No excuse

With silver hair which was shiny against the morning sun he stepped out, dressed in his casual black outfit, he locked eyes with Amira.

"Didn't you have plans? Why are you still here?" he asked nonchalantly. Amira blinked in response before parting her lips to reply.

"I am waiting for Novalie," she said.

"Hmm, Novalie, I see," he responded, stepping forward to stand in front of her. His imposing tall figure always made her strain her neck to look up at him at times.

"Matthew, is Novalie still in?" Zyran asked the poor butler.

The man shook his head in response.

Princess Novalie stepped out about an hour ago. She went to town with Princess Kiera.

"Oh, I see why didn't you inform my poor wife you made her stand in the cold for long?" Zyran accused.

Matthew's eyes widened in surprise before he bowed in response, apologizing to the lady for presuming. "Forgive me, my lady, for you never asked," Matthew said.

Zyran, with his lips curved in a sly smirk, quickly composed himself as Amira turned to look up at him.

"I suppose you have no other plausible reason to decline to escort me to town," Zyran teased her.

Amira glared sharply at him before she turned on her lips to make her way into his carriage. Zyran watched her in amusement, as she was helped into the carriage.

As they journeyed toward town, Amira sat by the window, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. Meanwhile, Zyran eyes were fixed on her throughout the entire trip.

Amira turned to catch him staring at her, and in response, she furrowed her brow.

"Is there something on my face?" she asked.

"No," Zyran replied.

"Then why are you staring at me so obliviously?" she pressed.

". Can't I admire my wife?" he asked.

"No, I... I didn't mean it that way, I..."

Suddenly, the carriage hit a bump, and she was jolted closer to Zyran. He instinctively reached out and grasped her waist to prevent her from sliding back to her side of the seat.

As her gaze met him, she found herself momentarily breathless. The proximity between them made it hard for her to draw in a full breath.

"You are so alluring, I find it hard to look away. Why did you dress so beautifully today?" Zyran inquired, his voice velvety and charming, his warm breath brushing against her face.

"I... I..." she stammered.

"Take a deep breath, Amira. Don't suffocate," he urged, noticing the flush in her cheeks.

The carriage came to a halt. With Zyran's assistance, she descended from the carriage.

As they made their way towards the shops, a familiar voice called out to Zyran from a distance.

"Prince Zyran, is that you?" A well-dressed woman with an air of elegance rushed over, her smile radiant.

"Princess Ivy," Zyran replied, his composure unshaken by her unexpected appearance.

"I hadn't anticipated seeing you here today my family and I only just arrived at Oaken Vale yesterday. We have come to celebrate the king's birthday," Princess Ivy explained with a hint of excitement in her voice.

With her long, fluttering lashes accentuating her radiant, velvety cheeks and her luscious, cascading waves framing her face, she epitomized adorableness.

She cast a glance at Amira, who was standing next to Zyran.

"Is she your lady companion?" Ivy inquired.

"Lady companion??" Amira scowled at the term.

"What about her could bring to mind a lady companion, or was the princess intentionally trying to provoke her?" Amira wondered to herself, shooting a fierce gaze at Ivy.

Zyran, noticing the annoyed look on Amira's face, couldn't help but smile.

"Princess Ivy, allow me to introduce my wife, Amira," Zyran said graciously.

"Your wife?" Ivy asked in shock, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Ahh, right, my father mentioned that the king arranged a consort for you; after all, you are a prince. You are entitled to marry more than one wife," Ivy said with a small laugh.

"Let's put that aside for now. Are you shopping for the celebration? I'm also deciding on a gift for His Majesty," Ivy said, as she came to stand beside Zyran and subtly pushed Amira away.

Amira was taken aback by Ivy's boldness as she swayed to the side, her eyes widening at the unruly Princess who seemed ready to claim her man.

"Her man... Of course, he's her husband," Amira thought to herself, feeling a twinge of unease.