-April 4th of 1312

Lena yawns lazily as Dolly munches on some snacks. Delilah and Holly were anxious about her dress-ware as they knew the importance of Lena’s appearance whilst in the demon kingdom in representing Alyssum to attract a potential marriage alliance.

Lena’s presentation at court had been a success, but unfortunately none of the love candidates were present not even Xerxes Reinhart.

Lena grabs a cookie to munch on as at last the siege is over. The final decision was a closed neck, royal blue gown tunic. The top half was like a gown, but the skirt flows straight rather than spreading outwards. Why the two chose a modest dress since demon women tended to wear revealing clothing was a mystery to her.

Fully dressed, they head out with Dolly in charge of observation and Holly primary objective is leading/protecting Delilah. Delilah nervously grabs her skirt as Lena reaches over and gently pats her on the head.

“Don’t worry, enjoy yourself you’re among friends,” Lena murmured.

Delilah smiles prettily in thanks as Lena reminds herself to never repeat those words in public again. Lena had no intention of accidentally creating another harem for Delilah.

Straightening her back, Lena and her three loyal attendants glide through the doors into the ballroom as the gazes are either leering or curious. Lena greets the familiar faces as various whispers sprout around her.

“I head she slept her way to the top!”

“No! But she’s the king’s daughter!”

“Who knows, maybe there’s more to their relationship than meets the eye.”

“After all, one has to wonder why they call her the Scarlett Princess.”

Lena ignores the whispers until a waving figure catches her eye. Dolly catches Lena eye and points at the gardens before scurrying away. Lena hastily excuses herself and rushes towards the garden.

Holly glares at a group of nobles as Delilah trembles from behind her. Lena frowns as she locates two candidates among the group, Xerxes Reinhart, the demon crown prince and Alastair Florentine, the saint of the Church of Light.

But what almost causes her to stumble is the forming bruise on Holly’s cheek. Hiding her fury, Lena schools her features into that of indifference.

Coughing Lena grabs the groups attention and dramatically says, “Holly and Delilah, I’ve been positively looking all over the court for you. I’m simply famished and dying of thirst. Go fetch something to sustain my body for I fear I’ll faint dead away and embarrass myself.”

Holly hides the mirth in her eyes as Delilah breathes with relief, before bobbing up and down to make their escape. Unfortunately, a breathtaking young maiden with flowing pink hair and golden colored eyes steps forth.

The pink haired maiden is wearing a white, silk flowing gown that both showcases her figure and makes her appear as innocent as a fairy. The pink haired maiden softly says, “Not until they apologize, they stepped in our away and did not defer as they should have.”

The young men and women in the group nod their heads in agreement. Lena doesn’t reply as she notices a figure approaching in the distance. Hiding her smile, Lena apologetically replies, “Please allow me to take proper action.”

The young woman smiles like a cat having eaten the canary as she waits to see the two maids be humiliated before her. But before they could react, Lena kneels before them and solemnly says, “This one apologizes for her attendant’s rude actions.”

The nobles blink in confusion and surprise. For a noble to apologize to another noble for a servant’s mishap is unheard of. King Eros Reinhart suddenly appears before them and roars, “What is the meaning of this?”

Lena remains kneeling on the ground as King Eros counites to roar, “Who is behind this answer me!”

King Eros narrows his eyes at his son and pointedly says, “Xerxes?”

The lovely pink haired maiden steps forth and softly answers, “Tis I your majesty. I was merely asking for an apology from this woman’s servant’s.”

King Eros icy glare could have frozen flowers. “Lady Moreau an envoy of the Church of Light, remember to shine the light all,” King Eros growled.

The nobles gape at King Eros’s barbed words as he helps Len to her feet. “Princess Lena, you have my most profound apologies for my son’s lack of courtesy,” King Eros said.

The nobles hastily bow except for the sullen Prince Xerxes and Alastair who smiles in reply.

“Nonsense your majesty, I am the one at fault. I did not mean to insult your court and guests, I simply wished to apologize on my attendant’s behalf. I am sure that no ill will was meant nor intended by Lady Moreau’s words,” Lena generously said.

Lady Moreau sulks but keeps her gaze down to the floor as the noble’s sigh with relief.

King Eros ignores them and firmly states, “Walk with me, Princess.”

Lena inclines in her head in agreement and subtly signals for Holly and Delilah to follow. King Eros chats with Lena for a bit before being called away. As soon as he departs, Lena leads them into a quieter part of the gardens.

