Just as I had been surprised by the King and Queen's discussion, I saw Prince Wilfred standing before me. I could tell because he had heard the conversation too by the look on his face.
(It's not that as I don't understand... but why they want Prince Stephen to inherit the throne...)
(But how does that make Prince Wilfred feel?)
As trying to keep my paining heart under control when I cried out.
Regina: "Excuse me, I..."
He put a finger to his lips and he shushed.
Wilfred: "What are you doing here at this time of night?"
I looked up at his whispered words and I responded.
Regina: "Oh... I was worried about the flowers and..."
As my voice was as quiet as his and he smiled at me.
Wilfred: "Oh, because of what happened as during the day?"
Prince Wilfred patted me on the head softly and he smiled slightly.
Wilfred: "Thank you."
Regina: "Oh no, I..."
Wilfred: "But it's late. Please return to your room."
But I didn't want to go... but at all as I could do was nod in assent at his strict tone of voice.
Regina: "Okay."
Wilfred: "Goodnight, Regina."
Regina: "Goodnight, Prince Wilfred."
As I walked away when I turned as once to look back at Prince Wilfred from behind.
(Prince Wilfred...)
I watched him for a while from afar as his posture emitted a sense of sadness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Claude: "Are you awake?"
Claude was in my room as he looking a little wide his eyes when I giggled.
Regina: "Good morning, Claude."
He looked a little taken aback at my enthusiastic greeting... all the while putting on an air of dignity as he poured some tea.
Claude: "Did you sleep well?"
I looked towards him as he spoke when I nodded my head.
Regina: "Yes, very well."
I answered with a bright smile.
(But truth as be told...)
(I didn't get enough sleep, but there's no point in getting down and depressed.)
(All I can do for now is try my hardest.)
Claude looked at me when his eyes quivering slightly.
Claude: "You're a strong girl..."
His voice was so low because I wasn't sure as I heard properly.
Regina: "Hey, what do you mean by that!"
Claude: "Nothing."
Claude wore his usual dignified expression while he finished setting out the tea.
(But why did he just call me "strong"? Does that mean...?)
I sat in thought as Claude handed me a cup of tea.
Claude: "Please, drink this, milady Regina."
Regina: "Thank you."
I took the cup from him and I take a sipped some tea. It's rich flavor spread throughout my mouth.
Regina: "My... this really is wonderful."
As I spoked softly and Claude's expression softened slightly.
(Oh. The tea may be a nice one, but...)
(It's probably tastes this good because of the way, Claude prepared it.)
As I thought as I stared at the cup in my hand. As I did when I had a fleeting memory of Prince Wilfred's lonely form. I opened my mouth to speak as I felt a rush of emotion.
Regina: "Claude..."
Claude: "Yes? What is it, milady Regina?"
Claude had started to leave and my words stopped him.
Regina: "It's about Prince Wilfred..."
(But I wonder if he actually wants to become a King...)
Just then, I remembered Prince Stephen's words to me.
(Wait... so, that's why Prince Stephen said that to me...)
Regina: "I was just wondering if Her Majesty the Queen wanted His Highness..."
Regina: "Prince Stephen to assume the throne instead?"
Claude stiffened at my question.
Claude: "What makes you ask of that?"
Claude seemed unusually as unsettled.
Regina: "I-I'm sorry... I just got that impression..."
At that, Claude let out a sigh and cast down his eyes.
Claude: "That is certainly not the case."
Claude: "Both of Their Majesties speak of their happiness in that as His Royal Highness Prince Wilfred is very capable to succeed the throne."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(I get the impression Claude knows the truth, but is saying that anyway...)
I was still thinking about it as I watered the plants in the office.
???: "What's wrong?"
I gasped when I turned to face the soft voice and I was met by Prince Wilfred's kind stare.
Regina: "Oh no... I was just thinking the flowers haven't perked up yet..."
Wilfred: "Oh, I see. I thought you might be worrying about last night."
(Oh...)
Prince Wilfred gave a small laugh and directed his eyes towards the flowers.
Wilfred: "They do seem to droop a bit."
Wilfred: "It's almost as if the flowers are reflecting my own feelings."
(His own feelings...?)
Wilfred: "Anyway, there's to be another function at Nobel Michel Castle."
