The prince was too overwhelmed, and as a result, he opened the door to his private room for me out of the blue, which took me by surprise. I didn’t think the prince would do this. He was supposed to be cold-hearted, but he ended up liking me.
"No, you said it to yourself. I’m not allowed in." I turned him down.
"My mind has changed." I felt Prince Augustus take my hand as we slowly entered his private chamber.
At first glance, I thought this was Lincoln’s art studio. His entire room is covered in hundreds of unique paintings, each of which possesses a classic beauty that one would not expect. My mind kept asking questions about how come I didn’t know he was into painting, and then I suddenly realized Sebastian was the prince. The Prince can do everything that is beyond the capabilities of regular people. Learning new things or possessing hundreds or thousands of talents is just a normal part of their lives.
My drawing was nothing compared to his. I was so embarrassed that I attempted to snatch my sketch away from his grasp, but I was unsuccessful. "You already had everything in your room, so could you please return my sketch to me?" I pleaded.
"I’m gonna put it up over here," Prince Augustus pointed to the direction in which his desk was located.
"Please, don’t post it. Doing so will only make your room look dirty." I said. "Look at how drastically different my sketch is compared to your paintings." Despite my protests, he kept my drawing taped to the wall near his desk. This is a terrible embarrassment!
After posting it, the prince glared at me. "This drawing is worthy of being displayed. I liked it, Gemma."
The way he claimed he liked it makes me even more ashamed.
"And I wanted to show you how chaotic my room is, much like my life," he said. He took a stop. "The paintings that you are looking at right now are a representation of how disorganized my life has been since I discovered I am not a typical person. I was blessed with good fortune from the moment of my birth. It’s bothersome because there are certain things I need to do and some things I shouldn’t do. People have the notion that a prince should behave in a unique and faultless manner, which is the complete antithesis of who I am."
"That everyone expects you to be someone you are not," I said. "That nobody accepts you for who you are."
"Being the prince is not as joyful as it is in a storybook; rather, it makes us feel as if we are confined in a cage." He said so while folding his arms and leaning on the table. "They are limiting our freedom in many ways... I’m not saying this to make you feel sorry for me. I simply... wanted you to have a better understanding of who I am. As for your drawing, it was really beautiful. I meant it."
"You know, I find it funny when you’re giving me compliments."
"Because all that comes out of my mouth is insults." The hand of Prince Augustus was resting above my hair. "Now that I’ve thought about it, I think I was too harsh on you, even if some of my actions were contrary to my intentions. I am very sorry."
"Well, you’re not the only one who’s cruel, so we’re even."
This situation is making me nervous. I’m not meant to be in his private room alone with him. However, there’s something about me that doesn’t give a hoot about what other people think.
Having a serious conversation with him seems different from what it did in the past, maybe because I am not just his personal maid but also his girlfriend. I hid a grin behind my hand. In my wildest dreams, I never thought I’d be his girlfriend.
"Are you smiling?" he asked.
"Nah," I shook my head.
"You are,"
At the sight of him giggling along with me, I lost all self-control. Prince Augustus suddenly sprang forward, encircled his arms around my head, and kissed my head all of a sudden.
It’s euphoric to the point of becoming frightening. What if this great joy only lasts a short time? And that’s going to happen soon. I don’t want this to come to an end. I’d like this to go on for a long time.
I said, "I’m scared," as the thought crossed my mind. "What will happen if the king learns about us? He will keep you locked up in the palace once again."
"Don’t worry about things that haven’t taken place just yet. Let’s focus on the present, okay?"
I nodded.
A knock on the prince’s private chamber brought a stop to our conversation. It was the girl Prince Augustus had met before.
She bent her head respectfully. "Prince Augustus, I apologize for disturbing you. I came to ask you for lunch as payment for the meal that you graciously provided for me the last time we were together."
"I..." Prince Augustus stared blankly at me as if he had no idea what to do.
