Bibliophile princess vol.., p.6
Bibliophile Princess, Volume 4, page 6
After we were informed that a delegation from Maldura would be visiting, the militant faction began to gain momentum. Everyone’s concern and interest began turning toward our military power. When I saw that happening, I started to think we were being too hasty. Memories of war with Maldura were still too fresh in people’s minds, and we’d had a long history of being hostile neighbors. Perhaps it was premature to push for friendly relations right now.
“First,” I said, “I wanted us to acclimate people through the trading of culture and goods, so they could soak in the idea that Maldura isn’t an enemy anymore. Then we could make a fair treaty with them once everyone knows they’re just another country with different beliefs and standards than we have here. I feel we should wait for that to take root before proceeding...”
“Yes,” he said in a soft voice that soothed my restless heart. “You’re right. Considering our long and storied past with them, discretion is paramount. That’s why you feel nervous and think everything is moving too fast. Correct?”
Hearing him clarify the root of my concern was reassuring. The tension lifted from my shoulders. “Yes...”
There was no reason to turn down friendship, as my brother had said. However, it did feel like the Maldurans were trying to exploit the situation for their own motives.
“For Maldura to hasten things along makes me think they must have some other purpose in mind,” I confessed. “I can’t help but doubt them.”
“Indeed.” The prince laid his other hand over mine and entwined our fingers. My cheeks heated a bit with embarrassment.
“Hey, Eli,” he continued, “don’t try to carry the weight of everything by yourself.”
“What...?”
“Maldura’s delegation is coming here because you advocated for peace with them,” he said. “And since they’re using that as a front to hide their real aim, you feel like it’s your fault for having proposed friendship with them. That’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it?”
Sadly, I couldn’t deny that. I was the one who’d given them the excuse to come here, and yet I wasn’t even going to be here when they arrived. If anything were to happen, it would be my responsibility, but I was leaving it all for the prince to take care of.
I pursed my lips tight.
“Eli,” the prince cooed in a gentle, soothing voice, “take a deep breath.”
My eyes flew open, and he repeated his request. I acquiesced and did as he asked, drawing in air before expelling it again.
As I did so, the prince froze, staring at me as if he’d just noticed something. “You have a really sweet smell coming from you. Is it something you ate?”
“Oh,” I gasped. I tried to lift my hand to cover my mouth, but our fingers were still woven together so I couldn’t. “My brother gave me some candy a few moments ago.”
In fact, he’d been quite forceful when he popped it into my mouth, saying, “Jean isn’t your pet, so don’t be feeding these to him. You need to give your own brain some nourishment.”
It had already melted fully by now, but it was improper behavior for a lady.
As I recalled that uncomfortable memory, the prince hummed under his breath, a mischievous smile stretching across his lips. “Care to give me a taste as well?”
“What?”
By the time that word left my mouth, his face had already inched close to mine, and I could feel his tongue run across my lips. When he finally pulled away, he was grinning triumphantly as if his little prank had succeeded.
“Mm,” he said, whispering in a low voice, “sweet enough I could get addicted to the taste.”
I think I’m going to pass out. Your Highness, would you mind terribly if I just collapsed right here?
I froze stiff as a statue. I knew my face had turned red as a tomato because I could see my reflection in the prince’s eyes. My heart was pounding so furiously I felt all the air leave my lungs and thought I might really faint after all.
He chuckled to himself as I finally returned to my senses and remembered to breathe.
Feeling vexed, I murmured, “That was unfair.”
“Hm?” The way he replied in such a playful tone made me resentful.
I glanced up at him. “You’re always so composed, and I’m always so flustered... I want to make you lose your cool, too.”
His blue eyes went wide with surprise, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. “You want to make me lose my cool? How?” His expression was serious as he awaited my answer.
I told him, very matter-of-factly, “I’ll catch you in the act with another woman.”
