Chapter 3

Sitting at his desk, Alexander laughed while playing with a delicate white rose. This was undoubtedly one of the most interesting days he had. She tried so hard to hide her feeling. Sometimes it would be longing, deep melancholia, or sheer pain like a broken heart. She looked almost immersed in her thought and memories. 

A few hours before

After greeting her in front of the castle, Alexander took the young girl to meet his mother. The young girl had a perfect manner. It was hard to believe that she was only 12. The rumours about how she was impeccable and the most probable candidate for his fiance were true. She looked almost familiar with the palace like it wasn't her first time here.

"_Have you come here before?

_It's my first time your highness."

Alexander could see she was trying to stay away from him. She was avoiding him, not even trying chat with him and only give short answer. His future wife was afraid of him, and he didn't know why. It was their first meeting, he didn't understand why. He checked himself discreetly before frowning. Was he this ugly?  He found himself handsome, even the servant said so. He was handsome, beyond anyone's comprehension. His long silky white hair, ruby-like eyes, and elegant manner.  He couldn't understand why she seemed to hate him. 

When his mother saw her, she looked satisfied.  Lucina was exactly what he needed. She looked demure and clever and her attitude was worthy of the royal family. The queen did ask to have any report about her and her skill. If at that age she could outmatch her teacher, then she would be even better in the future. The child was very eloquent and smart. She absorbed everything she was taught quickly. As if it wasn't enough, she had the highest and nobless peerage. The king's niece. A descendant from the royal family. Queen Margaret could see, she was the perfect candidate. Almost too perfect. If it were from another family than her brothers-in-law, she would have doubted it.

It was a miracle that the girl wasn't a spoiled child.

The queen could remember the painful moments of hearing her sister-in-law babbling about her children for hours. She thought her ears would bleed.

Margaret welcomed the young girl with a proud smile. The more she looked at her,  the more she liked her. It was strange for Lucina, she remembered in the last timeline, the queen didn't like her. But her family background made her the best candidate. Now for some reason, she seemed fond of the young girl. She passed the rest of the day making light talk and trying her hardest to avoid him to no avail. After bidding her goodbyes with a beautiful white rose, he returned to his mother.

"_How do you find her? Such a beautiful lady...

_I don't think there is anyone prettier than lady Valentine.

_What else?

_She seems fond of small flowers. She has a smile that makes me want to hide it forever... So only I can see it."

That was unexpected but it was an answer, Margaret could accept. If her son like his fiance that much, she will not have to worry about promiscuity on his part. Unlike his father. This though made her frown a bit before shaking it off

Somehow she could feel like a storm was coming, her son's eyes darkened for a second before coming back to normal. She buried her concern away and smiled at her son.

"_You two would be a beautiful couple, don't you agree?

_Indeed, I don't think anyone would fit better for the role of the queen."

Alexander means it. He has never seen someone like her. She fitted everything he looked for as a consort. He didn't know why, but the idea of her beginning in love with someone else was kinda challenging to him. He felt like the hero soothing her poor heartbroken. She didn't seem to like him, but it was just a time question. Sooner or later, this beautiful maiden would be his. 

Present day

The young prince laughed while remembering this day. He didn't notice the young boy, his childhood friend Felix coming in. Felix was the son of Duke Sol, just like his father he had short blond and blue eyes. He looked at the boy with a brow up. He coughed to make his presence known before walking to his friend.

"_You look happy today. Did you like your fiance? 

_Hm? Oh, it's you, Felix. "

The prince hummed before putting the rose in a small pot. He was happy, very happy. 

"_You should have seen her, so delicate... weak... like a small flower on a snowy mountain."

Alexander had a dreamy smile. His friend could see he fell at first sight for the famous Lucina Valentine. The grand duke's only daughter and the prince's cousin. The blond boy chuckled before talking once again. 

"_Then I'm sure you wouldn't fall for my little guest. I wanted you to meet her. 

_Hm? Why would you be worried? Do you love her or something? 

_She is quite the lovely little lady, I have my eyes on her."

Felix opened the door and took in his hand a small delicate set of fingers. Her hand was so delicate and thin. It was soon followed by a delicate pale arm. Walking inside his study, the young girl looked at them shyly before looking the other way. Her hair and eyes were light green. She held onto Felix's sleeve like a small child. She looked childish with the bunny rabbit in her arm. For an eleven years old girl, she acted like she was five. The prince smiled but couldn't help but wonder if she had some medical reason behind it. Or maybe it was just a way to grab attention. 

"_It's an honour to meet you, I'm Olivia Grandel. 

_It's nice to meet you lady, I'm Alexander Acacius von Vestalis.

_It's my first time in the palace, how exciting! I heard the garden-!

_Yes, I will ask the servant to take you there."

Olivia looked a little surprised before talking once more. She didn't expect him to cut her off like that. She pouted when she saw him calling for a maid.

"_Oh... I thought your highness would be the one to take me there.

_Lady Grandel, I have a fiance and we are not that close. If anything, you should go with young lord Sol."

The young girl blushed from embarrassment before following the maid with a smile. Once outside, she frowned, her smile nowhere to be found. 

"_How strange..."

Did the difficulty increase? Olivia sighed before smiling maliciously. It was becoming a little boring anyway.