343: [Bonus chapter]Prince's Arrival At The Festival

[Bonus chapter]Prince's Arrival At The Festival

On the other hand, a certain young prince had also come out of the palace disguised as an ordinary commoner. It was Theron Ivanov, the Crown Prince of Megaris, who ditched the royal ball thrown by his mother after showing his face once at the start. He looked relieved as he successfully escaped the wall of fawning maidens waiting to snag the chance of dancing with him.2

The year-end festival was the only chance in a year when Prince Theron could forget that he was a prince and pretend that he had no responsibilities. He especially found it to his liking that if he was to dress as another person, nobody could recognize him and he could blend in with the common people to enjoy the simple yet fun celebration outside. 

However, even though he was wearing clothes befitting a commoner, not one of the people in the streets would believe that Prince Theron was a real commoner. One could not disguise the confident yet elegant strides his long legs would make as he walked, nor the icy cold expression on his handsome face that could attract all the fiery gazes of the women—both single and married—towards his strong tall build. His simple clothes could not cover the strange charisma he had, and wherever he walked, the people around him were sure to be gawking. Many young maidens would even giggle and talk among themselves how Prince Theron was surely some young lord of a noble house who would sweep them off their feet like in the romance novels they read in their pastime.

When Prince Theron reached the central part of the plaza, his sight didn't fail to catch a certain person with unique hair colour. Under the light of the lanterns, her honey-blond hair seemed to be shining softly. It caused the Crown Prince to stop in his tracks and stare at her. 

For the first time since they met, he saw Esther smiling. No, she wasn't just smiling. She was also laughing, having fun amidst the crowd as if she did not have a care in the world. Her face seemingly embodied what happiness is, and she glowed with it. She was just so beautiful, so perfect in that moment that— 

"Your High—I mean, Young Master, is there something wrong?"

Seeing the Crown Prince suddenly stop in place without making a sound, his guardian knight, Sir Galien, could not help but call him out. 

Prince Theron got out of his daze and continued walking forward without answering his knight. However, while walking, not even for a moment did his sight leave Esther even though many people were passing between them. 

Only then did Sir Galien notice why the Crown Prince was acting strangely.  "Young Master, are you not suspicious of Miss Esther now?"

Prince Theron cleared his throat awkwardly and said, "We keep eyes on someone when we find them suspicious." He then continued walking, albeit his pace was a little faster now. 

The robust-looking knight, who was only five years older than the Crown Prince, smiled meaningfully and caught up to the young man. He said in a low voice, "We also keep an eye on someone when we find them interesting."

The Crown Prince heard it but acted as if he didn't. He noticed Esther stop before a stall, and she picked up a piece of jewellery in her hand. She looked like she liked it, but just then, another female about her age dragged her away. He was close enough to catch a bit of their conversation.

"—Esther, come fast! They are famous artists performing a folk dance from my hometown in the North—"

Esther put the jewellery back and allowed the other woman to drag her along with her. 

After a while, a certain someone walked towards the stall and bought the same exact piece. His knight could only silently shake his head at the stubborn prince who didn't want to admit the obvious truth.

"Young Master, why don't we go view the performance as well?" Sir Galien asked what was already going on in the Crown Prince's mind.

Prince Theron nodded and Sir Galien, who was also dressed as a commoner, cleared the way for the young prince. He stopped some distance from where Esther was standing. The knight stepped aside and said while gesturing to the prince to step ahead. "Young Master."

The Crown Prince stepped forward, in a second,  he was standing behind Esther. 

Esther sensed the presence of someone familiar yet unwelcomed. It caused her feet to freeze in place. When she turned her head to look behind her, she saw the handsome face of the person she wanted to avoid the most. His dark eyes seemed to be holding depth she could not fathom. He was standing so close, there was hardly one step between their bodies. 

Since she recognized him, her body moved and started to curtsy. It was instinct now that whenever she saw royalty, she had to greet them as a servant. She unconsciously took a step back but bumped into someone.  In such a crowded place, it was impossible to maintain a distance. 

With her eyes wide, she was about to attempt another curtsy, but before she could do so, Prince Theron gestured her not to continue by placing his finger on his lips, asking her to stay quiet.

Esther noticed that the Crown Prince was wearing a simple brown dress shirt and dark pants, which was something so common almost one out of every ten men in the plaza was wearing the same attire. 

'He came disguised as a peasant,' she realized.

She nodded in understanding, and the prince signalled her with his finger to look forward where the performers were dancing. Esther obeyed without a word as she understood that the Crown Prince didn't want anyone to know his presence there. Esther, who was initially freely enjoying this festival with her newly made friends, found herself unable to ignore the young man standing behind her. Her body was as stiff as a statue as she watched the folk dance quietly. 

pqdm.com