“In any case, please mind your manners. I did ask you to be my fiancé expecting to take on a certain amount of risk, however, I expected your manners to at least be advanced enough to fool your tutors”

How come people keep praising me for lying, while at the same time being mad at me? I don’t get it.

“Pardon my rudeness Prince Horus, but manners expected from me at house Wells and here are completely different, and as such, some mishaps are bound to happen” I defend myself. I mean, he has a point. But I’m tired of being politely told off.

“Sigh, you do have a point, but please be careful”

Oooh, he gave up unexpectedly quickly. He sounds… Tired. Maybe he is overdoing it? He is busy all the time, so it wouldn’t be too far off.

“AH! A thing I have been wondering for some time now! Where is your mother?” I asked, once again not thinking at all, just blurting out whatever.

He stares at me in shock. Huh? Did I say something wrong?

“My mother, Lily Mercia, as well as the empress before her, Petunia Mercia, are deceased. That should be common knowledge. How ignorant are you, Lady Amy? Did you not get any history lessons?

One mess after another… How am I going to wriggle my way out of this one without making him mad.

Huh? Lily and Petunia… Aren’t those both flower names?

“What a funny coincidence that they both are named after flowers, huh?” I say, completely caught up in my own world, not noticing how plainly I speak.

Prince Horus gives out a big sigh.

“How ignorant you are… I will tell Lady Sandoval to start your history lessons as well. From the very basics. Whatever did I get myself into, taking such an ignorant person as a fiancé… You have given me quite a headache. I will retreat to my chambers. I bid you a good night.” He says with a VERY disappointed and VERY rude tone that I don’t like at all.

What did he even come here for in the first place? I mean, I might have hit a sore spot asking about his dead mother, but how could I know? The novel never mentioned anything about it!

A while after he leaves I’m sitting with a pretty grumpy feeling in my stomach. HOW DARE HE TALK TO ME LIKE THAT.

The next day I’m told we will begin with history lessons in one of the next chapt… I mean, days. That prince sure works fast.

After having taken the normal etiquette lessons, I take an afternoon tea break with Sir Windsor.

“I apologize for not being able to bring Prince Horus along with me, Lady Amy. I did ask, but he was just so busy…” Sir Windsor says, seemingly ashamed.

“I am sure he wants to see you, but the emperor has been laying over more and more responsibility on him lately” He explains.

I don’t really mind. I would much rather hang out with Sir Windsor anyway, than that rude tsundere prince.

“I know it is not your fault, Sir Windsor. Let us just enjoy ourselves in his place, then”

He agrees, and we continue our tea. Hmm… Maybe I should hold another tea party soon. If I’m allowed to do so, that is. I don’t know if Lady Sandoval thinks I’m far enough with my royal etiquette to do that, yet.

For some reason I’m suddenly reminded of Prince Chaker and the way he seemed hostile when we parted ways. It’s like my spider sense is tingling, because I only just get reminded before hearing a sleazy voice from behind me.

“One might think that Lady Amy is the fiancé of Sir Windsor, and not of my dear brother. Whenever I see you, you two are together. What are we talking about this time?”

Urgh. How I just do NOT want to deal with this guy right now.

“Oh, how amusing you are, Prince Joker… Prince CHAKER! I am deeply sorry, my tongue slipped. Sir Windsor is just appointed to keep an eye on me since my dear Horus does not want anything happening to me, is that not so, Sir Windsor?” I say, askingly, telling him with my eyes to just agree.

He looks uncomfortable with lying to someone he works for, but my story is only halfway a lie on purpose, so I’m sure he would end up agreeing.

“Yes. Lady Amy is just so dear to Prince Horus that he wants me to protect her with my life”

Wow there, no need to overdo it.

“Hmm, is that so. Sir Windsor, I do not seem to remember you greeting me before speaking to me. My dear soon-to-be sister-in-law is of course welcome to be a bit casual with me, but as the head of the royal guard, I was expecting more from you”

Wow, low blow, bro. No wonder he is called a tyrant. Sir Windsor suddenly looks small for such a big man.

“Sir Windsor, I am sure you know the punishment for showing rude behavior towards a member of the royal family. Would you be so kind to go into the isolation cell for two days, without food and water? Thank you very much. You may leave” Prince Chaker’s words are spoken sweetly, but his words are poison.

What is happening? Isn’t this my fault? I was the one calling him Prince Joker… Damn! What to do. If I just leave this alone, Sir Windsor will get punished just for being nice to me. But I don’t have the right standing to directly go against Prince Chaker. I also can’t lie my way out of this.

Can I even do anything? Am I just helpless? One thing is for sure, though. I can’t let this man sit on the throne…

Sir Windsor starts walking as I stand back completely helpless, being able to see the big smirk spreading on the face of a certain Prince Chaker from the corner of my eye.