I am not the Villainess

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

On that same day...

“Your Highness, welcome back.” Goerge, the butler, greeted and bowed. The staff that lined up behind him also did the same.

After 2 years in the war, His Highness the Crown Prince, Noah Von Alexander Kaylon, has finally returned.

“Is my father here?” Noah asked as he dismounted his horse. A stableman approached them and hold the horse’s reins.

“Yes, your highness. His Majesty is waiting for you in his office.” George replied. Noah nodded and was about to walk away when he remembered something.

“By the way, George, do you know any man who has silver hair and purple eyes?” Noah asked, so suddenly.

Ever since Noah encountered that man with silver hair and purple eyes from that night, he has been searching for him non-stop. He also tried to look for the boy that the man saved, hoping to get some information about the man’s whereabouts. But unlucky for him, he wasn’t able to find anything. It was also hard for him to move since they were in the middle of inspecting every land and were on their way back to the capital.

However, he did plan to continue looking for that man when they came back to the capital.

George thought for a moment before glancing at the person behind Noah. Noah followed his gaze and saw his trusted right hand, Lord Aaron Matthew Thomas of House Cromello, who was now feeling very conscious of suddenly being stared at by the two people.

Noah’s eyes narrowed and studied the possibilities, but later on, shook his head. During that time of the night, Noah knew Aaron was busy doing the mission he gave him, so he couldn't possibly be the man from that alley. Besides, Noah knew Aaron’s capabilities, and though Aaron is known for his incredible skills in fighting, the man he saw from that night was very different.

He returned his gaze at George.

“No, not him,” he said to George.

“Other than Lord Aaron, I don’t know any other man who has the features you’ve mentioned, your highness.”

Noah thought about it again. Like George, he also hasn’t met any man with silver hair and purple eyes aside from Lord Aaron. Such a combination of features is rare in this empire, so they should be known, at least, by people like George—unless if that man is not from this empire or has been disguising himself.

“I see,” Noah uttered while still thinking about it very deeply. George noticed this and frowned at his master’s unusual action.

Noah wasn’t usually like this. He’s known as the cold and serious Crown Prince who never shows any emotions in front of anyone except his immediate family. However, the Crown Prince in front of him has been acting very strangely. He's showing more emotions than what's considered necessary for Noah. Seeing that, George thought that the man his master was looking for must be very important.

“Don’t worry, your highness. I will look for him this instant.” George reassured. Noah looked at him and nodded after a few seconds.

“Yes, that would be great. Thank you, George.” Noah said and tapped him on his shoulders. He then started leaving but turned back again when he remembered he forgot to mention something. “Right. I saw him near the border of the South, so you can start looking from there.”

After adding that, Noah continued his way to his father’s office. George and the other knights who have seen his unusual behavior, on the other hand, were all left dumbfounded as they stared at Noah’s disappearing figure.

--

“Your majesty, I have returned with good news. After 2 years of fighting for the west territory against the Alzen Kingdom, we have finally claimed our rightful victory.” Noah reported and bowed his head.

His Majesty, Emperor Nigel Alexander Kaylon, smiled widely and approached his son.

“Well done, my son. Thank you for your hard work, and thank you for coming back safely.” Emperor Nigel said and gave Noah a hug.

“Thank you, father.”

“Ah! We shall have a celebratory banquet this weekend!” Emperor Nigel exclaimed and let out a victorious laugh. Noah only shook his head at his father’s reaction.

The father and son, contrary to what everyone thought, had a very good relationship. The emperor is very strict especially when it comes to things that could affect the empire. However, he does make sure that he is still a father to his children.

“Speaking of the banquet, the duke has sent a message that his wife and daughter have arrived in the capital.”

Noah's face crumpled for a second at the mention of his fiancé. He never liked their engagement, to begin with. He is only tolerating it because he thinks Tatiana can be beneficial to him in some ways.

Although Tatiana is known for her wickedness, she also has incomparable beauty and elegance that made her popular among the high nobility. That said, Tatiana's reputation can be very helpful in solidifying his position.

“I see,” Noah answered indifferently.

Emperor Nigel studied Noah’s face for a moment. He knew that Noah wasn’t particularly fond of this engagement, but similar to Noah, he also thinks that the Lady of the House Cromello has a reputation like no other. Besides, Noah didn’t say anything directly about the engagement, so the emperor didn't do anything more about it.

“You should ask her to be your partner for the banquet, son.” Emperor Nigel suggested. This made Noah feel even more worst, but he chose not to show more of his emotions.

“I’ll do my best.”

After that, the father and son talked more about the events of the war before Noah excused himself to retire for the day.

--

The next morning, George was running quite hastily along the corridors.

When he made it to the Crown Prince’s office, however, he managed to catch his breath before knocking on the door.

“Your Highness, it is me, George,” he announced. George then entered the room when he heard a voice of confirmation from the inside.

Even at this time in the morning, the Crown Prince was very busy doing his work. He had been gone for two years, so it is only natural that his work had piled up. Though during his absence, there was someone who was assigned to manage the small matters and left the important matters for the Crown Prince to handle.

“Good morning, your highness.” George greeted and bowed. “I have just heard from the knights that the Lady of House Cromello is on her way here right now. What should I do about it, your highness?”

Noah stopped midway from signing a document.

The Lady of House Cromello? Why is she visiting me this early?

Noah had already expected to receive a visit from Tatiana anytime soon. However, he did not expect it to be this soon.

It was no secret that Tatiana is obsessed with him. Since they were young, Tatiana would always cling to him and would sometimes scare the other girls away. It was also because of her obsession that Noah had to be engaged with her unwillingly.

However, visiting him this early in the morning when it has not been even 24 hours since he had returned from the war, is just unbelievable.

Noah sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He still had a lot to do, and he has not yet slept properly for the past two years. But now, he has to postpone his work to entertain a persistent lady.

“Just let her in,” Noah answered without a choice. It’s better to deal with her early than cause more problems later.

“As you wish, your highness.” George bowed, feeling sorry for his master. He knows very well how annoying the lady can be, and today His Highness has to deal with her despite his already tight schedule.

George went out of the room to fetch the lady at the entrance, while Noah waited in his office.

Minutes later, the door to his office opened once again and it revealed a beautiful lady. The lady was wearing a much plainer dress than what Noah remembered she used to wear.

The first moment their eyes met, Noah can’t help but think: Was the lady had always been this mature-looking? Or was it two years that long that the lady seemed very different?

Aside from that, what really caught his eyes was her silver hair and purple eyes.

---

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