I tilted my head at the sudden change of topic.
Regina: "A function? Another party?"
Prince Wilfred shook his head in response.
Wilfred: "No, it's a little different than a party."
Prince Wilfred looked hard at me as he spoke.
Wilfred: "Would you like to go with me, Regina?"
Regina: "You want me to go with you?"
I blinks my eyes and I looked at Prince Wilfred.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(What... is... this...?)
I arrived at Nobel Michel Castle to the sight of princes from all different countries gathered around demonstrating their dance skills. I was completely beside myself. But last time, we were here it was for a party, but today it was just the princes... along with a few ladies serving as their dance partners.
(Oh! It looks kind of like a dancing lesson when I was younger.)
I looked out to the floor where the princes were dancing here and there.
(But, I can't find Prince Wilfred anywhere...)
Just then, I heard a voice nearby.
???: "Beautiful Lady, would you be so kind as to dance with me?"
Regina: "Huh?"
(It's that.... Prince Wilfred...?)
I turned around in expectation to see another prince as I had met before who was smiling at me.
(Oh, it's Prince Roberto... I thought it's Prince Wilfred. Silly me...)
Roberto: "Have you forgotten who I am?"
Regina: "No way, of course I remember you, Your Highness..."
Prince Roberto gave a small laugh.
Roberto: "You don't need to call me 'Your Highness'."
Regina: "But surely... I..."
Prince Roberto laughed at my response.
Roberto: "You're so cute when you do that."
Roberto: "Most girls are all too happy to follow as whatever I say."
(Oh...)
Roberto: "I like you. Would you please dance with me?"
Prince Roberto held out his hand as he spoke.
Regina: "So you want to dance with me?"
Roberto: "Yes, with you."
(It's a request from a prince, it would be rude of me to refuse.)
I nodded my head when I spoked.
Regina: "Of course."
Prince Roberto took my hand and he started to lead me out onto the dance floor. Just then, Prince Roberto was stopped in his tracks. I looked over to see Prince Wilfred was grabbed Prince Roberto on the shoulder.
Wilfred: "I'm sorry, but she's here to dance with me."
Roberto: "Oh, I remember. She was dancing with you at the party."
Prince Roberto smiled softly as he continued to hold my hand.
Roberto: "However, she has already accepted a request from me."
Prince Wilfred looked at me.
Wilfred: "Is that right?"
(Oh dear...)
Regina: "Well, I'm not really in a position where I can refuse the request of a prince..."
Prince Wilfred reached for my hand and he pulled it from Prince Roberto's grasp. Prince Roberto let go at the same moment.
Wilfred: "If that's the only reason, then it's okay to refuse, isn't that right Roberto?"
Prince Roberto studied Prince Wilfred's face for a moment as before breaking out into a wide smile.
Roberto: "That's true, but I never thought as I'd hear you say something like that, Prince Wilfred."
Prince Wilfred's face slightly red as blushed in response.
Wilfred: "I don't know what you're talking about."
Wilfred: "Let's go, Regina."
And with that, he tugged on my hand. I turned to look behind Prince Roberto was waving to us.
Roberto: "I never thought as I'd see Prince Wilfred act like that..."
Prince Roberto's whispers echoed strangely within my heart. I felt my heart are pounded as I felt the warmth of Prince Wilfred's hand on mine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The dance practice was over and starting with Prince Wilfred as all the princes left the hall... they shut themselves in a room for what seemed to be a study session. It appeared to be some kind of discussion on international relations. And it wasn't as if someone as out of place as I was could join them.
(But I wonder if this meeting is kind of like a training camp for the future kings...?)
I began to wander the castle as not going anywhere in particular.
(Oh...)
As I suddenly noticed someone down the other end of the hall. Whoever they were as they had seen me and started to come my way.
(I've seen this person before...)
???: "Hello. It's Miss Regina, isn't it?"
I nodded in reply.
(So he's...)
Zain: "Please excuse me. I'm in the employ of Lord Michel. My name is Zain."
(Oh. I remember about seeing him with Mike.)
Regina: "Master Zain, it's a pleasure to meet you."
I raised my head as I spoke and I saw him furrow his brow at me.
Zain: "There's no need to address someone in my position so formally."
