BELLE'S P.O.V
Huh?
"What did you say?"
What is he saying all of a sudden?
Did I hear it right?
"Did I hear it correctly?"
Hendrick's face looked nervous.
He couldn't meet my eyes.
Is he joking with me this time?
"Come on, Hendrick, stop fooling around, " I told him.


But he remained silent. The position of his face is still the same, so I couldn't help but be suspicious of him.
How come he is a prince when there's only one prince in this empire?
And isn't he a mercenary? How did he become a prince all of a sudden?
I let out a heavy sigh before I stare at him.
"You know what, I am happy that you are trying your best to gain my trust again, and I know that what you said is true based on what happened last night. But then, if you're trying to fool me early this morning, I think you should stop it. It's not funny, okay?"
I didn't know that Hendrick had this side of him, that he would tell jokes early this morning, and that his trick isn't even funny.
Why would someone tell the other person that he is a prince with that serious face?


Wait, don't tell me he is trying to be funny?


Pft.
Why is he doing this all of a sudden? Is this because of what happened last night? I am not traumatized by what happened, so we don't have to do this.
I couldn't contain my laughter. That is why Hendrick looked at me.


"Is there something wrong, my lady?" he asked.


I shook my head multiple times.
"No, there's nothing wrong. But it's just funny that you said you are a prince when we both know that you are not. Maybe you can tell me other jokes other than that."


I was still laughing when I said those words, but his face didn't change.
"I am not joking, my lady," he said with a serious face and tone.
I stopped laughing and looked at him.
"Are you serious?"
I asked him.
He nodded his head, so I didn't know how to react.
I am so confused about what is happening.
Later on, I decided to ask him a question.
"If you are a prince, you are a prince of what empire?"
"This empire, my lady."
I was shocked to hear what he said.
"You are a prince of this empire? I asked him again.
Hendrick nodded his head.


"How come you are a prince of this empire when there's only one prince?"
Hendrick Lifts his head.
His expression changed and softened a little.
"I was a little when I decided that I didn't want to be a prince, and my family respected my decision and asked me what I should do. When I told them that I wanted to be free from the expectations of others. They supported me and didn't tell anyone other than those inside the palace which I am."
My jaw dropped because of all the information that he told me.
Is he being serious?
Wait, but why would he joke about this matter?
"If you are a prince, then why didn't the
emperor give you any special treatment or like a father's love?"
It's common, right?
It's expected that when you see your son somewhere, you will tend to go to them or help them, or whatsoever just to give them attention.
Or your family would want you to work with them inside the palace. Because that is within their reach. So it is hard to believe that he is a prince when there's no interaction between the imperial family and him.
I haven't even seen him talk to the imperial family, so how come he is a prince?
Not to mention that in the comic, there's no news of him being a prince, so it is tough for me to decide whether I should trust him or not. Should I trust his words?


Hendrick leaned forward.
"I will explain everything, my lady."
"Go on, I am all ears."


Hendrick stayed, and he continued explaining to me everything related.
He said everything to me and didn't leave any single information.
He even told me what he did from his childhood up to how he managed to pursue his dream of being independent.
At first, I couldn't believe it because he was just 5 years old when he told his parents that he would leave the palace.
And isn't it common sense to register your son as a prince right after a child was born?


So how come they manage to do it all?
He explained what happened and the reason behind all of my questions.
All the time he explains, I am just looking at him with my mouth wide open.
I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe the truth that the person in front of me was a prince in the palace.


"I will bring you to my family so you will not have difficulty trusting my words, my lady," he said.


By his family? Is it the imperial family?
Oh no, I shook my head.


"You don't have to do that. Even though it is hard to believe you, I trust your words. So you don't have to bring me to the palace to show me that you are not lying."
What is he thinking?!
The imperial family is the first person I avoid in this empire, especially the emperor, because he is so weird.
"Don't worry, my lady, I will tell them that I told you everything already. Besides, they already know that I have been courting you ever since."
Oh, wait, what?
"How did they know, and what did they say?"
"They are just fine with it, my lady."
"You said that they have known me ever since. Then, is it also why the emperor allowed me to be an official candidate for the princes?"


Hendrick nodded his head.


Oh my goodness.


So that is the reason behind all those actions of the emperor.


I feel like my mind is blowing from all this information.
I want to jump and shout because of embarrassment.
All this time, the emperor I am talking about, and backstabbing is Hendrick's father, and the crown prince I hate most is his brother?!
The one that I called crazy is his sister?!
What kind of family did he get? My goodness.
"Are they mad at me?" I asked him.
I need to make sure that they aren't mad at me.
Hendrick nodded his head.
"Of course not, my lady. They adore you."
Oh, that is more frightening.


