13 Scene 12 : Rumors

"I said I can make you pass whatever the test is. You hear me?"

Lilian stealed a glance at him, probing. "I hear you as clear as the sun on sunny days. All right, let me hear what you want instead."

She made herself last a while to listen to whatever the second prince wanted to say. Since she was in an unfavorable position, Lilian would love to consider all the possibilities, even if it comes from the prince she had always avoided though.

Michael's smile widened. "I know you are smart, Milady. Like I said, I will secure a place for you in this division."

Lilian folded her arms across her chest. She paid no attention to her politeness at all even before the royal prince. Lilian basically did not come from here and she did not uphold the attitude that should be done by a nobleman in general.

She was stressed enough to be in an unfamiliar life, why did she have to increase her stress with these little things?

Michael raised a hand. Unbeknownst to Lilian, his attitude was carried out to keep someone from sliding toward her at once. If this person before Michael was not from the Lesnerg family, he might have let his personal bodyguard, who hid not far from them, drag her down for not respecting the royal family.

He and Arthur began to befriend when the king and the duke were introduced. From that moment, Michael clung himself to Arthur.

Initially, Arthur clearly drew a line between them. He acted neutral without taking sides with his faction or licking him. Arthur's calm attitude, frankly and firmly became a transparent thing that made him different from the people around Michael and that attracted him.

Michael also likes the Duke and Duchess of Lesnerg. Sometimes because of his closeness to Arthur, the

couple often "scolding" him if he went too far. After meeting with Lesnerg's last family member, Michael could truly say he placed the Lesnerg family as his favorite.

Michael watched Lilian who was waiting for his demand impatiently. He wanted to hold it as long as possible, creating time alone with Lillian so he could get to know her better. But of course, it would be impossible. Lilian might not want to see him in the next future if he strained his luck now.

"I have not thought about my desire yet. How about we save it for later? Most importantly, congratulations! You will join my division. Are you happy?"

Michael's happy face couldn't wipe Lilian's suspicions. She was certain he had other intentions, but Lilian could not put her finger on it.

'Why he abruptly show up in front of me and said those thing?' They haven't had a good interaction so far.

'Why him now acting all good? Oh my God!' Lilian almost slapped her face. 'He ... couldn't have fallen in love with me, right?'

Judging from his attitude, Michael stared at her like a puppy who asked to be petted for doing good, for offering what Lilian wants.

"Very good. You can ask for it next time as long as it's in my capacity." Lilian tried to talked as polite as possible than scream at his face. She calmly said her farewell word. "And remember, you can't ask for my heart or love, Your Highness."

Her tone of voice was cold without emotion. Lilian turned and stepped away, leaving Michael who was still frozen.

-------

Lilian bravely searched for Arthur in his room. Fortunately Lilian found him alone there.

There was no sign of Marianne around him. Lilian knocked on the wide open room door as a formality. Arthur turned his back. His eyes glancing at Lilian and continued.

"Brother, are you busy?"

"Yes."

She cracked her brain for an excuse to spend time with Arthur, but when he heard his short answer, Lilian was lost for words.

As a noblewoman, if she clearly heard such rejection, she should stepped back and ask for another meeting. However Lilian couldn't just give up.

She invited herself in and stood beside him, looking at what he was doing.

"Do you need my help?"

"No."

Lilian bit the inside of her cheek.

'What a rude boy!'

She inhaled and exhaled her breath so that her anger stays in place.

"Ah, then I'll wait for you to finish."

Before her butt touched the sofa, Arthur faced her.

"You must go back to your room."

"Am I bothering you?"

"I don't want rumors going around unnecessarily at a time like this."

Rumors?

"What rumor?"

"You're now one of the prospective trainees in my division, what will people say if they see you around me?"

Of course they would say that he used his power and specifically gave Lilian a place. People would make a fuss over that and put them both in an uncomfortable position.

Lilian bit her lower lip. She did not think about it. Her eyes walked back to Arthur's face. There was no expression she could read there. Lilian gulped, her lips trembling involuntarily. She used to see such stares. But seeing this again now, She still felt bitter.

In Ha would think hard about what she must do or not so that people expression who see her could change. It didn't matter if it was disgusting, despicable, angry, or unhappy. At least she would knew that person's heart.

"Ah I see."

Lilian gazed at Arthur' s side. She straightened up, hesitant to talked further and finally chose to came out in silence.

Arthur stared at Lilian's back, which was farther away. He could catch the expression of disappointment on her face. Something made him think, but Arthur swept over his thought and resumed his activities.