“The tea has turned cold, my lady. Would you like me to serve you a new one?”

“Please do so, Elise.”

After getting tangled with the slave traders, I’ve spent most of my free time inside my chambers to work on a large chalkboard I purchased with help from Elise. 

“What have you been doing lately, my lady? Oh my, is that the map of the kingdom?”

I took a few steps back to see the overall piece of my little project. I’ve pasted the large map of the whole Evermore Kingdom on the board and drawn over the locations of side quests I could recall from Remembering World. The side quests that were circled in red chalk involved battles against criminals and monsters, the blue ones involved harmless challenges in exchange for rewards and the side quests drawn in yellow circles simply involved working on daily tasks or running errands for other people. I couldn’t guarantee that they would affect me in the future but given what happened a few days ago, I didn’t want to risk it.

Triggering the side quests circled in blue or yellow wouldn’t be a problem at all, but I’m not involving myself with those in red circles again. It is the protagonist who can solve them once he steps into the kingdom.

A knock on the door interrupted us. It was the butler—Sir Fergus.

“A delivery from the alchemist has arrived, my lady.”

“Great! Please just put it on the cupboard, Sir.” 

It was finished sooner than I thought. My jewellery items have been synthesized perfectly. I could feel the change in power in my body compared to when I wore them for the first time. With my maxed items and my continued study of magic, my chances of survival have increased.

“I didn’t know alchemists could work on jewellery until you did it, my lady,” Elise commented.

“Alchemists can work on magic items made from organic materials.”

“Ugh, the world of magic is really complicated…”

“Have you ever thought about learning it?”

“Hmm… I would love to but they are time-consuming and quite expensive. I’m not a fan of fighting to pursue any of the classes either. That’s why I respect you very much for learning magic earnestly, my lady.”

“How about your family?”

“My younger brother dreams of being a knight, that’s why I’m working hard to send him to any of the prestigious academies in Valencourt. I heard they offer scholarships to most of their universities.”

In Remembering World, aside from getting involved in the railway project to boost the tourism of both kingdoms, Zathrian’s main diplomatic duty was to be a Cultural Exchange Ambassador, promoting study abroad programs, internships and even various exhibits surrounding the Valencourtian culture. 

Galicia was widely known for establishing the biggest magic academy on the entire continent while Valencourt was notable for its chivalry academies and military schools. Among the four kingdoms, Valencourt was the most advanced when it came to technology. Part of Alasdair’s lore was he finished his studies at a private chivalry academy in Valencourt, earning him outstanding swordsmanship skills. 

“Elise.”

“Yes, my lady?”

“Thank you for your hard work. I’ll tell Father to sponsor your brother’s studies.”

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

A week before the Grand Mass, the choir has been called for the last rehearsal in the church. More worshipers attended than normal before the real performance.

“He’s here!”

“He’s so handsome in person!”

“A prominent figure who has been a devoted sponsor of the church since his landing in Evermore is here tonight to watch our last rehearsal. Please greet Marquess Lestrange warmly. Everyone, let’s do our best!” The vocal instructor said.

What?

There he was by the door with his stupid foxy smile as he was getting showered with praises. The last time I felt this anxious to perform was during the first few days of rehearsals. But thanks to his surprise appearance, I’m back to square one!

Why is he here anyway?

The orchestra started the tune. Standing at the center of the stage facing a bigger audience got my stomach churning. Zathrian was on the balcony with a few nobles including his friend, Claude. He was looking at me like I was a child who told the adults to watch me spin and jump.

I ignored everyone’s faces by staring at their foreheads and sang my lines just the way I would during the past rehearsals. My knees eventually stopped trembling and my confidence returned. But halfway through the song, my eyes wandered to the balcony again. I was stunned by what I witnessed.

A lady was whispering something in his ear very closely. His response made her giggle for some reason.

My eyes rolled at the back of my head without thought.

I managed to do my best despite my unexplainable annoyance. In the end, I had to admit that it was our most beautiful rehearsal even when I got distracted in the middle.

We earned a massive round of applause. The vocal instructor proudly complimented the choir and called it a night. 

“We are hoping to see you all in the Grand Mass! Thank you for coming!” She told the audience before attending to me. “You did great, Lady Lilivienne. You looked nervous back there than usual but I admit that this rehearsal was your best performance. I hope you can keep it up until the real thing.”

“I know. I’ll do my utmost, Miss Smith.”

“Oh, and it seems the prince has stayed back.” Zathrian’s sudden presence from behind almost gave me a heart attack. The bitterness in my tongue has remained. Where was the lady he was flirting with? “It’s a real pleasure to have a prince from the Valencourt Kingdom to witness our last rehearsal. I’m the choir’s vocal instructor, Adelaide Smith. This is Lady Lilivienne of the House of Van der Horst, the Chosen Maiden of the Year. I assume the both of you have already met before. Her voice was amazing, wasn’t it?”

“It was lovely. One of the most beautiful voices I’ve ever heard.”

“See? I told you, my lady! So if you ever change your mind, my theatre group is always open for new members, alright?” Shortly, a staff member approached Miss Smith. “Great. Now if you may excuse me, I still have matters to attend to. Have a wonderful night, Your Highness, Lady Lilivienne…”  Her departure left the both of us in that corner.

When did I start getting awkward around him? My irritation comes from feelings I shouldn’t entertain at all.

“A theatre group, huh.” He broke the defeaning silence we shared.

“I’m not interested.” I would only sing casually whenever I was busy with tasks or going on a walk in my past life, so getting my voice praised by a professional and several audiences sounded unreal. “What do you want?” It was time to ask.

“We haven't seen each other for a month and this is how you greet me? How awful.” He spouted, smirking.

“If you have nothing important to say then I’m dismissing myself. Goodnight, Your Highness...” I put my brim hat on but he took it away as I was about to leave. “Hey, give it back!”

Zathrian raised my hat in the hair as he looked at me with amusement. We started garnering attention from some of the staff.

“I’ll give it back if you come with me for a walk.” He offered his other hand. “We didn’t see each other for a while.”

I shot him a scornful look. “Why don’t you invite the lady who was sitting with you? I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t turn down the offer. Now give it back while I’m still asking nicely.” 

“Is this how you look when you’re jealous? It’s cute.”

“Why would I be jealous?” 

“Don’t worry. She’s just a friend.”

“I don’t care…”

“I don’t date anyone I consider my friend, so please don't overthink. Now, shall we?” 

He took my hand and placed it in his, dragging me out of the church like he wanted to run away. My annoyance didn’t change one bit.