"That is all, Roman."

Casimir finished his instructions on time before a servant of the palace knocked on his door and informed him that the king was requiring his presence.

He was especially cold and stiff today that the servants wished the Lady Adira could have accompanied him today.

He donned on his princely garb and followed the servant to the throne hall with Roman behind him as well.

While he was walking towards the room, he happened to pass by a servant that carried teas and snacks. He paused on his steps and took some.

"Who made these?"

"Oh! Umm... It's... Th-The head chef, yo-your highness." The servant answered nervously. It was the first time she has spoken with the crown prince of the empire, which would naturally explain her stuttering.

"Oh? Will you please tell your head chef I love her and thank you?" Was all the prince said and walked away, leaving three confused heads before the other two followed after him.

Did the prince just cheat with the Lady Adira?! Did he just?! Good heavens! Is this the end of the world?

Roman was sweating so much but Casimir was smiling. The sweetness of the snack was still lingering on his tongue and he was already raring to go do work.

Who wouldn't? If the wife cheers you on, wouldn't it be a lot easier to take on the world?

...

"La-Lady S-Sylveriiiis!" The panicking servant burst through the kitchen doors and immediately dove onto the Lady's arms.

Adira had purposely travelled far just to make Casimir and his guests some snacks and also because the king summoned her. Something about making Casimir more accepting and pleasing.

She patted the poor servant girl's back before asking her,

"What happened?"

"The... The prince is cheating on you!!!" She suddenly burst in tears that floored Adira and the dough in her hands immediately turned to ashes.

"Wh-What? Can you please.. explain that properly?"

"He asked me to tell our head chef that he loves her and thank you." The girl continued to sob.

Adira raised a brow at this and asked her to recount all that happened from the top. She held her head in exasperation before smiling with a sigh and patted the servant girl comfortingly on her head.

"He isn't cheating on me. He most probably saw through our lie. It's okay. Let's just do a good job today, okay?"

...

"Greetings, your majesty, Prince Casimir is here." The servant, who fetched Casimir, announced and stepped aside to allow this aloof and cold prince passage.

After his shocking flirting a while earlier, the chills lessened a lot and he was actually a bit better to receive guests now.

Casimir walked in, bowed from his hips in respect and acknowledged the envoy from the Alynthi kingdom, who bears on their shoulders the snowflake crest of their kingdom.

"Greetings, Father and Princess of the Alynthi Kingdom."

"Come, Casimir. This is Princess Thea Rosalva of the Alynthi Kingdom. Princess, this is my son, Casimir, the current next in line."

The girl, who wore a blue sophisticated A-line skirt and beige upper blouse, turned to face Casimir. Her hair was pulled up into a side ponytail as her big and elegant brown curls rested on her shoulders. She also had a small tilted turquoise hat decorated with large feathers sitting on her head that completed her look.

The princess stood up and curtseyed with royal finesse as she introduced herself in a gentle and sweet voice.

"I am the first princess of the Alynthi Kingdom, Princess Thea Rosalva Beria Alynthi. It is my pleasure to finally meet the infamous crown prince of the empire."

"Horror stories, I fear." Casimir replied and Thea giggled gracefully.

"Well, it is a man's reputation so I did not expect stories that told dances and tea parties, your highness."

Anastasius, noticing Casimir's light mood, nodded his head solemnly and wanted to pat himself on the back. His choice to fetch Adira earlier was already showing its results and he couldn't be happier about his decision.

He chose correctly this time.

"Then, I shall lead you around the capital as per the King's orders, your highness." Casimir said and extended his hand in a gesture to let Thea walk first.

"It shall be my pleasure, Prince Casimir."

While Thea and her bodyguard were walking out the throne room, Casimir turned back to his father with a smirk and meaningfully said,

"Well played, Father."

Before turning on his heel as well and following after the princess.

Anastasius, who was left on the throne, just sighed and clicked his tongue. If it wasn't for Adira giving her permission and support, he greatly doubts Casimir would even move this well.

That girl really has a tight leash on you, son. Or did you tie it on yourself oh so willingly?

...

Casimir led the princess around the hotspots and tourist spots on the capital. However, most of the shops they went to were those that got Adira's seal of approval.

"I didn't peg you as a man with a sweet tooth, your highness." Thea mused while sipping on her afternoon tea, also by Casimir's suggestion.

"It is not me, princess." Casimir answered briefly and contrary to what she heard about him, he was not icy or cold or uncaring. He was actually very warm and gentle and amiable.

Could they be mistaken?

"Is that so? How did you know about these delicacies then? These aren't even their best-sellers but delicious nonetheless."

"It is my fiancee's favorites, princess. She really loves her sweets and teas so it kind of stuck to me."

Is this fiancee of his the fabled goddess of the empire? The one whose beauty cannot be matched by mere mortals?

Thea thought as she recalled the stories of this prince who was head over heels for his fiancee—the goddess that shocked everyone senseless on his very own birthday ball.

She heard as much stories about this woman as she heard about the prince. It seems everytime the prince was mentioned, she would always come up without fail. As if they were inseparable.

And looking at the prince himself right now as he talks about this fiancee of his, his facial features grow softer and happier, his aura grows warmer and calmer like the welcoming spring breeze after the bitter nipping cold of winter and he feels more human than the last few hours they'd been together.

"I would have loved to meet this fiancee of yours, your highness. I reckon she was a sight to behold."

"Yes, she is. It's really hard on my part."

Thea giggled at Casimir's words as she understood what he implied. She didn't really expect this side of him. She, after all, didn't hear stories about this Casimir.

"Well, I'll be staying in the capital for a week anyway. I'm sure there'll come a chance when this goddess might grant me an audience."

Yeah, but I really do not want you to meet her. Who knows whether your guards can contain themselves.

Casimir suddenly turned upset at his own thoughts and his features gradually returned to their iciness.

Thea was already lucky enough to see a glimpse of sunshine peek through the storm clouds of winter covering this prince's beautiful countenance.

After they were done taking a break in the shop, they went around a few shops more before they called it a day and Casimir personally sent her to her temporary residence.

"This has been a very pleasant day, your highness. Thank you." She curtseyed briefly and turned around without further ado.

Casimir also turned around without much thought and boarded his carriage to return to his palace. He was really tired after walking around a small fraction of the capital for a whole day without Adira!

Ah, she should be home by now, right? It's already evening. I hope she got home fine.

He thought before taking a short nap on the carriage.

As soon as he arrived, he went up to his room to immediately retire unto the tempting softness of his bed when, as soon as he opened his door, a sweet fruity smell assaulted him and a tiny figure stood up from the couch and bolted towards him.

She hopped and jumped into his arms like a little rabbit and he was stunned for a while. He didn't expect to see her. In his room of all places!

"How was it? Was it tiring? Was it fun? Did you eat a lot? Did you go to fun places? Did you play? Was she really indeed beautiful beyond words? Did you fall for her? Are you leaving me now—"

"Wait. Why'd you go there?"

"You weren't answering."

Casimir sighed as he kept her plastered against his chest while practically dangling from his neck. He was supporting her so it was fine.

"How's your day?" She asked in a lively voice—although there was a hint of worry.

"It's better now." Casimir said with a smile as he pecked her forehead. Although tonight might be a rare exception, it really feels good to return home and be greeted like this always.

Notes:
Thank you very much everyone for all your votes and comments! I love it!

IvannaAKAIhime, hello dear! My friend sends her regards and thank you for your words! 😘

Everyone, let's keep this up! Banzai! 🎉