Delilah steps forth and sighs. “It’s my fault, Milady. I wasn’t paying attention. Before I could apologize, Lady Moreau stepped forth to teach me my place. Holly took the intended slap for me and stated, that if Lady Moreau dared to raise her hand again, she would come to regret it,” Delilah tiredly said.

Lena rubs her forehead. It was not Delilah’s fault, it’s just the Heroine flag rising and leading to a romantic encounter. And was why Lena apologized to defuse the flag and prevent a repeat of the situation. Though Lena would hold a grudge against Lady Moreau.

A soft rustle reveals Dolly excitedly walking towards them. Lena whispers for Delilah and Holly to return to her rooms with Dolly. The two dart towards Dolly who protectively leads them away.

Lena returns to the courts to excuse herself for the night, when a familiar group in the gardens heads towards her. Lena curtsies and swiftly says, “Please do not mind me and continue on your way.”

Lena brushes past them as a figure steps in her way. Alastair charmingly says, “Thank you so much for your kind actions, Princess Lena. May the goddess bless you.”

Lena smiles politely in response and sidesteps around him, though his arm lightly brushes against her sending a jolt down her spine. Lena frowns as the hair on her body stand on edge in wariness. Alastair, wasn’t the simple saint he pretending to be, that man was most dangerous. Lena was going to have to look into the Church of Light and the healing saint’s past.

Pondering the surprising hidden character of Alastair, Lena arrives at the court. To her chagrin, Lena spots two candidates, Gray Ashford and Oasis Ramses greeting King Eros.

At first glance Prince Gray appears only to be a simple cat tribesman. Lena’s fingers twitch dangerously at the sight of his auburn ears and tail. Before flinching reflexively as Lena nervously glances at around. She could have sworn she felt Holly’s piercing gaze on her.

Lena ignores the light sheen of cold sweat on her back, before studying Prince Oasis. Lena run san admiring eye down the very fit prince. Lena would admit it, out of all the candidates, Oasis’s body is the best of them all.

Pulling her mind way from Oasis’s fantastic sculptured body, Lena eyes their demeanor. His demeanor matches the game scenario as the handsome play boy with nothing to hide. But after meeting Alastair, she would have to disregard the character’s personalities of the otome game as Gardenia was a parallel world. Lena would have to keep in mind from now on.

Lena scans the court for the other two candidates, Ciel Eckhart and Khan Zinnia. She only spotted their envoys as heated whispers crept into her ears.

“It’s such a shame that the elf and dragon prince are not in attendance.”

“I heard that it’s concerning a woman.”

“gasp…. No! Do tell!”

“Well, apparently they both fell for the same woman or so the rumors say.”

“Well, I heard that the dragon prince is in love with the elf prince.”

“squeal…... Forbidden Love!”

Lena furrowed her brows over the rumors. The first rumor might hold water, but the second? Not a chance in hell. But it did make things more complicated to meet them.

The well-known proverb states, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” But it’s hard to keep your enemies close if you don’t know who they are.

~ POV of Alastair Florentine (Saint of the Church of Light) ~

Alastair drops into a chair and undo’s his collar. The smile leaves his face leaving only chilling façade behind. Lady Monroe, Eva storms into his bedroom via the hidden passageway.

Annoyed, Alastair slam his hand onto the table as Eva flinches to a halt. Alastair gently says, “Look a bug,” and raised his hand to show the squashed but. Trembling Eva comes closer as Alastair casually grabs the silky skirt and wipes his hand clean. The pristine skirt suddenly has a small sickly reddish stain.

Alastair smiles lazily at Eva and ruefully says, “What is it?”

Eva much more subdued tone replies, “I was humiliated this afternoon by that woman!”

“We already got rid of one royal heir, it would arise too much suspicion for another one to be killed so soon. No, we use her to get what we need, Cardinal’s orders,” Alastair calmly said as he leaned back into his seat.

Eva frowns and asks, “Fine. But what are you going to do?”

“A loving young man of course. And if that does not work, I can always be the caring saint,” Alastair calmly answered.

Eva’s shoulders stiffen as she bites her lip. Sulking, Eva asks, “And if that doesn’t work, what then?”

Alastair shrugs and says, “It shouldn’t be too hard to convince her. Women are surprisingly easy, if you know what buttons to push. If she doesn’t want a charming young man, well I can always show her another side. After all, I have yet to fail at a mission.”

Eva falls silent as Alastair closes his eyes. That woman wouldn’t escape him. But if she did by some grace of the goddess, she wouldn’t escape the cardinal.