Chapter Forty Three
1113 Words
"You are here! Thank goodness! I was expecting you to get here in the morning but you really came here as soon as you can! I am so touched, Prince Kao!"
Millicent Forrester's liveliness and flirty actions towards the Crown Prince did not make me happy but I have to pretend that I have no emotions. She even embraced the Crown Prince and kissed him on the cheeks (something that made my blood boil) as she welcomed us into their affluent home.
We finally arrived at their 'humble abode' as she says, but I refuse to believe that there is such a thing in this lofty house. Their stone mansion that is sitting on the hill is lofty and screams grandeur and class, the exact opposite of what she said when she let us in.
Her parents were waiting by the door and they started chatting with Prince Kao as soon as he saw them. "Good Lord, you should have traveled by the morning! You probably don't have any rest!" Then Millicent's father (who was called Izlo called his servants and told them to prepare the guest room that they set for the Crown Prince. "Rest first, Your Highness! The festivities can wait! Your health is far more important than anything else!"
"My husband is right, Your Highness! Let us show you to your room first!"
I could see that Prince Kao wanted to beg off from their offer but they were so persistent that he had no choice but to let them bring him to the guest room. Naturally, I followed him while carrying some of his things, which he took from me when he noticed that I was having a hard time carrying them myself.
It was then that I noticed that Millicent saw his gesture and I did not like the way she stared at me from that. Her eyebrows were raised and I felt a certain satisfaction that she got irritated by what the Crown Prince did. It was a secret win for me and she was not happy about it.
We were led into a corridor filled with doors and I have to say that this family has good taste with decorations. They seem to like the antique and gothic styles of things such as their giant Heatcatchers stationed in every corner of the corridor.
"Up there, the right door with the blue ribbons," said Millicent who seemed to be determined to get an approval from Prince Kao. "I personally prepared the room for you, Prince Kao because I wanted to make sure that once you get inside you will never feel that you are in a different house."
I had to stop myself from frowning because Millicent made it a point to glance at me every time she was boasting something that she did for the Crown Prince. But the reason why I was frowning was because when we entered the guest room that she was so proud about, it did not look anything like Prince Kao's room back at the Aure castle.
And I can tell that Prince Kao was thinking this way too because I noticed him sighing before pretending to be pleased with the preparations. Of course, I know that he is grateful that the Forresters did prepare something for him but I could see from his reaction that he believed that he would see a room that looked the same as his own when we opened the room. But that was not the case.
Even I, who only managed to go to his room for a couple of times could tell that this room was nowhere near his room. From the design to the curtains and the bed, everything was different and I think I know why.
Even though Millicent said that she made the room look like the Crown Prince's room, she actually had no clue what does his room looks like these days. I tried holding back my smirk because between the two of us, I am the one who has an idea of what his room actually looks like and that thought alone made me extremely jolly.
"Why are you still here?" said Millicent who seemed to have found out that her effort did not match the Crown Prince's expectations. And right now she's trying to pick on me to hide her irritation. "You can leave Prince Kao's things here so that he can rest. Your room is the next one from him, together with the other Palace servants."
I nodded because I could not refuse her, but thankfully Prince Kao interrupted her. "She can leave later, Millicent. I still need her here because I have to talk to her about some things too."
I looked away because if I did not, I was sure that it was going to be obvious that I was smiling from what just happened. "Okay. But be sure to rest while you are here as in just before lunch the festivities would formally start."
And with that, Millicent left us in the room together with her parents and the other servants. It was clear though that she did not like me for some reason. Maybe she did not like every girl that is close with the Crown Prince.
When the door closed, the Crown Prince went to the bed and sat there. He looked tired, and I suddenly thought that Millicent was right. He needs to rest. That's what I told him.
But he shook his head. "I could not sleep like this."
"Oh, right. I should get out."
"No. That's not what I am trying to say," he said as I was about to open the door. "Please, stay. It was true when I said that I still wanted to talk to you."
"Okay. But what are you going to say to me?" He combed his hair while closing his eyes. It seems like he was contemplating about what he was going to tell me. "Is this about me?"
He nodded. "I just thought about this when we were heading to this room."
"What about it?" My heart started beating faster than usual and I don't know why.
"My father and Millicent's parents are in talks of a possible marriage," he revealed. "And if will not make a way out of it, I will have to marry Millicent."
"Okay...?" I blurted out confused since I don't know why is he telling me about it. But I must admit, hearing that from him hurt.
It hurt a lot.
"Now, there is only one way for me to avoid such a ridiculous marriage."
"What way?"
"I need a woman to pretend to be my girlfriend."
- Writer
