Chapter 5: Secret Room

"Here, I hope you don't mind hot cocoa during summer. "Offering the Prince a smile, I offered him a freshly made cocoa as I sat down beside him.

"...… It's fine. My younger siblings like these a lot, so I often end up drinking it for all seasons. "He took the cup from me while reminiscing over his life in Meala. I watched him for awhile.

It seems that he had finally calmed himself after the incident earlier today.

After I revealed that his brother had planned to have him die in the Empire, the Prince was rather devastated. Perhaps it was the betrayal or the abandonment, he looked like an abandoned child in the dark winter nights. Pitiful and lonely to the point that it overlaps with the day when I first met him many years ago.

Perhaps it was because that how much they resembles at that moment, I took the prince to my secret hideout after we retreated back to the palace.

"...…. It's rather quiet here. "The prince commented as he looks around the room.

"The palace have many hidden passage and rooms that are only known to the imperial family and a few chosen ones. When an imperial child is born, the Empress will gift the child a room which only the child as the key to. This room is mine. I simply made it into a small hide out. No one could come here unless I give permission." I explained.

This room is a secret room which was hidden within my palace and the only path towards it is through the secret passage in my bedroom. The room is overall small, after I had the bookcases covered up the walls and a fireplace set up, there's no longer any spaces left for furniture as basic as chairs or tables. Therefore, I had the whole floor covered with thick carpets instead.

"Only a handful of people know the existence of this room, so it is safe to say that we are completely alone. Though, if I must be specific, this is the only place in the palace where I don't have to be the princess. "I elaborated as I grabbed a pillow and hugged onto it, putting myself in a relaxed state.

"I see...…. Indeed a nice place you have here. "The Prince chuckled as his body visibly relaxed under the atmosphere. Then again, I guess his attire too gives out the impression of him being less formal.

He was rather hesitant to return to the room we prepared for him during his stay here. I don't blame him as he felt threatened if he were to say in the same place with the people from Meala after some of them went after his life. Therefore, when I offered him to stay at my palace, he agreed.

Due to the fact that I have yet to have men of my own, my palace didn't have much to offer in terms of men's clothing, especially the ones that leans more to Meala fashion. Luckily, the prince doesn't seems to mind and he actually put on the clothing which the servants offers to him. Quite a rather charismatic personality in my point of view as most noblemen I know is rather particular in terms of rejecting to put on servant's clothing.

Still, I like this look of him more with his hair down in a relaxed state. He felt more alive than a puppet which was being used by his brother.

"...….. Princess, may I ask you something? "He asked.

"Natalisia. "I said to him.

"Pardon? "

"I've told you didn't I? I am not the princess in this room. Just a normal girl named Natalisia. No need for etiquette here. Though, you may call me by my nickname Natalie if you agree to marry me. All my family members calls me that. "I teased him a bit. The Prince blushed a bit and let out a cough to relieve the awkwardness he felt from within. I ended up chuckling at his reaction.

"Then...… Natalisia… "He hesitantly called.

"Yes, Ethan? "I called his name as well. He blushed a bit but he didn't react as strongly as the first time anymore.

"Since...…. Since when do you know?...…. That my brother wanted me to die. "The grip on his cup tightens as he asked the question.

"When I first heard that you are coming here to form a diplomatic marriage. "I answered honestly.

"Ah, I see..... Since...… Eh? "He was surprised to hear that. To prevent any unnecessary questions, I took it upon me to elaborate further.

"Even though Meala and Femalia doesn't share a hostile diplomatic relationship because of the major trading routes, the relationship was not form on a solid base. One wrong step can lead to the outbreak of war, that's why the diplomatic ties with Meala has been carefully maintained over the years. However, things changed when your brother was seated on the throne. "I pulled out a book from the bookcases and displayed a national map for Ethan to see.

"Meala sits in between Harsha and Femalia and these three nations shares a common trading route to travel between each country. After your brother had seated on the throne, he sent diplomats to negotiate on increasing the taxes which will be collected when our merchants pass through Meala. The negotiation didn't end well, the terms offered by Meala is too absurd to be considered and Meala diplomats offended our diplomats for belittling us due to our female genders. Therefore, as punishment for the rudeness, Her Majesty cut off the jewelry trading routes to Meala. After all, only noble families of Meala could afford luxurious jewelry, we find this to be the most appropriate method for punishment within affecting too much of the common folks. However, instead of a proper apology, a request to form a diplomatic marriage came. Her Majesty and my sister believes that you are the apology they offer but I don't think so. "I shared my thoughts to him while pointing out the trading routes on the map.

