Chapter 175: The Princess’s Decision
Music Recommendation: Come with me - Kris Bowers
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Emily felt her heart skip a beat.
Despite his warning to stay away from him and Emily telling herself not to glance in his direction, it took only seconds for her to realise just how incredibly hard it was to do. She clutched the sides of her gown tightly with a determination equal to the way the distance maintained between them constricted her heart.
Her hazel eyes slowly shifted to look at Nathaniel, whose gaze stared right at her. However, she could only hold it for a mere two seconds before Lady Layla stepped in front of her, obstructing her view.
"Princess Emily, I will be taking my leave now." Lady Layla air-kissed Emily’s cheeks, a common greeting custom in the western lands.
Emily snapped back to the present, mustering a smile as she whispered, "I hope your journey back is comfortable." It wasn’t that she didn’t genuinely mean it in her heart, but these were some of the practised words she had to offer to every guest.
"It is unfortunate that we didn’t get to spend as much time together as we did on other days. Perhaps we can catch up later?" Lady Layla asked with hopeful eyes. Emily responded with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Lady Layla was about to leave but then paused and made a request of Lady Sophia. "Milady, I hope it would be acceptable if I could have Princess Emily’s company for a few days before the wedding? She has been a dear friend of mine, and I would greatly appreciate her presence."
Emily’s eyes widened in surprise at Lady Layla’s words, as did Nathaniel’s. Equally uncomfortable with the idea, he interjected,
"The Princess has a busy schedule, Layla. You shouldn’t request something like that."
Lady Layla offered him an awkward smile and then addressed them, saying, "Forgive me. It’s just that I am so fond of Princess Emily that I thought she might enjoy spending some time with me before the wedding."