Royal Chapter 3

Kadline's Bedroom (The Great Palace, Matias Kingdom, Beaumont, Belgium)

I woke up with a knock on the door. A maid entered the room pushing a cart of a tray of foods. When she saw me, she smiled and asked me to wake my sister up. I look on my right side and there is my sister, Kadline, sleeping soundly. Why did I end up sleeping here? Oh well, might ask later. I'm starving.

I tapped Kad's cheek to wake her up. Good thing she's easy to wake up. "Good morning old lady." I giggled after she gave me a deadly glare.

"Just kidding, breakfasts are ready."

"Oh, breakfast in bed," she said as she sat up. The maid placed the wooden lap tray on the bed and the food for us. When she's done, she exited the room and we started eating up. After I took a sip on my cup of tea, I asked Kadline why I ended up here in her room.

"Last night's Grand Dinner made you exhausted so I asked Erov to escort you in your bedroom. You know that brother of ours, he's such a fool. He always was mistaken about our bedrooms." Oh, I remember already. Erov did escort me to my room since I said, I'm already sleepy. Maybe it's because of too much wine I drank last night and I felt tired.

"I remember that I noticed it wasn't my room but still, I slept here." We both chuckled. Then we talked about what happened last night. She told me she met Prince Lucius Marcus Weasley Giustiniani, the guy who interrupted us on the balcony. He was interested in our vineyard that was being managed by Kadline.

"Ana, Can I ask you a favor?" I nodded as I eat a spoonful of soup. This soup is so good! I'll visit the chef later to praise him. I love all of his creations. They're masterpieces.

"Can you visit the vineyard later for the tasting of the newly harvested grapes for me? I have to go somewhere at that time and I can't cancel it."

"Oh, I can. I would love to visit the vineyard too. I'll have any of our brothers with me." Her face brightened and she kissed me on my cheek after saying, "Thank you, Ana! I love you! I owe you one."

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Vineyard (East side of Garden of Fleur, Matias Kingdom, Beaumont Belgium)

"Thank you for inviting me here, Luana," I look at Costello, walking beside me. I've decided to have him with me since I want to introduce him to the whole Garden of Fleur. Also, he's the first one I saw while on my way here. I just smiled at him.

It's already 9 in the morning when we arrived at the warehouse of the vineyard. Mr. Sergio welcomed us and lead us the way to the newly harvested grapes. Kadline said that it will be delivered to a famous and expensive winery in Belgium. I knew that the winery is currently being managed by Prince Lucius.

Mr. Sergio took two of the grapes inside a box. He gave us each one of the grapes then we ate it. The fresh grapes taste sweeter and juicier than I usually eat in the palace. Mr. Sergio took another two from another box and give us each piece. This time, the grapes taste just like what I usually eat. It's chewy and crunchy. It's also bigger than the first one.

"What have you noticed sister?" I think thoroughly before answering Costello's question.

"The first one is good for making wine and the latter is good for eating it as a fruit. Good for an appetizer." He smiled and nodded. I think I gave him what he needed as an answer.

Mr. Sergio was pleased when we both said our insights about the grapes. When everything was done, he thanked us. We thanked him too and went out of the vineyard to go back to the palace. After roaming around the Garden of Fleur, we parted ways when Alfonso saw us on our way back to the palace. Alfonso and Costello went somewhere I don't know because I didn't ask.

I am walking carefully and I slowly stopped when I saw my maid, Olivia, holding a basket walking towards my direction. The guards closed the door of the palace after Olivia came out. She saw me and stopped when she about to passed me. She curtsied before she smiled.

"Where are you going, Olivia?" I said as I hold my hat that was almost fall by the wind. It's windy today and it's one of the reasons why I agreed to accept my sister's favor. Walking in the Garden of Fleur during windy days are the best and relaxing days.

"I'm going to the Centertown, Your Highness," she said as she continued walking. I walked beside her.

"No, Your Highness. You don't have to accompany me. I can go alone."

"Please? I want to roam the busy town of the kingdom." I clasp my hands to let her know that I'm sincere about going with her. She sighed and finally agreed. I grinned widely and we continue walking out of the gates. The guards stopped me but I said to them to keep silent especially when my brothers look for me if I'm not back yet.

I clung to Olivia's left arm and smiled at her. I'm excited to see the busy Centertown of the kingdom. It's not that far though. We can have a carriage but I insist on walking. As I said earlier, it's windy. I want to feel the cool breeze of the wind on my skin.

