Secret Help

On the way back from the crown prince's palace, Melisa is more silent and stuck in her mind. It's still fresh in Melisa's memory how Alexius told Melisa the truth. There was little desire for Melisa to follow her heart, although she knew that doing so would only put her and her kingdom in danger.

"Your Highness, we have arrived at your palace."

Melisa was so in a dilemma at that time until she didn't realize that she had returned to her palace. Melisa got out of the carriage in a daze. Melisa kept thinking and contemplating until Teresa approached her with a worried expression.

"Your Highness, has anything happened?"

"No...," answered Melisa doubtingly. "Nothing happened. I just--"

Melisa shut her mouth again. The girl remained silent for a while before she suddenly looked back at Teresa, who couldn't stop worrying about her strange attitude.

"Teresa, I want to invite Marquess Alister to my palace."

"Okay, but why do you suddenly want to invite him here?"

It's okay to invite other nobles to come to the palace of the crown princess. But since Melisa lived there, she never invited anyone other than the women that Melisa invited to strengthen her position in the royal palace. This is the first time Melisa wants to invite a nobleman to that place. Because of that, Teresa couldn't help but be confused with Melisa's wish this time.

"There's something I need to talk to him."

"...All right, Your Highness."

When Melisa showed her serious expression, Teresa knew she couldn't ask more. Melisa obediently helped Melisa send the necessary invitations to Alister's residence. And soon, they learned that Alister was coming to Melisa's palace.

To meet Alister, Melisa has arranged a simple tea party in the backyard of her palace. The girl waited until Alister actually came, then met her at the place she had hardly prepared.

"Alister Elson Webster has come to fulfill her Royal Highness' call. May health and prosperity be with you."

It took some time for Melisa to answer the greeting. Melisa asked Alister to sit back before she asked Teresa to pour tea for the two of them.

"Lord Alister, I have heard everything from His Highness Alexius. During and after the party, I would like to thank you for encouraging Crown Prince Alexius to look at me as a real mate."

Alister's movement stopped in the middle of the street when Melisa suddenly insulted the matter. The man remained silent, especially when he felt he couldn't read Melisa's expression of still drinking her tea calmly after she dropped the bomb on Alister.

"I just feel... at least he should do that to you after what you did for him."

Melisa's eyes went down when she heard Alister's answer.

"Lord Alister, have we met before?"

Melisa noticed how surprised Alister looked before his expression gradually calmed back. Alister showed a very beautiful smile, even for Melisa. Even though Alister wasn't the kind of handsome mixed with beautiful like Alexius, the man was no less charming when he was smiling while his eyes were focused on Melisa.

Alister's dark brown hair moves as the wind blows slowly and strikes his face. Like the wind that has supported his appearance, sunlight shone brightly through the crack of the lead and shone over the young man's painting a faint golden halo around him. Alister looked incredibly handsome at the time. Melisa feels like time stops when she can't turn her eyes off that beautiful sight.

"It's your job to remember, Your Highness."

Although Melisa didn't get the answer she wanted, at the time, she was too drowned in Alister's handsomeness until she forgot to push her wishes. Melisa felt her cheek was getting hot, then hurriedly turned her eyes to ease her heartbeat that suddenly beat fast.

When Melisa heard Alister laughing, her cheeks became hotter and warmer.

Even though both of them still have a blush on each other's cheeks. As the first person to get his calm back, Alister tries to distract Melisa from the topic they previously talked about. 

"Your Highness, did you know about the Sigmund Kingdom hunting festival?" 

The girl looked back at Alister before answering the man's question honestly. 

"I don't know." 

Alister smiled. He didn't give up on Melisa at all, even if the girl did not know the biggest event in the kingdom of Sigmund, which is held every three years. 

"The Hunting Festival is a way for the people of the Kingdom of Sigmund to celebrate the harvest season in this kingdom, as well as an event where nobles and royal families can demonstrate their talents in the field of athletics. The event is held every three years. And this year is the year when the hunting party will be held again." 

The hunting festival seemed like an exciting event, especially for Melisa, who had lived with swords and arrows since she was a child. The girl couldn't completely hide her interest in the show, even if Melisa knew rightly that she would never be allowed to hold any weapons in the Kingdom of Sigmund. 

"But for me, the highlight is not a hunting race to be held by the royal palace. Because the streets of the capital will be filled with a festival of no less pleasure than the day of the crown prince's maturity, spending time enjoying the festival seems more fulfilling, doesn't it?" 

Melisa raised her eyebrows, not understanding why Alister suddenly talked about it with her. 

"Because of that... will you come with me to enjoy the Festival?" 

Melisa's eyes widened when she heard the unexpected invitation. Enjoying a festival that she hasn't seen before seems to be fulfilling. But with her status, Melisa must soon bury her desire to have fun. 

"Sorry, but I can't do it." 

Melisa distracted her disappointment by drinking her tea again after she replied. But, as if Alister was aware of Melisa's wishes, he didn't seem disappointed and smiled as though he had assumed that Melisa would respond like that. 

"If you're worried that people are forbidding you to leave the palace without permission, I've got permission from someone to take you out in person. You might have to disguise yourself to get out of the palace. But I promise it will be as fun, Your Highness." 

Melisa's finger flinched when she heard an encouraging offer from Alister. The person who permitted them was definitely Alexius. 

"I promise you'll have fun that day, Your Highness." 

But under Alister's tireless efforts, Melisa's decision finally wavered. The girl recalled Alexius's words and the warm sensations she felt when she saw Alister. Melisa contemplating before she finally made her choice, too. 

"Okay, but I still have to tell Teresa about this." 

"Of course! Then, Your Highness, please promise that you will come with me to enjoy the festival in the capital that day." 

Melisa didn't realize that she was breathing relief after hearing Alister's answer. 

"I promise," she said with a strong voice.