For a split second, it felt as if time had stopped just to mock me.
I was absolutely speechless and a billion thoughts and questions rushed through my mind. But what was the worst of all was that everyone was present there, not to mention the emperor. I can't even question the prince at this rate. Let's just play it cool for now before anyone gets suspicious.
"Greetings, to the star of the empire princess Cynthia de Castina. I am Eros de Ambrosia the second prince of the kingdom of Ambrosia." He said as he kissed the back of my hand as a formality.
"Greetings, prince Eros de Ambrosia its an honor to meet you. I am the princess of the empire, Cynthia de Castina." I said with a bow.
After the greetings, everyone followed behind the emperor who was talking with the prince of Ambrosia. While I on the other hand tried to maintain a straight face and continue acting like I don't know him.
The prince of Ambrosia was going to be residing in the western palace while Cynthia's palace was on the far opposite of the western place. That meant she didn't have to see him until the banquet. (that's what she thought) Unfortunately, her luck has been pretty bad until now(because the author likes to torment her)and she was called to have lunch together with the new guest as well with the emperor and Ruveliss.
*********
This is not good. Of course, I needed to speak with the prince of Ambrosia but the emperor and Ruveliss were going to be present as well. This won't do.....
The prince has come here to discuss a treaty of alliance with the Castina empire. As far as I know, he would be staying for 2 weeks or something. Good thing I don't have to attend a meeting with them, if I would've still been competing against Ruveliss I would've needed to attend it. But thankfully I am free for now.
I decided to take a walk in the garden instead of going back to my palace. Today's banquet was going to be huge, which meant high-class nobility would be attending as well. I was really proud of myself for arranging the banquet for today.
While I was on my way to the garden I saw that someone was already present there. I went closer to see who it was and to my surprise his holiness was standing there, conversing with Ruveliss. I hid behind the gate that was connected to the garden and tried to hear their conversation.
Cynthia couldn't hear what they were saying so she took a step further. Unfortunately, her clumsiness got the best of her and she accidentally stepped on a branch. Before she could get out of there his holiness had already spotted her.
"Oh! Your highness~ " called his holiness from afar.
Dear God, why are you punishing me this way? I thought with tears in my eyes.
Since I was already caught by them hiding behind the gate, it would be useless to keep hiding so I walked up to them and pretended that nothing had happened.
"Why were you hiding behind the gate?" Asked Ruveliss.
"I wasn't hiding," I said firmly.
"Right....you were stalking." Scoffed Ruveliss.
"Anyways, what brings your holiness to the palace today?" I asked his holiness while ignoring Ruveliss.
"Well, I wanted to discuss something important with his highness. Now that you are here I want to know if you have found the information about the Oracle you needed or not." Asked his holiness.
I slowly cocked my eyes in Ruveliss's direction. If Ruveliss finds out about my Celeste ability he might deem me as a huge threat and I will be in deeper problems. I have to tell his holiness about the dream I had without Ruveliss knowing about it.
But as far as the fact that I have the ability of a Celeste is concerned, have no intention of telling Ruveliss or the emperor anything.
"Well, there is something I must discuss with you about. But maybe some other time, when both of us are less busy." I said with an awkward smile.
His holiness must've understood that I wasn't comfortable talking about this in front of Ruveliss judging by his expression.
"....I see. Well then, I shall be on my way." Said his holiness.
"Let me escort you to the front gate, your holiness." Said Ruveliss.
Both of them left soon. I shouldn't let my guard down in front of anyone. It would be a problem if anyone suspects my Celeste ability.
***************
(Time skip)
Finally, the moment I desperately wanted to avoid arrived. We were having lunch with the envoys and prince of the Ambrosia kingdom. Luckily, they were busy talking about the various cultures of their kingdom. It was quite fascinating actually. I always had the interest to learn about different countries and their cultures. Hopefully, the rest of the time would continue like this without getting awkward.
That's when Eros looked at Cynthia and smiled.
Huh? Why is he smiling at me all of a sudden?
"I was wondering...how often do you inspect the commoners quarters your highness?" Eros asked Ruveliss.
I nearly choked on my food when he asked that. Yet again I thought too early.
