30 : Don’t Talk to Him

I woke up in a very good mood. I slept so well that when I woke up, it was already afternoon. I looked at the clock, it's three o'clock.

What a nap! I got up and looked outside the window. There they were, Prince Fraser and Princess Paislee, in the garden, talking about something. I couldn't really hear what they were saying because of the distance.

Prince Fraser is probably sharing information about flowers with Princess Paislee. I smiled, he's such a flower geek. I sat at the study table and watched the two of them.

I tried to remember the conversation they were having. Prince Fraser was sharing some flower trivia with Princess Paislee. However, she didn't seem interested in flowers, so she tried to change the subject. They started talking about politics in the Vrawyth Kingdom and such.

Princess Paislee isn't your typical princess. She doesn't enjoy flowers, tea parties, or embroidery and any skills usually associated with noble ladies. Instead, she focuses on practical skills that would aid her survival, such as archery, equestrianism, and hand-to-hand combat. Not only does she learn these skills, but she also excels in them.

I observed Prince Fraser's expression, noting its peculiarity. It seemed like he was attempting to conceal his disappointment while pretending to agree with Princess Paislee. However, he couldn't quite hide his disappointment entirely.

I chuckled at Prince Fraser's expression. Poor him.

However a thought struck me. Shouldn't Prince Fraser be impressed by Farren's knowledge? This should spark his interest in conversing with Farren more often.

I look at Prince Fraser's expression. I noticed a shift in it. Unlike before, he appeared more composed and perhaps even slightly impressed. There seemed to be a subtle hint of amazement in his eyes, though it was difficult to confirm due to the distance between us.

   Did I see things incorrectly? Perhaps it's just my imagination. The writer has emphasized that I cannot alter what I've written, including the emotions of the characters. In this particular scene, Prince Fraser is supposed to be impressed by Farren's knowledge. Given that Farren hails from the western region, familiarity with the capital and politics would indeed be unusual.

   I sighed and decided to set aside the matters concerning the two leads for the time being. It's more important to have a discussion with my father first. I need to inquire about the two doctors, but I'm unsure how to do so without arousing his suspicion.

____________

   I knock on the door of my father's office, a room that has rarely seen use in our residence until now. With the cancellation of the Crown Prince's training, it seemed my father had found a new purpose for it. The count is making a report about the training of the Crown Prince.

"Father, may I speak with you?"

I heard footsteps from within, and the door swung open. Father ushered me in and shut the door behind us, a clear indication that he understood I had something important to discuss.

He gestured for me to take a seat in front of his desk, and then settled into his own chair. "What do you want to talk about?"

I inhale deeply and turn to my father. "Father, can we trust on the doctor who treated Farren initially?"

After a brief pause, Father responds, "I'm uncertain. He's the only doctor available here, so we had no choice but to call him. Why do you ask?"

"I have a feeling he might be suspicious. When I asked him about Farren's condition, his response was unclear to me. But perhaps I'm mistaken, Father," I express my doubts.

Father nods in understanding and replies, "I'll look into it. I'll conduct an investigation into him and provide you with an update once it's complete."

I nod my head at him. "Thank you, father. I will be going first. I wouldn't disturb you anymore."

Father simply nods in acknowledgment and returns to his work. As I approach the door, a sudden thought strikes me, causing me to pause and look back to my father.

"Father, I have another question."

Father stops what he's doing and looks at me. "What is it? Go ahead."

"Father, can we trust Doctor Marcus?"

Father fell silent for a moment before responding. "Csille, why are you asking these questions? Is there something I need to know?"

I panic internally. Did I reveal myself? Retreat, Csille, before Father suspects the identity of the Crown Princess.

I shake my head repeatedly. "No, Father. I was just curious. I just felt like Doctor Marcus seems different than the last time I saw him."

Father walks towards me. "It's good that you're cautious with the people around you. However, always remember, Csille, it's also dangerous to be overly cautious. You might inadvertently provoke some people." He sighed and gently touched my head. "You can go now. Don't discuss this with anyone, okay? Don't worry about Doctor Marcus. He is trustworthy."

   I nod my head and walk outside. The door closes, leaving me alone with my thoughts. What did Father mean? Who are these people I might provoke? Why did he mention it after I asked about Doctor Marcus? Can I really trust him?

____________

While I was admiring the garden's scenery, someone interrupted my moment.

"Lady Lauretré, indulging in the flowers, I see. The rumors about your fondness for them were true after all."

   I turned around to see Doctor Marcus approaching me, causing my senses to heighten. I always feel unease around him, sensing that he might have malicious intentions.

Without responding to his comment, I maintained my gaze on him. He gestured toward the chair in front of me and asked, "May I?"

   I glanced at the chair and then back at Doctor Marcus before nodding silently.

Who exactly are you, Doctor Marcus? What is your intention?

Remaining silent, I waited for him to speak. He wouldn't have approached me without a reason. I was certain he had ulterior motives, but what could they be?

   Doctor Marcus chuckled and raised both hands in a gesture of surrender. "You seem so wary about me, Lady Lauretré. Care to enlighten me as to why? Amuse me," he said with a smile.

I was taken aback by his words. What did he mean? Did he know something? I cleared my throat and scoffed at him. "I don't understand what you're saying, Doctor Marcus. Me? Wary of you? Why would I be? Do I have a reason to be wary of you?"

