I woke up in a very good mood. I sleep so good that it’s already afternoon. I look at the clock. It’s already three o’clock in the afternoon.

What a nap! I get up and look outside. There they are. Prince Fraser and Princess Paislee are in the garden talking about something. I couldn’t really hear what they are talking about because of the distance.

Prince Fraser is probably telling Princess Paislee information about flowers. I smiled. Flower geek. I sit at the study table and watch the two of them.

What are they talking about again? I tried to remember the conversation they are making. Prince Fraser is telling some flower trivia to Princess Paislee. However, Princess Paislee doesn’t have an interest in flowers, so she tried to change the subject. They talk about the politics in the Vrawyth Kingdom and such.

Princess Paislee isn’t the typical Princess. She doesn’t like flowers, tea party, embroidery, and those typical skills a lady from a noble family learn. She’s practical. So she only learned skills that would help her to survive. Archery, equestrian, hand-to-hand combat, and such are the skills she learned. Not just learned, she excels in those skills.

I look at Prince Fraser. He has a very strange expression. He’s probably hiding his disappointment by trying to look like Princess Paislee is right. However, he couldn’t suppress his disappointment properly.

Poor Prince Fraser. I laughed at his expression. Wait! There is something wrong. Shouldn’t Prince Fraser be amazed at how knowledgeable Farren is. Because of this, he will be interested in talking to Farren every day.

I look at Prince Fraser’s expression. Unlike a while ago, he seems normal now. You could see a hint of amazement in his eyes. Although I didn’t know if what I am seeing is right because of our distance.

   Did I saw thing wrong? Maybe, it’s just my imagination. The writer already said that I couldn’t change what I’ve written. That includes the feelings of both leads. In this scene, Prince Fraser will be amazed at how knowledgeable Farren is. For someone who grew up in the western region, knowledge about the capital and politics is not a common thing to people.

   I sighed. Let’s leave the two leads for now. It’s better to talk to my father, the count, first. I need to ask about the two doctors. Although how can I ask him without him being suspicious?

____________

   I knock on the door of the office of my father. He has his own office in our residence. However, he doesn’t use it before. It’s probably different now, since the training of the Crown Prince is canceled. The count is making a report about the training of the Crown Prince.

“Father, can I talk to you?”

I heard footsteps from the inside, and the door opened. Father let me in and closed the door after. He probably knew that I want to talk about something important.

He gestured me to sit on the chair in front of his table. He then sits on his seat. “What do you want to talk about?”

I take some deep breaths and look at my father. “Father, the doctor that treats Farren first, can he be trusted?”

Father thinks for a minute before he answers me. “I’m not sure. All I know is he is the only doctor in here. That’s why we called him. Why did you ask?”

“I just think he seems suspicious. I’ve tried to talk to him about the condition of Farren; however, he said something I don’t understand. Well, father, maybe I was wrong.”

Father nods his head. “Okay, I’ll make an investigation about him then. I will give you an update after the investigation is finished.”

I nod my head at him. “Thank you, father. I will be going first. I wouldn’t disturb you anymore.”

Father just nods at me and continues what he is doing before I came in. I walked towards the door and was about to open it when I remember something. I look back at father.

“Father, I have another question.”

Father stops at what he is doing and looks at me. “What is it? Ask.”

“Father, is Doctor Marcus can be trusted?”

Father got silent for a moment before he answers. “Csille, why are you asking these questions? Do I need to know something?”

Oh no! Did I reveled myself! Go back now, Csille! Or else, father might know the identity of the Crown Princess.

I shake my head repeatedly. “No, father. I was just curious. I just felt like Doctor Marcus seems different than the last time I saw him.”

Father walks towards me. “It’s good that you’re cautious with the people around you. However, always remember Csille. It’s also dangerous to be too cautious with your surroundings. You couldn’t provoke some people.” He sighed and gently touched my head. “You go out now. Don’t talk about this with anyone, okay? Don’t worry about Doctor Marcus. He is safe.”

   I nod my head and walk outside. The door closed, and I was left behind. What did father mean? I couldn’t provoke other people? Who are those people? Why did he also say it after I asked about Doctor Marcus? Is he really safe?

____________

    I was enjoying the scenery in the garden when someone interrupts it.

   “Lady Lauretré, enjoying the flowers. I see. What they said is really correct. You really like flowers.”

   I look back and saw Doctor Marcus walking towards me. My senses immediately heighten. I don’t really like this Doctor Marcus. It feels like he would do some bad.

   I didn’t reply to what he said and just continue to stare at him. He gestured his hands towards the chair in front of me. “May I?”

   I look at the chair and back to him before I nod. Who are you, Doctor Marcus? What do you want?

   I didn’t say anything and wait for him to say something. He wouldn’t show himself to me just because he wants to. I know he has motives, but what are those?

   Doctor Marcus laughs and raises both of his hands in the air. It’s like he is saying he is surrendering. “You seem so wary about me, Lady Lauretré. Care to tell me why? Amuse me.” He smiled at me after.

I was dumbfounded by his words. What does he mean? Does he know something? I clear my throat and scoffs at him. “I don’t understand what are you saying, Doctor Marcus? Me? Wary of you? Why would I? Do I have a reason to be wary of you, Doctor Marcus?”

Doctor Marcus shakes his head. “Of course there’s isn’t. Why do you think I have something I am hiding?”

