The Two Encounters

The next morning, Smerdria made a scrumptious breakfast by the time Brunia rose up from the bed. As Brunia walked down the stairs, she complimented, "Good morning, Smerdria! What a magnificent residence you have! However, my only complaint is that I fell off the bed three times last night because of the silk sheets."

Smerdria giggled and asked, "Wait a minute... which room did you go to?"

Brunia pointed upstairs and replied, "The one on the left to the central bathroom."

Smerdria burst into laughter and clarified, "HAHAHAHAHA!!!! MY DOG SLEEPS THERE! Your room was to the right of the central washroom!"

Brunia's expression faltered, and all that could she could respond was, "WHAT!?"

Smerdria answered, "I guess you just have to accept, you slept on my dog's bed. Anyway, that room is empty now since he's with my cousin now; we both take turns and take care of him since we're really obsessed with dogs."

Brunia responded, "Yeah... one whole King-sized bed with silk sheets, closets, a full bathroom inside a completely furnished room made that very clear!"

Smerdria countered, "Sorry about that. Anyway, I made breakfast! Have a seat on the dining table while I serve you some of my appetizing sandwiches."

As she placed the plate in front of Brunia, she blurted out, "SO CUTE!!!! YOU MADE THIS!!??"

Smerdria suggested, "Try it first, I guarantee that your heart will melt!"

Brunia took a bite and exalted, "The double chocolate layer is literally to die for!"

Smerdria added, "Just wait till you have my seafood risotto!"

Brunia thought, "My word! She has this much skill as a cook, and yet she chose the path of a scholar. she must have substantial resolve!" As they finished their meal, they headed to the university to resume their studies under Doctor Dmitria for the day.

In the meanwhile, Bruno and Ludwig departed to the national opera house and converged up with Sennett whereas Oliver was on his search for Brunia. Ludwig took his place as the guard outside the private box the captured the entire stage view. After the mesmerizing performance portrayed by the actors and singers, Bruno was taking notes whereas Sennett was merely staring at him.

She asked Bruno while he was writing, "So... how was the show? Romantic, isn't it?"

Bruno snapped back, "Huh? Wait... what? What was the question?"

Sennett's gaze towards him grew more intense as she requested, "Bruno... I'm going to ask you something really quickly, and I would like you to answer honestly."

Bruno nodded with approval and braced himself for the question. Sennett continued, "Bruno, we have been studying together for a few months. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I felt something that only grew stronger with time. You are intelligent, charming, and incredibly talented; and I like being around you more than anyone else. So I was hoping if you could think about being around me a little more."

Bruno raised an eyebrow and asked in perplexion, "What is that supposed to mean?"

As a response, Sennett came down on one knee and opened a ring box before the Prince. Bruno's eyes widened at the sight of what was transpiring in front of him and were at a loss for words.

Sennett posed the question, "Bruno Von Granzreich; would you make me the happiest and the most fortunate Princess in the world and marry me?" As she said that, Ludwig observed the entire conversation through the glass window of the private box. He fled from the area to inform Oliver all about it, thus leaving the Prince and the Princess alone.

Bruno took a deep breath and answered politely, "Sennett, I suppose I'm flattered by your words of description about me, but I sincerely apologize that I cannot be betrothed to you."

Sennett's expression faltered, and she asked, "Why not? What is the quality that makes you feel that I'm inferior to you in some way?"

Bruno replied, "It's noting of that sort, I-- umm..."

Sennett responded, "What is it then, I am an intellectual female, am I?

Bruno stammered, "Y-Yes y-you a-are, b-but..."

Sennett interrupted him by screaming, "THEN WHAT IN THE DEVIL IS THIS REJECTION ABOUT BRUNO!?"

Bruno was shocked at her loss of composure, and as a response, he blurted out, "You want to know what this is about!? Fine, I'll tell you! I CANNOT BE BETROTHED TO YOU BECAUSE I'M IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE ELSE!"

Sennett's anger piped down as she asked, "Is it Princess Brunia, then?"

Bruno spoke, "I apologize for my outburst and for the fact that I declined your offer. Before I say anything else that I regret, I must go, excuse me." He fled from the monument as fast as he could in search for Ludwig and his carriage.

