Camilla collapsed onto her bed, exhausted, only to be startled by a familiar voice from the window.
“Was my presence that easy to miss?” Prince Thane asked, his tone laced with amusement.
Camilla jerked upright, her gaze narrowing at the unwelcome visitor.
“Not a ‘I miss you’ hug, I presume?” he asked dryly.
Prince Thane chuckled, approaching her.
“You shouldn’t be here, Your Highness,” Camilla warned, her voice rigid.
Thane’s expression turned serious.
“I came to see you, Camilla, and to apologize.”
Camilla’s sarcasm dripped like venom.
“Oh no, I don’t think the Prince has done anything to apologize for.”
Thane’s eyes locked onto hers.
“I’m sorry I messed up without knowing.
Every arrangement was made by my father, and I had no idea about this selection before coming here.”
As he reached for her hand, Camilla dodged his touch.
“So, you didn’t know you were forming an alliance with the royal family or courting their princess?” Her anger flared, golden flecks flashing in her eyes like sunlight.
Prince Thane hesitated, taken aback by her ferocity.
“Which part didn’t you know, exactly?” Camilla pressed, her voice razor-sharp.
For a moment, Thane wondered if the setting sun had illuminated her eyes, but her fierce gaze left him unsettled.
“You look beautiful,” he said suddenly, his words interrupting the tension between them.
Camilla’s eyes snapped up, amusement dancing in their depths.
“I know I look beautiful, Mr.
Prince,” she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
“I don’t need your acknowledgement to affirm that fact.”
He chuckled, his expression sheepish.
“Alright, alright.
I’m sorry.
I didn’t come here to flatter you, although you do deserve it.” He paused, his gaze locked on hers.
“I came to this kingdom for you, Camilla.
But I had to use a more…
official notice to gain entry.”
Camilla scoffed at his audacity, turning away to remove her ornaments from the dresser.
Her fingers hovered over the delicate clasp of her bracelet when her maid’s gentle voice interrupted.
“Your Highness?” The soft knock on the door accompanied the query.
Camilla’s gaze flicked back to the prince, her eyebrows arching in silent inquiry.
Why was he still standing there, lingering in her chambers?
She sighed, the sound barely audible.
“Do I need to remind you to make your escape, or are you waiting for a special invitation?” Camilla asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
“No need to remind me, my love.” He walked closer, his movements fluid and confident.
“I’ll be back,” he whispered, pecking her cheek before teleporting out of the room.
Camilla’s eyes narrowed, still feeling a flutter from the sudden kiss.
She shook her head, clearing her thoughts.
The door creaked open, revealing Kali standing outside.
Camilla noticed her maid’s flushed cheeks and wondered if she had overheard the exchange.
“What’s the matter, Kali?
Your cheeks look rosy,” Camilla asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kali’s eyes darted away, her voice breathless.
“Oh, it’s nothing, my lady.
I was running before coming here.
I didn’t realize you were done until I was woken up by a fellow roommate.
So I had to rush down here to help you freshen up.”
Camilla secretly breathed a sigh of relief, believing Kali’s explanation.
“Come in, Kali.
Help me get ready for dinner.”
Kali curtsied, her cheeks still flushed.
“Yes, my lady.”
As Kali made to enter the room, Camilla couldn’t shake off the feeling that her maid might be hiding something.
But Camilla kept her composure, careful to avoid Kali knowing she might have taken an interest in knowing more about her private life.
“Ugh, this place smells weird,” Kali said, oblivious to Camilla’s inner turmoil.
Camilla’s body stiffened, her mind racing.
How did Kali notice?
“Ha!
How different,” Camilla replied, attempting nonchalance.
“It smells like another person’s scent,” Kali observed, her brow furrowed.
Camilla’s nerves spiked.
“Oh, don’t worry about that.
I just found a gift my brother put in my bag to surprise me.” She forced a laugh.
“It turns out to be men’s perfume.”
Kali chuckled.
“Aha, I was wondering why it smelled like a man’s scent.”
Camilla joined in, more relaxed this time.
“The queen would have my head if there was a man here.”
“I’ll arrange the bed while you freshen up,” Kali said.
Camilla nodded and quickly retreated into the bathroom, her heart still racing.
As she locked the door behind her, she exhaled deeply.Thank goodness,that was a close call she said before turning on the shower to bath. This chapter was copied from novelping dot com without permission.
Few minutes passed before Camilla emerged from the bathroom, finding her room spotless thanks to Kali’s efficient hands.
“You can bring our food now, I’m famished,” Camilla whined, settling onto her plush couch.
Kali’s eyebrows arched.
“Our food, my lady?” she asked, confusion etched on her face.
Camilla chuckled mischievously.
“Isn’t there two of us here?”
“Yes, there is,” Kali replied, playing along.
“So that makes the pronoun ‘our’ right?” Camilla teased, her eyes sparkling.
Kali’s expression turned serious.
“But, my lady, I’m not allowed to eat with you.
If anyone finds out, I could lose my job.”
Camilla’s grin turned persuasive.
“If we don’t say anything, no one would know, right?”
Kali hesitated before nodding.
“Right, my lady.”
Camilla’s hands reached out to pinch Kali’s cheeks affectionately.
“So go bring our meal, you cute girl.”
Kali’s face flushed a deep pink.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes, my lady.
Excuse me,” Kali said, curtsying.
“Alright, Kali,” Camilla responded, her smile faltering.
As soon as Kali left, Camilla’s expression turned stern.
She strode to the window and commanded, “Come out.”
Prince Thane emerged with a sheepish grin, ruffling his hair.
His smile faltered upon seeing Camilla’s angry face.
“Alright, I’m sorry…
again,” he said, raising his hands in surrender.
“I’ll leave now.”
He turned to depart via the window but halted after three steps, realizing Camilla hadn’t stopped him.
“Really, you’re just going to let me leave like that?” he asked, incredulous.
Camilla’s arms crossed, her eyes narrowing.
“Why shouldn’t I?
You’ve already disrupted my evening.”
“How utterly callous can you be, Miss Emberstone?” Prince Thane inquired, his tone laced with indignation.
“Heartless enough to spare no moments for those who betray my trust,” Camilla retorted firmly, her response swift and unwavering.
“Hey, Camilla!” Prince Thane called out, his voice infused with contrition.
“I’m really sorry, okay?
I was simply at a loss for how to articulate my predicament to you, which is why I remained silent and allowed events to unfold naturally,” Prince Thane explained, his words dripping with sincerity.
“I genuinely meant it when I said I desired to explore the depths of my fascination with you, Camilla,” Prince Thane assured, his eyes locked onto hers.
“You must truly believe I’m a naive, lovesick adolescent,” Camilla responded, her sarcasm biting as she chuckled lightly, before turning to make her way to her dresser, leaving Prince Thane perplexed.
“Ah, found it!” Camilla announced triumphantly, taking her sweet time to scrutinize the object in her hand, well aware she was testing the Prince’s patience.