Chapter 55: An Unsatisfying Play

Elizabella, fully aware that she saw Margarette following soon after the Crown Prince, started feeling antsy herself. Why? Lady Margarette seemed like she was not hiding her intentions of following the Crown Prince. Elizabella seriously wanted to give her a good shake and talking to her. Does she not understand that she cannot just go up to the Crown Prince like that? She could get in trouble, and what is worse, she would leave a very negative impression on his parents, her potential in-laws.

Elizabella realized that this play was causing her too much of a headache. She wished that she could scrap it altogether. Too bad the play has already started, and she had no way of stopping it. As they say in show business, the show must go on.

Since the play has already started, she needed to make sure that no one saw what was happening. She had already made sure that she knew where all the cameras were and any flying drones. They were mostly used when the stage presentations were being conducted, so she was happy to know that they were not randomly flying around. It had to do with the privacy of many noble people in the guest roster. Normally, that sort of thing was not seen amongst the nobles, to have flying drones buzzing around their heads.

The drones were out, but there were still many camera people going around doing short interviews while others were doing panoramic shots of the event. These were the people that Elizabella had to keep a close eye on. She continued to mingle with different people until a Lord asked where the Crown Prince was. When she heard this question, she smiled elegantly and gave an already rehearsed line.

"He required fresh air, so he left to view the night sky for a minute. It has been a while; perhaps I should go and search for him to make sure that he is alright,"

"Ah. I see. Yes, you should go and attend your husband," said the Lord as he bowed to her and excused himself.

Seeing him leave, Elizabella secretly let out a sigh. "Attending to her husband" was something that she was going to do tonight. Or at least was something that she hoped she could accomplish by making sure no one knew of what he was doing.

"I should really ask the King and Queen to let me go home after this. I need a break," thought Elizabella as she gracefully nodded to passing guests while she headed to the back gardens.

Before really stepping outside and noticing that the moon was already out, she ensured no one followed her. She hoped that no one else was outside as she knew she had to cover for the Crown Prince.

"Walliams, is there anyone outside near the Prince?" asked Elizabella as she walked slowly to the gardens when she heard Walliams' voice.

"I can tell you where he is. I can feel that someone is next to him. Judging by the perfume, I believe it to be a Lady," said Walliams as he began to worry that they may be walking into an affair. "Uh... should we continue to look for him?"

"Point me in the right direction," said Elizabella as she remembered that Walliams was never with her when she made the deal with Prince Maxen. "Whatever you see and hear, please ignore it."

"...Alright," said Walliams as he wondered what Elizabella meant by that. "He is to your right path, closer to that balcony."

"Thank you, Walliams," said Elizabella as she walked even slower to the destination, leaving Walliams more curious about what was happening.

Elizabella walked until she saw the black dress that Lady Margarette wore and stopped. She did not want to give up the fact that she had come to observe the play's main leads. One of the main reasons she loved to direct performances was to watch the drama instead of being a part of one. Even if she did not like the female lead, she was satisfied with just watching from the sidelines. Maybe in the future, the female lead would change to a more dependable character, or a new and better one would emerge.

"Whichever the case, I hope I get front row seats," thought Elizabella as she enjoyed the awkward couple interacting. "Wait. Why are they still so awkward? Oh right, that failed proposal probably left them feeling more awkward around each other. However, I would have been mortified to even look at my partner. I have to say she has more spunk than I thought. I will give her a few points for being brave to seek out her partner."

While Elizabella was mentally commenting on the "play" in front of her, Walliams was mentally cursing the Crown Prince.

"How dare he cheat on my Lady! Does he not understand that out of all the Princes, he is her third choice!? He needs to wise up before my Lady leaves him. What if someone sees them? This will be so humiliating to my Lady! Humph! If he were not a Prince, I would have torn him up for even daring to look at another woman!" Walliams began to think very angrily as he continued to watch the young couple. "I wonder how my Lady is feeling about this mess. Would she be sad that another person has betrayed her? If he makes her cry, I swear that I will make him regret it!"

