“Has she gone insane? This is against our traditions, the rules!” Tobias whispered to the chancellor.

But that was the crown princess, most people do not dare to defy her. The suitors who arrived, on the other hand, seemed shaken by Laina’s entrance in a non-traditional outfit.

Two of the suitors, in fact, decided to leave. They made up an excuse and turned to leave with their entourage. Laina did not stop them. She simply bid them farewell and had the royal guards send them off.

Only Prince Radford and Duke Harris were left. Laina had hoped her outfit choice would scare them all away. But it seems these two were refusing to budge. The suitors simply saw it as less competition.

Prince Radford was the first amongst the two to step forward.

“It is an honor to meet you, Crown Princess Laina. I must say, your outfit speaks volumes of your personality and character as the future Queen of Kinshearth,” he praised.

Laina raised an eyebrow as she mailed, “You flatter me, Prince Radford. I must say, I am surprised to see you here. Especially after the unfortunate blunder, you made the first time we met.”

She was not about to go easy on him just because of his honey-coated words. The prince was also not a simple fool either. He bowed deeply and asked for Laina’s forgiveness.

“I seek your humble forgiveness, your highness. I admit, I had a little too much to drink so I was mesmerized by your beauty, as I am now.”

Margaret rolled her eyes, she had seen too many of such men. No matter rich or poor, peasant or royalty, those with a glib tongue were all sly foxes. Laina had already told her what happened with Prince Radford on the night of the Ball.

“I see, what do you know about me, pray tell?” Laina asked, ” Apart from my beauty, that is.”

Prince Radford was caught off guard by Laina’s sudden question. His glance over to the general was seen by Laina and Margaret. But she did not say anything. The Grand General, on the other hand, received the signal and quickly stepped in to join the conversation.

“Perhaps it would be best for the princess to spend some time with Prince Radford, to get to know one another better?” He added.

“Ah, so the prince knows nothing about me? Apart from the fact that I am set to inherit Kinshearth?”

Even the general could not have predicted Laina’s question. He too had no reply. But the prince was no fool. He could stand up for himself when required.

“Oh, I have spent much time in Kinshearth, your highness. I understand your people, your lands…”

“Seems like this one is more interested in Kinshearth than you, your highness,” Margaret whispered to her.

Margaret’s comment made Laina laugh out loud, much to everyone else’s surprise. All of their attention turned to her. Laina quickly regained her composure and cleared her throat.

“So, Prince Radford. Just between you and I, what do you stand to gain from this alliance?” She asked.

He was swift to reply, “Well for one, I would stand to gain a beautiful bride who is kind, beautiful, smart-”

“No… no,” Laina shook her head as she stood up from her seat and walked down the steps.

She came up to the prince. Now that they were standing in front of one another, it was clear to see that both of them were about the same height.

“I want the truth, Prince Radford, what would you stand to gain from this marriage alliance?”

She did not wait for him to reply. She answered the question for him.

“An elevated status, the title of King of Kinshearth, immeasurable wealth, land, and resources, am I right?”

He could see what Laina was getting at. Prince Radford quickly tried to speak up but Laina did not allow him to as she turned the question onto herself.

“What would Kinshearth gain from having you as its King? What would I gain from a man I do not like or love as my husband? I am terribly sorry, not to hurt your ego here, Prince Radford, but you’re just not my type.”

“Princess Laina…”

Laina chuckled as she shook her head, “You can’t even get my title right. It’s Crown Princess Laina to you, Prince Radford. I understand you’ve come a long way, thank you for your time, I won’t be sending you off.”

She turned to the royal guards and ordered, “Guards, please send Prince Radford and his entourage off.”

With that, she turned back to walk back towards her throne. The prince’s face turned dark as he turned to the general. Tobias, seeing how the situation escalated, was about to try and keep the prince.

“I have never been so insulted in my life! The deal is off!” Prince Radford exclaimed in a fit of anger before turning to leave.

“Prince Radford… please!” The general called out, trying to say something, anything to console the prince but nothing worked.

Lucinda could not help but let out a sigh. Turning to Duke Harris, she was about to pin the remaining hope she had on him but his next words scattered it to the wind. As Laina walked past him, without giving him so much as a glance, the Duke was angered.

“Crown Princess Laina, I am not sure if I might have offended you in any way. But I can’t help but feel like you’re ignoring my existence,” he said as he readjusted his coat.

Laina turned back around with her arms folded. She feigned an expression of surprise, “Oh my goodness, I am terribly sorry that I did not notice you were here, Duke Harris of Lackerwood.”

She turned to look at the chests he had brought with him that were being held by the servants, then back at him.

“Ah, I see you’ve brought gifts to apologize for your disgraceful behavior at the Ball the other night. I will gladly accept them and forgive you. You may leave them here and be on your way.” Laina said as she clasped her hands together.

“What, no these are betrothal gifts…” the duke tried to correct Laina’s words but she was having none of it.

Her expression turned dark as she walked back up to him with a cold stare.

“I am surprised you still dare show your face around here, after what you did.”

A smirk appeared on the Duke’s face as he whispered to her, “Come now, princess, are you sure you want the entire court to know…”

He tried to reach for Laina’s hand but she already predicted what he was about to do.

Piak!

Laina slapped Duke Harris across the face.. The sound of the slap reverberated throughout the entire Throne Room.