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"Scarlet! You're going to the hunting ground with me, otherwise it'll be a really boring place. All the girls will be vying for the guys' attention and all the guys will be fixated on showing off their skills. Yawn," Princess Lei stifled a mock yawn. Scarlet wasn't too sure if all this talk about an independent modern woman is all that good for Lei.

However, Lei genuinely was an independent free-spirited kid, so she would be all means support whatever she wanted to be.

Even if it meant....

"Oh, we'll be going in Vance's carriage," Lei mentioned casually. "Remember what I said about Vance's somewhat apparent interest in a girl now, it seems like he's using me to get to know her better. I wonder who could the lucky girl be!"

"Unlucky maybe," Scarlet added.

"Can you imagine following through with all the protocols while being with someone lik him? How stifling!" Scarlet uttered just as someone entered the room to fetch them.

"I can't imagine ever being caught in a situation like that. I sure hope your brother picks someone patient, virtuous and long-suffering enough... Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Thank you for your utmost concern about my future partner, I'll definitely be sure to look for someone patient, virtuous and long-suffering enough..." A low voice murmured.

Scarlet froze and turned around to see Vance in his official wear. He had probably rushed from the royal meetings seeing as how he did not change out of it. The first button was loosened and it only made his usual pristine image just a tad more rugged. Just that bit.

His boyish sharp looks were untampered with as he stood at the door politely. His eyes however were pinned fixatedly on Scarlet.

"Well, we can't wait to meet the lucky girl. Maybe we'll see her at the hunting site!" Lei interjected, as she tried to lighten the mood.

Vance smiled cordially, "Maybe."

Politely, he ushered the two up into his carriage. Dutifully, he kept his distance. Scarlet couldn't be sure but she thought he held her hand just a little bit longer than was necessary as she got into his carriage.

No, it's all in her head. It must be, she shook her head firmly. Yes, yes, it's all in your head, the system agreed.

"On second thought, I see my good friends, Noble Lady Lily and Lola, I'll take their carriage! I'll meet you guys there directly at the designated hunting ground!" Lei hastily scooted off, leaving Scarlet alone with Vance.

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Silence stretched on and on and on. Scarlet was adamant on staring at the metal frame of the carriage and that lone cow in the horizon.

"Honestly, if it's Him here with you instead of me, you'll be cheering gleefully, yes?" Vance started, breaking the tense silence.

"Why ask something that you already have the answers to?" Scarlet said coolly as she looked out of the window, trying her best to ignore the person before her. Vance pulled her chin to look at him. It was a gentler pull this time and Scarlet looked at him.

Her eyes met his squarely and Vance held her gaze for a few moments before swearing under his breath as he looked away. His ears had turned red. Slowly, he uttered almost indignantly, "Why can't it be me?... Am I not worthy enough?"

Yea, unless you suddenly turn into a virus that would destroy the entire system otherwise. Nah, Scarlet thought as she met his gaze. It's still Sam for her. As what the system had dictated.

"It will always be him," she answered. I mean, why bother lying, yes? Isn't it better to pull off the band-aid at once rather than to let it fester and rot?

"What if I insist on you being mine?"

"I'm sorry, but...no," Scarlet closed her eyes tiredly as she rubbed her temples. Which part of no does this child not understand?

She was beginning to think he didn't need lessons on state affairs. He needed a lesson to school him on the definition and meaning of N-O.

Suddenly, she felt a pressure on her lips once more and she sighed as she felt her weight being lifted. The next thing she knew, she was on the Crown Prince's lap.

Her eyes flew open immediately. "Are you crazy?" she whispered loudly and Vance hugged her waist fondly, as though she were a toy he had newly discovered.

"You're worth breaking the rules for," Vance declared hoarsely. Scarlet felt a sinking feeling as his hands reached over to caress her. She felt that familiar tingling feeling as he kissed her neck and it went lower before he stopped and sighed,as though he was savouring a dessert and he wanted to save the best for last.

"I don't think I've ever broken this many rules before," he murmured and Scarlet responded.

"Well, it's not pretty moving forward," she noted. "Imagine what the King and Queen would say. Imagine what the entire nation will think, imagine..."

"I think I've imagined many situations in the past and I have been the perfect role model to everyone in every single way to tell you that, I don't f-king care," Vance said as he continued kissing her, "...anymore."

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