Chapter 23: Of Rumors and Reactions
The Everhart mansion was abuzz with whispers the following morning, and Tiara found herself at the center of a storm she hadn't seen coming.
Seated in the grand drawing room with Mia and Lily, Tiara noticed the peculiar behavior of the maids, who kept glancing at her and giggling. Felix, standing by the door, seemed to be suppressing a smirk of his own.
"What is going on today?" Tiara asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lily exchanged a glance with Mia, who looked as though she were bursting to say something.
"Milady," Mia began, her voice brimming with amusement, "haven't you heard the latest rumor?"
"Rumor?" Tiara repeated, setting her tea down. "What rumor?"
Mia's red eyes sparkled mischievously. "Apparently, you and Prince Chris are secretly engaged."
Tiara nearly choked on air. "What?!"
Felix snorted, finally failing to hold back his laughter. "It's true, Lady Tiara. The entire estate is talking about it."
Tiara's eyes narrowed. "And why, pray tell, would anyone think that?"
"Well," Lily chimed in, looking far too pleased, "you did dance with him at the Harvest Festival. And quite a few nobles noticed how close you two seemed during the banquet."
Mia added, "Plus, Chris did escort you back to your seat, which is very uncharacteristic of him. You know how distant he usually is with people."
Tiara groaned, burying her face in her hands. "This is ridiculous! We're not engaged!"
"Try telling that to the gossiping nobles," Felix teased.
Tiara shot him a glare. "This isn't funny, Felix."
"Oh, it's hilarious," Felix said, grinning.
---
At the Imperial Palace
Meanwhile, Chris was dealing with his own share of the rumor mill. His younger brother, Alistair, had cornered him in the corridor, wearing an infuriatingly smug expression.
"Congratulations, Brother," Alistair said, his tone mocking.
Chris frowned. "On what?"
"Your secret engagement to Lady Tiara, of course," Alistair said, folding his arms. "It's all anyone can talk about."
Chris froze, his expression shifting from confusion to annoyance. "Who started this nonsense?"
Alistair shrugged. "Who knows? But I must say, it's quite amusing. Lady Tiara is a fine match for someone like you. She might even keep you in line."
Chris shot him a cold glare. "Don't you have anything better to do, Alistair?"
"Not really," Alistair replied, smirking.
Before Chris could retort, a servant approached with a message.
"Your Highness," the servant said, bowing, "a letter from Lady Tiara Everhart."
Chris took the letter, his annoyance giving way to curiosity. Breaking the seal, he read:
Prince Chris,
What is this nonsense about a secret engagement? Please clarify the matter before it spirals out of control.
Sincerely, Lady Tiara Everhart.
Chris smirked. "So, she's heard the rumors too."
"Trouble in paradise already?" Alistair teased.
Chris ignored him, turning to the servant. "Prepare a carriage. I'm going to the Everhart estate."
---
Back at the Mansion
Tiara paced the drawing room, muttering to herself about how ridiculous the situation was. Mia and Lily sat nearby, clearly enjoying her frustration.
"You know," Mia said, smirking, "if you really were engaged, you'd make a striking couple."
Tiara stopped in her tracks, turning to glare at her. "Not helping, Mia."
Before Mia could respond, Felix announced Chris's arrival.
"Prince Chris is here to see you, Milady," Felix said, his voice tinged with amusement.
Tiara groaned. "Of course he is."
Chris entered the room, his expression calm but with a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Lady Tiara."
"Your Highness," Tiara said, curtsying.
Chris held up the letter. "I received your message. It seems we have a misunderstanding to clear up."
Tiara crossed her arms. "Misunderstanding? This is an outright disaster! Everyone thinks we're engaged!"
Chris tilted his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "And what if we were?"
Tiara blinked, momentarily stunned. "W-What?"
Chris chuckled. "Relax, Tiara. I'm only teasing."
Mia and Lily exchanged glances, clearly enjoying the scene. Felix, standing by the door, muttered, "That's bold."
Tiara sighed. "We need to put an end to this rumor. Do you have any idea how to do that?"
Chris shrugged. "We could make a public statement, but that might only fuel the gossip."
Tiara groaned. "This is hopeless."
Chris stepped closer, his expression softening. "Don't worry. We'll figure it out together."
Tiara looked up at him, surprised by his sincerity. For a moment, she forgot her frustration.
Mia leaned over to Lily and whispered, "They're definitely getting married someday."
Lily nodded, suppressing a giggle. "Definitely."
---