𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 (𝙔𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚!𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙭𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧)

Chapter Fifteen: Caught in the act

I turned around to meet the same hazel, cold eyes right in front of the doorway to the kitchen. "You're highness!" I gasped and curtsied, trying to not stagger beneath my feet from the prince's appearance.

"I'm very sorry ladies, but I couldn't help but hear the commotion in the kitchen," Aleksander said, looking back at me with fixated eyes. "I'll be borrowing lady (y/n) for a bit, do you mind?" he asked me with a raised brow. I nod my head in response, putting my chin up high as I try to make myself confident of what's to come.

"May I take you on a stroll to the garden, lady (y/n)?" he questioned, "Of course, whatever you please your highness." I cast a charming beam. Along our quiet walk out of the palace, I couldn't help but feel tensed from just our walk.

I looked down on the floor with gritted teeth, making myself occupied with my fingers. A gust of wind blew by me as the plants danced to my arrival, greeting me in this fine day. Though, I couldn't seem to get the same relaxation with the prince just beside me.

"Is lady Liv not to your taste? Or perhaps there is trouble? You can be honest with me, lady (y/n)." Aleksander said while taking each step forward around the garden, his eyes not faltering from the pink roses that bloomed.

"Well, if I must be honest, your royal highness...lady Liv just isn't the right assistant I needed." I replied back, trying to avoid the things I wish to complain, yet I don't think its suitable for me to tell to the prince. "And why is that?" he nudged once more, trying to push me on edge with my answers. He looked at me with his stern gaze, "If you tell me a lot more, then maybe I could help you, lady (y/n)." Aleksander added, looking back at his pocket watch.

"Why...why are you doing this, your highness?" I asked, taking a step back. I sealed my lips close while I mumbled curses in my head, feeling regretful for even asking. "I'm only doing this for a better outcome for lady Liv. In case you didn't know, lady (y/n). Your husband does not take his punishments quite lightly." Aleksander raised his voice with furrowed brows, agitated from the last words he said.

A struck of concern hit me like a wagon, making me stop from my tracks with jittering hands. "Of course, your highness." I responded, my eyes fixated on him as I told him everything. Aleksander never seemed to interrupt me from the things I told him and he only listened to my complaints.

Getting out all those troubled feelings inside of me felt like a weight has been lifted up from my shoulders, and it made me feel more tranquil and smoothened.

"I'm very sorry for what you had to go through, but I'll see what I can do. Do you have any suggestions on a new maiden to assist you, lady (y/n)?" Aleksander questioned. I smiled from his inquiry and nod my head without hesitation, "I would like to recommend Imelda Andreassen, if that could be possible your royal highness." I chuckled with delight.

"I'll see what I can do, lady (y/n)," Aleksander replied, looking at his golden pocket watch once more. He gazed back up at me and cast a small smile, "I have some duties to attend to, thank you for your time lady (y/n)." Aleksander said, turning to his heels and walking off.

I took a step on the concrete floor with a hand, "Wait, your highness!" I yelled with a frown. Aleksander stopped and croak his head to the side, "Is there something wrong, lady (y/n)?" he questioned with worry, "I was wondering if...you have any news of Nikolas?" those words came out a bit harder than I though I could as I stuttered.

Aleksander turned around, "The crowned prince will arrive in about a month. If it still concerns you, Nikolas stopped by in the kingdom of Nashfah as per the king of Nashfah requested after his voyage." Aleksander explained, I let out a sigh of relief and beamed. "Thank you for your time, your highness." I curtsied as he took his leave after a goodbye.