Chapter 42

I held back the groan on my lips, wondering if I should explain my situation and then deciding it would be better to make what I have planned seem like chance. Rodrigo would certainly inform father if I told him what I had planned.

"I have affections for the prince".

If anyone had been been drinking in the carriage it would have surely been spat on me. Rodrigo, The count and even Crystal's eyes were the size of saucers. There was a heavy silence before Rodrigo broke it with a laugh.

"I think I misheard you"-

"I have affections for the prince" I repeated calmly.

"You?- You have affections for the prince?" Shock emanating his every word as he pointed a shaky finger my way.

"That's right" I replied as if it were the most obvious thing ever.

"Truly? Even after he said all of that to you?" Crystal gawked.

I nodded affirmatively. Deciding to look at the scenery from the window while they collected themselves. The Capital as usual was bustling and the noise on the Main Street made me want to visit the store to see how it was.

"Sister you have had no interest in a single man until now… the prince is essentially your first love then?" I could hear the pity in my brothers voice and Crystal let out a dramatics gasp.

"Her first love?! This is too cruel!"

I turned back to them with a tired face, deciding I was better off getting off here than going back home if I had to deal with this.

"He's not my first love- He's simply the first man I want to marry" I corrected them, noticing my brothers brows knit.

"You want to marry the prince? You do realise you would be queen of Grandor as a result" he said it slowly as if explaining it to a toddler and just to be even more obnoxious made stupid gestures as he did.

"What? No way…" I blandly replied, turning away from him.

"This is no joke, Madeline. Father would be infuriated"-

"I do not care what father has to say" I waved him off.

"You will care when he marches to the capital and drags you back home!" He shouted, breaking the 'walking on a robe' banter we were enjoying with his red face.

I didn't flinch.

"So let him. He can't dictate my entire life for me" I knew I sounded like an entitled lady. I was in most ways. But my father had such a leash on me that it was embarrassing.

"Madeline" Rodrigo warned.

"Just let me do this Rodrigo… I have no plans on actually being queen" I confessed, knowing the silent part of that sentence was something only I was privy to.

'I would rather be a royal advisor'.

"On that topic, the dowager queen seems quite interested in you" Crystal said.

That thankfully steered the conversation to the dowagers up coming birthday and the preparations for it. And before the conversation could shift farther than that we arrived at the Counts house.

I hopped out the moment we stopped, completely ignoring the footman who held a customary hand out. I was hoping to run straight for the mansion, but blocking my way were two obstacles.

"Darlings! You've returned!" My Aunt caught me in a tight grip before I make a move to run past her. The curiosity in both hers and Randall's eyes was undeniable.

"Aunt… how have you been?" I said sheepishly.

"Mother!" Crystal ran into her mother's grasp just as wiggled out of it.

"There's been rumours flying left and right about you" Randall attacked the moment I had a second to breath. Rodrigo crept up behind me as well and suddenly I was cornered.

Oh dear…

Just as hell was about to make its appearance, another figure, hesitant and non-threatening appeared behind my aunt and I had to look twice to make sure.

Familiar curls of brown and bright green eyes that were the replica of Anastasias met my muddy green ones.

"Mr Archabgel?" I said in surprise, noticing how he stared at me almost bashfully, as if he wasn't sure to intrude.

"Lady Colter" he beamed, teeth appearing and I found myself feeling strangely relieved the canines weren't pointy, "I'm so sorry to have been awaiting your return like this, especially when you've just returned".

"Not at all. I actually planned on visiting the store immediately after I got back. We can head there together!" I proposed, hoping to escape the clutches of the cousins and my brother.

"That's quite alright, dear. Mr Archangel is currently a guest at our residence. You can discuss business inside" My Aunt clamped a hand on my shoulder, in a way that suggested for me not to bother trying to escape.

"I see. How thoughtless of me…" I replied.

"Mr Archangel" Rodrigo shook hands with Connor, who smiled politely back, more rigid than what I had been used to, "nice to see you again".

We had began to make our way inside but I was glued in on the conversation my brother was having with Connor. Noticing how close they looked.

"Who is he?" Crystal asked, glancing at Connor interestedly.

"He's my landlord" I replied, "I'm not sure why or how he's close with Rodrigo though…"

"You're seem quite close with your landlord" she said, lips in a smile that suggested we were in some sort of relationship.

"He also handled my business while I was in the palace" I explained, hoping that would wipe the smile off her face, but she just let out a sound resembling a hum. But it wasn't just her it seemed.

Aunt Elizabeth had walked behind us and seemed to clock in our conversation making sure to end it with a smile as she commented.

"It seems you've finally blossomed, young lady" she patted my back and I cringed.

What exactly is going on?