Not Our First Meeting (2)

Logan covered his mouth with his right hand. His face was red beet. He was speechless, but still laughing awkwardly.

"Forgive me for laughing, I didn't mean to be rude, Your Highness," Charlotte bowed her head a little while keeping a grin on her lips.

"It's alright, really," Logan shook both his head and hand, "I think it's a shame we didn't interact much when we were younger."

"I believe at that time I was also in my rebellious stage," Charlotte squinted her eyes a little, "I was quite a handful for Princess Eleanor."

"That is hard to believe. My aunt would be so proud of you if she had the chance to meet you today."

"Likewise, Your Highness."

My dear Charlotte, I believe I have covered everything. Ah, that's right. In a battle, please ensure you never ever brought out your card all at once. You should always save one or two for the second plan.

Remembering Margaret's word, Charlotte was happy she had completed each and every advice of the Prima donna of the high society. Therefore, Charlotte spent the next few minutes listening to Logan's story.

Both the Prince and Charlotte were exhilarated to exchange their childhood memories about the person they loved and missed so much throughout their time.

"When I was young, my aunt always told me I would regret my poor behavior. Now, I must admit that she was right. I don't have many stories, which didn't end with me being punished by my aunt, tutor, or sometimes the king himself."

His embarrassment made Logan forget that he was trying to keep Charlotte from crying. Though, he succeeded in making her laugh a lot.

"Well, in my opinion, that was what make your stories more interesting."

"There was one time, I pulled a prank on my aunt. I hid the book she was reading. She punished me by creating a summary of the book I hid," even knowing it was his younger self doing, it still made Logan shake his head.

"A book? Was it The History of Gallene?" Charlotte asked.

"That's right!" Logan eyes widen for the third time since their meeting, "how do you know?"

Charlotte chuckled, "I remember Princess Eleanor searching for that book, once. It exceeds my expectation that the book was hidden by Your Highness."

Logan was mouthing something, but the words didn't come out. For who knows how many times, his face turned red. He laughed alongside the lady, before finally managed to say, "Miss Riverion, I must apologize for showing such disgraceful moment of my youth."

"Oh, please don't, Your Highness," Charlotte said while her fingers playing with the parasols' handle, "I am sure Princess Eleanor would say those were the moments that turned you into a fine prince right now."

Logan nodded in agreement, then suddenly he was interested in knowing more about Charlotte's time with his aunt. She knew a lot about his past, but somehow his recollection of Charlotte was close to zero.

"I didn't mean to be rude, but to tell the truth my lady, you didn't look like a girl who would get into trouble with my aunt."

Although Charlotte was conscious that Logan wanted to know her stories, she was too shy to tell them. Because of that, she decided to impart the outlines. Besides, she didn't want to bore him with unimportant stories. She still had one more goal to achieve.

"Princess Eleanor was my strongest supporter after my uncle passed away. She taught me the right way to live, but I was as stubborn as a mule," Charlotte took a step to the front, then bench over to tidy the flower she put there, "I still remember her last punishment to me was to forbid me see the garden again."

"Garden?" Logan asked.

Charlotte tried to stand up again. Logan immediately pulled out his hand to help the young lady. Indeed, he still acted like a true gentleman aside from the many rumors about him.

Without any hesitation, Charlotte put her small palm on Logan's big hand. She didn't release her hand for a few seconds after she stood up.

"Yes," Charlotte nod right after Logan pulled back his hand, "the Palace East Garden."

"Have you been there?" Logan politely asked.

The Palace East Garden was the royal private garden managed by the queen. However, since the death of the late queen, the east garden had been managed by Princess Eleanor. After the Princess passed away, the garden was taken care of by the chamberlain.

As a private royal garden, no one could visit except for the royals and attendant who took care of it. The only way to visit the Palace East Garden was to have the special private invitation from a member of the royal family.

Putting on another forced smile, Charlotte continued her story, "Truthfully, I never been there. I only saw it from the drawing room. Because I have always loved flowers, the late Princess promised to take me there if I behave myself and be a good girl. Nevertheless, I believe Your Highness knew the end of this story."