When we finally reached the Centertown, I'm amazed at how many people going around from one wooden stall or store to another to buy the things they need. There are people selling pieces of jewellery, silks, accessories inside a big wooden box displayed at the side of the road. People brought their basket with them and that's where they put all they bought. It looks like a big market. There are also carts and carriages passing through. The whole town looks really busy and noisy. This is my first time walking around here without being accompanied by butlers or any of my brothers.

I followed Olivia to a stall where a woman sells fruits. The stall was filled with a lot of different fruits that look pleasing to the eyes and will make you want to buy and eat them right away. The woman looks at us all smiles. So, I smiled at her also as I said that I want an apple. She then took three apples. I got confused about why she gave me three when we're only two.

I was about to give them all to Olivia so that she can give her pay when I heard a cough behind my back. I turned around to see a man in a royal suite, looks regal and handsome enough that people can't help but to stare at him. I bet he's not from Beaumont. I've never seen him before.

"I think the other one is for me?" I blinked when I noticed that I'm also staring at him. I give Olivia the two apples and the other one to the man. I give him a slight smile.

"Oh, that's why I received three. I am sorry, Sir." I said as he smiled back at me exposing his dimples. His face looks more handsome whenever he smiles. He gave his pay to the woman, thanked her and started walking back to the carriage, not a meter away from us. He gave me one last look then he winked and bite his apple as the carriage started moving away from us. I realized that I'm frowning so, I immediately close my eyes and heave a sigh to release the tension. That man is weird.

I turn back to Olivia and saw the basket half-filled with fruits. We thanked the woman and started walking again to the next destination, I don't know where to because I'm just following Olivia. We stopped to an old woman who sells silks. I let Olivia buy what she's been looking for while I stand behind her. I look around and stopped to a woman wearing a gown as I observe her. She looks like she's from a rich family. She's walking beside a tall man while they're talking about something that made her laugh.

They came to a halt on a stall full of flowers. The man gets one tulip and gave it to the woman. The woman smelled the flower as her hat got blown by the wind, fell and it landed on the ground near her shoes. Then I saw the face of the woman. My eyes got widened when I recognized who she is. The man picked up the fallen hat and give it to her as she placed it back on her head. They started walking together again, their backs facing me.

"Oh, Your Highness, did I just saw Princess Kadline holding a flower walking with a man?" said Olivia, shocked.

"Yes, she's with Duke Lucius Giustiniani," I sighed. So, this is what she talked about.

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Kadline's POV (Centertown of Matias Kingdom, Beaumont, Belgium)

I stepped out of the carriage while a butler accompanied me to get off. I said to the butler to fetch me before noon at this place. He said yes and gets back on the carriage and leave. I heave a sigh first before entering the famous coffee shop in the whole town. He said that he'll meet me here at exactly 9 am.

I look around the half-filled of customers, shop. I found a man sitting alone on a table for two, coffee on his table, wearing a blue royal suit and a hat. He smiled when he saw me. I smiled too and walked towards his direction. He stood up and accompanied me to sit on the chair. He called a waiter to order a coffee for me.

"You're early," I said while looking at him. He looks handsome today.

"You're just late" he smirked and took a sip of his coffee. I raised my eyebrows as I look on my pocket watch and realized that I'm fifteen minutes late. I chuckled and the waiter arrived. He placed the coffee on the table. I thanked him and he said enjoy the drink before he leaves.

I pick up the cup of coffee and took a sip. It's kind of hot but still tolerable. The coffee tastes bittersweet. This is what Merovecho wanted so badly to taste. It's not that special though. I like teas more.

"So, why do you want to see me here?" I said as I put the coffee down on its plate on the table.

"Just what I said last night, about the business." He said in a monotonous tone.

"You can just ask me to your kingdom or in our palace. Tell me, what do you want except the business?" I said furiously.

He smirked and laughed a little. Why is he laughing? Did I say something funny? I glare at him and he stops.

"I'm not going to do anything bad to you, Princess. I just want to spend time with you." I calmed myself so I can't say anything bad again. Did that offend him? But he laughs and he doesn't look hurt.

"I don't want to talk business here. Let's talk about it next time. Shall we go?" he said and stood up. He extends his hand as if he's asking me for a dance.

I blinked and accept his hand and stand up. He holds my right hand while my other hand holds my gown for support. I thought we're starting to walk when he pulls my hand up and I startled when he kissed the back of my hand.

I look at him as he looks at me in my eyes while slowly raising his head. A genuine smile on his face, I can feel my face heating up.

"Bonjour, ma Princesse"