CAMILLA, THE LITTLE FLOWER

- HELVETICA -

I've been seeing my father's preferred candidates for quite some time now, but no one had truly caught my eye. They'd merely brag about themselves and talked about circulating rumors. Trying to persuade me that I'm a decent person and such.

I'm not even a nice person to start with.

They're just a bunch of average women who's not even fitted in my criteria. "Your Majesty must be getting tired of seeing different people everyday." How dare she laugh at my stored patience.

"My father doesn't know the word HIGH STANDARDS and gave me the lowest women he'll ever see." He was so shocked when we talked about my spouse as if he didn't try to kill me once. He did say sorry and told me that he's not on a good thinking.

So if I kill him, it would only be considered as a part of my adrenaline rush and not a murder. I was looking forward to see him kneel and beg for forgiveness tho, it must be a nice sight to see.

"Today's also the same, Your Highness." She said as she continues to massage my shoulders. "You also have a lot of patience for handling those nobles." I responded with a chuckle.

"I can't let you be alone with them even if it's private, Your Majesty. They're not your woman yet." The only reason they agreed is because of power. That if they stand besides me, they can do anything they want.

I despise those kind of people. I will rather use them than to make them use me.

I groan as I hear a knock on the door. Is it time already? I'm still resting from yesterday's suffering. That woman caused far too much ruckus in the palace.

She yelled at those servants like she owned them. The knights were chastised for just looking at her. That woman is more unreasonable than any spoiled brats in the capital.

She's so obnoxious that I had to send her off immediately. That family must be joking with me. Whoever bears that child should go and seek for medical attention. She must be blind as she can't see her daughter's behavior.

Don't compare me to an airhead creature. I'm much more than that. "Your Majesty, the candidate is here." She'll be the one who needs to wait for me.

"5 minutes." I said as I lean my back on the chair, closing my eyes as I breathe some fresh air.

"Who's the candidate?" I'll have to make sure she's a reputable and noble woman. The person who has a mature perspective. I should've added that in my requirements.

"I don't have any idea as it was the Emperor's choices." I don't know that his tastes are all awful like him. I stand up, looking at the mirror. Serina fixes my dress as I wish to see the candidate.

As the door was opened, a young lady wearing an ombre white aqua gown greeted me with a smile. "Isn't she—" Serina's whisper was cut off as father introduced me to the young woman that seems familiar to me.

Have I seen her somewhere?

Father coughs as he looks proud, standing in front of me today. "Your mother and I decided to send an invitation to the Rosenblitz. They are the ones who's supplying us with the coffee grounds and other spices. Therefore, I, especially your mother wanted to invite them to dinner."

"Unfortunately, the second daughter is still a minor so she doesn't fit your requirements. And so, in front of you is the first daughter. Camilla Rosenblitz." I chuckle for a while as I haven't seen it coming.

I should've picked mother for recommendation instead of choosing my stupid father to handle my affairs. The way he chooses Lithia's partner is also a horrible person.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Unlike the first meeting, she looks confident, standing right in front of me. I greeted the Duke and Duchess as they nod. While Carien seem to be uneasy.

Perhaps, it's because of the rumors spreading.

"Greetings Lord Carien. It looks like, you're doing well." He looks at me as he shows curtsey. "Greetings Princess Helvetica. We met again." If I could just do one thing right now, I would probably choose to laugh.

Who would've thought that he can make such priceless expressions! No wonder he looks awfully funny today!

Camilla looks at his brother as she coughs. "I will be glad to accompany Her Majesty today." This woman really likes to fix a dead air. "As you can see, Serina is my personal maid; is it okay if I bring her with us?" Father and the rest of them leave as soon as they started to chat.

Perhaps, it's a business talk.

"We already talked back then so I'm fine with it, Princess Helvetica."

I return my gaze to Carien, who seem to be worried for his sister's safety just sigh as he follows The Duke and the Duchess. "My brother is just worried, Your Highness." I could see that.

"I believe Her Majesty has a valid reason for everything." Looking at her closely, "You look average as usual, Miss Camilla." Valid reasons.. eh?

Has she already heard about the circulating rumors about me, trying to murder my father? The story favors the king. No wonder that it seemed so ludicrous that it made me want to vomit.

"That's really nice of you. I appreciate the compliment." As you should. "Shall we take a walk now? I wouldn't waste my time, chitchatting about unnecessary things, Miss Camilla." She looks obedient as she follows me immediately.

"I thought I might brew you some coffee, would you mind me if I serve you a drink?" So she would please me by her talents.

"You already brewed something for me back then. Don't you have anything for me rather than to cook and serve me meals and desserts?" That's a maid's duty if you will ask me.

"I have nothing to present to you. However, I can assist you in achieving your objectives. I can stand straight and be the best image besides you. I wouldn't tarnish Her Majesty's name and do my duties as your spouse.." She covers her cheeks as she goes right in front of me.

"T-that's just a slip of the tongue, please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

"She's talking about her, being your spouse, Your Majesty." I started to laugh as soon as Serina whispered those words. Unlike the others who's confident about themselves,

There goes this girl who's really imagining herself as my wife already. "Y-Your Majesty?" I can't believe that this type of person actually exist!

I composed myself as I return my gaze at her, once again. As I began to stroke her cheeks, a startling thought occurred to me. "How do you get your cheeks to glow like that?"

"What blush do you typically use?" It was amusing to watch her get embarrassed.

"I-it was because I like Her Majesty.."

"How much is it, exactly?" As soon as I get close to her, the more she tried to look away. "Your Majesty, please stop playing with me." I laugh as I slowly back off.

"How can you like a woman who's trying to kill her own father?" How can she even gather the courage to say those words to me?

I'm not the type of person who can be swayed easily by words. And if someone will ask me to differentiate the word LIKE and LOVE. I might not be able to answer the question.

"Her Majesty is a reasonable person. I believe that Princess Helvetica has a valid reason for everything." I stopped.

What makes her think of that?

"You," I looked at her straightly, trying to read her eyes. "What do you really want from me?"

"As I've said back then, I pose no threat to Her Majesty. I'm simply saying what I'm thinking because I don't want to appear phony in front of you. In order to acquire your trust, that is."

"My trust.. why did you want it so badly?" It was a question that I planned to ask back then. But I never imagined we'd meet up again at such an inconvenient time and place.

"Having an ally is much easier than having a slew of enemies, Your Majesty."

"An ally is an easy thing to decide. Why did you accept to come here?" She pinched her dress as I could feel her nervousness.

"I— I wanted to be Her Majesty's wife.." Wife, she says. "What are the things I can obtain from being your spouse?"

"Loyalty and faithfulness, Your Majesty. I will support you and be with you. And if I didn't meet your requirements, please throw me off. But I hope Her Majesty won't throw me."

"As I wanted to stay by your side permanently.."