Sheep in wolf's den

She wanted to refuse him, but then she just agreed, they already encountered each other, and might as well talk to him. Plus, it would be too strange if she just fell on the grass and instantly healed already. The princess must not have told the crown prince about it...

Good thing that the halls were empty and no one saw them. If not, she would not be surprised that tomorrow's news would be all about her and the crown prince. When they reached his study, he let her sit on the sofa, and let her face him with his sparkling golden eyes. His blonde hair was smooth and silky and she fought the urge not to run her fingers through it.

The lady sent him a smile, "Oh, you can just leave me at the infirmary or ask for a maid to send me home, your highness. I came with my father."

"I told you, I am not going to do that." He offered her a smile. "May I take a look at your feet?"

She wanted to shake her head, but her body was not listening.

Pulling up her dress enough for the crown prince to see her feet, Prince Mathias thanked her. "That's strange. Your body heals fast." He said.

"It really is not hurting anymore, your highness. I am deeply grateful." She said calmly.

Well..that's because the female lead had healed her earlier. She thought.

Prince Mathias ordered the maids a tea for them.

"Thank goodness. Now let us enjoy our cup of tea since you're already here... I just want to talk to you for a minute. Surely, you can spare some time for me?"

Talk with him? She felt curious. "Of course I would be glad, your highness."

Prince Mathias chuckled at her reaction. "You're pretty cute, Lady Vienna."

She just smiled, not knowing how to answer that compliment.

He looked at her in amusement. "No need to be nervous, my lady." He said. Was it obvious that she’s nervous? "I'll just ask you something."

She smiled at him, sipping from the cup of tea he offered. She caught a whiff of the scent of the tea. It was sweet, calming, and addicting, perfect for a tea drinker like her.   "This tea is delicious, your highness, may I ask what this is called?"

He took a sip of his cup of tea. "It's a gift from the north. Do you want it? I'll send some for you next time.” 

Oh? "You don't have to, your highness."

"But I want to." He said.

If she were not to think about him killing her,  the crown prince seems reasonable and comfortable to talk to… he’s not called the male lead for anything. But it feels like the way he acts is forced, almost not natural. It’s like he practiced this a few times. 

Instantly, she could feel the atmosphere changing as the way the crown prince looked at her also changed. His golden eyes gazed at her sharply, and she felt a sudden shiver, almost like a prey getting hunted by a predator.

"Your father and I got along really well you know...we actually discussed some business matters but..." he trailed off, returning to the topic about her father.  "Sadly...he rejected my request."

The lady looked at him in silence, reading his expression. She was confused. She does not know why his highness is saying this to her but she should go with the flow. "Really? I came with my father here as he met his majesty the emperor for a meeting." She informed him.

"Really? That's great then..." Prince Mathias said, pausing for a second before continuing. "I was asking him for access to your mining family business..."

The lady looked at him in confusion. What?

She may not be that educated with their business since her father handles it and her older brother is the heir for it, but she is an educated woman who studied this with some fine scholars of the empire. Their mining business was exclusively only for the Xaviera family with her ancestors...and even the most powerful family in the empire, which is the Royal Family, never even dared to mess with them.

It was already agreed by the past emperor not to touch them since they were allies from the past, not until the Royal family saw them as a threat and did their best to stop them from spreading their wealth. That is why the Xaviera Family never took anyone's side and became an independent family.

This was not according to the book...

And at this moment, it felt like...I'm being thrown like a sheep into a wolf's den...like I am being used... the lady thought.

"I was wondering if you could help me persuade your father? You see, the enthronement is getting nearer...and it would benefit me...you know to get the crown easier. The other nobles are refusing to take my side after all..." Prince Mathias continued.

She stopped. The enthronement, he’s the heir to the throne of course...It would happen ten months now, after his marriage with Princess Avelina. Why is he bringing this up to her, a lady from the Xaviera family? Surely, he's not asking for her father's favor?

She knows her father. He's not interested in matters like this. Like the earlier Xaviera heads, her father is neutral.

There was an unknown emotion in Prince Mathias's eyes as he gazed at her with his usual smile. This was different... She felt chills running down her spine. The atmosphere in this room changed and she could feel tension circulating. Something is wrong. Wait a minute..is this connected to the information that Duke Raziel gave her yesterday from the coffee shop? That he was acting strange and going to the high priest often? 

Until his personal attendant, Sir Maxfield interrupted the silence, "Forgive me for the intrusion, your highness, and Lady Xaviera. But Lady Xaviera's personal knight is waiting outside."

Lady Vienna never felt this grateful for her knight, Titus, to escort her home. He was right on timing!

Prince Mathias sighed in front of her. His expression turned back to normal and she felt that she could breathe again. "Oh, I see. It's quite a pity that I only got to talk with the lady today. I apologize I scared you, Lady Xaviera." He said as his bright golden eyes glistened, staring into her soul.

