Chapter 9

CASSEY 

"Mannerless boy!" Jade snapped.

"I said I don't ever want to see you again."

"Hey, look," she added quickly, her voice a bit calmer, "today's a very good and blessed day, so I don't want to fight with you."

"Oh, you can't be serious," I said, raising a brow. "Yes, I am," she replied flatly. We paused for a moment.

"At least let's just talk," she continued. "Walk around, see the sights, maybe buy a lantern. We're in the middle of a festival, after all. You were talking about your mother earlier—tell me more. You said you love her, right?"

I was stunned. She was being… nice. Why the sudden change? I don't usually enjoy talking to girls—except Greta—but this one, somehow, felt different. Since she was trying, I decided to match her energy. I sighed. "So, what's your name?"

"Ja… Stacey. I'm Stacey Abrams," she replied, almost too quickly. "I'm Cassey."

"Or rather… I heard you're the prince of this kingdom."

"Ye–Yeah, I am," I said with a small shrug.

"So why do you love your mother so much?" she asked. "She was lovely, kind, and warm-hearted. Why'd you ask? Don't you like yours?"

"Me?" Her voice faltered a little. "No… I don't. I envy you a lot."

"But mothers care," I said, slightly confused. "Not mine. She makes me regret a lot. I miss my dad every time she makes me cry. I love my father so much." I softened.

"So, where do you stay?"

"Uh… I… I live down the street, close to, uh… a tea shop," she stammered. "Which tea shop?" I asked, genuinely curious. Before she could answer, I heard familiar voices calling my name.

"Cassey!" I turned and saw Nicholas and Laziel walking toward me, each holding a lantern. "What are you doing here all alone?" Nicholas asked. "Alone?" I looked beside me. She was gone. Just like that. "Where is she?" I muttered, scanning the crowd. "Who's she, Cassey?" Nicholas asked with a smirk. "I was talking to someone…" Laziel chuckled.

"Come on, Cassey, don't lie. Either you're in love or you're hallucinating."

"Ew—don't say that again!" I recoiled, though my heart still raced from the encounter.

JADE 

The next morning, I woke to find Bella already sitting beside me, humming cheerfully with a radiant smile on her face. I sat up, blinking in surprise.

"Why are you smiling like that?" I asked groggily. "Of course, I'm happy," she beamed. "I've already prepared your breakfast and your bathwater."

"Oh… that was quick," I muttered, still half-asleep.

Just then, a knock came at the door. I rose and moved to the far side of my room where a curtain hung, shielding my bathing space. As I began to undress behind it, Bella went to open the door.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," she greeted politely.

"Good morning," came the warm voice of a man—familiar yet unexpected.

"Is the princess awake?" he asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Bella replied with a slight bow.

"May I see her?"

"I'm afraid she's currently taking her bath," Bella answered quickly.

From behind the curtain, I heard the faint sound of silence stretch. He must've glimpsed me in the bathtub, because he suddenly cleared his throat and quickly averted his gaze.

"Please tell her to meet me in the garden once she's done," he said, handing Bella a small porcelain cup. "And give this to her." With that, he left.

After my bath, Bella helped me pick out my clothes. As she arranged them, I asked curiously, "Who was at the door?"

"It was Prince Laziel of Glasgow City."

"Laziel? Prince Laziel?" I paused, confused. "Who is he?"

"He's Prince Cassey's cousin," Bella explained, holding out the cup of tea. "He brought this for you and asked that you meet him in the garden." I raised a brow.

Really? And what exactly does he want with me? I thought.

After dressing and eating, I slipped on my mask and headed toward the garden, cup of tea still untouched. When I arrived, I saw him already waiting—dressed handsomely, in a way that made him appear even more charming than Prince Cassey.

"You sent for me," I said, approaching calmly.

He smiled, a soft exhale escaping his lips as his eyes flicked toward Bella.

"Can you please excuse us?" he asked her politely.

I turned to him, narrowing my gaze slightly. "Why?" Laziel smiled. "I'd like to have a private talk." I turned to Bella. "Alright. Please excuse us." Bella gave a small nod and walked away. "Let's have a seat," Laziel said, gesturing to a nearby bench nestled under the flowering trellis.

We sat quietly for a moment, the sounds of the festival echoing faintly in the distance. "Princess Jade, right?" he asked.

"Yes, Your majesty," I replied, offering a polite smile. "You look beautiful… Oh—sorry, beg your pardon," he stammered, looking away for a second. "I'm Prince Laziel Richardson of Glasgow City. I'm King Harrington's nephew. I overheard you're from the Swansea Kingdom."

"Yes," I answered, maintaining my composure.

"Swansea's not far from here," he noted.

"I know," I replied, then tilted her head slightly. "And I can tell—you've got a blend of Scottish and Welsh in your accent. So it's not surprising that you're from Glasgow." Laziel chuckled.

"Oh really? Well, I've picked up a few accents over the years. I travel often—diplomatic visits tied to trade and alliances."

"Nice," I responded, nodding. "But… I've never been to Swansea," he said, glancing up at the blue sky. "I've always wanted to visit, though—through someone." I smirked slightly. "And who's that someone?" Laziel grinned. "I won't say yet. I see her every day… but I want to get to know her first."

I blinked, the words weighing on me. Her? Is he talking about me? That can't be. Besides, I'm not really from Swansea. Why do I suddenly feel uncomfortable?

"You're thinking about something," he observed.

"Uh… no, not really." I forced a soft laugh. "Tell me more about Glasgow." He leaned back with a warm smile. "Now that's more like it."