As Walliams mentally ranted, Elizabella continued to watch with curiosity. Although she did not particularly like this couple that much, she still hoped for a happy ending.

"I will eventually need to show myself. Should I appear as the villainess in the play? Oh! That would be fun to try! It could even build the female lead's character! Should I try that?" thought Elizabella as she contemplated how she should approach them since they needed to get back for dinner.

**********

Prince Zander had been secretly observing the couple on his balcony. They did not seem to see him nor know that someone was there. He frowned as he wondered what his cousin was doing with another girl.

"She seems like a little mouse. Why is he with someone like her? Wait. Is she not in our school? Do they know each other from school? Well, if they are just friends, why are they secretly meeting here? Where is Lady Elizabella? Does she know?" the thought that Elizabella knowing the infidelity of his cousin made Prince Zander think that he may have a chance to swoop in and make her his. "If there really is something going on between, then I need evidence..."

Lady Margarette and Crown Prince Maxen had been standing rather awkwardly for a few minutes while they both tried to find the words to say to each other. Lady Margarette had thought that the Crown Prince would have already told her words of comfort or that he had wished that it was her he had married. Instead, he remained mute and in uncomfortable silence.

Crown Prince Maxen had assumed that Lady Margarette had wanted to talk to him since she did search him out. He felt a little disappointed when he did not hear that she was upset that she had rejected his proposal and was now regretting her decision. Finally, he thought maybe it was all just wishful thinking. Maybe she meant that she missed the old days when they were just friends, and they were not awkward around each other, not that she wanted to be with him.

"Well, if that is what she wants..." thought Prince Maxen as he took a deep breath in.

"How have you been, Wolf?" asked Lady Margarette as she finally broke the silence between them.

"I have been well. How about yourself?" asked Prince Maxen, surprised that she broke the silence first while she gave him a shy smile.

"I have been good as well. I thought that you would ignore me after you got married."

"I am sorry that I was not able to answer you before," said Prince Maxen as he felt that her words could have a double meaning, so he cautiously responded to her. "Does she mean as a friend or...?"

"I wanted to let you know that I really regret letting you go back then. I should have just accepted your proposal. Now, everything is too late," said Lady Margarette with a sad smile. "Now, you have married someone else who is not me. I guess I should congratulate you and wish you a happy life."

Hearing her words, Prince Maxen could not believe them. These were the words that he had wanted to hear before. He felt his heart racing as he struggled to calm down and think of a response for her. Right before he even said anything, he heard a voice.

**********

Walliams, being very upset that the Crown Prince was meeting with another woman, did not register that Prince Zander was in the vicinity, nor did he realize that he had left. However, he did realize that he came back with extra people. He quickly alerted Elizabella, who was too into the play to notice that Prince Zander was slowly making his way with a couple of reporters that had wanted to interview him.

Upon seeing that people were coming, she grew upset that someone had interrupted her entertainment while she quickly took action and came up to the couple.

"Maxen, dear, we need to head back to the dinner. Everyone is waiting for us," said Elizabella with grace as she smoothly came and planted herself next to him, startling him.

"Ginny... I was just about to head back," said Prince Maxen as he felt a little flustered that his wife had caught him. "Why is she here? She has never cared about my affairs before..."

"...I think over here would be a very suitable place to do our little interview- oh! Royal Cousin Wolf! I did not know you were here- oh, with the Crown Princess as well? What brings you guys out here?" asked Prince Zander, visibly and genuinely confused to see Elizabella there with his cousin.

"Crown Prince, Crown Princess," said the reporter with the cameraman as they both bowed to them when they saw that they were there as well. "Oh? Who is this Lady? May we have a moment of your time to interview you later?"

"Wha-? Me? Well, I -uh..." said Lady Margarette incoherently as Elizabella continued her smile, but underneath she was really disappointed.

"Maybe later, sir. She is a good friend of the Academy that we attend. It was nice to catch up to her as we are on break from the Academy," said Elizabella with a lovely smile, and as she gave them an apologetic look. "We have been out here for so long that I believe that it is time to go back in. Dinner would be starting soon."