Reyes extended his hand to the Princess so she could hold it while stepping onto the carriage stairs, when suddenly, a neatly dressed man in his mid-twenties approached hurriedly.
The soldiers did not stop him, knowing that the man was one of the junior staff members of the royal palace.
"Princess Viana!" the man called out, half-running toward the carriage.
Viana turned to look at him, as did Reyes.
She immediately paused her steps on the carriage stairs and waited for the man to come closer.
"What is it, Sir Benjamin?" she asked when he finally stopped, bending over and catching his breath beside the carriage.
Benjamin straightened up and, still panting slightly, said, "Your Highness, you are urgently requested to return to the palace. The Crown Prince of the Valendale Empire is waiting for you there."
Viana raised one eyebrow slightly but then smiled and replied, "Alright, I will meet him shortly."
She entered the carriage and sat in the passenger seat, while Reyes instructed the coachman to depart immediately.
During the journey back to the palace, Viana gazed out the window with a smile on her face.
Reyes, who happened to notice her smiling, assumed that the Princess was pleased because the kidnapping case was beginning to unravel.
***
"Welcome back, Your Highness," the servants greeted her as she walked to her room to change clothes before meeting the Prince.
It was customary for noblewomen during that time to avoid wearing the same attire for two different events in one day.
This practice was a display of wealth, status, and adherence to societal expectations of refinement and elegance. Changing attire symbolized the importance of each occasion and the lady's regard for proper presentation.
Besides, she had just returned from the slum area, which was dirty and unpleasant, and she was about to meet Prince Rayne Elwick, the Crown Prince of the Valendale Empire.
While being dressed by Sina, assisted by the other maids, she looked at her reflection in the mirror.
Her small, oval face, with almond-shaped bright green eyes, and naturally pink lips, smiled back at her from the mirror.
'Another target has come to me instead. No need for me to go to him,' she thought to herself.
She then began planning what to say or do when meeting the handsome Prince, who was well-known as a playboy.
Once ready, she headed to the palace gardens with Reyes to meet the Prince, who was already waiting for her there.
The Prince stood up as soon as he saw her, his full lips forming a smile. His bright blue eyes sparkled under the soft glow of the afternoon sun.
She bowed respectfully, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness."
His smile widened as he reached for her hand, which she had extended.
"The pleasure is all mine, Princess," he said, kissing the back of Viana's hand.
Then he helped the Princess to sit on the garden chair.
On the table before them were warm tea, assorted biscuits, and cakes. A servant standing by quickly poured tea for her.
"Lemon cake, please," she said when the male servant, who turned out to be brought by the Prince, asked what she would like to try.
Prince Rayne chuckled and said, "You have unique taste. But try that lemon cake, it's our chef's special recipe."
"Ah. Thank you. I'll give it a try," she replied, taking a spoonful of cake and putting it in her mouth.
The Prince casually watched her, resting his cheek on the back of his hand, with his elbow on the table.
"Mm. It's delicious."
Suddenly, Prince Rayne took a napkin, reached out, and wiped the corner of Viana's lips.
"There's a crumb on your cheek," he said with a smile, then glanced at Reyes, who was still standing behind the Princess with his hands folded behind his back.
The Royal Guard simply bowed respectfully to him and maintained a neutral expression, as if nothing had happened. Meanwhile, Prince Rayne's face turned slightly sullen.
"Thank you, Your Highness," she said, without knowing what was happening.
'Looks like he's starting to act like a playboy again, now that I've opened up to him,' she thought while sipping her tea.
When she glanced back at Prince Rayne, she suddenly noticed a screen showing the Love Percentage above the Prince's head, which had changed to 6%.
'Huh? Wasn't it at 7% yesterday?'
Confused, she lowered her gaze to his face, which was looking at Reyes with a frown.
She then turned her face away and sipped her tea again, this time with a smile.
"So, Your Highness. What brings you here today?" Viana asked, placing her teacup on the table and pretending not to know what had happened.
Prince Rayne immediately turned his face back to her.
"My father was very impressed after hearing about your bravery in uncovering the slave trade," he replied while smiling and showing his even teeth.
"Oh, really?" she pretended to be surprised, and Prince Rayne nodded.
"Ah, thank you to His Majesty for taking notice of me," she said with a smile.
Prince Rayne then sat up straight and said, "Your Highness, do you have time tomorrow? We would like to hear the details of this case directly from you."
She turned to him, pretending to think for a moment, before answering, "Of course."
"Thank you for making time for us," he said, smiling again.
Viana merely pretended to lower her head, her face slightly flushed, while she scooped another piece of the lemon cake to her mouth.
She had already anticipated being asked to assist the Valendale Empire in solving the slave trade case, which had also affected their empire.
And now, she would do it, all for the sake of gaining the sympathy of the Crown Prince she had set her sights on.
'Hhh. Honestly, this is all so exhausting...'
She glanced again at the top of Prince Rayne's head, who was lost in his thoughts while sipping his tea, and she felt a tinge of disappointment.
The screen showing the Love Percentage was nowhere to be seen anymore.