Zain: "Zain is fine."
Even so, I found it hard to call him purely by name.
Regina: "Is it alright if I call you Zain?"
Zain smiled softly because of my request.
Zain: "Just as you wish, Miss Regina."
He bowed his head deftly and I found myself staring at his elegant posture.
(As I thought Claude was pretty impressive...)
(But butlers who work for such important people are even more incredible..)
Zain: "Please allow me to excuse myself, I have a dinner preparations to take care of..."
Zain: "Please make yourself at home."
Zain turned to walk away and I found myself call out of him.
Regina: "Zain..."
Zain: "Yes, Miss Regina?"
He smiled softly as he stood before me and I got up my coursage to ask.
Regina: "Is there anyway as I can help you with a dinner at all?"
Regina: "But one more thing... I am lost daughter of princess..."
Zain's eyes are widen at my question and he hear me as lost daughter of princess.
Zain: "Princess Regina... it is you?"
I nodded my head when Zain spoked.
Zain: "Do you mean as you wish to help with the dinner preparations?"
Regina: "Yes, I really don't have anything else to do..."
Zain: "If that any case, shall I bring you a book or DVD?"
I opened my mouth and I spoked hurriedly in reply.
Regina: "No, Prince Wilfred..."
Regina: "Uh... you see... at Chateau Philip as I'm allowed to help in somethings..."
Regina: "So if it is okay when I would like to be able to help out here as well."
Zain's face wore a look of disbelief at my words and he sighed a little bit.
Zain: "I understand."
Zain: "In that case, would you be able to assist me with the dinner arrangement?"
(Oh...)
Regina: "Of course!"
I replied enthusiastically and I followed behind him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As come dinnertime all the princes ate together in the living room. Prince Keith took one bite from his meal then he put down his knife and fork.
Keith: "This doesn't taste like it usually does."
(Tch... you stupid jerk!)
I was eating dinner with them and I felt my heart thumped as I looked at towards Prince Keith.
(Is that because I helped make it...?)
As for a moment, a hush fell on the living room, until Prince Edward's quiet voice broke through.
Edward: "Just what I expect from a gourmet meal."
Prince Keith frowned a little bit.
Keith: "I wouldn't exactly call this gourmet!"
Prince Keith spoke in a curt manner and he turned his head.
Joshua: "It does taste a little different than normal."
Glenn: "It doesn't taste different and it tastes worse."
Roberto: "Really? I think it tastes pretty good."
The princes spoke one after the other.
(Ugh... depsite their complaining as they all have such a refined way of eating... Prince Wilfred is like that too. But I guess it comes from being a royal...)
I noticed that amongst the chatter, Prince Wilfred alone was eating in silence. I noticed of that as there was something of a smile lingering on his face.
(Oh, maybe Prince Wilfred likes the food...)
Just then, Zain came into the room as he carrying a basket of breads.
Zain: "In making tonight's dinner."
Zain: "I had the assistance of Miss Regina."
Both of Prince Keith and Prince Glenn made a face at this news.
Keith: "That makes sense."
Glenn: "So I was right then!"
Prince Roberto laughed at both of their reactions.
Roberto: "I knew it. It has the flavor of something as that was who made by a pretty girl."
Edward: "You're amazing, Roberto. You can tell that as just by tasting it?"
Prince Edward asked in earnest and Prince Joshua's hand stopped mid-air.
Joshua: "Please tell me, you're joking?"
Regina: "It's not a joke..."
Just then, I looked towards Prince Wilfred and our eyes met. He gave a swift smile and I felt somewhat relieved.
Roberto: "Hey, hey! What are you two doing? Making an eyes at each other?"
Regina: "W-What!?"
I snapped out of it when I stuttered as I panicked as I looked away from Prince Wilfred as Prince Roberto sniggered.
Wilfred: "It's not like there's anything as strange in looking at someone."
Edward: "No, there's not!"
Keith: "What are you talking about? Idiots..."
Just then, Prince Glenn spoke.
Glenn: "Just wondering, why aren't there any carrots in this dish?"
Prince Wilfred heard the question and he stopped still.
Keith: "Really? So there isn't. Well, it's not like as I'm overly fond of them..."
