Chapter 17: XVII
"Brahms!"
"Mother!"
She burst into tears when she pulled me into an embrace. Dad looked relieved and smiled warmly at me. The two of them must've been worried since I faint in front of hundreds of people. They can't see me yet because Lucean wanted me to have a rest without anyone disturbing me, including my parents.
He felt terrible, of course, but he's doing it for my sake.
Then this afternoon, after the doctor's visit, Lucean set up a meeting with my parents in Lucean's private living room.
"How are you, darling?" Mom asked, smiling brightly at me while wiping her tears with her napkin.
"I'm doing well, mother. Luce— Uh, I mean the Crown Prince treated me well,"
"That's good to hear. Even though he's the Crown Prince, I feel like I should scold him from proposing my son out of the blue... I don't want to lose my baby yet," Mom sniffled.
Dad and I glanced at each other, nervously. Dad stroke mom's back to comfort her.
"The party's purpose solely for the Crown Prince to choose a consort, so we're thrilled that he chose you," Dad said.
I grinned at him.
"I'm happy too,"
"... Make sure he treats you well," Mom mumbled softly. I chuckled at her and hugged her again.
"Yes, mother,"
We ended up chatting away in the living room. I feel flustered because mom won't stop rambling about how to be a good wife. Wife— ugh, that word is so weird, especially since I'm a guy.
Mom suggested I take an embroidery class.
Like, women.
My cheeks are warming up again. Gosh, get it together, Brahms. Stop being shy. I'm not the shy and quiet Brahms; I'm the new Brahms!
I'll make sure Lucean happy to have me as his consort and prove it to everyone that I'm the perfect consort for Lucean!
.
.
.
Princess Alarice is infuriated.
From the outside, she looked calm and composed. But inside her mind, she's thinking several ways on how to make sure Brahms disappear.
She decided to hang around the palace a little bit more before going back to her kingdom. She saw a couple walked in the castle and guessing it must be Brahms' parents. There's also one more person who came, but she went to the garden instead, along with her attendant.
Princess Alarice received information from her lady-in-waiting that the young girl is Brahms' sister, Mercie Cottingham.
Why she didn't meet Brahms, Alarice wondered.
Alarice purposely followed Mercie to the garden, spot her daydreaming in the garden.
"Good afternoon, Lady Mercie,"
"!"
Mercie looked bewildered. Of course, she knows who Princess Alarice is. She quickly bowed her head to show courtesy.
"G-Good afternoon, Princess!"
"Hm, aren't you a lovely lady," The Princess complimented, giggling.
"Thank you!" Mercie looked overjoyed. "Princess is much prettier than me,"
"I am grateful for your compliment, Lady Mercie. And by the way, Lady, I saw you come in with your parents?"
"!" Mercie blinked. She looked away with a forced smile. "Y-Yes, that's right Your Majesty,"
"You're not visiting your ill older brother?"
"... No,"
Alarice's eyes glint with curiosity.
"May I ask why?"
"I," Mercie bit her bottom lip. "I-I don't want my brother to become Prince Lucean's consort,"
"And why is that?"
"... I don't, like him,"
"..."
Princess Alarice smiled widely at her response.
"Lady Mercie, I would love to have your help regarding that matter,"
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