"Oh, I didn’t know she was here with you." After seeing me emerge from the prince’s chamber, the girl said, clearly taken aback by what she had just seen. "You’re the girl he was with last time."
"I’m the prince’s personal maid," I said to introduce myself.
"Oh, so that explains why you’re usually hanging out with the prince."
When I told her I was the prince’s personal maid, she immediately broke out in a broad grin. "I didn’t get to introduce myself last time." She paused for a second. "I am Felicity, the Duchess of Portugal’s granddaughter."
I bent my head in shame, realizing that I should have done it sooner. "Please accept my apologies for the lack of respect I showed you."
"Gemma, you don’t have to bow down to her, as she’s not a princess." Prince Augustus stated.
"Y-yeah, Prince Augustus is right," Felicity said, having no choice but to agree with the prince. "You are welcome to join us for lunch if you’d like. It’s on me..."
"Prince Augustus," Lincoln, sprung up out of nowhere. "You should go with her. I am going to take Gemma out for lunch today."
"No!" Prince Augustus gave Lincoln a stern look. The atmosphere has become even tenser as a result of this situation. Fortunately, Felicity has experience dealing with this kind of situation similar to the one we are now in.
"We can all eat together," she said.
At least, that’s what I thought. But I think she makes everything worse.
"No," Lincoln said quickly in response to Felicity’s offer. "I don’t think that’s a good idea."
If we were all seated at the same table at the same time, things would feel rather uncomfortable. It would be best if they were separated at this time. I drew closer to Lincoln. "I agree with what he said. Besides, this is a matter between the two of you, so we would not interfere. I’ll stay here and wait like I always do."
I am aware that stating this would upset him, but I have no other option. Another reason is that I don’t want to waste Felicity’s time coming here merely to see the prince. I’m still his personal maid, and that’s a fact.
I shifted my attention back to the prince, who seemed to be in an unpleasant state.
"Are you..."
Prince Augustus grasped Felicity’s hand, which astonished Felicity.
"Come on!" After dragging Felicity away, Prince Augustus did not even bother to turn back to look in my direction.
"Are you not afraid at all?" Lincoln asked.
"Afraid of what?"
"That there might be something developing between them."
"Well, as far as I can tell, it’s up to the prince," I replied. "I can’t meddle with him since I’m only his maid."
"I’m not dumb, Gemma. I know what’s going on between you and Augustus."
"But there isn’t anything between us at all."
"You still didn’t want to admit it, even though everyone was aware of the kiss at the football game." One of his eyebrows went up as he said that.
I heaved a sigh.
"When I asked you to sketch the item that symbolizes me, I knew it was him you drew," he said.
I shifted my gaze toward him. "Wait, you knew?"
"You were rushing out of the room, and I happened to glimpse it as you were leaving."
"I’m sorry, Lincoln. I’m sorry. It’s just that... my mind was elsewhere at the time."
"It was solely about the prince," he added. "You know, Gemma, I’m not sure if I like you all that much. I admire you, maybe because we see things the same way and enjoy the same things."
"Y- you like me?"
"Ain’t it obvious?" He smirked. "Now I can see that you are completely numb."
I was overcome with a deep sense of empathy for him. "I’m sorry that I didn’t see it, Lincoln,"
"No, don’t feel bad about that. Now I know that my efforts weren’t enough to make you notice how I feel."
"That is not the case at all. I’m the issue."
Lincoln has made a mess of my hair. "What’s up with that glum expression? I ought to be making that face, not you."
"I’m very sorry, Lincoln. I’m sorry." I apologized. "It would have been much simpler if I could just like you instead. Who knows? Maybe nothing complicated would happen."
"Then leave him, and be mine," he was seriously looking at me.
I glared back at him. If only it was easy to change my feelings.
"But that won't happen," then he gave me this bright smile. "At least you’re happy. And I’m glad I could make that happen for you."
I know he’s acting this way to avoid making me feel bad.
"Hey, get that look off of your face!" he said as he pinched my face.
I gave him a little nod and made an effort to smile at him.