Intentional Rumors

Bustling streets, beside the sea ships. Many people are visiting the seaside as they heard that the Crown Prince will be there together with his friends, Kalen, and Rhysand, which is also his cousin. The three of them are sitting in a normal seat in the famous dessert shop near the ships. No one is expecting anything good or bad situation as they just finished inspecting every street in the territory.

“There are thieves around, they’re kids.” Kalen flips the paper he’s holding then looks at the Crown Prince before continuing his statement. The seaside is known for its good view and relaxing atmosphere that every noblewoman loves visiting the sea, but aside from having a good quality view, this seaside is also full of crimes.

“From what the people know, they’re from Levoria Orphanage. That’s the only place we haven’t checked yet.” His pink hair shine under the sunlight, even the passersby are eyeing the three of them because of their unique features.

“Levoria Orphanage, I heard there is one noble who keeps the children accompanied every now and then but unfortunately, that noble stops coming without telling the children why? His name is Ray if I’m not mistaken.” Rhysand, the young Grand Duke presumed, carefully taking the cup of tea to his mouth before looking at the newspaper he’s holding.

Levoria is a small orphanage located on the outskirts of Eleanor, it will take an hour to arrive there if you were to ride a carriage and 30 minutes on a horse. This is also the reason why Levoria received only half of the funds the other orphanage in the capital is receiving. It was unfair for those who only want to receive food that’s why some of the hard-headed children will be snuck out to make a living which is stealing.

“If that’s the case, then I, the future Emperor of Eleanor will be their hero. I will give them food and play with them. So they will eventually forget about that man and will start calling me a hero!” The Crown Prince muttered, putting his hand on his chin while looking up as if he’s contemplating on what activity to do with the children.

The two of them looked at the Crown Prince with a rather unfamiliar look, even though the Crown Prince loves joking around unlike the two, he is a responsible person who acts for justice. There’s no time where he refused someone and willingly helped everyone when they needed a hand, in short, he is an outstanding Crown Prince.

The Royal Family’s signature is their undeniably alluring red hair that shines brightly under the sunlight. His drowning blue eyes that caught everyone’s eye are prettier than ever. The way moves his hands is similar to those Princes in a fairytale.

“But don’t you think that it’s so busy right now? I can’t even rest because ladies are eyeing me.” Luriel, The Crown Prince added.

“That’s because you keep on blinking every second, they think you have a problem with your eyes, your highness.” The Crown Prince’s bright smile faded as soon as he hears what Kalen said. The thing about him looking like a sick prince is true that some of the noblewomen looking at him are avoiding his eyes.

“That’s how he is, they should love him even if he's crazy.” Rhysand chuckles as he holds his stomach. He look at the young ladies eyeing them then turn to his friend once again when an unexpected name was mentioned.

“Don’t stare at them too much, aren’t you aware that lady Kiha went to lady Elaina to propose to her in her brother’s stead?” It’s as if their ear gets bigger. A frown escapes Kalen’s face as he tried to eavesdrop more.

“How dare she? They’re not even close to each other.” One of the young ladies sitting near their table mumbled. Her brows are creased and his forehead were furrowed. The displeased look on her face is evident that it amazed the three-man near them.

“She’s insane, what are you expecting? She must be securing her position as young master Rhysand’s wife.” The Crown Prince looked at his cousin then burst into laughter, he’s covering his mouth as if preventing the young ladies to hear his silent pleas.

Kiha is known for her unrequited love for the young master of Grimaldi Duchy. She tried her best to shoo every girl that might get in her way and silently admire the young lord far away. She will often scold the young ladies for not knowing their position as if she’s the Grand Duchess. And her unreasonable rebuke will always be the topic around the young ladies, there’s no time that she never became their headlines.

“Don’t be like that. Sometimes, I feel like lady Kiha’s words mean more than the one she speaks, her words are far from our knowledge as a lady who should only like luxuries, that must be why we can’t understand her at all.” The shy-looking woman at the center muttered as she fidget her fingers. Her friends looks shocked to the point of freezing, they look at the woman then showed their irritation.

“Lyla, why are you defending that wench? She’s nothing like me!” The freckled young lady jump from her seat then walk away, leaving her friends. The woman who looks worried about her friend soon joins her.

“Did you hear that? Kiha’s not one of us, I told you she’s different.” Kalen averts his look to the Crown Prince before checking the time by looking at the sky. The sun’s already up and it’s finally time for them to visit the Levoria Orphanage located at the outskirts of the Empire.

“She became different since the day of that balcony accident, right?” The two of them walk fast leaving the curious Crown Prince behind. Not wanting to answer his question, they ride their horse then depart.

Just like the Crown Prince said, Kiha’s unusual behavior started after that accident. They’ve been going back and forth in front of the punishment room to check her condition every single day but Kiha’s sobbing sound always hurt them that they would assign a maid to check on her every time until one day, she went to the dining room, wearing only her long satin dress that is not enough to cover her entire body. Since that day, she became distant and weird at the same time, she would finally let Kanna near her unlike before.

She freed her servants on her own without the help of the Count, and last, she starts drawing a line between her and Czarina. She will look at them with only contempt in her eyes but will speak calmly unlike before. Her unusual yet attractive behavior creates a huge impact on everyone, even her dull orange eyes that only soften to those she favors that somehow scream the word "I know everything" makes their heart skips a beat.

Kiha's sudden mana explosion that day when she visited the Imperial Palace with him, he couldn’t believe himself at all. The way she passed out but almost kill the royal guard, it’s all new in Rhysand’s eyes. Because he knew that Kiha has nothing but the small amount of mana that only protects her body.

“I put the insignia of my family big enough for those people out there to recognize me, so why did you stop my carriage?” His eyes widened as he hears her sudden question. The fact that the insignia of Richter is big enough to see it sent a chill down his spine.

It was placed around the carriage to be exact. Royal guards will certainly differentiate the family’s insignia even when they’re still far but these fake royal guards don’t know that. In other words, they’re not part of the Imperial guards.

It’s only normal that a noble would scold someone who doesn’t recognize their house’s insignia but the way Kiha reacted that time is different from her usual loud self. Rhysand’s hearing is good and he can tell that the fake guards were trembling that time when Kiha’s dull eyes landed on him. The guards plead cannot seem to reach Kiha’s as she looks at her coachman’s beaten body on the ground.

“You’re wishing for eyes to be removed right now, rascal. I’ll do it so don’t move, I’ll pluck these low-quality eyes of yours.” Rhysand’s eyes widened as he saw Kiha snatch the guard’s sword from his hand.

As a swordmaster, Rhysand’s reflexes are fast enough to stop Kiha from piercing the sword on the guards’ right eye. He runs to her and holds her in his arm, covering Kiha’s eyes with his large hand before whispering something in her ear. A second later, Kiha’s body glowered as her mana exploded while resting in his arm. Huge light envelops the two of them as wind encircles around them.

A moment later, Kiha collapsed in his arm. He carried her to the carriage and erased everyone’s memory after that.