Dreamstress

CHAPTER 10: FLINTSÃ

I woke up very early the next day,

I had another dream but a peaceful one, about me taking a walk in the garden.

*Knock*Knock*

I opened the door and came face to face with a laid who left immediately.

the prince stood an inch away from the door.

"Goodmorning imperial Crown Prince " I bowed

I felt his gaze and It made me nervous.

"Rise Juli" the Crown Prince ordered and I obeyed

"Are you still sad?"he asked and despite the fact that I didn't meet his gaze I could tell that he was expressionless at the moment.

"Are you still, sad?" he asked.

"I am not sad, a bit melancholic, maybe but I can only try to honour her last words" I said honestly.

"And you believe that you have the ability to do that?" he asked and something told me he was amused.

"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good people do nothing" I said stubbornly even if I didn't have a plan, and my confusion was great.

"that's a good attitude to have, I suppose that you already have a plan" the Crown Prince said

"I do not have a plan, yet but I'll figure something out soon" I replied.

"Alright, shall we be on our way?" the Crown Prince asked. "Yes,my prince" I came out from the room and shut the door behind me.

we both walked to the training grounds at the west wing of the palace.

AUTHOR'S POV

Training lasted for an hour before the Crown Prince and Julianne returned to their rooms to prepare for the birthday party Julianne had to hastily serve the Crown Prince his food and return to her room. where a ruby red dress boxes of shoes and jewelry and a red mask lay on the bed. she hastily entered the bathroom believing that she should hurry up to avoid the Crown Prince waiting for her.

A while later the Crown Prince walked side by side with Julianna alongside a palace maid that lead them ahead in silence they got to the prepared imperial royal carriage dark in colour with the imperial crest on it and four black horses drawn by a rider in a ruby red suit.

Julianna drew the door open for the Crown Prince who entered and she shut the door. "that will be all miss Linda "Julianna dismissed the maid who slightly bowed and walked away. Julianne walked over to the other side drew the door open, got in. she shut the door and sat properly. There was a small mountain of gifts between her and the Crown Prince.

"Shall we leave?" the Crown Prince asked for Juliana' s opinion who nearly jumped in fright. she swiftly looked at the prince and her heart sank to her stomach in such a closed space his aura was intimidating.

She quickly forgot his question as she stared at him noticing her gaze the Crown Prince met it with a puzzled look.

"call out to the coachman when you're ready" The Crown Prince reminded indifferently.

Julianna's eyes widened in surprise "uh.... yes sir," Juliana was startled "onwards Mr coach" she called out to the coachman and the Crown Prince suppressed an urge to smile.

the carriage started moving signalling that the coachman had heard.

"Who taught you that way of calling out to the coachman?" The Crown Prince asked

"Miss kelsie" Julianna answered and the Crown Prince smiled with a faint nod, "I thought so"

"I.. is there another way of saying it?" Julianna asked when she noticed that the Crown Prince's reaction was off.

"Kelsie taught you well" he proclaimed. Julianna sighed quietly still tense.

A few hours later the carriage parked in front of a white European-styled palace.

"White ridge castle" the coach man announced

Julianna stepped out of the carriage inorder to open the door of the carriage for the Crown Prince before getting the gifts but she stood almost petrified when the Crown Prince had already stepped out bearing five gift boxes but she reigned in her emotions quickly.

The Crown Prince walked up to her and handed her the gifts which she received. "the coachman will bring the gifts, you will present this to the princess, her personal maid will receive them from you" the Crown Prince patiently explained.

"Yes your Highness" Julianna replied.

the surrounding was filled with various hedges and the subtle smell of Jasmine and roses filled the air

it was apparent that Royal princess mist's courtyard was quite huge, subsequently almost a hundred acres but still smaller than the ones of the major royal family members.

The Crown Prince walked into the place at a steady pace and there were no other arrivals which meant that either they came very early or really late and Julianna knew that it could only be the later.

ROYAL PRINCESS MIST BANQUET

in the courtyard there were people who were dancing amidst the already playing classical music a very famous dance- the waltz at the far left of the room was a very long table filled with various delicacies ranging from light snacks to pastries there were a few people there as well selecting snacks amidst socializing and others on their own north of the room was a throne where Princess mist sat boredly her personal maid by her left and hand maid by her right. by the left was a wine cabinet with a server who was separated from the floor by a marble table. despite how crowded the room was princess mist had only invited the twenty two major royal her age and five minor and three major imperial royals to the ball.

Everyone had arrived on time except the one person she longed to see the most and she had transformed this party to something of his taste as she had identified other times he had rejected saying a Crown Prince should not indulge in such revelry and waste which she was truly annoyed of but if she truly wanted to gain his favour and love she had to be humble and patient.

Usually she threw half-naked parties at hotels where she indulged herself in whatever she had In mind but currently she was trying to fix her image, to create someone worth being an empress and she was determined to see her vision come into existence no matter what.

Princess mist signalled for her personal maid to come closer which she did bowing herself down," why hasn't Ash arrived yet?" she asked quietly her voice tinged with irritation.

"based on the words I received the imperial Prince is on his way" the maid assured

the hall quietness down at the Crown Prince and Julianna's entry. princess mist's eyes lit up.

they walked to the throne where Princess mist sat.

"I thought you wouldn't come" Princess mist said delight evident in her expression.

