Master of Minds, Master of Me

I open my door and get into new clothes. There is no time to shower, so just a minor freshening up has to suffice. Soon, I’m headed to where the candidates are meeting. It’s hard to imagine that my future wife is just there, standing inside that room. I can't help but be a little excited. I mean, there is just going to be a line of pretty girls, so why not be excited?

The maid opens the door, and I step in. I feel their gazes on me as I walk to stand in front of them. I slightly bow before them.

“Absolute pleasure to see you all here. I’m Felix Barham. I do hope you enjoy your stay here at the Palace. I appreciate your desire to be here as one of the candidates. Your efforts will not go unnoticed.”

Count Trive starts to speak as I slide my gaze among them. Most of them I have met before, but there are some unfamiliar faces. All are clearly pampered, clearly wishing to get my attention. All of their eyes are on me, smiling brightly or seductively when they meet my gaze.

Then my gaze finds an unfamiliar face at the back. She isn’t looking at me. Is she looking at the floor? Is she just shy? That's pretty new to me. Her dress is white, a pretty uncommon color to wear. I really can't see her face when she is looking down. She looks like she is trying to be invisible. Everyone else here would do anything to make me notice them, so why isn’t she? And why isn’t she looking at me? It’s as if she is trying to avoid me. But why would she want to do that? She is here after all by her own free will.

Then I see her gaze slowly lift. Is she watching my clothes? Suddenly, I feel pretty self-conscious about my presence. Are my clothes okay? I regret that I didn't take a shower. I should have taken a shower.

When her gaze slowly rises, I can finally see her face. It’s plain, with barely any makeup on. But somehow still the most beautiful one. Her straight dark brown hair frames her delicate features. And when her brown eyes snap to mine, it feels like someone just stabbed me in the heart.

There is no expression on her face. It’s like a blank canvas with captivating eyes. She is almost like a doll, a doll blending into the background. Is she blending in on purpose? Trying to avoid attention? Is she just trying to be a wallflower? Well, she is a flower all right, but certainly not a wallflower. She’s like the most unique flower I have ever seen.

I smile at her, curious to see her smiling back at me. But then she just shifts her gaze away. Totally ignoring me. No smile, nothing. And that piques my interest even more.

I force my gaze away when the other girls start introducing themselves to me. I wish they would talk faster. I want to hear her name already, to know who she is. I’m glad Count Trive forces the women to move along if they try to start a conversation with me.

“Okay. Now that everyone has introduced themselves, we can let the Crown Prince get back to his duties, and you may withdraw to your own rooms to rest,” Count Trive says.

What? No, they didn’t, you forgot the most important one.

“But that wasn’t everyone,” I point out.

I expect her to react to my words, realizing I’m talking about her. But nothing, no reaction at all.

“I do apologize, but I’m pretty sure that was it. Is there someone you would like to speak with again, perhaps?” Count Trive suggests.

Did he really just forget her existence? How is that even possible?

“No. I’m sure that the lady at the back in the white dress didn’t introduce herself,” I say with my charming smile.

“Oh, I do apologize. I didn’t notice you back there. Please step forward.”

Didn't notice? I think someone should get glasses or something. She is the most noticeable person in this room.

When she slowly walks toward me, I feel my heart rate quicken.

“Greetings to the little sun of the Empire. My name is Lorelia Helesantra.”

Woah. Even her voice is captivating. But she isn't looking at me. I want her eyes on me.

“Lorelia, huh? Why haven’t I seen you before?”

That makes her eyes meet mine. Her brown, button-like eyes stare at me. Damn she is cute.

“I haven’t really joined high society.”

A pretty short and simple answer. She is clearly trying to avoid talking with me, which makes me want to tease her even more. Teasing people is my favorite hobby after all.

“So, where have you been hiding then?” I smirk at her teasingly.

“I’ve spent my life mostly at the temple.”

“The temple?”

So, is she a religious one? That would explain the plain white dress.

“My father is the High Priest in the Grand Temple, so the temple is my second home.”

High Priest’s daughter? Well, now I understand why I haven't met her before. What a shame.

“Well, that surely explains it. Knowing that makes me regret not visiting the Grand Temple more.”

Since I would have loved to meet you earlier, pretty flower.

“The Crown Prince is a busy man, so I think we should let him return to his duties.”

Unfortunately, that’s true. I really would want to stay talk to her more. She withdraws back to the room, blending among the other girls. But she shines so brightly among them.

''I hope you enjoy your stay here at the Palace, and don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything. We do our best to make your stay here comfortable.” I move my eyes to her, happy to find her still looking at me. And I aim my last sentence only at her. “It was a pleasure to meet you.” And I have a feeling we will have the pleasure to meet each other more in the future.

I bow and exit the room. That certainly was more fun than I expected. I barge into my office where Ted is already waiting.

“Ted.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“New task. I want to see the file on Lorelia Helesantra.”

“Helesantra? Why?”

“Just do it.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

I sit behind my desk with a smile. Maybe these two months are going to be even more exciting than I thought. I have a feeling that she is going to be very intriguing person.