Is this person testing me? Do you think you could fool me just because you’re older and a doctor already? Huh, if there’s a person who knows many things here in this world, it’s me.

I take a sip on my teacup before I answer him. “Doctor Marcus, did you hear me say that? It’s your words, not mine. I am just fourteen years old, what could a lady like me know? Geometry? Calculus? Physics? Should I mention it one by one?”

“If that’s what you want, Lady Lauretré. Sure, entertain me.”

Really? Are you kidding me, mister? I shake my head. “I don’t think you have time for this. Aren’t you busy, Doctor Marcus?”

He waves his hands in response. He stands up and walks towards the flowers. Rhododendron! What are you trying to say, Doctor Marcus?

   “I’m not that busy. Sir Farren is already recovering, and he doesn’t need me to be twenty-four-seven beside him now. So, I have time. Why? Are you pushing me away, Lady Lauretré?”

    He stared at the Rhododendron flowers before he looks at me.

   “I am not! I am just worried that I’m bothering you. Aren’t I Doctor Marcus?”

   He just looks at me for a minute before he looks at the Rhododendron flower. “Isn’t this pretty, Csille? I think it suits you.”

   I immediately stand up from my seat. “I’m sorry, Doctor Marcus, I need to go now. I forgot my mother, the Countess, ask me to do something. I’ll go ahead, Doctor.”

    I instantly walk towards the house. What does it mean? The Rhododendron flower suits me? Are you threatening me, Doctor Marcus?

____________

    I was about to walk inside my room when I saw a person sitting on my bed. I immediately close it.

   Holy moly! What is Prince Fraser doing in my room? I hold on tightly to the doorknob. Making sure no one can open the door through the inside.

   I heard footsteps walking towards the door, and then the doorknob twisted. Someone is opening it. I put my feet leaning against the door and pulled the doorknob towards me. Trying to put some weight so Prince Fraser couldn’t open the door.

   “CSILLE! OPEN THE DOOR!” I heard him shout inside.

   I shake my head. No way! I don’t want to talk to you. Talk to yourself, Prince Fraser. I will just stay here.

   I heard someone banging the door. I immediately turn my head around. Oh, dear! If this continues, everyone will know what is happening between us, Prince Fraser. And that is not a good thing.

   “CSILLE! I’m telling you for the last time. Open this door!” Prince Fraser yelled inside.

   I sighed and slowly let go of the door. The door immediately opened, and a mad Prince Fraser welcomes me.

   He grabbed my arms and pulled me inside the room. He then slammed the door real hard that even the bird resting on the trees outside got startled.

   “What are you doing?” He asked.

   I look at him and immediately look away. He’s glaring at me. It’s scary. “What do you mean? I don’t know what you are saying.” I tried to walk past him, but he just grabbed my arms again and pinned me on the door. He put both of his hands at my side and stared at me.

   “You clearly know what I am saying, Csille. So, tell me, what are you doing? Don’t play innocent on me.”

   I sighed. “Okay, I just don’t know how to face you.” I averted my gaze at him. I’m telling the truth, though.  I’m avoiding him because I’m afraid the real Csille Lauretré will take over my body if he keeps showing in front of me. This is not part of the script. I’m afraid this would affect the story.

He holds my chin and makes me look at him. “You don’t know how to face me? What do you mean?”

“It’s because you are always mad or something every time you talk to me. If you’re not mad, then you will do something I don’t understand.”

Prince Fraser let my chin go and put it back at my side. “I’m always mad? That’s true. But it’s all because of you. You do things that make me mad, Csille.”

I look at him. “What? How come it because of me? I didn’t even talk to you these days. What did I do?”

“That’s the thing. You don’t talk to me, but I always see you checking Farren’s health. Talking to him and such. I thought you don’t like him, Csille?”

Wait, what? He’s mad at me because I constantly check Farren before? He’s mad because I always talk to him? But why is he mad about it? It doesn’t make sense.

“I don’t like him, Fraser. I was just checking on him because I was concerned about his condition.”

He inched closer to me. Making our faces an inch apart. “Then why did you visit him this morning? He’s already okay. He even told it this morning, right? So, why Csille? Why did you visit him?”

I sighed. Why is he so smart? How can I explain things to him? I couldn’t tell him about my deal with Paislee.

“I was just asking him if he really wants to join usu to the Capital. He grew up in this region, Fraser. I was worried that it would be a big step for him. So, I ask him if he really wants to. The Capital is different from the western region. I just don’t want him to make a decision just because it was bestowed on him. He could have a say on this, right?”

Prince Fraser looks at me intently before answering me. “I have talked to Farren about it. He is more than willing to accept being a knight. So, you shouldn’t be worried. You should have talked to me about it.”

“I just want to make sure, Fraser. He could be intimidated by your royal title. That’s why I ask him personally.”

“And what does he said?”

“He said the same thing he said to you. He’s more than willing to serve the Vrawyth Kingdom.”

Prince Fraser nods his head. “If you want to to talk about something to Farren. Talk to me first. Maybe I could answer it for him.”

I was about to refused when Prince Fraser bids his goodbye to me. “It’s already six in the evening. I need to talk to the Count. I will be going first, Csille. Let’s talk about this next time.”

He holds my cheeks with both hands. “Don’t talk to him alone, Csille, okay?” Then he leaves the room.

What the heck did just happened? Why doesn’t he want me to talk to Farren?