The Amorous Mate

Chapter 14: Prince Nigel Winchester

“It is definitely exceptional to see your lovely grace, Prince Nigel. I hope that you would enjoy your stay here in our Kingdom,” the Queen said after Prince Nigel gently let away Princess Demeter’s hand—that he kissed.

“I believe I would,” replied by the Prince.

“If by any chance, you may find yourself lost or missing in the Kingdom of Nightingales, never not hesitate to ask for help to us. Especially to my daughters. I am more than sure … they could help,” the Queen has suggested.

Now, as Prince Nigel was intently looking at Princess Demeter with a genuine smile that is plastered on his face, he replied, “I will be most delighted for their help. Especially … if it is from Princess Demeter’s grace.”

Now, before anyone could reply back from Prince Nigel’s words, another new woman’s voice—yet it was a familiar one—had interrupted the conversation.

“Dear me, Prince Nigel, if you are seeking for someone’s help to a tour in the Kingdom, or even just in Chesterfield, why would you choose help from someone so clumsy and unstreet-wise? If you are to ask for help, you are better accompanied if it was me joining by your side.”

“Oh, here comes the push-over,” Cassiopeia has whispered once again.

“Ah, I must introduce my elegance to you, my Prince. I am the first princess of the Nightingale Monarchy: Princess Andromeda Nightingale.” Andromeda, as an attention-seeking woman, bowed elegantly in front of the Prince. Then, as she bows, she looks up to the Prince with all the flirtatious gaze coming from her eyes.

“It is nice meeting you, Princess Andromeda. If that is what the case is, then I would not want to risk Princess Demeter’s safety just because of me. I would be more than happy for your help, First Princess. Yet then, I hope I could have few chances to talk and know more of Princess Demeter.” Prince Nigel, as hopeful as his shimmers in his copper-colored eyes, he glanced at the second princess.

Yet, Chelsea has seemed not paying her attention to the conversation. Her thoughts are floating somewhere else because her stare is not fixated to the group, but to someone else—she was drawn from the piercing gaze of Lord Matthew from the crowd. As if she was hypnotized, or those eyes had magnetism, her gazes were nothing but locked on to him.

Cassiopeia was the first one who noticed her sister’s diverted attention. That is why, she had secretly tapped her back so that she could come back to her attention.

Luckily, it was effective. For a moment, she jolted and panicked, but then she answered, “huh? Ah yes, yes, sure, whatever.”

Hearing from that reply, Prince Nigel lightly chuckled. He then quickly realized that it seemed and unmannered behavior, that is why he quickly defended himself.

“Please forgive me for my act. It was not a mean for disrespect. I just found Princess Demeter’s act as … cute. Perhaps, she is the only one who could pull that amazing stunt—being shocked and awkward but at the same time, captivating.”

“I must wreck your belief, Prince Nigel. So do you think I could not do what my sister did?” Cassiopeia asked. Then, she copied the shocked expression Princess Demeter has done earlier.

Because of that, their group was filled with laughter—well aside from the ever jealous Andromeda, and … Princess Demeter.

Again, her thoughts was gravely lost. When she stared back at the crowd to check Lord Matthew’s presence, her worries increased when she realized that he was now gone.

She bit her lip and started pinching herself.

“Uh, hello, is it okay if I leave the group for a while? I think I need some fresh air to catch up with,” Chelsea hastily told. Because her worries are increasing—even though she does not know what she is worrying about—she had decided to ask permission to leave the conversation.

“Are you okay, my darling?” the Queen asked.

“Yes, Quee—I mean Mama. Just want to get some fresh air as I told.” She smiled awkwardly. Her feet was now itching to walk—or even run—out from their group so that she could find where was Lord Matthew.

“Then bring Prince Nigel with you so that you are kept companied,” the Queen suggested.

“No, I’m better alone, Mama.” Chelsea now started walking. Her gaze was revolving around the people inside the mausoleum, acting as if she is finding something. Perhaps, someone.

“How about me, can I join you sister?” Cassiopeia asked.

Yet then, Chelsea has insisted that she should be kept alone with the use of shaking her head. Her gazes kept on travelling to the place, until she finally found what she was finding.

She saw that Lord Matthew has just passed through the exit of the mausoleum. Now, without any second thought, she hurriedly chased the leaving lord.

When she finally got out, the lord was already a distant pace away from her. He was hastily walking, easy to conclude that he is full of rages inside his chest.

“L-Lord Matthew!” Chelsea called. “Lord Matthew, wait up!”

She grunted heavily because even though she was sure that Lord Matthew has heard him, he did not stop. That is why, Chelsea was left no choice but to run and chase him.

“Matthew!” she called.

She felt the urge of releasing heavy cursing words on him, but then she considered that she was on public. Knowing the fact that she was inside a Princess’ body, to curse in the public surely would be a big scandal for her.

Until finally, after a hard time of chasing him, Chelsea was able to reach the lord.

“M-Matthew, we need to talk,” Chelsea said as she panted heavily. She touched the side of her belly because it became painful after those long runs she made just so she could catch him.

“What are we to talk for, your Highness?” asked Lord Matthew.

Chelsea has all the urge to answer the Lord. Yet, when she was about to open her mouth, she could not think of any words to say.

“Uhm … about … things.”

Realizing that there is no important topic that the both of them would talk to, Lord Matthew started walking once again.

“W-Wait, Lord Matthew, damn it, is that how gentleman you are?” Chelsea angrily asked. She was worried of her cursing, but thankfully, there was no one that is present in the area.

“Then you must tell me quick what are the things you wanted to talk with me,” Lord Matthew demanded.

“H-Hey, Matthew, I don’t like your tone. You need to remember that the one in your front, the one you are talking with, is a princess!” Chelsea angrily reasoned.

“You are not the real noble princess the Kingdom knew. You are just nothing but an impostor.”

Hearing that ruthless truth, Chelsea was taken a bit back. She did not expect that the Lord would be able to throw those kinds of words towards her.

It was the truth, indeed. She was just an impostor. She was just nothing but fake. But … she was hurt. The way how the lord threw his words … it was dangerously sharp and wounding.

Now, when the lord saw the pained reaction of the Princess, his eyes and angered face quickly softened.

“That is not what I—”

“Yeah, that’s the truth, don’t defend yourself, asshole.” Chelsea cutted what Lord Matthew was about to explain.

“I-I’m sorry,” Lord Matthew said.

“Then why? If you already know that I am nothing but an impostor, I am nothing but fake, why?” Chelsea asked.

Confused, Lord Matthew stared at her.

“Why did you kiss me? Why did you say … you burn for me?”

Hurriedly, Lord Matthew turned his gaze away. “That is just nothing.”

Chelsea scoffed in irritation and disbelief. “Nothing? That is just nothing for you, huh, Lord Matthew? You know, even though I am not the real Princess you stupidly drool at, I’ll tell you this: f**k you. I maybe ‘impostor’ as you say, but I am never a woman for fuck.”

With one final grazing glance, Chelsea walked out, storming away from Lord Matthew.

“Wh-Where are you going, Princess?”

“Back to the Mausoleum!” she answered back, but in raging tone.

“To that Prince Nigel?”

“What do you care for?”

“Fine, go to that man. You like him, don’t you? He’s much more handsome, much more rich, and much more gentleman than I am, isn’t it? Then go to him. He’s better, isn’t it?”

“What?!” Chelsea—irritated and confused—exclaimed.

She hastily looked back to Lord Matthew, but to her surprise the lord is now nowhere to be found.