WHO MADE ME A PRINCE
chapter eighty eight - teasing.

THEIR BREAKFAST WAS FAR FROM DIGESTIBLE, since there was this awkward tension in the air. Jennette sat beside Athanasia and all her attempts at starting a conversation with Claude were utterly ruined as he only gave curt replies.

Athanasia and Arius shared a few glances before conversing with Jennette. However, Claude's bitterness in that was visible on his face.

Don't ask how they went through the whole meal. What matters is that it is over.

Ijekiel arrived shortly after the breakfast was over and Arius met him in his Palace library.

After exchanging greetings, they got straight to the point.

"Is everything okay with the Duke?"

"He did seem frustrated by how the audience went. But other than that, we didn't really talk much after we got back to the mansion."

"I see, let me know if he does something."

"Sure. And how is his Majesty? I didn't think he would accept Jennette that quickly? Is everything okay between her and him?"

"Well. . . he accepted her to reside on Palace grounds, but other than that he still doesn't accept her as his daughter."

"That'll probably take time."

Arius stared at Ijekiel wondering whether he should tell him or not.

"You know. . .I think Jennette really isn't his daughter."

Ijekiel raised his eyebrow in question.

"She could be," Arius looked around before whispering, "The previous emperor's daughter. "

Ijekiel placed his index finger on his chin as he began to think of the possibilities of that being true.

"Would you like me to look into this?" Ijekiel asked and Arius stared at him blankly.

"Can you?"

Ijekiel nodded.

"But if this really is true, I would still like to keep it a secret." Arius stated.

"Yes, I feel the same. If this is true, then it would ruin her life."

"Oh and, do you know what's happening in the north?"

"Duke Lejaris being extremely suspicious is all." Ijekiel replied.

"Hm, I didn't think you'd know. If you know then the Duke probably told you."

"No, the Duke doesn't even know about it." Ijekiel noticed Arius's questioning gaze.

"I have my own people who get me information."

Arius smiled and his face looked so proud while looking at Ijekiel.

"Dang, you've grown up." When Arius said that, Ijekiel blushed but he brushed it off and changed the topic.

"As if you should be saying that, who was the one dancing with a lover at the debutante?" Ijekiel asked, he was so curious who that lucky girl was with Arius.

Just thinking of that scene makes him frustrated.

When Arius heard his question he almost choked on his saliva.

"Why–Why would you say that!?"

"Because it is currently the top gossip topic for every Obelian."

"What!?"

"Everyone's talking about the mysterious lady in red. How do you not know about the whole rumours by now?"

"Wha–what kind of rumours?"

"Well, since there has currently been no noble lady who resembles the one you danced with, some nobles are saying she was a commoner who you fell in love with and invited to the banquet."

"That's–" Arius spoke up in protest but Ijekiel signaled for him to hush.

"While some other nobles say that the lady's grace and elegant steps during the dance make it hard to be seen as a commoner. And are saying she was a princess from another country."

"That's crazy." Arius commented.

"Nobles are like that, especially the ladies. They were all so eager to see who your first dance would be and you chose such a mysterious girl too. Many got heartbroken last night, especially me.." Ijekiel said that while the last 2 words of his sentence are just like a whisper, Arius couldn't hear what he said.

"Oh please! And what are the last words you say?"

"A-Ah nothing, Oh I am curious. Who was she?" Ijekiel said while scratching his cheeks.

'I want to know if she really deserves Arius..'

"If I tell you, it's a secret from the grave."

Ijekiel gave him a nod and a curious smile and eagerness to know who she or he is?

"She's not real." Arius uttered. There was a short silence in which Ijekiel gathered his thoughts and expressions.

"Magic?"

Arius shook his head.

"I ordered a magician to dress up as a girl and use magic to appear as a girl to the crowd and then be a dance partner."

Ijekiel stared at him with the most bewildered expression Arius had ever seen.

"I don't have a lover, he was just my subordinate. The whole first partner thing is so annoying so I just asked him to do it."

Silence remained.

"If you don't start talking I will hit you." Arius looked at Ijekiel's dazed face.

'Oh? So Arius didn't date anyone that night? Right?' Ijekiel's mind. He starts mumbling some words on his own, making Arius frustrated.

"Geez! Was it that surprising?!" Arius slammed the library desk. He didn't need to worry about making noise in the library because well, it was his personal library.

When Ijekiel still didn't speak, Arius picked up a random book from the nearest bookshelf and banged it on his head.

Ijekiel rubbed his area of injury and looked at Arius with a still dazed expression.

"Say. something. or. else." Arius raised the book again.

Ijekiel finally began.

"Uh, well, the truth is. . . during my study abroad, I came across a handful of couples who were dating the same gender. . .are you like that as well?"

Arius gave Ijekiel a dead stare, before stating.

"No."

"It's alright your Highness! Even if you are, I don't care. I was just wondering since a boy tried to kiss me when I was there and my impression of them was ruined." Ijekiel assured him.

Arius held him by his shoulders. "What!? A boy–What?!"

Ijekiel smiled, "I accidentally punched him and broke a couple teeth."

"Damn. Well, let's stop this nonsensical conversation."

"Sure. Then I should get going."

"Huh, why so early?"

Ijekiel gave a half-hearted smile, "My father is here. He went to the emperor to discuss Jennette. He'll be done by now and he'll probably want to meet Jennette. I'll come along with him to see Jennette. "

"Meeting Jennette in his presence wouldn't be a good idea. You two are close, so why don't you meet her yourself. The Duke will come to her anyway."

Arius put his finger on his chin and remembered something.

"Oh Ijekiel."

"Ah yes?"

"You said that you see me dancing with that magician right, I remember I didn't see you..or was it just my mind preoccupied that day?" Arius said while keeping thinking.

Ijekiel laughed.

"Why? Are you expecting me to ask you for a dance?" Ijekiel said with a sly smirk his ears turned red while teasing Arius. Arius on the other hand also starts blushing.

"I-I-It's not like that!"

"Well maybe next time just the two of us, Your Highness." Ijekiel, who had gotten up and was wearing his coat back on.

"O-Okay! A-Anyways If the Duke says something. I'll just tell him I asked you to come with me." Arius stuttered and Ijekiel started walking away while blushing.

Our Arius who is currently dazed just looking at the path where Ijekiel walked away. He put his hands on his mouth and blushed again.

"Wh–What is his probl–problem, he just start t–teasing me. Gahh!" Arius just sits on the chair and just wants to disappear.

'Lucas...and now Ijekiel..Gosh. Give me a break.'

The two boys didn't realize that there were two girls who were just listening to their conversation. Athanasia and Jennette who are also blushing while looking at each other.

"Omg." they both said.

Author's Note.

For clarification Athanasia and Jennette didn't hear the conversation of Arius and Ijekiel regarding Jennette's situation. They just heard the teasing between the two boys.

And they're occupied on blushing because what they witnessed and didn't mind the following the conversion of the two boys.