Edward: "No, they are there. They're just sliced very thinly."
Prince Wilfred suddenly took up some water and he drank deeply at hearing Prince Edward's words.
(Oh... it doesn't work to slice them as then either then...?)
Zain: "Was it you who cut them like that, Miss Regina?"
The entire group turned to look at me when I giggled slightly.
(Still... it's not like as I can tell them as it's because of Prince Wilfred who doesn't like them...)
Regina: "Well, I don't really like them as much..."
Prince Glenn turned away with a huff.
Glenn: "What a brat."
Joshua: "I agree."
(A brat!?)
Regina: "HUSH YOUR MOUTH OR I WILL SMACK YOUR HEAD, YOU TWO!"
((A/N: WOW! SAVAGE!))
Prince Glenn and Prince Joshua was startled when they lowered their head as Prince Roberto laughed and he spoked.
Roberto: "Come, come. It's not like anyone ever died from not eating carrots."
Glenn: "Really? I think I would and I need a pile of carrots next to my steak."
Glenn: "Well, I doubt some brat would understand that."
(Excuse me!? Does he mean me!?)
Regina: "DID YOU SAY SOMETHING!?"
Glenn: "No..."
Regina: "Then, shut up and eat."
((A/N: OOOOOO! DOUBLE SAVAGE! XD She's sound like a mom hue~))
Just then, Prince Keith laughed inappropriately.
Keith: "You can her a brat? You're just a kid as yourself!"
Glenn: "Say that again!?"
Prince Glenn stood up suddenly, but it was stopped in his tracks by Prince Edward's soft speech.
Edward: "Now, now. Though as I do find glazed carrots as delicious, don't you agree?"
Edward: There aren't many vegetables that can be prepared as a sweet dish."
Joshua: "Carrots are the king of all vegetables."
Prince Joshua had been listening quietly up until then, a voiced his opinion before settling back into his meal.
Roberto: "What? I think the king of vegetables would have to be the potato."
Edward: "Hmm, I feel it would be onion myself."
(It looks like everyone is moving off topic...)
As while I was thinking, Prince Wilfred opened his mouth slightly and he spoke.
Wilfred: "I don't really think carrots are the king of vegetables, but they taste nice prepared like this."
(Oh... Prince Wilfred.)
Everyone was quiet after he spoke as then started discussing different types of cooking.
Roberto: "But say, isn't it fun about having a meal all together as like this?"
Prince Keith raised his eyebrows at Prince Roberto's comment.
Keith: "Really?"
(But I think I understand what Prince Roberto means though...)
As I thought to myself and Prince Wilfred spoke.
Wilfred: "Well, I kind of know what you mean."
For some reason, Prince Wilfred's soft tone of voice warmed of my heart.
(But, why did Prince Wilfred want to bring me here?)
(You'd think as he'd want to bring his fiancee is Miss Cecille here instead...)
I stole a look at Prince Wilfred's face as I thought.
(Maybe he does have a special feelings for me...)
(But, no... that's not possible....)
Zain: "...Miss Regina? Is something the matter?"
I snapped out of it when I looked at Zaina smile in response to his question.
Regina: "Oh no. Everything is fine."
I turned my attention to my meal and I eart my meal as I tried to hide what I was feeling inside. But...
Regina: "Prince Joshua, Keith, Edward, Roberto and Glenn..."
Prince Joshua, Keith, Edward, Roberto and Glenn looked at me when I spoked.
Regina: "There's something... I have to tell you...."
Edward: "What is it?"
I looked at Prince Wilfred when he nodded his head as I looked at them.
Regina: "....You know..."
I took a deep breath when I spoked.
Regina: "I am lost daughter of princess."
Prince Joshua, Keith, Edward, Roberto and Glenn widen their eyes.
Keith: "What!?"
Zain: "It's true, because she's Rosa Kingdom of Her Royal Princess Regina."
Edward: "My, my."
Joshua: "I thought you are..."
Regina: "I know... I explain later... but I need to find my mother, father and my sweet little sister..."
Zain: "Don't worry, Milady Regina. I will find them."
Regina: "Thanks Zain."
(After all... I miss my mother, father and my beloved sister, oh and I miss my butler...)
--End of Chapter 9--
To Be Continued...