Garden in the dark

"This would be the last time you'd call me 'my lord'…" he started and when Vera looked at him questioningly, he gave her a quick explanation. "The mate of a prince would become the crown princess. It doesn't matter even if you're not yet officially wedded. But the thing is that as the prince's mate, you would naturally be of a higher rank than any of the lords." 

"Oh…" Vera blinked after hearing what Kione said. She looked like she did not quite know how to react about this new information fed to her and bit down on her lips unsurely. 

"And I…" Kione's expression then abruptly changed. There was a tinge of tension that rose up as he took one long and quiet deep breath. "I just came to tell you of my feelings."

Even Evie blinked in surprise. Wait, what?! What the hell is wrong with him now?