XLVI ※ Who Knew A Blindfold Could Be So Powerfully Unsettling?

I confess, it was undeniably amusing to see the shock on their faces when they saw me all dressed up so elegantly. The contrast between their usual impressions of me and the sight before them was almost palpable. Their reactions were like open books—wide-eyed, confused, and almost visibly trying to process the change in my appearance.

Their brains clearly struggled to catch up with what their eyes were telling them. "What are you scheming?" Adonis hissed, his voice dripping with suspicion, his dark eyes narrowing as they swept over my every detail. His stance shifted defensively, arms crossed over his chest, as though preparing for some form of attack. His posture made me want to laugh, and yet, I kept my composure, enjoying the moment of discomfort I had caused him.

I couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. It was a slow, deliberate expression, meant to unsettle them even further. "Good morning, for you two," I said calmly, maintaining the poised, elegant air of someone who knew exactly what she was doing. My tone was light, as if I were greeting them under ordinary circumstances. I could feel the weight of their avoidance as they refused to meet my gaze, their eyes darting elsewhere, trying to pretend I wasn't standing right in front of them.

The discomfort was almost tangible, and I relished it for a moment before continuing. "And I am not scheming anything, do not worry, Prince Adonis," I added, my voice sweet, almost mocking in its calmness. I watched as his eyes widened slightly, and I could see the subtle flinch when he heard me address him so formally. There it was—a small victory, but one that I savored. Even if it was fleeting, it was a victory nonetheless.

Turning to the other man, I addressed him with the same poise, my voice steady and neutral. "Prince Sohan," I said, offering him a nod as a sign of recognition. His response was different from Adonis's—he didn't flinch or act defensive. Instead, Sohan met my gaze with an amused grin, his lips curling upward with a touch of intrigue. He seemed both surprised and entertained by my new demeanor, as if he found this change both curious and somewhat refreshing.

"You are acting very strangely today, Princess," Sohan observed, his voice casual yet laced with an edge of curiosity. He raised a hand and gently caressed his chin, his eyes never leaving mine. "But, I must admit, it's better than your usual arrogant self, so I don't mind." His words were surprisingly candid, and there was a hint of humor in the way he said them. He wasn't mocking, but rather, he was genuinely intrigued by the shift in my behavior. It was strange, but I could tell he wasn't offended, only entertained by the unexpected change. He turned to Adonis, a mischievous glint in his eye, and gave him a playful look. "Let's not judge her without knowing anything, alright? Remember what Dai did last time he judged her with no proof!"

I almost arched an eyebrow at Sohan's words, wondering just what he knew about that situation. But, despite the curiosity gnawing at me, I kept my expression composed, refraining from showing too much interest. The last thing I needed was to reveal just how much I was actually intrigued by their knowledge of that event. Instead, I maintained my calm exterior, choosing to stay on topic. "So, are you both here to accompany me during my day?" I asked, the words slipping out effortlessly as if it were the most natural question in the world. My voice remained light, almost casual, though the weight of the situation hung between us, thick with unspoken tension.

Adonis, however, was still processing the change in me. He stared at me now, wide-eyed, his expression a strange mixture of confusion and disbelief. It was as if he couldn't reconcile the person standing before him with the one he thought he knew. "This is giving me goosebumps," he muttered, his voice almost a whisper, his unease palpable. "Go back to being a terrible human being."

I almost smirked at the irony of his words. He was the one who had judged me before he truly knew me, labeling me as something I was not. It was almost laughable, yet frustrating all the same. "I don't remember ever being a terrible human being, Prince Adonis," I replied smoothly, my voice still even and composed, though there was a subtle layer of polite mockery beneath my words. "But if you are already calling me that without knowing me, then I guess it would be a waste of time to try persuading you of what you wouldn't believe." My eyes never left his, and I could see how his expression faltered under my unwavering gaze.

I paused for a moment, allowing the weight of my words to settle in the air between us. "You chose to see me as a monster, just as you chose to hate me. I can't do anything about that—it's your decision to make," I continued, my voice softening, but still carrying the weight of truth. "However, that won't change who I am. And as someone I used to know," I thought briefly of Avy, "once told me, I am not what people say I am."

Adonis's face twisted with irritation, the frustration evident in his clenched jaw. "Stop it, damn it," he spat, his voice thick with anger. "You are not being yourself."

I blinked, unfazed by his outburst. "Prince Adonis, I don't think you are in a place to be allowed to say that," I replied coolly, the calmness in my voice in stark contrast to the tension in the air. "I'm sorry, but you don't know me. You don't have the slightest idea of who I am, my favorite things, my dreams, my fears, or even what goes on in my mind. So, please," I added with a polite, yet firm smile, "refrain from acting as if you knew me. It's uncomfortable." I let the words sink in, ensuring he understood the weight of what I had said.

I took a small breath and continued, my tone still calm but firm. "I am a Princess—unmarried and single—so please, do not cross the line. If you do, it will tarnish my image." My words were direct, clear, and unmistakably warning. There was no mistaking the implication—crossing that line would have consequences.

Adonis stood there for a long moment, speechless, his mouth opening and closing as if he were trying to find something to say. He was clearly caught off guard, his usual bravado crumbling in the face of my composed and authoritative response. It was almost too easy to rattle him. "Your image is already tainted!" he finally managed to blurt out, his voice defensive, full of indignation.

I smiled softly, the edges of my lips curling in the slightest, but my tone remained even and controlled. "And how much of that is genuinely my fault, Prince Adonis?" I asked calmly, my smile never faltering. My voice held no malice, just a gentle reminder that perhaps the blame wasn't entirely mine to carry. The effect was immediate—he faltered, caught off guard by my composed response. For a moment, he didn't know what to say. His bravado seemed to dissipate, leaving him speechless.

After a moment of silence, I broke the tension by waving off the conversation with a simple, "Let's not keep talking about this. It's out of line." I turned my attention away from Adonis and shifted it toward Sohan, choosing to move past the uncomfortable exchange with Adonis. "Prince Sohan," I said, my voice warm but still carrying that note of authority, "do you know where the girls' activities will be today?"

Sohan hesitated for a brief moment, his gaze shifting away from mine before he spoke. "In the Queen's garden," he answered quietly. "They'll all showcase their artistic skills at the tea party with the Queen. She and Daisuke, who will be there as well, will be evaluating the girls." His words were thoughtful, deliberate. "Open activities in a crowded place," he added, his tone slightly lower, as if offering a subtle tip. "So, be cautious."

The message was clear. Sohan wasn't just informing me of the plans for the day; he was giving me a discreet warning. His tone suggested that I should be aware of my surroundings, perhaps offering me some advice in case I needed it. I nodded in acknowledgment, understanding his intention. "Thank you, Prince Sohan," I replied, offering him a polite smile before turning to head back into my chambers. There was no need to say more; I knew what I needed to do next.

Once inside, I retrieved the blindfold from where I had placed it, the smooth, silky fabric matching my dress. I held it up, and with practiced ease, I tied it over my eyes. It wasn't just for show—it was symbolic of my control over my limitations, an outward manifestation of my own agency. Then, I turned back toward Sohan, offering him a composed, confident smile.

"Prince Sohan," I said, my voice steady with an underlying request, "could you do me a favor and tie this for me, please?"

"Of course," he responded, his tone warm, and I could hear the faint smile in his voice.

As I held the blindfold out to him, the silence between us was comfortable, filled with an unspoken understanding. This was a dance we had done many times before, and though words were few, there was a connection in the way we moved, in the way we communicated without saying much at all.