Tuk couldn’t shake the feeling of dread as she followed Lord Nixon down the hallway.
Just kill me now, she thought, staring at the door ahead, which felt more like a portal to her doom than an entrance to the prince's office. The memory of her last visit, when she was unwittingly drawn into a world of history and manipulation, loomed large.
“Please be busy... Please be busy...” she silently prayed, but the prince's voice shattered her hopes.
“Come in.”
Lord Nixon opened the door, but Tuk’s feet felt glued to the floor. What am I doing?
The reprimanding glare from Nixon jolted her back. “What are you waiting for? Come in, historian,” he barked sharply.
With a grunt, she pinched her legs, forcing them to move forward.
“G...Greetings to the little sun of the empire. Historian Tuk is here as requested, Your Highness,” The words tumbled out from her mouth, strained and shaky.
The prince waved Nixon away as if dismissing a mere inconvenience. Tuk fought the urge to grab onto him, desperate for any buffer between her and the prince, but no amount of humor or coping tactics could save her now. Alone in the room with him, her fears tightened around her chest.
“Sit,” the prince commanded, gesturing to the guest table. She hesitated before sitting near the edge of the sofa, trying to keep as much distance between them as possible. The prince only arched an eyebrow at her obvious reluctance, But thank the gods, he didn’t comment.
“As we agreed, you’re going to be my love advisor. Tell me, how can I master the heart?”
Tch, she thought. I didn’t agree to this! The words burned in her throat, but she swallowed her frustration.
“T...That’s right. Thank you for this invaluable opportunity, Your Highness,” she managed through gritted teeth.
“As you should.” He sipped his tea, clearly amused by her discomfort. If only I could punch him...
Unprepared for the sudden request, Tuk's mind raced. I didn’t expect him to call me so soon. I don’t have anything prepared. What do I even say? Should I just be honest and hope he retracts this ridiculous idea of me advising him?
The prince’s voice cut through her thoughts. “Are you going to sit there and keep me waiting?”
“I apologize, Your Highness. I was considering how to approach teaching you about love.” She took a breath, buying herself a few more moments to think. “The truth is, I can’t teach you how to love directly. Love is not something one can master like a weapon or an art form. What I can offer is guidance—ways to understand it better, to develop emotional awareness, and create the right environment for it to grow.”
The prince leaned back in his chair, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Emotional awareness sounds lovely, but I’m more interested in results, historian. Love is a tool, is it not? A weapon to wield. If I’m to master it, I need strategies, not vague concepts.”
Tuk blinked, startled by the bluntness of his response. Didn’t he know nothing about love a few days ago? His sudden change unsettled her. Had she underestimated him? Was he feigning ignorance the whole time?
“Your Highness, love isn’t just a tool—it’s complex, intertwined with vulnerability and trust. You can’t simply wield it like a sword.”
His golden-brown eyes narrowed slightly, irritation flickering across his face. “Then enlighten me. If it’s so complex, why do you think I chose you? Surely you must have some insight into the mechanics of this ‘love.’”
His words dripped with challenge, and Tuk felt the weight of expectation settle on her shoulders. Does he think I have answers? That I can solve this like a puzzle? Okay, let’s think this through logically.
“Perhaps it would be wise to start with what love means to you,” she said carefully, keeping her voice steady. “What do you hope to achieve by understanding it?”
The prince leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, a predatory glint in his eyes. “Power, of course. If I can control love, I can control the hearts of my subjects. I can forge alliances and manipulate those around me.” He paused, letting his words sink in. “Imagine a prince who can make anyone fall at his feet. They’d do anything for me. They’d betray their loyalty to anyone else.”
Tuk felt her stomach churn at the cold calculation behind his words. Where did he learn all this? “That’s not how genuine connections work, Your Highness. People aren’t chess pieces to be moved at your will. Love requires sincerity—something you may need to consider.”
He laughed, a sharp sound that echoed off the walls. “Sincerity? In my position? You really don’t understand how this world operates, do you?” His expression darkened, a flicker of frustration breaking through his charming facade. “If you can’t teach me how to navigate this, then what use are you?”
Tuk clenched her fists beneath the table, the pressure of his gaze nearly suffocating. I’m not a love expert, she thought bitterly. I’m a historian! Wait—I’m neither of those.
“I can teach you how to connect with people, to foster those relationships, but it requires honesty—both with yourself and others. You may find that difficult, considering your approach.”
The prince’s eyes sparkled with a mixture of amusement and irritation. “Then you’ll need to get creative, Tuk. I don’t have time for heartfelt discussions. I need results.” He leaned back again, a satisfied smile curling his lips. “And you have no choice but to help me.”
A sense of dread washed over her as the weight of his words sank in. “I... I will do my best, Your Highness,” she replied, her voice steadier than she felt. How can I Google everything and convince the prince he needs love over power when I myself believe money is better than love?
He nodded, that infuriating smirk still in place. “Good. Now, let’s start with something simple. Tell me about someone you love. What makes them worthy of your affection?”
Tuk’s heart raced at the sudden shift in focus. This isn’t fair! She had to tread carefully; revealing too much could expose her vulnerabilities. “Your Highness, I—”
“Spare me the formality, Tuk. I want your truth. You’re a historian; you should understand the value of stories and what makes them compelling.” His tone was almost coaxing, but there was a predatory edge to it that made her skin crawl.
He’s playing with me.
Something in the prince’s intensity unnerved her. What's happening? Had he studied the topic more than he let on? Either way, she was in over her head. The more this conversation goes on, the more I realize... I’m no longer in full control of the situation. Just when I thought I could finally breathe, the prince pulled another reverse card on me. A cold shiver runs down my spine upon realization. I thought I had time—time to strategize, to figure out my next move—but now I’m not so sure.
I realize I’m not the only one spinning threads of deception.
I thought we were going for the usual plot here. Aren’t I supposed to teach him how to love? I was ready to play matchmaker, but... shit. Whatever happens next, I have a feeling the game is about to change—and I’m no longer the one pulling the strings.
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