Chapter - 18 : Friends

(Continuation…)

(Three Days Later…)

(Rosalind's POV)

"Lady Rosalind, you are walking too fast.

"It almost looks like you are running."(Maya)

Maya's words flowed as she matched my pace, her voice a gentle reminder of etiquette unfitting for a Princess walking the castle corridors.

However, I completely ignored her.

For now, such matters of propriety hold little sway over me.

At the first palace, my dignified demeanor was more about projecting majesty(:cool) and power and definitely not because of my title as Princess, which had been secondary.

But that was in normal circumstances.

This, however, was not.

"Maya, which direction?"(Rosalind)

"...

"Towards right, My Lady."(Maya)

Maya eventually surrendered, her hesitation causing a brief pause in our exchange.

An unusual occurrence.

Considering that in the past she would have given up quicker, saving her energy for other fruitless endeavors.

Well, maybe it was the first time I am doing something like this.

…yeah, that might be it.

It was unusual and probably my first time going this far and involving myself with someone my age.

…now, I even abandoned my normal attitude and am rushing towards someone's room.

Yep, it is totally out of my character.

[However, there is no way I could control myself after seeing this.]

I thought, looking at the stack of papers I held in my hand.

I never thought he was seriously genuine when he said it.

How many times have I been wrong about him now?

First, I thought he was shy. Then I saw how skilled he was at Archery. And now, this is a total surprise.

I have never misjudged someone this many times before.

Still, 'this' was by far the most surprising.

…and which I am also most excited about.

"My Lady, we are nearing Prince Rai Karnal's chamber.

"It's the second-to-last door on the right."(Maya)

Maya informed me, breaking my contemplation.

"Handle that guy, Kavir."(Rosalind)

"As you say, My Lady."(Maya)

I told Maya to take care of Rai's-

…butler maybe? I don't know exactly. Or more like I never bothered to.

Whatever he might be, Maya went ahead with that guy.

—Bursting Slam!

The door burst open with a loud crash, making a dramatic entrance for me.

"REY!!"(Rosalind)

Without even bothering which way Maya was handling Kavir, I busted the doors open, slamming them simultaneously and shouting out his name without any reverse of his title.

"HEY, REY!!"(Rosalind)

I once again called out, scanning for him as I entered the room.

"Princess Viviana!??

"...w-what are you doing here?"(Rai)

Hum!?

Again, look at him.

His composed tone betrayed an underlying astonishment at my unannounced visit.

Of course, beneath that calm exterior, the flustered expression of surprise was obvious.

"Wait! Are you writing again?"(Rosalind)

My eyes sparkled as I hurried towards the table where he sat, pen and papers in hand.

I leaned over his shoulder a few inches away and looked at the papers, only to be mesmerized by his handwriting style.

"...I am. Is there a problem?"(Rai)

–Even in such a condition, he inquired calmly and gazed at me with my proud display of the stack of papers.

He really is tough to break, but there are tiny cracks now and then.

"First off, are you the one who really wrote these?"(Rosalind)

Ignoring his question, I asked, showing the sack of papers in my hand.

"...? Yes, I did. But how did you get those?

"I only gave them to Elza."(Rai)

His confusion was evident, but my focus wasn't on his question.

Yes, you only 'ONLY' gave it to Elza. That was the crux of the matter.

"You really WROTE these!?

"They are awesome. I have never read anything like this.

"It was my first time reading something this unique, creative, and convincing story."(Rosalind)

Once again, ignoring how I got hold of them, I exclaimed in astonishment, giving my praise.

I am not exaggerating. This really is one of the best works I have ever read.

Though there were many books I read that had far better writing, they all sucked at creating an emotional connection with me.

Most importantly, these small stories Rai had written have the best characterization of characters and motivations, which are totally stellar considering how short they are.

So his writing might be lacking and not be on par with that of those famous Authors, but it will definitely surpass them when it comes to other parts of creative work.

That's just how wild Rai's imagination is.

And given some time, he will definitely improve in it too. No doubt.

"H-hey, hey, no need to go that far.

He chimed in, a playful glint in his eyes as he raised my hand in a dismissive gesture.

"...I-I simply write for fu–"(Rai)

Rai, his expression a blend of embarrassment and flustered surprise, stuttered out his response.

Is he not good at receiving praise?

No. Though not this friendly, I did genuinely praise his Archery skills that night, and I could also tell he felt my sincerity.

However, he took it all with a straight face...mostly.

Is he flustered because I am talking out of character?

Might be. He should be thinking that he also misjudged my unfriendly character.

...well, it is good to know he is flustered around me.

But before he could finish his line, I chose to start in the middle.

"And…

"Unlike someone I know, Elza was kind enough to share these with me."(Rosalind)

Cutting him off I interjected playfully, I finally replied to his question in a complaining tone.

"Are you unhapp–"(Rai)

—*glare

Before he could finish, my glare silenced him.

"...Do you want to read these?

"Even though they are not done yet, I'm getting close."(Rai)

He asked hesitantly, pointing at the papers on the table.

I shook my head, saying no without words.

"Nah, I would rather wait for the finished product.

-I responded, my tone taking on a more insistent note, the mood of our interaction shifting like the changing tides.

"But you better share them with me, preferably around the same time you give them to Elza.

"Or else…"(Rosalind)

I let the words hang in the air, the unspoken 'or else' lingering between us like a playful threat.

"Yes! Yes!

"I promise I will give it to you."(Rai)

He replied, an understanding of the repercussions evident in his swift agreement.

Then a thought struck me, a notion that felt strangely significant.

"Hey Rai, just call me by my name from now on.

"Of course, only when we are not meeting officially though.

"I will be doing the same."(Rosalind)

I suggested, infusing my words with a sense of easy friendship.

"Are you sure, though?"(Rai)

Rai questioned, his uncertainty clear.

"What's there to be sure?

–I countered.

"We did get past that line of being acquitted right?"(Rosalind)

I continued, emphasizing the shift in our relationship.

"I am not tal–"(Rai)

He began, but I interjected.

"Don't tell me you fear you will fall short of me.

–I teased, a playful grin accompanying my words.

"Hey, don't be like that. Though not as talented as me, you are also quite talented.

"No matter what. I acknowledge you as my friend and won't change my decision.

–Hehe, this way, I could get my hands on his future writings faster than anyone else.

"So don't hold back and call yourself my friend."(Rosalind)

I concluded, trying to convince(:force) him by acting more friendly(:arrogantly).

However, little did I know that this decision would potentially mark a turning point, perhaps even my worst one yet.

"...

"Well, you said it yourself, Viviana.

"So, don't come blaming me later."(Rai)

Rai quipped, his voice carrying a resigned undertone after a moment of contemplative silence, his hands raised in mock surrender.

.

(To be continued…)

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