"Does that mean I made a mistake coming?" the Crown Prince asked

"of course not" Princess mist replied

"then receive my gifts and take us off courtesy" the Crown Prince said. princess mist's personal maid stepped up and received the gift from Julianna.

"Your new maid is really beautiful brother Ash, you really have great taste" princess mist commented.

"if it isn't the fair and great imperial crown Prince" a man commented as he approached the Crown Prince. golden brown locks, fair skin and black eyes. He wore a navy blue suit and held a black cane with gold patterns this was no other than Hughes the second imperial Prince.

"I am indeed as fair as they say" the Crown Prince replied indifferently and Hughes chuckled.

"care to join me at the bar for a drink?" Hughes the invited

"I'll have to disrupt your plans brother Hughes" Princess mist said

" it's imperial Prince Hughes, if you may princess mist" Hughes corrected " and what could you be in need of the Crown Prince's presence for" Hughes asked

"That remains between us, imperial Prince, please excuse us" Princess mist requested

" Very well," Imperial Prince Hughes acknowledged " do join me at the bar if you'd still have a chance to" He requested once more and left.

"Brother Ash could we have a talk on the playroom' s balcony?" Princess mist requested

"Lead the way" the Crown Prince said.

Princess mist rose from the throne seat and stood beside the Crown Prince while her maids stood in front. She gave Julianna a fleeting glance as if saying a maid shouldn't walk shoulder to shoulder with the Crown Prince but ultimately she said nothing they all walked towards the playroom located on the second floor of the palace.

The entire courtyard was a two storey building divided into three master bedroom' s above, two guestrooms, a playroom, pantry, kitchen, laundry and finally the guest receiving room which was used as the ballroom because it was very spacious.

They got to the room in silence.

" You should all wait here or you can go do whatever, but do not disturb my guests" Princess mist said to the maids and entered the room Ash followed her into the room and Princess mist's maids close the door.

they walked north to the balcony which overlooked a vineyard.

the settled down on the one seater couch facing each other and the Princess crossed her legs.

"Forgive me for mentioning but all the rules stipulated for your personal maids, are all based on spoiling them, like the same colour of clothes if one wasn't aware of these rules you'd be mistaken as couples" Princess mist said

"what are you getting at exactly?" the Crown asked

" Make adjustments to the law of your personal maids being your equals, maids should be treated as such if you give them such freedom they could entertain the thoughts of rising against you" Princess mist said

" You do not need to worry about that princess " The Crown Prince dismissed her opinion

" well, if you say so" Princess mist let go of the subject and smile faintly

"do you know where your new maid is from?" Princess mist asked

"Are you investigating my maids?" the Crown Prince asked

"no I saw a missing poster of hers from the bounty market if you read today's paper you'd see the missing print alongside a picture. Surely I haven't seen her face but I have a feeling that she is the one they are looking for" Princess mist said watching his expression closely but he remained expressionless.

"it seems that you already knew," she commented cautiously " I propose that you dispose off her that way you can avoid unnecessary problems"

"How do you suggest?" the Crown Prince asked and excitement courses through princess mist's veins as the Crown Prince had asked for her opinion

"Either she is sold off to another country or to the black heart nation if they are really looking for her they should be table to pay more if she is really valuable to them" Princess mist said

While Julianna waited outside the door she stood at the side and closed her eyes inorder to calm herself down.

"I am Marie and this is Janet, what is your name?" Princess mist's hand maid introduced politely

"Don't speak with the run away lowlife Marie" Janet replied indifferently

" Don't say that Janet " Marie cautioned

"Aren't I right? second fallen princess of the shadow heart nation?" Janet smiled lightly " the black heart nation are already searching for you soon enough your step brother is going to drag you back to the wretched place you belong, don't say I didn't warn you" Janet sneered

' step brother?' Julianna's pupils dilated.

" And you Marie, who do you think you're cautioning you ignorant hand maid? Don't forget who gave you your Job " Janet scorned and Marie shrunk

" I'll be on my way, I have a lot to get to " The Crown Prince rose from his seat

" I'll see you off I do hope that you consider my point of view brother Ash" Princess mist rose as well

they both walked away from the balcony.

on coming out of the playroom he sensed a particular tension between Princess mist's maids and gave Julianna a glance she looked alright but that only made him confirm that something was off but he kept the silence and was escorted out of the courtyard.

"See you soon brother Ash" Princess mist said contented.

the Crown Prince and Julianna boarded the carriage which was now much spacious due to the absence of the pile of gifts.

"onwards Mr Coach " Julianna called out to the coachman her voice trembling a bit and the carriage started moving.

Princess mist waver goodbye while the carriage departed from the courtyard

" Are you alright?" the Crown Prince asked his expression betraying nothing his tone bordering in indifference.

" May I suggest that you shouldn't go out with the imperial carriage inorder not to be attacked in the future?" Julianna asked

The Crown Prince gazed at her in silence, " I will consider that later and maybe you could give me an idea of what you are thinkingabout on that aspect" the Crown Prince said bland silence reigned on their journey to the palace Julianna consumed by the woeful thought that the man who had caused her misery was a relative a brother who she'd come to only hear of now and the possibility that it was only a rumour to rouse her emotions either ways it was working and she dreaded that it would be the truth that she had always looked for.

Why did her ex-master- if he was finally gone from her life. Why did he hate her so much?