It takes too long for Ted to bring me the file. Clearly he didn't understand that this was an urgent task from me.

But when finally I get it in my hands, I rummage through papers. 19 years old, eldest daughter, one little sister. Blessed by God? Well that's surely unique. Apparently, she really has spent most of her time in the temple. She is a pretty devoted follower and does a lot of charity work. And apparently, she did request permission to drop out from the Queen Selection, but she was too late. We, of course, gave the opportunity to turn down the invitation. I don’t want to force anyone to be a Queen. But by the time she asked that, all the preparation was already done. Unlucky for her. Lucky for me.

But that explains her behavior toward me. Clearly, she has no interest in becoming the Queen. And I don’t mind that. I can understand why someone would think the task is hideous.

Other than that, there really isn’t much information about her, which sucks. Well, I guess I just need to find out myself then. Not that I mind. But I have a feeling she is not the most talkative type. But I have my ways. I can be pretty charming and persuasive.

“Ted, do you happen to know if Lorelia is in her room?”

“No. I’m not her babysitter, Your Highness.”

That’s true, since you are apparently mine. I get up from the chair.

“Your Highness, where do you think you are going?”

“Just going to look around. I need to stretch my legs.”

“Your Highness! You already bailed out once today, you can’t just leave your duties.”

“Relax, Ted. I will finish everything when I get back.”

I smile at him brightly and slam the door shut. I’m just not sure what is the best way to find her. I just have some urge to see her again. I need to see her. But I can’t just exactly walk around the halls where the candidates reside and knock on doors hoping to find her. But how else am I going to find out if she is in her room or not?

I spot a maid in the hallway. Perfect.

“Hey! Wait a moment!”

She turns toward me and bows politely.

“Greetings, Your Highness. How may I help you?”

“Do you happen to know where Milna is?”

I know her maid’s name only because it was included in her file. I bet she knows where Lorelia is.

“She went outside with Lady Lorelia earlier.”

Outside? The Palace yard is quite big, so finding them might be hard. But not impossible.

“Thank you.”

I turn around toward the exit. If I find her in the yard, it could be pretty perfect, actually. I can always just say it was a coincidence that I bumped into her. So I just start to wander in the garden, trying to think of where they might visit. I visit all the fountains and ponds, but come up empty-handed.

I’m almost giving up when I spot the greenhouse door open. Would she be there? The greenhouse isn’t the most common spot to visit. But I guess she is not the most common girl either. I walk toward the greenhouse and spot her and her maid just about to exit as I enter. She immediately steps aside and bows, keeping her gaze on the floor.

“Your Highness! I had no idea you would visit the greenhouse today. If I had known, I would have made the necessary preparations for it. I apologize,” her maid immediately says when seeing me.

“No need for an apology. I was just passing by when I spotted the doors open. Since the gardeners are off duty already, I was just rather curious who was in here.”

Lorelia keeps her gaze down. So not even going to look at me? I need your eyes on me, pretty flower.

“So you hide in temples and among the flowers?” I say teasingly while walking in front of her. Hoping to draw her attention.

She slowly lifts her gaze, her brown button eyes meeting mine. Her face is still the same, blank.

“Greetings, Your Highness. I was just curious about the Palace greenhouse. We were just heading out, so if you excuse us.”

Woah, trying to leave already? I do wonder how I could make her face show any emotion. Some reaction, anything. If she is already this captivating with no expression, I want to see her with some expression. Well, usually a little teasing does the trick.

“Why do I get the feeling you are trying to avoid me?” I smirk at her charmingly.

I expect her to startle at my accusation, but nothing changes in her face. Like she really is some doll.

“Of course not, Your Highness. It’s just late, and I’m getting tired from all the walking.”

Hmmm… Should I push her even more? I walk closer to her, but she still looks the same.

“Do you need me to carry you inside?” I tilt my head to her while keeping the smirk on.

Any other woman would at least blush a little. But from her? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Am I getting rusty or something? Is there something wrong with my charming smile? Is it because I didn't took the shower? Do I smell or something?

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m perfectly capable of walking myself. Have a nice evening, Your Highness. I wish that God blesses your day.” Her voice is calm and contained, like we were just talking about the weather. Like she totally missed my flirting attempt. Not sure if she missed it on purpose or if she really didn’t understand that I’m trying to flirt with her.

She bows to me gracefully with her maid and turns to leave.

“Oh, I’m pretty sure God has blessed me. I have always enjoyed watching pretty flowers too, you know. And I have a feeling I found the most beautiful today.”

Her head turns to me, and a faint smile tugs on her lips. She bows again with her head and keeps walking.

I just stare at her back, a little dumbfounded.

Did she just utterly ignore my flirting? I got like zero reaction from her. The faint smile on her lips was clearly just out of courtesy, nothing more.

Okay, so clearly talking to her directly isn’t doing the trick here. So I just need to use my other methods. And I will definitely draw some reaction or emotion from her. Even if I need to play a little dirty.