"The commoner's quarters? Well, it has been almost a month." Said Ruveliss.
"The commoners quarters is a place where the most unpredictable can happen. Don't you agree princess Castina?"
What?!?!?! I was stunned to hear what he had just said. This bast*rd is trying to rat me out!!!
"I have no idea. I have never visited the commoner's quarters before in my life." I said hastily.
"Oh, is that so...I heard the festivals are quite fun there?"
"...I see," I said.
"That reminds me, recently there have been a few cases at the commoners quarters that need to be looked into." Said the emperor.
"What kind of cases?" I asked Hesitantly.
" There are rumors among the nobles about slaves being present at the commoner's quarters, getting involved with slaves in any way is forbidden, " Said Ruveliss.
I averted my eyes from him and looked down at my plate. I was so worried about what they would speak about that I did not pay attention to what I was eating.
The prince noticed my nervousness and opened his big fat mouth once again.
"Are you curious about it princess Castina?" Asked Eros.
What in the world is this guy's problem?!?! I know for a fact that Ruveliss is suspicious of me now!! I glared at the prince with cold blue eyes.
"For a matter of fact I am curious," I said.
Ruveliss and the prince were quite surprised by my answer. But there was no point in saying I wasn't, I would have been exposed by Ruveliss or the prince either way.
"After all, I have never seen a slave my entire life. The Castina empire has a law that protects the rights of our people. The law does not give anyone the power to own a human being no matter what their status is. " I said.
I was satisfied with my answer but for some reason, it looked as if I had sparked Ruveliss's and the prince's curiosity.
Lunch was finally over and Cynthia decided to head back to her palace before anything gets worse. She bid farewell to the emperor and was on her way back when she ran into the prince of Ambrosia who was speaking with his envoys on the way. Cynthia checked her surroundings to see if anyone was watching then she walked up to the prince. Seeing her approach him, the prince dismissed his envoys.
"It's lovely seeing you here princess." Said, Eros.
"I can't say I feel the same. We need to talk." I said firmly.
"My, your really straightforward, but I suppose we do. I am as curious as you are." Said, Eros.
"Firstly, why did you try to rat me out during lunch?!"
"I don't know what you are talking about." Said, Eros.
"What?! You know exactly what I am talking about your highness." I said frustrated with his act.
"You speak as if we have met before, princess." Said, Eros.
"....."
Is this how he wants to play it? Like our encounter, that day never existed?!
"........You said you are as curious as I am, what did you mean by that?" I asked.
"I would like to get to know you better your highness and I know that you want to know some things about me as well."
".....please get to the point. What do you want?" I scoffed.
"Lend me your first dance today and I shall answer anything you would like to know." He whispered.
I can't believe he has the nerve to do this!
"I shall await your answer princess." Said the prince.
I looked at the prince in astonishment while he had a smile on his face instead. In the end, I walked away without a word.
***********
I had finally reached back to my own palace. I was not feeling well since the morning and this dress is making me more suffocated. I asked the maids to help me get changed into more comfortable clothes for the time being.
"How was lunch, your highness?" Asked Julie with a smile.
"Terrible, I couldn't even enjoy the food," I said.
"Why what happened? Did prince Ruveliss say something to you?" Asked Julie.
"No, not him. He was surprisingly quiet today. It's the prince of Ambrosia that is the matter. He's trying to act too smart."
"Did he insult you in any way, your highness?!" Asked Amy.
"No, it's not like that. It's like he wants me to get into trouble or something. Now he's asking me for a dance." I said feeling frustrated.
"......you don't want to dance with the prince I presume." Said Amy.
"No, I don't. I am getting this weird feeling from him. Like he's up to something."
I felt that he was full of himself for some reason.
"Will you be dancing with him, your highness?" Asked Julie.
"I am not sure. I will see to it when the time arises." I said.
I went to my bed and lay down feeling comfortable than before. Maybe a nap will make me take my mind off all this drama.
Cynthia turned a blind eye on the matter but little did she know that the drama was yet to begin.
*******
A/N- I shall update every Tuesday and Friday. I was going to update on 5th but since today is Tuesday I updated early:)))
Thanks to all my readers who are supporting this story!!