Philip kept hiding behind Zhia Xiang who looked straight at Oliver.
Zhia Xiang decided to break the silence and said:
âThe prince is busy if you didn't noticed. â
Oliver Albertine noticed her presence and raised a confused eyebrow.
âPardon me for being impolite, my lady, but I don't seen to recognize you. May I have your name? â The Duke asked keeping a polite and humble approach.
âMeet my fiance, Giselle. âVictor said walking to Zhia Xiang's side.
Oliver looked shocked, but quickly composed himself so he won't embarrass himself. Isabelle was just quietly standing behind him.
âIt's a pleasure to meet you, lady Giselle. I'm Duke Oliver Albertine and this is my daughter Isabelle Albertine. â Oliver bowed his head politely and motioned for Isabelle to do the same.
The girl bowed her head and said:
âIt's a pleasure to meet you. â
Zhia Xiang looked at the two silent. A silence which made Oliver nervous.
âLike I said, prince Philip is spending time with his brother and me at the moment. âZhia Xiang said smiling.
Philip looked at Zhia Xiang with a thankful look on his face.
âI apologize for interrupting, if I'd knew the prince is occupied I wouldn't have disturbed. I hope my lady didn't took offense. âOliver spoke looking down in a humble manner.
âNow you know. I believe a servant can see you off, Duke. â Zhia Xiang added giving the servant a look.
âOf course. Duke Albertine, please follow me. â The server quickly said.
âSure. I hope we can meet the prince later or tomorrow perhaps. Have a great day, your highness, lady Giselle, prince Philip. âOliver said bowing his head and following the servant.
âThank you for helping me. âPhilip said exhaling relieved.
âWhy do you keep meeting them if you clearly don't like them? âZhia Xiang asked.
âIt's mother's attempt to find a good wife for Philip and he doesn't have the guts to refuse her. âVictor explained.
Zhia Xiang hummed in response and looked at the embarrassed second prince.
âYou should tell people if you don't like something, your highness. â
Philip puffed his cheeks and then sighed.
âI know. âPhilip said annoyed.
âI'll tell mother to not allow Duke Albertine and his daughter here again. âVictor said.
Philip's eyes widened in disbelief.
âWhy so sudden? I've asked you to help me multiple times and you refused me each time! â
âI want to. âVictor simply replied before taking Zhia Xiang's hand and dragging her after him,leaving a confused Philip behind.
Oliver kept shaking his leg anxious.
âSomething about that woman is off, I can't put my finger on it. We lost a day from our attempt to get that brat to like, we need to come up with something quick. âOliver spoke to his daughter, Isabelle.
The girl looked distracted, the conversation she had with Zhia Xiang in front of the tailor shop was clouding her mind.
âCan you hear me? What's distracting you? You need to concentrate on getting prince Philip to like you, child. âOliver continued.
âI was just thinking about today, nothing more.âIsabelle lied with a smile.
âThat woman has a sharp mind, I can feel it. It's better if we get on her food side, she's Victor's fiancee after all, there is a big change she'll be the next Queen. Imagine if you could befriend her. âOliver spoke, lifting his hopes.
Isabelle sighed softly.
âWhy is father so obsessed with status and power? He is a Duke, that is more than enough. â The girl thought as she listened to her father's rumbles about getting closer to the crown prince thought Zhia Xiang.
âWhy did you dragged me like that? âZhia Xiang asked confused.
Victor stopped and turned around to face her.
âI'll have to see the church now and you're coming with me. â He simply said.
âDo I really need? I won't vanish anywhere while you're gone. âZhia Xiang protested.
âYes, you need. You'll wait in the carriage while I talk to them. âVictor added and begun walking again, still dragging her along.
Zhia Xiang rolled her eyes and walked after him until they reach the royal carriage.
Victor helped Zhia Xiang get in and the carriage drove off.
âThe crown prince, Victor Sapphirus. What a pleasure to have your majesty here.â The head priest spoke, smiling.
âWe have something to discuss. âVictor said.
The head priest face turned serious and signaled for Victor to follow him inside.
Zhia Xiang looked at Victor's departing back as he entered the church followed by a bunch of priests and guards.
âDo you think his plan will work? âZhia Xiang asked.
âI don't know. Are you unsure about something? â agent 0 replied.
âNot necessarily. I just think it would be too easy for the church to be completely distracted. Plus they know Victor dislikes them so they must suspect something is going on. We should be careful. âZhia Xiang said.
Agent 0 looked at Zhia Xiang silent.
âDo you think I should use my journal? âZhia Xiang asked.
âThat's your choice. I personally think you should wait to see what happens and use it if it's necessary. â
Zhia Xiang nodded her head and closed her eyes, waiting for Victor's return.
âSo? What would your majesty be here for? âthe head priest asked as he sat down.
Victor also sat down and glared at the head priest.
âI've heard there is a girl who escaped her execution and managed to kill all the witnessed including the priest that was leading the execution. âVictor spoke.
âYes, it was a tragic incident. I don't get what your majesty wants from me. â
âIsn't the church at fault for the victims? You didn't found the murderer either. â
The head priest clenched his fists under the table, but kept a composed face as he replied to Victor:
âI don't think the church should be responsible for that incident. The evil witch was more powerful that we anticipated, I agree. If we knew, we would have took precautions. â
Victor smirked mockingly, knowing the head priest is losing his calm.
âStill, there is no murderer and the people who lost a dear one in the incident want justice. Do you think I or the royal family should take responsibility for something done by the church? âVictor spoke calmly, accentuating the word "I" to make it seem like the priest is trying to push the blame on the royal family which can be considered a crime.
The head priest gritted his teeth, but quickly calmed down and smiled awkwardly.
âOf course not, your highness. What would your highness want to church to do about this incident? â The head priest asked.
âYou'll find that girl for me. Even if it means searching day and night. Otherwise, the church will pay for the crimes she committed. âVictor spoke as he stood up, making it clear that he wasn't asking them, he was ordering them.
âI understand. âThe head priest spat out.
Victor smiled pleased and left the room. As soon as the door closed behind him the head priest stood up and pushed down the items from the table, in a fit of anger.
âThat entitled brat! Does he think he's better than me because he's royalty?!He dares order me around?! âThe head priest spoke, panting from anger.
Victor returned to the carriage where Zhia Xiang was getting impatient.
âHow was it? âShe asked as soon as he opened the carriage door.
âIt went according to plan. They'll be searching for the murderer or bear the consequences.âVictor explained.
The carriage drove off.
âI keep feeling like it won't be that easy. âZhia Xiang said.
Victor raised and eyebrow and looked at her.
âWhat do you mean? â
Zhia Xiang massaged her temples trying to understand why she felt the anxious feeling.
âI'm not sure either, my gut feeling is telling me it won't be that easy. Think, will they search for me without questioning your intentions? â
Victor thought about her point and agreed to it.
âIf they pull any tricks on us, we'll deal with them. Don't stress too much, our plan will carry on no matter what. âVictor added, placing a comforting hand on Zhia Xiang's shoulder.