“Should I ask again that you marry me?” he said.
“No, you already have,” replied Estelle.
She smiled at Arcrayne, then looked at the ring on her hand, which the prince still held. The added weight of the extra stones made it feel a little heavier than the old one.
“Say, did you bring me to the conservatory in order to propose to me?” she asked.
Estelle recalled the time Arcrayne had formally proposed to her. It had happened in House Rogell’s conservatory.
“That’s part of it, but I also wanted to give it to you in a place like this,” replied the prince, his manner somewhat awkward.
“I suppose so. It makes me happy that you would choose such a beautiful place for it.”
From where they were, Estelle had a good view of the roses blooming gorgeously.
As usual, Arcrayne was a gentleman with her. And yet...
His mana is still a little dark... Estelle noticed. Unable to find the reason for Arcrayne’s darkened mana, she began to furrow her brow slightly. She wondered if she should ask him about it, but after some thought, decided against it. I’m sure he’ll tell me one day, she concluded.
The prince knew she could see emotions with her power. And no matter what he told her when the time came, Estelle intended to support him.
Even if you come to hate me, I’ll remain by your side until you say you don’t need me anymore, she told him inside her mind.
“How about we look around some more and then get back?” Arcrayne asked.
“Certainly.”
Estelle took the hand that the prince offered her.
✦ ✦ ✦
When they returned from the conservatory, there was something of a commotion. Apparently, Liedis had sent a bouquet for Estelle.
“We’ve examined it and made sure it doesn’t contain poison or anything sharp... Would you like to accept it?” May asked Estelle, holding the large bouquet.
The bouquet was most lovely, full of delicately pink and white roses, but considering the sender, Estelle wasn’t sure if she could simply accept it. Confused, she looked at Arcrayne and saw him wearing a grave expression, his mana dark.
“I guess it’s because I didn’t let him see you...” he said.
“He asked to see me?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want to let him in here.”
The prince awkwardly averted his eyes. He was almost like a child who’d been caught doing mischief.
“I understand how you must have felt about it, so I do not mind...but what should I do about these flowers?” asked Estelle.
After a pause, the prince said, “The flowers themselves aren’t guilty of anything, so do as you like.”
From the pause and Arcrayne’s mana, Estelle picked up on his discomfort. It stood to reason, given his relationship with Liedis up to this point.
Even if I accept it, I can’t put them in my room or his... thought Estelle.
“They are beautiful, so can I put them in the hallway?” she asked, after thinking for a moment.
“You don’t want them in your room?”
“Would that be all right?”
“I’d rather you didn’t do that,” said Arcrayne, after another pause.
The sullen look on his face almost made Estelle burst into laughter.
“It is because they are from His Highness Prince Liedis; I understand,” said Estelle and giggled.
She handed the bouquet to May and told her to put them in the hallway.
“Lady Estelle, there is actually a letter that came with the flowers... Would you care to read it?” asked May, holding out a white envelope.
On the back of it was Liedis’s seal, a black panther.
“Do you mind if I read it with you?” asked Arcrayne.
“No, be my guest,” replied Estelle without hesitation.
It was a letter from his political enemy. Of course he’d be interested in its contents.
“Let’s go to the living room for now. We can sit down and talk.”
Estelle took the prince up on his offer.
✦ ✦ ✦
After they took a break in the living room, Arcrayne opened the envelope with a paper knife. The paper inside had harmless platitudes written on it in elegant handwriting, such as seasonal greetings and an inquiry on how Estelle was doing. Nonetheless, the prince looked glum.
“Is something wrong?” asked Estelle.
“This is written on special paper and with a special ink that is passed down among royalty. He must’ve written it knowing I would read it.”
With a sour look on his face, Arcrayne channeled his mana into the paper. The paper turned deep blue, and glowing silver characters emerged on it.
“If you direct mana into it, it reveals hidden writing,” explained Arcrayne.
“So it is like invisible ink,” said Estelle.
She recalled how she’d played in her childhood by writing letters with fruit juice, waiting for the writing to disappear, and then heating the paper over a fire.
Estelle moved over to Arcrayne’s side and looked at the letter.
Dear Lady Estelle,
You saved my life when you slew that dragon. It pains me to hear about the injury to your left hand. I sincerely pray that it heals as soon as possible.
Also, I’m aware they’re attributing most of the success in slaying that dragon to you. Please accept the medal for it and don’t mind me. I believe you deserve the honor, as you landed the killing blow.
Lastly, I’m sure my brother is already seeing to your safety, but please be wary of your surroundings.
Liedis Kainrod of Rosalia
“Is this what His Highness truly wanted to say?” Estelle wondered aloud after reading the silver writing.
“Since he went to the trouble of writing a letter in this way, I would say yes. He probably wanted to avoid it being seen by Duke Marwick’s people...” Arcrayne still looked sour.
Estelle didn’t know what face she should be making either. When she recalled Liedis, she couldn’t help thinking of the time he’d showed up uninvited to the Libra Palace and hurt May. But while she couldn’t forgive him for that, maybe Liedis wasn’t so bad at heart.
Estelle looked at the letter once again. The handwriting was beautiful, even if it wasn’t on par with Arcrayne’s. The polite words gave off the impression of a sincere person.
“This must be a warning. I wonder if something will happen in the near future...” said Estelle.
“I don’t need him to tell me about the dangers; I’m already looking out for them.” The prince glared at the letter, looking highly tempted to click his tongue.
“Lord Arc, I am sure you have your reservations about this, but may I send His Highness a sympathy gift too?” Estelle asked timidly. “I believe I would not be here now had it not been for his help.”
Arcrayne sighed. “Do as you like. Not that it won’t bother me.”
“But you will allow it.”
“I guess so,” replied the prince with an awkward smile.