself perfectly as a noble daughter. It was one of her qualities that helped her with the family's business. Also, the quality being taught over and over by Princess Eleanor.

"Charlotte Riverion gives her greetings to His Royal Highness, Prince Logan," Charlotte displayed a perfect curtsy in front of the prince when he arrived in front of Princess Eleanor's gravestone. With her eyes directed toward the ground, she waited for the Prince's answer.

"Please rise and drop the formality. It is unsuitable for this occasion. My aunt would probably say the same thing," the handsome Prince Logan became even more charming with a soft smile on his lips.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Charlotte's heart was beating loudly. She might have met and dealt with lots of people while doing business. Nevertheless, that didn't make her less nervous confronting a royal. Within her nervousness, Charlotte tried hard to remember each word the social butterfly Margaret had said about making a good impression.

Charlotte, I must remind you that the first thing you need to do is adhere to the nobles' etiquette. Although you don't really care about it, the Prince might.

Good start! Charlotte had given a perfect curtsy Then, what should she do next?

Charlotte swallowed her own saliva. She stood one step behind the Prince to respect his visit. Her busy mind was interrupted by an intrusive thought. She suddenly thought that the prince looked handsome with his black hair and well-proportioned body structure. Unknowingly, she was already staring at his back.

The sound of twig that the Prince steps brought Charlotte back to her senses.

Always use polite words! I know you are blunt, but don't be too blunt! It might sound rude. Ah, a touch of compliment could perfect your first impression. You didn't meet the first time, but a good impression is good, right?

"Your highness, I believe Princess Eleanor would be delighted to know your visit today," Charlotte used an unusual softer tone. She loved her blunt tone. However, it was strictly forbidden by Margaret.

"The same goes to you, Miss Riverion," Logan looked back and bowed down a little.

Logan's dark brown eyes didn't have much time to appreciate her dark blue iris before his attention shifted to her faint almost mocking laughter.

"Would it be rude for me to ask why my lady is laughing?" Logan asked again. He didn't sound mad although a noble dared to laugh at him at his presence.

If you want to look charming, keep up a good and engaging conversation. Before going to battle, you should always know your enemy. I believe you have already done your research.

Charlotte chuckled softly with a gaunt expression, then apologized, "Please forgive me, Your Highness, but I disagree with your remark."

Logan's eyebrow lifted. Rather than turning his head, Logan took a step behind to see Charlotte's face side profile.

"Why does my lady think of that?"

Charlotte met Logan's dark brown eyes, then shyly turned the other way. From the side, the lady who stared at the ground seemed like a timid black rabbit. The Prince didn't see a curl formed on her lips.

As a bad actor, I should remind you to never break your character. Don't you dare smile in happiness because you reach your goal.

"It wasn't something I am proud of, but I was scolded on my last meeting with the Princess," Charlotte put on a grim face after turning and staring at Princess Eleanor's gravestone.

Ha! An interesting and engaging conversation could only be achieved with a good topic. For this occasion, Charlotte decided to adhere to the rumor about herself. It was known story, but listening from the party involved offered a different perspective. At least, that was Charlotte strategy.

A small spark of interest could be seen in Logan's eyes. Charlotte continued after several seconds of pause, "I have always regretted not listening to Princess Eleanor even on our last days. Every year I came hoping I could beg for her forgiveness."

Act, alright! Don't tell any lies. If you did and the truth exposed, that would be the end. Once a trust betrayed, it will never come back again.

Following Margaret's advice, Charlotte didn't lie. Well, she didn't exactly lie... technically. She did wish to beg for forgiveness, but not from the mistake everybody thought was. Anyway, she didn't intend to tell this to the Prince.

"Within my understanding of my aunt, she would have already forgiven you the moment you regret it," Logan said with a sympathizing tone and expression.

Using her best acting, Charlotte showed sad and conflicted eyes on top of a forced smile, "Thank you, Your Highness, you are far too kind to this humble lady. However, please forgive me, your words could not ease the guilt in my heart."

Charlotte, you are a strong and independent woman. However, men vulnerable ladies to satisfy their need to be hero. They loved being the savior for a damsel in distress. That is why there were stories about the prince on a white horse, a shining knight in armor, and a hero that save the country.

Therefore, my advice would be you shouldn't look too strong and impressive. If you did, it might hurt men's pride. Showing a vulnerable side would be another way to gain their interest.

"Time will help," Logan tried hard to ease the lady in front of him. He was panicking but tried to act cool by putting both hands on his back.

As an observant man, he could see her glistening eyes. His focus would be to stop those tears from falling. He wouldn't know what to do if a young lady started crying in front of him.

Well, little did Logan know that Charlotte never had any intention of shedding tears on their meeting today. She was only trying too hard to pass as a weak and vulnerable young lady.

"I wish I could meet with the Princess again."

"Me too," Logan nodded hurriedly, thinking it was his one-time chance to change the subject of their conversation.

He felt a bit guilty for asking about this from Charlotte. He also wondered how things turned heavy like this... In a rush of time, Logan started to tell his story with Aunt Eleanor.

"Truthfully, I also remember getting lots of scolding from my aunt. She was always strict with me, and even more so with my brother. One time, I was punished for skipping class by writing my mistakes repeatedly. However, my aunt didn't accept it because she said I had an awful handwriting," Logan told his story in an easy-going attitude.

Charlotte shoved her left hand in front of her mouth. She tried to laugh elegantly, imitating what Margaret always showed at the tea party. It was not a perfect imitation, but good enough for Charlotte.

Logan eyes lit up. Finally, the lady laughed. She wouldn't cry now.

"Yes," Charlotte nodded her head, "I remember seeing Princess Eleanor ripping those pages."

Now, his eyes got wide-open. He knew his story was funny and was expecting some laughers. Nonetheless, he didn't expect the lady would laugh because she was there at the exact crime scene years ago.

"Really?"

"Yes, I believe it was the first time I was invited by Princess Eleanor to the castle," Charlotte showed not a force or business smile, but a genuine one. In her memory, it was amusing watching both Princes getting scolded heavily by their aunt.

"I knew it wasn't our first meeting, but I didn't remember showing my lady those embarrassing moments," Logan's cheek started to fluster.

"Yes, Your Highness," Charlotte lips curled up again, "of course this is not our first meeting."