Chapter 11

A soft touch and feeling.

Even though it felt like I was in a cold and dark place, there was a sense of hotness placed in my lips.

Aside from the hotness, it was like my lungs were forced by something airy that made me want to puke all that's inside me.

"Hyeukk, ackk...*cough *cough." I coughed some water out and gasped for air.

Suddenly, I felt a pat in my back.

"Young miss!!!!" Kelly shouted while running.

She then pulled me up and checked what's wrong with me.

"Are you alright? Thank goodness his highness saved you in time." She sighed in relief.

Right, the crown prince was here earlier.

"Your highness..... Why are you here?" I deliberately asked.

*****

"Your highness, you have an appointment with Duke Seymour at 2pm." Martin, my assistant said.

Even though I hate interacting with nobles, it is still my duty to face them and handle the empire's business affairs as the crown prince.

"What is it about?"

"It seems like he wants you to meet with his daughter, Lady Sabrina." He replied.

"Cancel it. I don't want to interfere with his daughter's business. Make sure to reject him as plainly as possible."

"Yes, Your highness."

"You may go. I'm going out for a bit." I said.

He bowed and left.

I went to my room and changed.

I walked a long distance from the palace and looked for a place to relax. I passed by trees and saw rays of sunlight.

It reminded me of a certain someone's hair and the banquet.

While reminiscing some memories, a woman caught my eye.

It was the same woman whom I met at the garden at that night.

She was walking straight ahead mindlessly. When suddenly, she collided into someone.

Someone whose hair reminded me like the rays of sunlight I just saw earlier. It was her. Moriana Allisson.

I didn't know why I secretly followed her but it was a great feeling.

She went to ride a boat and her maid rowed the boat.

She then lied without any care and opened her parasol to block the brightness of the sun.

After several rows, her maid returned to the renting area to stop the activity.

"Don't stop. I'll continue the rowing." I offered.

"Huh? Who are you- .....Your highness?!" She surprisingly said.

I urged her to lower her voice and she obeyed.

She went off from the boat and I replaced her.

I started rowing and looked at the woman who's sleeping peacefully right in front of me.

She lowered her guard too much. Too defenseless.

She then smiled in her sleep and it made my heart tickle.

'I could watch her whole day....'

"Mhmm....Kelly?"

I was surprised when I heard a hoarse yet beautiful voice.

Her lashes fluttered like butterflies and her eyes shined deeply like a thlusand amethyst.

"Did you sleep well, Lady Moriana?" I said.

She stared at me for a while and finally muttered something.

"Crown prince?"

Cute.

"Yes, Lady Moriana?" I smiled.

There was a moment of  silence when suddenly, she stood up and went out of balance. She was on the verge of falling and I tried to catch her hands.

"Lady!"

She fell in the water.

I quickly dived in and took her above the waters.

She was laying in the ground motionless and I started putting air in her mouth hoping that it would work out.

After few times repeating this process, she finally coughed out some water.

I patted her back with a sense of relief.

*****

"Your highness?" I asked again.

He snapped his hands and the both of us immediately became dry.

'What the!? Was that magic? It's like an automatic dryer!' I thought.

There was one final thing I forgot about the novel.

It was fantasy.

Magic and mana were both present and vital in this world. The heroine possessed a healing ability where she used it in her first encounter with the male lead.

Whereas Moriana didn't have any ability at all. She didn't possess any certain amount of mana and was bullied by others ever since a kid.

The sky was already dark and a chilling breeze passed by.

The male lead then took off his coat and covered my body.

"I'll take you home. Come with me." He said and took my hand.

We walked for a while until we saw a carriage.

"Send her to the Allisson's mansion." He said to the coachman.

"Yes, Your highness." The coachman replied.

"Please go inside." The crown prince said.

"Huh. Ah, yes, Your highness." I replied blankly.

Kelly and I went inside the carriage and sat comfortably.

"See you soon Lady Moriana." He took my hand and kissed it.

The carriage then started and the ride was very smooth.

'Soon? Is there any reason to see him soon?'

"Oh my gosh, young miss." Kelly uttered.

"What? Why?"

"The crown prince handled you like a fool in love! Kyaa~! That was an incredible show!"

"What are you talking about. That's impossible." I said indifferently.

That's right, it's totally impossible. In the end, the male lead and the heroine will always be together because their fates are already predestined.

"What do you mean it's impossible? I can clearly tell that he really got hooked by you young miss. I can feel that you two will be together someday. Hehe..my young miss will be the future empress one day. I'm so excited! I want to be a bridesmaid in your wedding..."

She kept talking about things that have no chances of happening.

I'm sorry to disappoint you Kelly but, that day will never happen.

Tomorrow...

"Young miss!"

"Huh!? Where am I? Who?" I was wakened up surprised.

"The crown prince is here! Kyaaa~!! I was right! Let's get you all dolled up young miss!" She said energetically.

Wait, am I hearing things right?

The crown prince is here?

"What the fu-!"

"Let's cover that filthy mouth of yours and get dressed." Kelly smiled evilly.

Kelly....I'll remember this.