"...…. What makes you think otherwise? "Ethan asked.

"From a few suspicious points. But, the most obvious was the timing in which the request came. It came during the time when my relationship with my sister was at the verge of its breaking point. If I ended up turning against my sister that day, it's common to assume that I'll gather as much strength as possible to fight against my sister. The support from the kingdom of Meala was a desirable choice to turn myself into a force that perhaps even my sister couldn't rival against. We'll end up succumbing into the succession war for the throne and the internal affairs of the nation will be turned into chaos. Think about it, Ethan. If you ended up dying under such circumstances before marriage, what will Meala do? "I asked him the question. Ethan immediately went quiet as he could clearly see what will happen. Anyone who had studied diplomacy could.

War will break out.

"...….. He will use my death....as an excuse to start a war will Femalia… "After a short while, Ethan gave his answer in a rather soft and hesitant voice. His hands squeezed tightly onto the carpet beneath him, struggling to keep himself together.

"...…. All our officers, diplomats and even soldiers are women. The new king of Meala most likely didn't see us as a threat under the impression of the women in Meala being raised as delicate flowers. "I sighed at the King's foolishness.

"...… Erza had always looked down on women, thinking that they are nothing but playthings of men. Mother had reprimanded him a lot for having such thoughts but he ended up rebelling against her either way. He was quite violent, so father sent him to the military to discipline him...… But, it seems that it back fired as he grew crueler...….. When father was on sickbed, my elder brothers died in an accident. I suspected Erza, but...… I didn't want to believe it. Even when my parents died and he successfully inherited the throne, I still didn't want to believe it. How...…. How could he point his sword at his own family? "With his hand across his eyes, my mind went completely blank at the sight of a clear stream of water rolling down his cheek. Sweating nervously as Ethan displayed his sorrowful emotions, I took a peek at the unfinished hot cocoa cup.

…. I didn't overdose him...… Did I?

*~30 minutes ago~*

"...… Isn't this a truth serum? "My brows furrowed at the small bottle of liquid which Estella gifted me.

"Not really, but something similar. It helps in relief stress by making you feel physically relax. And as you know, when you feel relax, your guard tends to goes down and you'll answer everything! "Estella said with a cheeky smile.

"...…. Alcohol? "I rose a brow as I name something with similar effects.

"Yeesh, you are no fun. Just because it has similar effects doesn't mean it's the same. Hmph, do you want it or not? "Estella pouted.

"Fine, fine. I trust you. So, what are the ratios? "

"Just two drops will do. It works on Ted. "Estella proudly announced. I rolled my eyes and added three drops into the hot cocoa.

"Eh? I am pretty sure that I said two. "Estella gave me a confused look.

"The men in Meala are build differently. I heard all princes in Meala had swordsmanship training once they come to age while the men in our empire could barely run two laps in the training grounds. "

"Hmm, make sense I guess. Well, I'm not the smart one anyways. Though, if you do end up overdosing him, he shouldn't be able to control his own emotions. When that happens, just let him vent it out until the drugs wears off. And make sure to keep yourself safe cuz who knows what they'll do when they lose control of their emotions. Unlike most girls your age, you're like a glass baby doll! "Estella laughed where she was immediately silenced when I smacked the back of her head at that final remark of hers.

*~End of Flashback~*

"I know he is cautious because he's now King. I know he didn't want risks so he arranged this marriage. But..... I was scared. A woman who was chosen by him, I don't trust that he's kind enough to have chosen her for me so that I would happy. So..... I ran. I ran because that's my only choice. I didn't have another way. And he didn't even let me have it. "

"There, there..... Let it all out. "Patting on his back to sooth the sobbing prince, I secretly reached for his cup and carefully hid it away so that he wouldn't end up taking another slip from it. Or else...…

I'm not sure if I can handle it if it goes further than this!