Pretending To Be Gilead's Prince and Master Wizard

My head was throbbing achingly when I woke up inside the prince's chamber the next day. How could I not end up in this position, I almost did not sleep a wink yesterday night. And now my brain says I need to suffer the consequences of my actions last night.

With a lazy movement, I forced myself to get up from the bed. Now that I am seated on its corners, I can't help but remember all the things that happened all the things that happened last night. One must think upon seeing me here that I am staring into nothing.

Finally… upon realizing my feelings for the captain of the magic army, I was able to muster some courage and express to him how I felt without having some second thoughts. And I… I…

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-SHORT FLASHBACK-

"I like you, Mr. Alexander Crimson. I like you very much."

That statement of mine caused his lips to part, as if he is too surprised to hear these words directly from my mouth. 

"W-what?" he said, his voice being aghast.

It was his statement that made me sigh in defeat. Even if I express my feelings for him, I know this would lead to nothing. How foolish of me to think that there would be something more between us, something quite romantic.

But this mere fantasy in my head made me overlook the reality between me and him. It made me nearly forget his status in society, and does mine. I am only a commoner who cannot be seen loitering around with a captain, lest people would only be confused.

And he… he probably liked someone else.

So with these negative thoughts running inside my head, I said to him,

"You don't have to say anything, Alex. I… I know what my position in society is, and yours as well. I know you would be as good as ruined if people would know you had an… affair... or anything to do with a mere commoner such as myself. Then there is this act that we are still displaying to the public about me being their fake prince."

Then my lips twitched into a halfhearted smile. Alex said nothing of that matter. 

Maybe I was right about one thing. He does like someone else and was only driven by this awkward situation that made him do those things to me earlier.

"It is best for us to forget what happened." I finally said, choking back my tears as I belt out the words out of my mouth.

Alex, being the confused one earlier, suddenly changes his ways to being his usual cold, arrogant self once again in front of my eyes.

"Yes, I agree," he said, his tone as cold as ice. "Forgive me once again for my indecent actions a while ago. I am fully aware that it is entirely my fault, but I'm afraid I cannot return your feelings just because it happened."

Earlier, I was choking back tears. But now it seems that my tears are really threatening out to spill at any moment if this still continues.

"Now if we must, we should return to the castle by now. Lancelot and Lucas are probably more worried about our long absence than what is necessary." I noticed him holding out his elbow for me to hold on as we teleported our way back to the castle, as a true gentleman would do.

"Yes. We should probably go now."

And with that, Alex started chanting the said spell that leads us back to the grand lobby of the castle where Lancelot and Lucas are already waiting for us.

-END OF FLASHBACK-

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I literally cried the moment I went back in this very room yesterday night upon noticing Alex acting so strangely cold towards me-- as if we went back to being strangers once again. But I know I should compose myself the next day and probably just move with it.

As I have said, we need to act and dismiss the thing, as if it never happened at all.

Yes, that's what I should do. It would be best for both of us to be this way.

I flinched the moment I heard a loud knock on the door, the very gesture that I was waiting for today, hoping it would be Alex as usual. But I only ended up quite disappointed upon knowing it is none other than Lucas yet I tried my best not to show it.

"Good morning Krisella. Alex was too lazy to wake you up, so I know I must do it hastily," he said, piercing right through my heart.

If he only knew. Being lazy is really not in Alex's vocabulary, but rather he is doing the best that he can to simply avoid seeing first thing in the morning.

"Hastily? I thought you would spare me the time to do as I pleased instead of me doing my usual training sessions with you all?" My brows furrowed as I looked at the curly-haired lad. 

"Why are you in such a rush?"

It came into our agreement the other day that after the annual Foundation Ball, I would have the luxury of enjoying my one day rest because of the festivities that I am obliged to participate in all week long. I was actually planning to shop with my friends all afternoon.

"Well, forgive us if we tell you that we would make a change of plans at the moment, for it is a must."

That statement of his made me think of possibly horrific reasons why they should make such amendments out of the blue…. Such as royal visitors that would appear in front of the prince without making an appointment first.

By now, I chose to stand up from the bed and faced Lucas with great curiosity.

"May I know the specific reason as to why you need to make such amendments all of a sudden?"

"Princess Marionette," he said in a matter of explanation, as if that should perfectly describe the situation.

"Ah. I should see this one coming."

I can't help but smack my forehead with my right hand upon hearing his words.

After half an hour's shower and some little preparations to dress as the 'fake prince', I made haste towards the grand lobby where I immediately spotted the small figure of the princess of Cordova sitting on one of the red couch. Seated in front of her were the archbishop and one of the royal counselors of Citadel who temporarily accompanied her in my absence.

But no signs of the captain of the magic army.

"My princess," I called the attention of the princess in a somewhat formal tone, the one that I would imagine would the prince be calling her as well.

It appears that I somehow interrupted their fairly important discussion when I entered the scene. The princess who is always eager to see her fiance' instantly stood up from her seat and almost jumped her way towards my direction without giving me the chance to take my seat.

"My prince!" she beamed with that oh-so-wide bright smile of hers. I was forced to return the same energy towards her.

"The timing of your visit is exceptionally right this time, after all the stress I have been to dealing with the nation's affairs for the past few days." I initiated the conversation, feigning the exhaustion in my tone.

"The archbishop here has told me that you just went back from your quest in Zagoroth Town this morning." Princess Marionette then locked her arms within my elbow and gently dragged me towards the couch to sit beside her.

"Right. I am kind of exhausted at the moment, actually." 

My statement made her lips pressed together as her eyes looked at me with great concern.

"Oh my. Did I interrupt my prince's delicate rest? If I must, I do apologize for that."

On the corner of my eyes, I noticed Lancelot giving me the "Do not let her blame herself" look that made me think of the fastest way to make it up to her. After all, she just genuinely wanted to see her prince, and I am in no position to object to that.

"Oh, I should be the one to ask for an apology. I did not intend to sound that way." Then I forced a smile at the corners of my lips. "Your presence is enough to make my day bright."

I swear I just saw her eyes sparkled in delight upon hearing what I said.

"But may I ask, what would my princess wish to do during my ample time?"

The princess seemed to have succumbed to her thoughts when she seriously thought about the ways that we would spend our free time together. And after a long stretch of silence, Princess Marionette spoke in her sweetest voice, the kind of voice that I have a feeling she only uses around the presence of the original Prince Arthur.

"I would love to stroll in the royal garden with you, my prince."

Oh.. I see she is really into flowers.

"Then a stroll in the royal garden it is."