The night is strangely still tonight. Maybe I'm overthinking too much or maybe it's me who is strangely still.

I finally met the Royals today. They look rather vulnerable than highly like they normally do but the royal temperament is still there. The dinner past in mostly silence. Father introduced me and my brothers to the Royals and we exchanged polite if not awkward greetings. The Queen, Princesses and Prince Sam are staying for a couple of weeks. That's what I know for now.

Prince Sam, who now took the role of looking after his mother and sisters, looked fairly calm throughout the dinner. That's shameless of him for only came to my house when needed. This is my first time seeing him and I have to admit he is fairly handsome. Not in a muscular austere way that Thu Do is portrayed but rather a nerdy elegant way.

Now that doesn't mean that he doesn't look muscular. For a prince, being excellent in both literary and martial art is a must. If comparing to Do, Sam might not be the right opponent for martial art but he will do just fine with others. And seriously he is way more elegant than Do.

It is embarrassing to admit but I had been staring at the prince's veins on his hands for the whole silent hour of dinner.

I sighed and laid on the bed. It's fairly late now so no one would come to my room for tea. Maybe Do will if he is bored from all his military books but he is busy eavesdropping what Father and Uncle is discussing anyway.

The still night slowly drove me off to sleep. And when I woke up again, the same routine seems to happen.

I woke up, took a bath, let the maids get me dressed up, and look pretty. I want to see Do right now. He said he will know something by now and I need to know if Father is going to do something crazy.

I sprinted across the mansion to walk to his room. I didn't even bother to knock and just slid the door opened.

"Do! You here?"

There is no answer. The atmosphere is still and quiet.

Is he sleeping?

I walked towards his bed and found the blanked is perfectly folded. Now, either he was out all night or he woke up early. His assistant is also gone with him. I asked one of the maids did he come last night. The maids hesitant a bit but also told me that he was not at his room last night.

At this point, I really questioned if he went to the brothel. Because even if he stayed in the study room for late night reading, he would always come back to sleep. The thought of him having fun with other women made my heart sting.

It's not that I am jealous... right? Don't get me wrong, I know we are not the little kids playing in the yard like we used to be anymore. We are both adults now, both twenty years old. I know sexual thing is not a thing that anyone can avoid but...

A person cleared his throat behind me.

"I am sorry, but is Thu Do here?"

OH GOD! IT'S THE PRINCE!

"Greeting your Highness." I curtsied. "Seems like you are also looking for him like me but unfortunately he is not in the room right now. May I ask what brings you here, your Highness?"

The prince beamed a smile that is only out of politeness.

"I just have something to discuss with him. He was there at the meeting last night before he stormed off, so I think he might want to know what he has missed."

Stormed off? Thu Do? Out of seven years I know him, I had never acknowledged any time he stormed off from a meeting with Father.

"I see. I also have something to talk with him."

"Seems like we are both unlucky then." The prince paused for a bit. "If I recall right, you are Lady Tran right?"

"I would feel offended if you don't recognise me." I joked.

The prince chuckled. This time out of amusement.

"I am so sorry. I am bad with faces so I just recognise people based on their clothes."

"And how does my clothes say about me, your Highness?"

The prince hummed, finding the right word to say.

"Well at first, your clothes always have a cold toned colour to it and instead of embroidery. There is flower pattern on your silky gown. You also really like red decorations too, don't you? There are a lot of red line at the end of your sleeves and your skirt."

My eyes widely opened. I didn't expect an answer that specific. Sam studied my expression, and even though he tried to mask it will a polite smile, I saw his eyes tinging a bit of amusement.

I blushed a bit because of my rude reaction. And to clear this cringey atmosphere, Sam said.

"How about we go have some tea while waiting for Do?"

I can still hear the laughter in his voice but I ignored it. I politely nodded.

"I would be grateful, your Highness."

We walked into a small guest living room in the mansion. Father and Brothers don't normally come here for guests so it eventually turns into my own guest room. The maids prepared the tea pot all set and ready for me and the prince.

I poured two small cups and offered him one. To be fair, I don't really like him. The Royal never acknowledged Father's ability. Or more like they don't want to. And now, they only came here, under my father's care, to safe their life only? That's not a very good impression here. But who am I to judge them anyway. I'm just simply a lady. Born to be wedded, to breed, and to raise children.

Not to involve in politics. Never will.

After a couple of minutes in sipping tea, the prince started the conversation.

"It must be uncomfortable for you. Randomly have strangers in your house."

"Not at all, your Highness. Being able to help the safety of the Royals is our duty. I could never be happier." I beamed a polite smile.

The prince silenced. He spent a few seconds staring at me and took a good look at my face.

"I know it's kind of random but you really are beautiful. I love the little coral flower you drew at the corner of my eyes. What does it symbolise for?"

Once again, my eyes widened. No one ever complimented that little detail on my eyes before. Everyone knows that I am the prettiest girl in the province so they always praise me with compliments about my face. Not actually take a closer look to what I want to say through my beauty.

"Thank you, your Highness. In my family's custom, drawing flowers on the corner of our eyes is a way that women speak. Such as roses for 'I am in love' or sunflower for 'friendship'. Today I drew wild daisy for 'freedom'."

The prince looked surprise. He wasn't aware that a little detail can have so much meaning. It's a whole language for women.

"I didn't know your family has such a signature. This should be a trend among ladies. Women are already vulnerable enough."

Something snapped in me. Annoy flared over my temper even when I masked it with a fake smile. But that will not stop the bitter in my words.

"Not like men these days are good enough anyway."

Ouch. That hurts his pride. The calm on his face stirred.

"Why would you say that? It is quite scandalous for a noble woman to say. No?"

"It's just a comment, your Highness. I'm sorry if you feel offended. I didn't know the prince's heart is that fragile."

"I thought that you have such a poisonous mouth. Did I say anything that made you feel bother? You were so sweet just a moment ago."

Now I don't even want to do any sweet expression.

"Just because I'm sweet the moment before doesn't mean I can't get angry now. Plus, saying why I am pissed right now would not change anything."

And right before when things get more complicated Do came into the room.