His shoulders jumped in an almost comical way. All of the excitement he’d displayed moments before faded as he staggered in place. “That’s...not quite the direction I’d hoped for, Eli.” His voice was thick with sadness and he mumbled.
I ignored that and returned to his earlier question. “The same way you worry I might not stay faithful, I’m also concerned that you might find someone else while I’m gone. Your Highness, you’re too...”
You’re too good for me.
He was already popular in high society; I knew that. If some of the other ladies were to see how handsome he looked wielding a sword, I was sure their passion for him would only burn stronger. Someone among them might seriously make a move on the prince. Recalling how gallant he’d looked earlier, I could feel my heart tighten at the thought of losing him.
A sweet voice trickled into my ear from behind. “Well? I’d like to hear you finish that sentence, Eli.”
My pulse jumped again. I was so tongue tied I couldn’t form a response.
Prince Christopher chuckled under his breath and squeezed his arms tighter around me. “You want to see me lose my composure and be completely flustered? All right, then. You made that cruelly seductive comment earlier, and we won’t be able to see each other for a while, so why don’t I prove my love to you? You’ll never have to doubt whether I’ll be faithful or not again.”
“Um...Your Highness?” I felt the sudden urge to retreat and had to fight to keep myself from moving.
I get the feeling I’ve stepped into dangerous territory without realizing it.
“I...” The words trailed off, but I quickly blurted out the rest of my feelings. “I’m not confident in myself. It wouldn’t be surprising to me if you developed feelings for someone else...that’s all.”
No matter how I might try, I couldn’t feel confident in myself. Because...
“And why is that?” His voice was quiet as he urged me to continue, those blue eyes staring at me expectantly.
I felt tears well up as I said, “I don’t want to leave all of the responsibility to you, Your Highness.”
My advocacy was the reason Maldura’s delegation was coming here, but the prince was the one taking charge of the matter. All I did was cause him grief and bring him trouble. Wouldn’t he eventually lose all affection for me at this rate? That was a fear I simply couldn’t shake off.
“...Ngh.” I bit down on my lip, trying to hold the tears in as I cast my eyes down.
You have no right to whine to him or cry like this, I thought as I untangled myself from his arms and scrubbed a hand across my now wet cheek.
The prince’s head suddenly descended toward mine. He planted a kiss right on the edge of one of my eyes. When I looked up in surprise, I found him gazing back at me with intense affection. I tried to whisper his name, but his lips caught mine in a heated kiss, as if to reassure me. My eyes closed automatically and my heart sang. I could feel his love, and it was healing for me.
As he moved away, I opened my eyes again. The first thing I saw were his vivid blue eyes—so bright they engraved themselves into my heart.
“I feel the same, Eli,” he said, returning the same sentiments I’d shared moments ago. “I don’t want to put everything on your shoulders either, so please don’t carry the burden all by yourself.”
His affection was so profound, so all-encompassing that I felt the tears start falling again. I struggled to blink them back.
Prince Christopher smiled at me, reaching a hand up to wipe the wet trails running down my cheeks. “Just as you don’t want me to take everything on, I don’t want that for you, either. You are not solely responsible for Maldura’s delegation coming and the people’s hearts changing as a result.”
He gently chastised me for being so conceited, but at the same time, he accepted my tendency to get worked up over things prematurely. His eyes—which reminded me of a cloudless, sunny sky—seemed to see through me, straight to my heart.
“Eli, I think we’re standing on the precipice of a generational change right now. History is being made. Alone, anyone would be powerless to fight the raging current. They would drown. But together, don’t you think we can overcome this?”
The feelings that welled up in me turned to tears that I forced myself to swallow back. In times like these, I always felt so grateful that Prince Christopher was the man I fell in love with.
“Yes. Yes, absolutely, Your Highness.” My lips trembled as I tried to force them into a smile.
