202 vi. Choose for me, Princess

The end of the first week of the selection is much anticipated because at the end of every week of the month, the number of women who will be eligible to compete will dramatically decline.

The crown prince will be announcing the women he wishes to remain and say his goodbye to the unchosen ones. Of course, the selection this time will happen by the crown prince choosing a portrait of the darlings he wishes to stay.

It is not of course compulsory to cut the number in half but it has been done by the past royals for convenience.

Still, they were expecting more numbers to remain since the empire has absorbed a lot of its neighboring kingdoms with its military campaigns, expanding Selene’s territory magnanimously.

Of all these women, we are particularly interested in the lady with the unfinished portrait because rumors have it that it was mostly just a sketch before our dear young lady fainted.

Though, what is particularly disturbing is the question of... did our young princess faint to gain the prince’s attention?

We can only for sure find out if such a shocking and desperate method worked by the end of the selection’s first week.

Mary would crumple the periodical in her hand and let out an annoyed sigh. Clearly, the whole kingdom decided to make fun of what can only be known as the girl with the fainting spell.

She heard knocks on her door which prompted her to answer and let the person in. She was expecting her assigned maids to enter, but instead the person who closed the door behind him...

historical

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Dominus. His domineering figure just made her room feel a bit cramped, forcing her to look up at the giant of a man as she covered herself with a blanket.

She was wearing nothing but a silky nightgown, which she can of course justify with her not expecting his royal highness to visit.

“Your highness,” she greeted the crown prince, trying her best to sit upright before trying to stand for a curtsy.

With just a few steps he was able to stand before her, holding her by her shoulder, “There is no need,” his deep voice would stop her from showing her respects.

She blinked and remained motionless in her seat as the crown prince knelt before her, grasping her hand, “What is it, your highness?” she asked.

“The first week of the selection will take place tonight. I was thinking hard about this because I don’t want to add to our misunderstanding. I am already paying much for my years of what you perceived as bullying,” he brought her hand closer to his lips and kissed the back of her hand with all sincerity.

“What have I got to do with tonight’s selection?” she asked, confused. Well, not only by the crown prince’s words but also by the touch of his lips on her skin.

“I want you to decide for me. Whoever you want to stay will stay. Whoever you want to go will go. If it were up to me there will only be you, but there are still three weeks left of this damned process. It is driving me insane just thinking you’ll be jealous and have doubts if it were up to me to choose,” he said as his golden eyes looked at her with a plea for her understanding.

She cleared her throat, “It is your job to select your women, not me. Why are you making me decide all of a sudden? I am not someone who can decide about these things, your highness.”

He stretched her hand and placed the palm of her hand against his cheek, “You are still so dumb as always. I mean isn’t it obvious yet? I want you to decide about everything. Because I am wholeheartedly and quite inexplicably head over heels in love with you. That is why I am trying to avoid any misunderstandings between us. I don’t want to court you harder than I am doing now.”

“Who told you to court me in the first place? You might just as well give up by now and direct your attention to someone else, your majesty,” she pointed out.

He let out a chuckle, “Why is it that no matter what I say, you always pick out whatever is worse in it and turn it around? Do you really hate me that much?”

She didn’t reply to him. Her mind can’t process his words, and her heart is having trouble just being under his stare.

He stood up and bowed before her, “I will wait for your answer tonight at the royal ball. I’ll send over a gown for you to wear, one that matches mine.”

“Why do we have to wear matching clothes, your highness? If the other ladies find out you were the one to send the clothes over, they will think you are having favoritism. It will just cause trouble, your majesty,” she pointed out even as he stood there, looking at her intently.

“I am really astounded and unsure if you are trying to look stupid or if you really are one,” his words will of course anger her again.

“See how you bully me with your words. Calling me stupid, isn’t that bullying? You tell me you love me and adore me to no end but in the same breath you insult me,” she pouted.

He laughed, hearing her say this, “It is for old time’s sake. Since I only ever get your attention through my crude words, shouldn’t I take advantage? For me, whatever it is, as long as it makes me visible in your eyes, I will do it. Plus it isn’t entirely a lie. I still cannot figure out whether you are trying to get my attention or not by playing dumb.”

She took a pillow and threw it on him with all her might, aiming for his face. He would catch it, “Ahhhh, thanks for this souvenir, my lady. This has your scent,” he sniffed the pillow and laughed.

“Give it back, your highness!” she wailed as he smiled deviously at her, taking the pillow with him as he exited her room.

When he was gone she couldn’t help but laugh, thinking how silly they both have been. She wondered if it will always be so easy to be with him now that he insisted on confessing every time he had a chance.

She caressed the hand he kissed earlier and kissed it, finding herself absolutely feeling dumb by her action, she would giggle and hug the pillow beside her.

“I guess I really am silly, after all,” she mumbled as a dreamy look on her face set in.