Gabriel’s POV:
[FLASHBACK: 3 YEARS AGO]
It was a warm, sunny morning. The soft chirping sounds of birds and the gentle spring breeze formed a strangely soothing ambiance around me. Through the window beside my bed, I observed the pink tiny petals from cherry blossom trees dancing around with the wind.
Unlike other days, it was somewhat of a special day for me.
With large puffy sleep-deprived dark circles grown beneath my eyes, I beamed a satisfied smile on my haggard face as I proudly looked at the red woollen scarf that I had finished knitting by the whole night. It was a tough but quite rewarding feeling.
Today was the bright morning of Marcus’s 21st birthday and this was the handmade present that I had prepared for him. To be honest, I had poured all my sincere affection in my craft which indeed resulted in a beautiful red scarf. I believed, this gift will suit him the best.
Since childhood, I was aware of his peculiar obsession with woollen scarfs, but sadly, no one in the royal castle had enough spare time to knit such a thing for him. I know I can’t blame anyone for that, since everyone in this castle has a lot on their shoulders more than anyone could imagine.
But, since we both will be spending the rest of our life with each other, I thought it would be a perfect occasion to initiate a new beginning for both of us. Even though there lied certain uncomfortable boundaries between us, I wanted to grow close to him.
I was determined to put aside my weakness and admiration towards Crown Prince Zordan since I had convinced myself of the bitter truth. He was only a distant star to me, whom I could only look up to but never reach, not at least in this life.
My future was sealed with Marcus a long time ago, and I was certain that this new beginning will initiate the perfect start of our relationship. But right at this moment, I wanted to see his surprised reaction after receiving his handmade gift.
I got up from my bed and quickly finished up with the bath. Two royal maids helped me with the grooming since I wanted to visit him not with my haggard, exhausted face but looking like his beautiful fiancee.
To be honest, I was also aware of his weakness towards exquisite beauties which at certain times has made me feel uneasy and lonely. The feeling was too uncomfortable.
But deep down in my heart, I was confident that I will certainly change his preferences with my love. With my earnest effort, I will try to become the only woman he will ever need in his life.
Just when the maids had finished braiding my soft golden brown hair into a beautiful bun, I stood up from my seat and tenderly hold the scarf in my arms. Keeping a satisfied smile, I mumbled to them, “I am going to visit Prince Marcus and probably I will stay in his room from now on. So, pack all of my belongings here and bring them to his chamber.”
The two maids cordially bowed their heads to me and nodded, “As you wish Milady.”
Just when I had finished addressing my command, I walked outside and headed straight towards Marcus’s room. It was located on the floor above mine, along with a vast hallway lying in between.
As I was walking a little fast, I glanced at the beautiful cherry blossom trees lined up as a queue, outside the giant glass windows of the hallway. It indeed lifted a shy smile on my face as I tenderly groped the scarf close to my chest.
I was feeling a little nervous, but it was an overwhelming emotion. It was the very first time I was headed towards his room for a surprise visit, without any prior notice. I couldn’t help but chuckle by imagining his startled face when he will see me this early morning.
Soon enough, I reached his room where two giant guards were standing outside the closed large metal doors. But something peculiar had happened.
The moment those guards noticed my arrival, surprisingly their faces turned a little paler. Holding perplexed expressions prominent towards me, they exchanged brief confused glances with each other and stopped me at the door, “P-Pardon, Milady? W-Why are you here t-this early morning?”
“Huh?” Their awkward question baffled me as I was a little surprised too, watching them stop me at the door. It was puzzling but I retained a brief smile as I conveyed, “What do you mean by this? Can’t I come to my own fiancee’s room?”
“N-No, that’s not what we mean.” One of them scratched their head making a puzzled grimace and mumbled in a nervous tone, “We mean that…y-you didn’t give any prior notice of your arrival, Milady. Usually, you don’t do this.”
“Yeah I know, I planned my surprise visit to Marcus because it is his birthday today. So, let me go in his room.” I groped the scarf tight in my embrace and answered them. I tried hard to retain a small smile on my face, but I couldn’t help but admit, their behaviors seemed quite absurd and confusing.
The guards still stood like two blocks of rock before me, blocking my entrance inside the room. They seemed very hesitant to follow my command and one of them conveyed his reluctance in a low voice, “M-Milady, will that be okay if I inform His Grace about your arrival first? Or, we can escort you to your room first and you can come back here after some time—”
“Hey,” this time, my short-lived impatience exceeded my endurance limit as I was vividly observing their usual gesture. I peeked a small glance at the closed door behind them and frowned my brows. In a stiff voice, I grumbled my question, “Why are you two stopping me from getting inside? Wait, are you hiding something from me?”
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