Chapter 31: Nicknames and Shenanigans
It was another lively morning at the ducal mansion. Tiara was enjoying a rare moment of peace in the garden when a familiar, smug voice shattered the tranquility.
"Good morning, Sunshine."
Tiara turned to see Chris casually leaning against a marble column, his usual confident smirk in place.
"Sunshine?" she repeated, raising an eyebrow. "What on earth are you calling me that for?"
Chris strode closer, hands in his pockets. "Because you're always so... radiant." He said the last word with an exaggerated sweetness, clearly teasing her.
Tiara rolled her eyes. "If you're trying to butter me up, it's not working."
"Not buttering you up," Chris said, sitting on the edge of the fountain. "It's a compliment. Sunshine suits you."
Tiara narrowed her eyes. "And what exactly about me screams 'sunshine'?"
Chris tilted his head, pretending to think. "Well, you're brightâwhen you're not sulkingâand you definitely know how to warm up a room. Though I admit, your glare feels more like sunburn sometimes."
Tiara grabbed a nearby cushion and threw it at him. Chris dodged effortlessly, laughing.
"Careful, Sunshine. Violence isn't becoming of a lady."
Tiara crossed her arms. "If I'm Sunshine, then you're... Rotten Tomato."
Chris blinked. "Rotten Tomato? That's the best you've got?"
"It fits," Tiara said, smirking. "You're annoying, a bit overripe, and you always manage to show up where you're not wanted."
Chris feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart. "I'm hurt. Truly."
"Good," Tiara said, taking a sip of her tea.
Meanwhile, in the Duke's Study
Cedric was going over estate reports with Felix when Mia burst into the room with an excited expression.
"Guess what I heard!" Mia said, practically bouncing.
Cedric looked up, already bracing himself. "What?"
"People are saying Tiara and Chris are secretly engaged!" Mia said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Cedric groaned. " I already know about these rumors "
Felix, who had been quietly listening, chuckled. "To be fair, the way they bicker does resemble a married couple."
Mia giggled. "It's cute, though. Don't you think?"
Cedric gave her a dry look. "No. It's infuriating. Every time they're together, there's chaos."
"And it's adorable chaos," Mia countered. "Maybe we should help them along."
Cedric's groan deepened. "Mia, I beg you, don't meddle."
Mia grinned but said nothing, which only made Cedric more suspicious.
Back in the Garden
Tiara had finally calmed down after their latest round of bickering. Chris, ever persistent, was still hanging around, plucking petals off a flower and tossing them into the fountain.
"Admit it," he said, breaking the silence. "You secretly like the nickname."
"I do not," Tiara replied, without looking up from her book.
"You're smiling, though."
"I'm not," she said, though her lips twitched.
Chris leaned closer, resting his chin on his hand. "Fine. If you hate it so much, I'll stop calling you Sunshine."
Tiara glanced at him. "Really?"
"Of course not." His grin widened.
"Rotten Tomato," she muttered under her breath.
"Sunshine," he countered, his tone dripping with amusement.
This time, Tiara couldn't hold back her laughter. Despite herself, she found their banter strangely... fun.
Elsewhere in the Mansion
Lily and Felix were walking through the corridor, carrying fresh linens.
"You seem distracted," Lily said, noticing Felix's thoughtful expression.
"Just thinking," Felix replied.
"About?"
"About how many more nicknames Lady Tiara and Prince Chris will come up with for each other," he said with a small smile.
Lily chuckled. "At this rate, they'll have a dictionary of insults and teases."
"Maybe we should start taking bets," Felix suggested, his grey eyes twinkling with humor.
Lily smiled. "You'd probably win. You know them too well."
Felix paused, glancing at Lily. "I think you know them just as well. Maybe better."
Lily blushed faintly but quickly turned away. "We should get these linens delivered."
"Of course," Felix said, his smile lingering as he followed her down the hall.