The prince grinned at me and pressed his lips to my forehead. “I really don’t want you to leave the palace. I’m the one getting you wrapped up in the royal family’s affairs. The Ralshen Region where Lord Bernard resides has a bit of a troubled past. I’m afraid they won’t treat you kindly because you’re my betrothed, but there’s no other suitable person to send besides you.”
I could feel the concern in his voice. Although I’d brooded over not wanting to leave everything to the prince, he was entrusting me with an exceedingly important duty. I was sure that was proof of his faith in me.
“You’re right.” I nodded.
The conflicted expression on his face finally eased. He tucked his hand into his chest pocket and produced a small bag, which he held out toward me.
“What’s this?”
“A charm,” he said. “When you’re backed into a corner and desperately need help, open this. I don’t think that time will ever come, but just in case.”
Though I found it curious he was offering me such a thing, I thanked him and accepted it.
“Eli?” His voice was so strong and filled with warmth as he called my name. “I will handle what happens at the palace with Maldura and take full responsibility for it. I want you to deal with the Ralshen Region. Can I entrust that task to you?”
“Yes,” I said, staring right into his eyes.
He gave me another one of his vibrant smiles. Then his voice turned more serious as he said, “Elianna, there is one thing I want you to etch into your heart so you never forget. You are my queen. You’re the only person I want by my side. Eli... Elianna, my Bibliophile Princess.” Prince Christopher gently caressed my cheek, and I could feel my heart stutter in response.
I peeled my gaze away from him, my voice feeling a bit raw as I said, “I understand.”
His gaze softened as he watched me, but then he let out a small sigh. “It’s vexing... We haven’t even reached spring and yet there are so many annoying pests wriggling out of every crack and crevice. Still, Eli, once this is over, all we have to do is wait for the day of our official ceremony. I want you to prepare yourself for that.” There was a teasing tone to his words, but the passion in his eyes was genuine. I felt my pulse drum even faster.
The prince was entrusting me with an extremely important duty. He was recognizing me as his partner, that we’d be walking down this path together. I felt the same way—carried the same anticipation for our wedding.
As I stood there, captured by his beautiful blue eyes, I plucked up the courage and said, “I’m also anxious for spring to come, Your Highness... Prince Christopher.”
“Eli...” Joy filtered through his husky voice as he spoke my name, a broad, earnest smile on his face. I found myself smiling, too.
Romance filled the air around us. I could feel a heat in the prince’s hand and from his breath as he leaned close. The way it caressed my skin sent my heart aflutter as I closed my eyes. Right as the warmth of his lips approached mine...
“Eli, I found the materials you wanted in the vault, but many of them are written in Quetzal, so...” Prince Theodore stepped around the corner of the shelves, and the moment he spotted us, he froze. “Oh...” He remained composed as he cleared his throat and said, “Pardon me, I’ll wait. Do continue.”
Immediately, I noticed veins bulging on the prince’s forehead, an almost audible crack echoing. He languidly slipped away from me, righting himself. The expression on his face reminded me of Lord Alexei.
Those two are definitely related by blood, I thought.
“Was that on purpose?” the prince asked. “It was, wasn’t it? I’d bet ten thousand dora that it was. I should’ve known you’d sell out to those tanuki and choose them over me. Rotten old man, with your fake-polite demeanor. You’ll die a lonely death, I swear it.”
Your Highness, that’s hardly an appropriate way to talk to him...
“I’d thank you to kindly refer to me as a refined older gentleman rather than an old man,” Prince Theodore quipped, looking as amused as he always did in these situations.
I hid my face in the prince’s arms as I waited for the blush to recede from my cheeks. I was happy His Highness had made no move to slip away from me. It was almost as if he were holding me to reassure me that this was where I belonged. Silently, I swore to myself I would do my utmost to fulfill my royal duties so I could return to these arms. Strength filled me, warm and comforting.
Chapter 5: Princess Training on the Road
Laughter echoed inside of the coach.