If they adore me, then they want me to be near them, right? Or they will do things again just like what they did on the day of my ceremony before.
"Wait, are you the reason why they named me as an official candidate for the princess?"
Is he the one that proposes that idea to them?
"No, my lady. I am also surprised by that event."
He also didn't know everything. Well, I am glad. It would be more embarrassing if Hendrick is the one who proposed that idea because it would look like I forced him to do that or something.
"I will arrange to meet them, my lady."
"No, you don't have to do that."
I keep on rejecting that idea because I don't want it."
"Are you sure, my lady?"
I nodded my head.
"Of course, I am sure."
Why would I want to see the imperial family in the first place? But no, the topic should be why did he tell me his secret?
Isn't it supposed to be just within his family?
"Hendrick, why did you tell me about your secret? Aren't you scared to be in danger because? I might tell someone about it."
Hendrick shook his head.
"I am not afraid of that, my lady. All I want is for you to trust me, my lady."
He looked sincere. I don't know the reason, but what he said made me teary, like I had just
heard something that could change my life insights.
"My lady, is there something wrong?" he asks.
"No, there's nothing wrong!"
I tried to smile, but his face looked sad.
"Why?"
"You're crying, my lady."
I was stunned because I had just realized that I was crying.
I wiped my tears and laughed awkwardly.
"I am sorry."
I don't even know why I am crying! I wipe it continuously to hide the embarrassment.
I look stupid right now because I am laughing while I am crying.


I thought Hendrick would make fun of it, but instead, he pulled a handkerchief into his pocket.
Then he helps me wipe my tears.
His actions are making me tear up more.
"My lady, what is wrong?"
Hendrick panics.
I laugh harder because of his reaction.
"No, there's no problem at all. I just couldn't stop myself from crying. Please, pardon me."
"It's okay, my lady," he said and continued acting like that for almost a minute.
Before I finally calmed down, I held his handkerchiefs because I was embarrassed to give them to him.
"So, what do you plan on doing now that you tell me who you are?" I asked him.
"I want to be officially known as the prince, my lady."
"Why? Didn't you just say that you want to be free from the pressure of the imperial family? Then why would you tell everyone that you are the prince?"
Hendrick warmly stared at me and held my hand.
I can feel the warmth of his hand that is enveloping mine.
There's a sudden emotion that keeps on building inside me. I feel like I want to hug him this instant.
I shouldn't do it! I can't!
So to avoid my crazy thoughts.
I just bite my lip and wait for his answer.
"That is because I don't want anyone to hurt you again, my lady."



Suddenly, my heart beats fast. I feel like there arere a hundred butterflies in my stomach.
Was he this romantic before?
Did he expose himself just because of me? But why? I am just someone who doesn't need to make a lot of effort!
Yes, I appreciate it because that is so sweet, and it made me blush, thinking that he is just concerned about me.
So he is ready to sacrifice his freedom. But what about him?
"What would happen if the people didn't accept you?"
"I don't care about them, my lady. All I care about is you and you alone. I will not pay attention to others because they don't matter as much as you."


Again, there's this word feeling coming to me. I almost want the ground to eat me because I am so embarrassed now.
I just couldn't handle it. Even though Sebastian told me his feelings for me, I didn't experience all this!
But why I am experiencing this when the one who confesses to me is Hendrick?


It is so weird to feel this way.
I feel like a teenager who just got confessed by his crush.


Although, yes, that is the same as me. I am not a teenager anymore because I am embarrassed.
I couldn't get to say anything to Hendrick, and he also stayed quiet.
So we spend our time just sitting in the garden and feeling the fresh air.
That just stopped when Arkanghel came with a serious face.
"I have something to tell you, my lady," he said after giving his respect.


I suddenly got this feeling that there was something wrong happening.
"What is it?" I asked him.
He couldn't say anything because he kept on looking at Hendrick.
"Oh, don't worry. If it is not serious, you can tell it now," I said.
Atkanghel looked hesitant but still told me what had happened.
"I found the mastermind of the incident to you to the west."
"What?"
My mind was fast enough to process what he said.
"Who is the mastermind?"
"I think it is better if you come with me, my lady."
I didn't think twice, standing up immediately and looking at Hendrick.


"I am sorry. I don't want to, but let's end our talk here. I have to know who the mastermind of the incident was."
Hendrick stands up and nods his head.
"There's no problem, my lady. But can I come with you?"
"Yes, of course."
I let Arkanghel guide us.
We went straight to the prison under this land.
It is an underground prison that was protected by magic. That magic was made by Alfonso.
"We greet the countess!"
The guards greeted me when we entered the place.
I greeted them back and immediately followed Arkanghel inside.
We were welcomed by the ominous feeling of this place. It is so eerie.


I want to leave already!


It is dark inside that makes me remember the most terrifying event that had happened in my life.
I suddenly felt my hand shivering.
Should I do this? I don't think I can handle this.
I was hesitating to go when I felt someone's hand on mine.
I look up to see who is the person who did it, and it's Hendrick.
He smiled at me, which lessened my nervousness.
I smiled back at him and mouthed thank you.



He nodded his head, and we continued walking. When we reached the last cell, I was stuck on where I was standing.
"Sebastian?"