GO on, Sonia! Tell Sir Chris what you’re going to do!
It was the third day of the birthday celebration. Sonia wore a simple, pale orange dress with lace embellishments that evoked the image of a warm, sunny spot on a spring day. Seeing as this was the last day of festivities, she went with a somewhat mature look by boldly revealing her shoulders.
Her neck was adorned with a necklace featuring one of the Clare treasures, a large diamond. Large diamond earrings of the same design dangled from her ears.
She was immediately greeted by Chris upon leaving her chambers. “I’ve come for you, Princess. I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you last night,” he said.
His usual gallant and cheerful demeanor made Sonia feel guilty, causing her to inadvertently avert her eyes.
“...No, it’s fine. Prince Severin was kind enough to escort me in your absence,” Sonia answered.
“Prince Severin did?” he asked incredulously.
The disbelief plainly written on Chris’ face as he took her hand was just the push she needed. If I’m going to tell him, the sooner the better. Besides, there aren’t many people here to overhear us.
“We confirmed our feelings for each other at the ball last night... And, well...I’d like...to accept his proposal!” she blurted out.
I did it! I said it! While she was relieved to get it off her chest, the indescribable pain in her heart made her ball her hands into tight fists.
Chris’ response came instantly. “You mustn’t! It would be another matter if it were someone else, but Prince Severin isn’t worthy of you as he is now.”
“...Huh...? Why not...?” Sonia was surprised that he shot her down so quickly, but his attitude shocked her even more. The frigid expression on his face matched his aloof demeanor. Pinned under his stern stare for the first time, Sonia found herself fidgeting nervously.
“Just because you’ve finally seen Prince Severin again doesn’t mean he’s the same as when you were young. Don’t look at him through the rose-colored lens of your nostalgia. You’ll only end up crying if you do,” Chris admonished her.
I’ll end up crying? I’ve already done that. And Prince Severin is still as kind as ever. Why shouldn’t I rely on that kindness?
“...I’ve already ‘ended up crying,’” Sonia quipped, borrowing his words.
Chris didn’t catch what she said. “Come again?”
“Sir Chris, how do you feel...about me...?”
Chris’ eyes flew open in surprise at Sonia’s sudden question. He muttered, “Give me a break,” while rubbing his head.
“Look, what matters isn’t how I feel, Princess, but—”
“Why won’t you call me by my name? Why won’t you call me Sonia?” she cut him off, throwing the question at Chris that had been nagging at her since day one. “Why do you constantly call me ‘Princess’? Are you trying to avoid forming any intimacy with me by saying my name?”
“Prin—”
“Stop it!” Sonia’s scream of rejection stopped Chris mid-word, his eyes still wide with surprise. “Sir Chris, you were going to marry me when you’ve already sworn your heart to another... How could you be with me while harboring feelings for her? You hardly have any right to speak ill of Prince Severin! I can’t believe you’d put yourself on a pedestal and criticize him...!”
“But I...!”
Chris appeared clearly shaken; this verified the rumors Pamela had heard.
“At least Prince Severin actually proposed. He wants to go tell his father, King Patrice, the good news. His actions and words came across sincere. I intend to appear before the King tonight to ask that he call off our engagement so I may be with Prince Severin!”
“Princess...!”
“Leave me alone from now on!” Sonia shouted. She slapped Chris’ hand away and raced to put the scene behind her.
Prince Severin! Where are you, Prince Severin...? Although he had told Sonia to wait for him in her chambers, she didn’t want to remain there any longer. She imagined he was making his way to her chambers, so he shouldn’t be far. Yet, he was nowhere to be seen around the room she was using.
If Sonia entered the ballroom, the young lords were bound to swarm around her again. Instead, she decided to head for the nostalgic arbor where she had met Severin a mere two days ago. When he realized she wasn’t in her chambers or the ballroom, it might occur to him to search for her there.
Sonia made her way into the depths of the garden, where the secretive atmosphere of twilight drifted. Carefully choosing her steps to avoid any embarrassing spills, she noticed the arbor was already occupied by the time it came into view. It was hard to discern the couple in the poor lighting, but she thought it was a man and woman.
What should I do? This is hardly any better than spying. I can’t stay here forever. I’ll have to go somewhere else. Just as Sonia was about to give up on the arbor and leave, the voice of a man she knew all too well stopped her in her tracks.
“Like I said, I’m doing this for us. Why else would I propose to that naïve little princess? I thought you knew my type... Yeah, I’m only interested in women overflowing with mature charm, like you.”
Prince Severin?
“You’re only saying that to assuage me,” replied a sullen woman’s voice. Her voice held an endearing ring despite her sullen complaint. Even Sonia could tell that voice was reserved for him.
“She’s the mistress of the Dukedom of Clare,” Severin responded.
“What? That means she’s from the ‘Cursed Family’ line! Will you be all right approaching her?” the woman asked. Not only did she stop resting her head against Severin’s shoulder, she shifted her entire body away from him.
Severin lightly chuckled at the woman’s open fear. Sonia could only see their backs from where she stood, but she imagined he was gazing at the woman with his lips quirked into a kind, polished smile.
“See for yourself. Does it look like I’ve been struck by the curse?”
The woman shook her head back and forth in answer to Severin’s question.
“I suspect the curse has latched onto her fiancé, Crisford. Knowing him, he’s bound to break the curse sooner or later. After all, he was chosen in a divine revelation,” Severin said.
“In the meantime, you’ll win Duchess de Clare’s heart and marry her once Sir Crisford breaks the curse... Does that sound about right? Oh, you’re terrible!” The woman giggled as she laid her cheek back on Severin’s shoulder.
“I’m doing it for us. You can’t spend money freely anymore under your husband’s scrutinous eye. I was financially cut off myself when all that splurging incurred Father’s wrath. I was only using that money to spend time with you, darling... Father just doesn’t understand how I feel...”
“Prince Severin... I don’t know what to say. I’m so happy you’re willing to plunge into a loveless marriage for me...” the woman said.
“Catherine, I won’t let you go without,” Severin promised while wrapping his arms around the woman called “Catherine” to embrace her passionately. The two slowly pulled apart after ardently kissing for a time.
“Don’t fall for Duchess de Clare, okay? My darling Severin!”
“Of course not. Although we’re childhood friends, I don’t think of her as anything more than that. But after we’re married, I’ll have to perform my duties to leave an heir and have a child—Ah!” Severin exclaimed as if suddenly remembering something and jumped to his feet.
“I was supposed to pick Sonia up at her room so we could receive my father’s blessing! I’m going to be extremely late!” he cried.
“Oh dear! What if she gets angry and changes her mind about the whole affair?”
“She’s enamored with me since I’m her first love. I’m sure she’s patiently waiting at the door.”
“Hurry on, now,” Catherine urged, but Severin held her hand longingly, showering it with kisses. “Really...! Get going already!” she pushed, not altogether annoyed.
“I’ll have the messenger pass on my next letter. Bye!” Severin returned her bewitching smile with a broad grin before leaving the arbor.
And there she was.
“Prince Severin...”