In the meanwhile, after Brunia's studies concluded with the Doctor for the day, she was at Smerdria's residence conversing with her about the economic stability in the kingdoms of Cudmore, Granzreich, Ofraz, and Orosz. Amidst their debate, there was a knock at the front door. When Smerdria answered it, she saw Oliver standing before her asking about Brunia.

Smerdria called out, "Brunia, your royal guard is here!"

Brunia quickly whirled around and was surprised to see Oliver at the front door. Oliver asked, "Brunia, may I talk to you, please; alone?"

Brunia nodded her head with approval and informed Smerdria that they will be conversing for a while and that she will resume her debate with her friend immediately after the purpose has been achieved.

They both took their place beside each other on the fresh, dewy grass accompanied by the sun and the pleasant winds. Brunia spoke, "If this is about yesterday--"

Oliver interrupted her by clarifying, "I'm not here to talk about that. I mean, I am, but we'll get back to that later."

Brunia inquired, "Then what do you want from me?"

Oliver responded, "Brunia, since we're finally alone, I'm not conversing with you as your royal guard, Oliver, I'm talking to you as the Prince Kabir you used to know."

Brunia posed a question, "Which reminds me, why did you run away from Rathanlandia to Cumsta and started residing at Michael's residence?"

Kabir answered, "Well... I really wanted to eradicate the misunderstanding between us."

Brunia countered loudly, "I couldn't have the heart to tell you that I had to breakup with you, so I shoved a letter at your face; and when you held my hand for an explanation, I hit you; I'm the bad person. You have nothing to apologize about, and that's that!"

Kabir asked, "Then why are you yelling?"

Brunia replied, "Becuase, I know that you still like me!"

Kabir reminded, "I did not say that, did I?" Brunia quickly covered her mouth and was filled with embarrassment.

Kabir elucidated, "Brunia, I'm aware that a few months ago, you were suffering from temporary paralysis and that partly has to do with your past, does it not? And to answer your claim, yes. I still like you, but that's my problem now, not yours. I came here to build peace with you, not to win you back. I'm well aware of why you left me, and that's not your fault. You wanted to follow in your mother's footsteps of being Queen of Vermillion, and you came across a crossroad where you had to choose. I get it now! And I knew that you were aware how heartbroken I was and didn't even explain your purpose to me and just left things between us abruptly which disturbed you, am I wrong?"

Brunia responded, "No, I think you hit the mark correctly. I knew why you came to the Granzreich palace, and I even know who set you up to this job. But my question is, why would you go through all that trouble just to sneak out a moment alone with me to eradicate the misunderstanding?"

Kabir held her hand and replied with a smile, "Because I love you; I always did. I knew that you also took your time to get over me, and by gazing into your eyes, it is quite clear that you're in love with someone else."

Brunia's eyes widened with astonishment, and she questioned, "You know!?"

Kabir scoffed, "Please! What's all this hoopla about then?" They both shared a laugh, and at that moment, Ludwig came rushing on top of the hill huffingly.

Ludwig screamed, "Oliver, you have to hear this! Wait... Princess Brunia?"

Oliver responded, "Yeah... I found her. What is it that you're so anxious to tell me?"

Ludwig whispered into Oliver's ear, "I can't tell the Princess, I want to talk to you alone."

Oliver replied in his normal voice, "No. Whatever you have to say, you can say it to both of us."

Brunia reassured, "Ludwig if you're worried that my reaction is going to be like the outburst last night, it's not. I have calmed down, and there's nothing that's going to change that."

Ludwig blurted, "Princess Sennett made a move on Prince Bruno!"

Oliver asked, "What do you mean by 'made a move'?"

Ludwig interpreted, "It means that she proposed that they both should be betrothed."

Brunia lost her composure and yelled, "Then?! What is the devil did he say?!"

Ludwig replied, "I don't know, I fled from there when the Princess caught me spying on them through the glass window."

Brunia regained her composure and stated, "Well, Ludwig. Thank you for sharing this with me, and I happened not to be bothered by this, at all. I will see you guys after a month at the hotel."

Ludwig asked, "You're not coming back, Princess?!

Brunia answered, "I'd rather stay here. If Oliver wishes to guard me, then he may join me."

Oliver responded, "Then I will. See you at the 1st, Ludwig."