The bookstore
"Princess, do you prefer the purple or blue?"
Daphne sits still as the maids presented various clothing options to her. The maids dressed her up in a purple knee-length gown with a shawl and some amethyst earrings to match. As they brushed her hair and applied some light make up on her face, Daphne asked Rosette to fetch the coachman. Though reluctant, Rosette still complied.
Rosette was the daughter of a viscount and she hated commoners. The only reason why she chose to work under Daphne was because of she was madly in love with Alexander and thought that it would be better that way if she was to stay close to Alexander and woo him. She clicks her tongue which Daphne overhears by chance. Nevertheless, she still chose to ignore it. She knew of Rosette true nature and plans but she turns a blind eye as long as Rosette does what is expected from her. When Rosette notified Daphne of the coachman arrival, she heads down to the carriage. At the hallway, she encounters Alexander and a noble lady together.
Daphne's expression turns dark when she sees how the lady was clinging to Alexander shamelessly. "!!.....Daph!" Alexander jerks the girl's hand off and runs over to Daphne's direction. Daphne smiles, feeling victorious. "Are you going somewhere?" Alexander asked as his eyes fell on her attire. He kept track of Daphne's everyday schedule and she had the afternoon free, so he was a little surprised when he saw her leaving.
"Yes. I'm going to return a book I borrowed from Mr Bartner. I was supposed to do it yesterday but...."
Mr Edward Bartner was the owner of the bookstore Daphne frequently visits on Kenmoire street. Alexander was not acquainted with Mr Bartner but he was well informed about his identity. He also knew about Mr Bartner's feelings for Daphne.
"Again?. But you promised to meet me after breakfast. I'm sure He would understand if you are another day late" Daphne finds Alexander sulking cute. She rubs his head and asked for his understanding. Alexander sighs at his overwhelming defeat. He was weak to Daphne's pleas. "Alright. I'll see you when you come back but do not take too much time". Daphne smiles and promised she wouldn't. She glances at the noble lady which Alexander has apparently forgotten about at the moment. Daphne regarded the girl's spiteful expression as a sign of the lady's immaturity and stupidity. "How can she act like when she is aware of my relationship with Alexander. I'm just his sister, nothing more".
"Daphne" Alexander startles her as he lifts her chin with his index finger and looks into her eyes. Rosette frowns whilst the lady clenches her fist. Daphne could sense their jealousy and rage. She becomes extremely anxious when Alexander smiles flirtatiously at her. "Daph, if you are late_" Alexander whispers softly in her right ear...."Do not blame me if I do something extreme". Daphne shivers as his hot breath caresses her ear. "Again?. He targets my ear deliberately.....".
Alexander appeared aroused as he gabes at her flushed cheeks. He quickly steps back to restrain himself. "See you soon Daph" His carefree smile hid his beastly desires skillfully. He walks past her and the lady hastily followed. Daphne's good mood was soiled when the lady intentionally bumps her shoulder with hers and whispers angrily "Know your place". Doesn't the young lady know that she is a princess and the kings treasure?. Daphne could easily punish her for her impertinence and her not doing so does not imply that she was weak-minded but that the lady was not worth her time.
Daphne finally departed to the bookstore alone. She meets up with Mr Bartner who welcomes her with a wide smile. Mr Bartner was oblivious to Daphne's identity as the princess. He knew her as Daphne the daughter of a wealthy merchant, A lie spun by Daphne herself. They exchanged greetings as He guided her to the lounge. There they covered like the usual and he recommends her a new book to read. Before she entered the library, she told the coachman to leave and come back for her later at dusk. She would always stay for a lengthy amount of time there before she left.
After an hour, Mr Bartner closed his store for the day and joins Daphne with a cup of peppermint tea, Daphne favorite. How considerate of him, Daphne thought. He then wraps a brown cotton blanket on her as they join to read side by side. A few hours passed and the coachman arrived to pick her up. He knocks on the door and Mr Bartner answered.
"Princess, it's time to leave"-The coachman informed.
"Already?"-Daphne sounded surprised. She looks out the window and sees that it was dark out. "Goodness me, I need go".
Mr Bartner looked dejected as she packs up to leave. He grabs her hand abruptly, inquiring about the time of her next visit. She smiles and replies "I am very busy but I'll definitely come again when I have time". Hearing her reply, He becomes relieved. He says farewell as she left the store.
When she returned back to the palace, Rosette waited for her at the entrance of the Amelia mansion. She takes Daphne shawl and steps aside while Daphne enters. "Where's my brother?" Daphne asked curiously. She thought he would be waiting for her at the entrance too but he was nowhere to be seen. "Prince Alexander is at the Phoenix Palace. He said he had something to do and that he wouldn't be a able to come by today".
The Phoenix Palace was the palace of the crown prince, Like the Amelia mansion was for the crown Princess.
"He's not coming?" Daphne says in disbelief.
After contemplating for a short while, Daphne says out loud "I'm going to see him".
"But Princess, Alexander explicitly told me that y_"-Rosette raises her voice, irritated.
"Alexander?" Daphne glares at Rosette. "How dare you address him informally?, Who do you think you are?"
"I-I'm sorry Your highness, it was a slip of tongue" Rosette bows her head, immediately and desperately.
She claims that it was a mistake yet she said it so comfortably?. This has gone too far.....Daphne thought, wary. "I'll go see him alone. Rosette, you may retire for the night. I'll decide your punishment tomorrow".
"But I want to go with you!" Rosette continues with her insolent behavior. She was being too obvious about her feelings for Alexander. Annoyed, Daphne called for the guards to drag her to the dungeon. Afterwards, Daphne went to meet with Alexander. However she was stopped my the guards at the entrance. They were quite adamant about denying her entry inside the Phoenix Palace. She becomes more suspicious due to their behavior and commanded them to step aside. Fearful of her wrath, they obeyed.
Daphne finally entered, she goes straight to Alexander's room. But something stopped her from knocking on the door. She overhears a woman's voice. She was in pain.....No, being pleasured. She peeps inside and saw it all.
Alexander was making love to the girl she saw earlier with him that morning. The way he pounded inside her with excitement, his body being clawed on by the girl's nails, his muscular figure.....She watched it all with teary eyes.