Doctor Marcus shakes his head. "Of course there's isn't. Why would you think I have something to hide?"

Is this person testing me? Do you think you can fool me just because you're older and a doctor? If there's anyone who knows many things in this world, it's me.

I take a sip from my teacup before responding. "Doctor Marcus, did you hear me say that? I'm just fourteen years old. What could a young lady like me possibly know? Geometry? Calculus? Physics? Shall I list them one by one?"

"If that's what you wish, Lady Lauretré, then by all means, entertain me."

I shake my head in disbelief. "I don't think you have time for this, Doctor Marcus. Aren't you busy?"

He waves his hand dismissively, then stands up and walks towards the flowers. Rhododendron! What are you trying to say, Doctor Marcus?

 "I'm not that busy. Sir Farren is already recovering, and he doesn't need me to be twenty-four-seven beside him now. So, I have time. Why? Are you pushing me away, Lady Lauretré?"

He gazed at the Rhododendron flowers before turning to me.

"I am not! I am just worried that I'm bothering you. Aren't I, Doctor Marcus?"

   He gazes at me for a moment before turning his attention back to the Rhododendron flower. "Isn't this pretty, Csille? I think it suits you."

I quickly rise from my seat. "I'm sorry, Doctor Marcus, I need to go now. I forgot my mother, the Countess, asked me to do something. I'll take my leave, Doctor."

    As I stride back to the house, questions swirl in my mind. What did he mean by saying the Rhododendron flower suits me? Is Doctor Marcus trying to send me a message, a threat perhaps?

____________

    I was about to walk inside my room when I saw a person sitting on my bed. I immediately close it.

   Holy moly! What is Prince Fraser doing in my room? I held the doorknob firmly, ensuring it remained securely closed from the inside.

   I heard footsteps approaching the door, followed by the sound of the doorknob turning. Someone was attempting to open it. I quickly pressed my feet against the door and pulled the doorknob towards me, applying pressure to prevent Prince Fraser from opening it.

"CSILLE! OPEN THE DOOR!" His voice echoed from the other side.

   I shake my head. No way! I don't want to talk to you. Talk to yourself, Prince Fraser. I'm staying right here..

I heard someone banging on the door. I immediately turned my head around. Oh dear! If this continues, everyone will know what is happening between us, Prince Fraser. And that is not a good thing.

"CSILLE! I'm telling you for the last time. Open this door!" Prince Fraser yelled from inside.

    I sighed and slowly let go of the door. The door immediately opened, and a furious Prince Fraser welcomed me.

He grabbed my arms and pulled me inside the room. He then slammed the door so hard that even the birds resting on the trees outside got startled.

"What are you doing?" he demanded.

   I glanced at him and quickly averted my gaze. His glare was intimidating. "What do you mean? I don't know what you're talking about," I replied, attempting to walk past him. However, he grabbed my arms again and pinned me against the door. Placing both hands on either side of me, he stared intently.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Csille. So, tell me, what are you doing? Don't play innocent with me."

   I sighed. "Okay, I just don't know how to face you." I admitted, avoiding his gaze. It was the truth. I was avoiding him because I feared that the real Csille Lauretré would take over my body if he continued appearing in front of me. This wasn't part of the script, and I was worried it would affect the story.

He gently lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. "You don't know how to face me? What do you mean?"

"It's because you always seem mad whenever we talk. And when you're not mad, you do things that confuse me," I explained.

Prince Fraser released my chin and dropped his hands to his sides. "I'm always mad? That's true. But it's because of you. You do things that make me mad, Csille."

I stared at him in disbelief. "What? How is that my fault? I haven't even spoken to you lately. What did I do?"

"That's the thing. You don't talk to me, but I always see you checking on Farren's health, talking to him, and such. I thought you didn't like him, Csille?"

Hold on. He's mad because I've been checking on Farren and talking to him? Why is he bothered by that? It doesn't make sense.

"I don't like him, Fraser. I was just checking on him because I was concerned about his condition."

He inched closer to me, our faces almost touching. "Then why did you visit him this morning? He's already okay. He even mentioned it this morning, right? So, why Csille? Why did you visit him?"

I sighed. Why is he so smart? How can I explain things to him? How can I explain this to him without revealing too much? I couldn't disclose my deal with Paislee.

"I simply wanted to discuss if he truly desires to accompany us to the Capital. Considering he's from this region, I'm concerned it might be a big change for him. I just wanted to ensure he's making the choice willingly, rather than feeling obligated. After all, the Capital is quite different from the western region. Don't you think he should have a say in this?"

Prince Fraser looked at me with a steady gaze before responding. "I've already discussed it with Farren, and he's eager to accept the role of a knight. You needn't worry. However, you should have talked to me first."

"I just wanted to make sure, Fraser. He might feel overwhelmed by your royal status. That's why I spoke with him directly."

"And what did he say?"

"He said the same thing he said to you. He's more than willing to serve the Vrawyth Kingdom."

Prince Fraser nodded. "If you need to discuss anything with Farren, come to me first. Perhaps I can answer it on his behalf."

I was about to refuse when Prince Fraser bid his goodbye to me. "It's already six in the evening. I need to talk to the Count. I will be going first, Csille. Let's talk about this next time."

He held my cheeks with both hands. "Don't talk to him alone, Csille, okay?" Then he left the room.

What the heck did just happened? Why is he against me talking to Farren?