Prince Logan was silent for a moment. He didn't like hearing the forced laugh from a young lady. He thought it compelled someone young into an old person. He absolutely had no idea that those force laugh was forcefully created to be sad and uncomfortable. Yes, how evil of Charlotte, indeed.

"May I have the honor to escort my lady back?"

Once again, Logan offered his hand toward Charlotte. Her eyes widen a little in this pleasant surprise.

"The honor is mine, Your Highness."

Logan and Charlotte walked back to the carriage. Logan had already told his most trusted aide, Sir Timothy, to fetch Charlotte's carriage. They strolled at a slow pace while having a light conversation.

"The flowers on my aunt's grave, was it yours?" Logan noticed the same flowers were there every year.

"Yes, it is, Your Highness."

"I never know the name of the flowers, but I remember it was my aunt favorite."

"It was white lily, blue iris, and purple lavender. It was indeed Princess Eleanor's favorite. She always has it on her table," Charlotte suddenly thought about the past.

Their walk wasn't very long, but it was enjoyable. At least, each party was smiling and laughing along the way remembering lovely memories. Their time together came to an end when Wilson and the Riverion's carriage came into view. The next part would be the hardest hurdle for Charlotte.

That's right Charlotte. I would like to remind you that the occasion is visiting the grave. You should respect the Princess. Don't think too much about the plan. The only thing you need is to secure another opportunity to meet.

This was it. The last part of Charlotte's plan.

"Your Highness, thank you for escorting me. It was an honor to be escorted by Your Highness," once again Charlotte pulled a perfect curtsy. It was polite, elegant, and beautiful.

"It was all my pleasure, my lady," Logan bowed his head.

Charlotte was walking toward the carriage. Her heart was beating loudly. She was very nervous that she broke some sweat on the forehead. Right at this moment, what she wanted more than anything else was an invitation from the Prince.

Just a couple more steps and she would arrive in front of Wilson. Charlotte grip on the parasols were getting tighter. Did her attempt fail? Should she just ask and initiate another meeting? Will he even agree? Was this the final moment of her failed revenge? It hadn't even started! Should it end just like this?

Suddenly the wind blew, hitting her right in the face. Her quick mind calculated every possible scenario. She loosened her grip, and the parasols came flying.

As a knight, Logan had a quick reflex. He jumped forward and caught the parasols just as Charlotte wanted. At that time, Charlotte turned around trying to see where her parasols ended up. The two of their faces came close. It shocked Charlotte. It seemed like her calculation was a little amiss.

"Here, your parasols," Logan stepped backward and gave the parasols to Charlotte.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Charlotte bowed a little. Her face was flustered. The redness on her cheek wasn't intentional but might serve as a good last impression. Just like before, she looked like a shy and timid brown rabbit. Since this was her last chance, Charlotte mustered her courage to ask for a meeting with the Prince.

"Miss Riverion, would it be possible if I invite you to the palace?"

Charlotte had been glancing toward the ground busy arranging her words, but she looked up immediately when she heard his words.

What? Charlotte thought.

"Excuse me, Your Highness?" she got even more flustered. She couldn't see it herself, but her ear might have turned red too.

Logan was talking casually, but now he got embarrassed too as he saw how fluttered Charlotte was. His eyes were focusing on the blue sky for he couldn't see Charlotte right in the eyes.

"I have been thinking about your story. You might have been a disagreeable little girl, but I believe you have changed a lot. In my aunt place, I would like to present your gift to visit the Palace East Garden."

Despite being a little shy, Logan pulled a perfect speech. The skills of speaking eloquently had been honed since he was a small boy.

"I would never dare to reject an invitation from Your Highness. It would forever be my pleasure to visit the Palace East Garden," Charlotte showed a soft smile on her lips albeit being shocked.

Logan bowed again, "Then, please wait for my invitation."

Answering his bow, Charlotte curtsied another perfect one. She had completed her objective today. Not just completed her objective, she had gotten more than that. Since she was facing the Prince backward, Charlotte didn't hide her smile from Wilson, who thought his childhood friend had gone absolutely crazy.

Logan was staring for a while even after the Riverion carriage had already gone.