“Exactly right.” The woman speaking was just past middle-aged, with such a commanding presence it surpassed everyone else’s. In Sauslind’s high society, her influence came second only to Queen Henrietta. Her full name was Rosalia Strasser, but she was more widely known as Duchess Strasser, the mother to Lord Alexei and Lady Therese.
She had blonde hair peppered with streaks of white and eyes like a lake in winter, making her seem cold and aloof. Lord Alexei resembled her in the face, as she had gorgeous, chiseled features. Long ago, she’d been given the honorable title “the Frozen Rose.” Even past her prime, she still retained her beauty.
Currently, my entourage and I were midway to our destination, intending to visit the sickly Lord Bernard. The inside of our carriage was so luxurious and warm that it was hard to believe we were traveling in the middle of winter, surrounded by a bunch of guards to keep us safe.
The one livening up the conversation was the aforementioned woman, Duchess Rosalia. Those acquainted with her would have found nothing amiss about the conversation. As a former princess of the kingdom, she was incredibly elegant and refined, which was why she was so known for appearing distant and difficult to approach. However, those who befriended her would find she enjoyed engaging in immodest conversation.
“Therese’s morning sickness was so bad that for a bit there she wasn’t able to eat at all, you know? When it finally improved, almost as if on reflex, she began gorging herself on her favorite foods. To no one’s surprise, she’s been regularly experiencing stomachaches as a result.”
Recalling the turmoil from a few days prior, I quietly giggled to myself, careful not to make my mirth too apparent lest I offend the duchess.
The young lady at the center of our current conversation was Lady Therese Ardolino, who’d been there to see us off when we departed the capital. I had very few friends, but I counted her among them. She was pregnant and due to give birth at the beginning of summer. Since this was her first time, she’d been causing an endless amount of trouble to those around her.
In response to Duchess Rosalia’s casual remark, Lilia, who was accompanying me as one of my maids, said, “Oh, yes. The other day Earl Ardolino looked white as a sheet as he stormed the palace and dragged some of the doctors out with him. I wondered what all the fuss was about.” She spoke with ease, unintimidated by the duchess despite having only met her a couple of times prior.
Duchess Rosalia’s smile broadened. “One of the panicked servants from their home sent a messenger to the palace to inform the earl. My husband and I were meeting with Queen Henrietta when I heard, and I wondered what could possibly be wrong. My husband, ever the worrywart, began shrieking for them to ‘call a midwife,’ even though she isn’t due to give birth for several more months. Honestly, men always lose their cool when you actually need them. They’re utterly worthless.” She spoke the words without mercy or compunction, as if off-handedly stating a fact. I felt a little awkward listening.
Her two maids merely giggled, as if accustomed to her blunt remarks. Their manners were as refined as any maid in the palace. As I found myself impressed by how well they conducted themselves, Duchess Rosalia turned her smile toward me.
“I heard he caused some trouble for you as well, Lady Elianna. You were meeting with my son when Earl Ardolino barged in, yes? I was told he pressed you for answers as to how a woman experiencing her first pregnancy might cope with stomach pain. You’re not a doctor, for goodness sake. I felt so embarrassed I almost blushed on his behalf when someone relayed the incident to me later.”
Before I could shake my head and reassure her, Lilia burst into laughter. “The maids are still gossiping about it. Earl Ardolino has a scowl permanently etched onto his face, and yet the moment he heard about his wife, he looked like he’d seen a ghost! He must really love Lady Therese.”
“Oh?” The duchess wore a mischievous grin, brimming with curiosity as she teased my young maid. “I believe the same could be said for Lady Elianna, no? Prince Christopher called the general known as a Battle God to defend her on her trip, and he even sent my son—his precious right-hand man—along with us, too. The one who’s really loved and protected here is Lady Elianna, more so than my daughter.”
Hearing how our relationship looked to outsiders made me flush with embarrassment. Only a few hours ago, His Highness had hesitated to release me from his embrace even though so many people had been watching us. Eventually Grandpa Teddy had barked at us to break it up.