"Not at all, your highness." She replied, bowing her head slightly to him in respect.

He noticed her limping as she tried to stand up. "Are you able to stand now? Or would you like me to carry you?"

"I am fine, your highness," she said, refusing his offer.

"Okay...it is sad that you keep refusing my offers...anyways...surely you can't refuse this. Can I call you by the name, Estelle, Lady Xaviera? You can call me Mathias in return..." He said and she stopped.

"But-your highness-"

He cut her sentence off before she could finish it. "No buts. Now call me by my name."

"Oh...okay then...Mathias." She hesitated.

"That's great. Until next time...Estelle." He said and she was guided by the maid outside the Royal building.

Now that she met the female lead and the male lead, she even got more confused. What now?

She managed to see the tall figure of Titus through the dark night. Just then, the magical lights of the royal building turned on, offering its light across the whole dark night along with the stars in the sky. Of course, it was powered by mana. Speaking about manas, the lady was not gifted enough. She may be great at swords, but not with mana. She only had a little of it, which annoys her a bit.

When she got closer to the carriage, Titus's face greeted her. He was wearing his knight's mortal armor uniform. "Shall we go home, my lady?" 

She nodded going home, she felt that night, wondering how things will change now. Sighing, she drifted in her sleep.

****

In the palace, by the land of Moressley in the Orthosdem Empire, the crown prince stared at the retreating figure of Lady Vienna. 

“Estelle…” He mumbled. He knew everything. About how Lady Vienna had been obsessed with her. That’s why he’ll take advantage of it…

His trance was broken when he heard a knock on the door. “This is Avelina.” 

“Come in.” He replied, and the door opened, revealing the 5th princess of the Lumen Kingdom, his fiance, Princess Avelina Ophelia de Solerr. 

The princess bowed at him graciously and he nodded, guiding her to sit in front of him. 

Her bright blue eyes stared at her and her golden hair shone, her delicate and small figure suits her angelic face. The princess was beautiful and he knew it. The moment that he saw her, he knew he had to marry her. “How’s your stay here? I hope you’re enjoying the empire.” 

The princess smiled, “It’s beautiful here.”

He smiled. “Not as beautiful as you…” 

The princess’s cheeks turned red at what he said. He chuckled at her reaction, he loved teasing her. 

“Do you need anything, my dear fiance?” He asked, noticing her lips wanting to say something.

The princess shook her head. “Oh no, I know you’re busy. I just want to...know if we could dine together later at dinner?”

She looks cute. Smiling at her, she caressed her face. “Yes, just as always.” 

“Ehem.” A clearing of the throat interrupted them. “Excuse me but his majesty the emperor requests for you at his study, your highness.” Said his attendant, Maxfield. He nodded and turned back to stare at Princess Avelina’s shy expression.

“Forgive me my dear fiance, but my father wants to see me...Our dinner would be delayed, is that alright?” 

The princess nodded, “I’ll be waiting then. Go ahead.” 

Kissing her hand like a gentleman, he stood up and made his way towards his father’s study. 

Knocking on the door, he heard his father’s voice and let himself in. “Your majesty.” He said, bowing to his father, notifying him of his arrival. 

His father turned to look at him, smiling at him gently. His long grey hair and bright golden eyes shone, his skin wrinkly and old. “Hello, my dear son. I just had a wonderful meeting with Duke Xaviera. I heard that you brought the daughter of Duke Xaviera to your study?”

He nodded, knowing he was right. His father had been monitoring his movements for years now...he knows every move he makes...“Yes, I had, father. She fell from a tree so I treated her.” 

“Good...that’s expected of us Stavios to be a gentleman. Do you like her? You can marry her…” His father trailed off. 

He stopped at that. What does his father want him to do? “I have Princess Avelina's father.” That was all he could reply. 

“Yeah, but that young woman seems interesting...you can take her as a concubine if you want…” the emperor gave him a challenging look then chuckled. “I’m just kidding.” 

He then cleared his throat. “I called you here to ask you about your preparation for your enthronement. Is everything all prepared?” 

He nodded. “Yes, everything is all prepared, father.” Of course, what other reason would he call him for… 

“I expect great things for you after I retire. Do everything to win over the other nobles. They think you are useless and not fit for the throne. Prove them wrong, my child.” 

“Yes, father.” He said, and the emperor had dismissed him. 

He knew..if his brother still lives, he wouldn’t be the crown prince…

Checking around him to see if his father’s guards were still everywhere, he went into his room when he saw no one. He lit up a torch, pressed the secret knob on the wall, and revealed a secret passageway. It was dark, but with his torch, the room lit up. He closed the opening behind him and marched onwards. 

When he reached the other end, there was a sound of chains dangling and a prison beside him, with a man laying on the ground. The man coughed blood, his clothes all tattered, and his body all beaten up. 

Prince Mathias grinned. “Hello, brother.”