Encounter

We arrived at the palace on time. I escort her to the palace but I waited for her in the waiting room beside the meeting room where the councils and nobles gathered. I do not know what is their topic since the Duke did not say anything.

Well, maybe Lady Miary has already knows what will be the reason. While waiting for her I walk around the room and stopped at the window where you will see the garden of the palace. The garden was beautiful and relaxing to watch the garden when I saw two people in the garden. However, in the scene was the guy is just walking away then the girl is chasing him but then he stopped although I can't hear them. I can say that he rejected the poor girl because the woman suddenly covered her face while running. I feel sorry for the lady because she confessed to the wrong guy.

I immediately hid when the man in the garden suddenly looked at me. He looked at me as if he was aware that I witness him rejecting a lady. He seriously looked at me with his golden-brown eyes paired with his brown hair that it was suited him. I think he is familiar with his features and I think it was the prince's cousin, his name is Ronan Jared Alfinos. I tried to remember when he was introduced in the book but I can't really remember when he has appeared in the story since I did not see the book for the past 3 years searching for every library and I don't remember much but I know the crowned princess is also coming soon.

When I was deeply thinking about the story I did not realize that there was a knock and it was Lady Miary who was calling me. It seems like the meeting was ended up already but it would be better for us to leave so I can't meet Ronan. He might tell me that I like to watch another affair even if I didn't want to see what happened earlier. Her Grace said that she will visit the garden since she wants to rest there for a bit before we go back.

"We should go Lady Miary!" I said so she was surprised at what I've said and she looked at me with a serious expression.

"Why? Is there anything wrong? Are you not feeling well?" she asked then I shake my head. It's okay for me to take a walk in the garden but I think we can meet Ronan on the way and that's awkward for me.

"Then we should visit the garden, I'll assure you that it is beautiful," she said so I have no choice but to come along. I prayed many times so that we will not bump into Ronan while we walked through the garden but my prayers didn't go well because he was standing in the middle of the garden where the wishing well is located. Then when we are near to him, he stands up properly and greeted Lady Collins.

"How are you Lady Miary? It's been 3 years since I saw you and you looked more beautiful now." He said and then he looked at me but I look side to avoid his gaze.

"I'm okay and how about you? Where are you for the past 3 years and did not even bothered to write a letter." She said. By the way of how she talked to Ronan is like they are childhood friends.

"Well, there are things that I needed to fix so I did not have any time to write a reply letter to you since I will come back here in the capital," he answered and he looked at me again.

"Oh! By the way, this is Avy, my knight. Avy this Ronan the crowned prince's cousin." she introduced us to each other.

"Pleased to meet you, Sir," I said while avoiding his gaze.

"Hmm. I thought he was someone I know who enjoys watching others --- Nice to meet you too." He said while he is looking at me with his annoying smile.

"Do you know each other?" Lady Miary asked us. "No/Not exactly." We answered at the same time but my answer was no, so she was confused by our answer and look at us and Ronan just smiled and I did not know if I will smile or what.

"Oh, I thought you know each other. Anyways, why are you here in the palace?" She said.

"I thought Renz-- his highness is already back so I thought I could visit him since he is not here so I take a stroll here before I go home," he said and I look like a chaperon here but not just like, I'm really a chaperon here.

"Oh, I thought you were summoned by his majesty," she said as if I was not here behind them who followed.

"Since when did you have a knight if you are a knight yourself?" he said while laughing then Lady Miary tried to punch him but he blocked her.

"Well, I admired his skills because he will become a great knight and even he is not a noble he possessed a knight skill even without proper training. And lastly, he saves me 3 years ago," she said while her eye almost looks like a star while praising me but I feel like she just insulted me after she praised me.

"Really? then he must be at the level of Ian the Commander of the palace or not and his height is hmm," he said to Lady Miary and looked at me as if he is studying me from head to toes.

"Did you met him before? or have you seen him once the one who becomes the commander in just a year and finished his training in 5 months. He was also trusted by the crowned prince." He said.

"I- I've just heard about him since he was famous and this is the first time that someone praises him so I think he really is amazing," I said. I feel like he is trying to say that I should know my place and has no power because I am just a mere knight who is not a noble can not enter the palace. Well, I have no intention of entering the palace so I did not react but I just looked at him the first time with my poker face.

"Hmm. I should go now, Lady Miary." He said after looking at his pocket clock.

"Oh sure. You should visit me, next time." Lady Miary replied and Ronan answered if he has time but he will make sure to visit her. Then he looked at me one more time and this time he was memorizing my face. I felt goosebumps with his last gaze as he was suspicious of me. I hope he just upset me because of what I witness awhile ago. After Ronan left Lady Miary said we should go too because she had to report what was discussed.

While we are in the carriage, she looked at me and I looked at her puzzled.

"Do you really not know each other? "She suspiciously asked me.

"Yes, it was my first time meeting him," I answered but she did not believe base on her reaction.

"Good day, Marquess Alfinos. I am here to--------"

"Welcome the Crowned Prince and Commander Ian for their Victory------"