WOE IS I, what should I do?

The prince, after having dragged me off, just took me to a secluded place and glares. Not speaking. Not seeming like he is waiting for me to speak either.

In this very uncomfortable situation, what should I do? Attempt to lighten the mood? Still, the biggest question currently gnawing at me would be how he knew who I was. I don’t think he would have met the character Amy before I came. This would be backed up by Duchess Burtwell who didn’t think I would need to know how to deal with royalty one-on-one just yet. It also wasn’t mentioned in the novel at all. I’m sure I would have remembered that if that was the case.

So, here goes nothing.

“Excuse my rudeness for asking my prince, but can I be as impudent to ask how You knew who I was?” I tried. Stressing each syllable indicating politeness, making sure he could hear that my intentions at least tried their best.

“I am the prince. Naturally, I would know every person of nobility”

His tone was flat. He didn’t pay any attention to me despite his glare giving me a different impression.

“Ah, I see”

A sudden increase of the intensity in his glare let me know of my slip-up.

“I understand, thank you for your kind answer” I spit out eager to correct my previous statement.

I mean, being gay in this place, and so obvious about it as well, I don’t think it’s weird that he has his problems to deal with, but couldn’t he at least be a bit kinder. My princely BL love story is slowly being tainted even more than it was by his death in the novel.

Where was the very capable prince from the novel anyway? I only just witnessed his bad side. I bet he’s a tsundere. At least I hope. Right! I have to go back to the party and find a beard for this guy!

“My Prince, have you ever thought about marriage?” slipped out from my betraying mouth. What a half-assed try on etiquette. Why does it have to be such a pain?

He looked at me with shock. No wonder. That’s not something you ask a prince, and not in such a casual way either. Besides, knowing what I know, it makes even more sense.

“I do not see how that is any of your business” He responded, each syllable sounding like it could cut me down.

Hmmm… This stupid mouth of mine might have given me a chance to make him trust me just a bit. Or at the very least, distrust me a little bit less.

“I am sorry if you take it the wrong way, My Prince, but as I am hoping to see you appointed as the crown prince in the future, I had the audacity to wonder about the kind of woman you might take as a wife”

With this I should have covered my ass in multiple ways.

His face looked tense at the word ‘Wife’, but then it softened a bit.

“I can see how it might be some of your business in that case, then. I will make an exception and answer this question of yours. Naturally, I will get married to a capable person once I, or my Father, finds this. It is my duty as the prince. That being said, I would suggest you be careful about showing your allegiances so openly. You never know who listens”

Interesting. ‘Person’, huh. He didn’t put gender on it. It’s obvious that it will end up being a wife, unless I fail to save him first. But he still chose to use a gender neutral term. Go you author, way to make your character obvious and not obvious at the same time! I still can’t forgive you for killing him, though!

“Thank you for your kind answer and advice. I will be more careful in the future”

I curtsey and successfully leave. Why did he drag me away in the first place?

Finally finding my way back to the party, I find a nice corner with food close-by. Ah yes, people-watching and eating, this is the life. Let’s go on the look-out for beards!

I did ask Duchess Burtwell about noble ladies, pretending I wanted to hold a tea party. After she was done telling me that I would only bring shame if I tried holding one now, with my lack of manners, she continued to teach me a bit, so I at least have basic knowledge for my beard search.

The plan is simple.

Find beard-candidates.

Befriend beard-candidates.

Find the best one.

Hook her up with the prince somehow. This step is still in progress.

All while trying to keep the prince from getting discovered. He should at least know I’m not his enemy from the conversation earlier. It would have been too risky for me to do it like that.

Everybody knows that Prince Horus and Prince Chaker is currently both taken into consideration for the official declaration of Crown Prince.

According to the novel, most people are supportive of Prince Horus as he is a great leader, a great person and just overall the best choice.

BUT, a fraction is talking about Prince Chaker as well, the younger brother of Horus. Nobles find it better to go with him as he would improve his own life, and as such, the nobility as well, while Horus wants the entire kingdom to flourish, even if that means the nobility might suffer a tiny bit.

So with me, as a noble, and apparently quite a high-ranking one, declaring directly to the person in question that I’m on his side, he can’t distrust me.

Oops, I spend all my time thinking and not looking. I really should get rid of my bad habit of being in my own world.

I really need to get better at social etiquette in high society before I can move on, though.

So onwards home, getting a good sleep, and restarting the grueling lessons.

Starting with how I can talk to the prince without getting my head cut of.