From the outsider's view, it seems that the Emperor is favoring him more by giving him all the important responsibilities and obligations but Prince Andrew knew better...

His Imperial Brother has one thing that he lacks. The two-faced, white lotus, sly fox brother has an innate ability to make other people view him as so kind, gentle, trustworthy, adorable, charismatic, and reliable! In short, his brother is a certified social butterfly! That is why he could easily charm and convince their Imperial Father, Imperial Mother, and everyone that everything he says and does is because of the pure goodness of his untainted mind, heart, and soul!

Prince Andrew knew that this is another trap that he could not avoid! If he did not accept it, he will be viewed as inconsiderate, irresponsible, and incapable!

Everyone praised Prince Andrew for another job well done by successfully taking over several difficult imperial duties but they also praised Prince Anders for being a sensible imperial son, for thoroughly understanding the needs of the people, and for being entirely supportive of his brother by humbly entrusting the vital duties to the person who has a greater probability of becoming the next Emperor or so, that is what Prince Anders made them think...

Prince Andrew gritted his teeth secretly every time he sees with his own eyes or hears from his people that his Imperial Brother and Beatrix are happily spending more time together while he is so busy performing his old tasks as well as the new tasks assigned to him that were formerly his imperial brother's duties!

The worst is he could not do anything about it but work his ass off and spend most of his time performing those boring duties... He does not have time to be with Beatrix anymore! He tried to finish his task as early as possible so he could see her and spend time with her but when he visits her, she is already sleeping!

"I am sorry, Your Highness, but Lady Beatrix is already sleeping. She got so tired after an eventful day with Prince Anders." One of the maids told him.

"Then inform Beatrix that I visited." He ordered the maid in hope that Beatrix will wait for him next time.

"Yes, Your Highness!" The maid replied.

He looked one last time to her dark bedroom, indicating that she is already sleeping... He sighed and proceed to his courtyard feeling so sad and empty deep inside but he did not give up! As days passed by, he always went to her courtyard after his daily tasks even though he sees the same thing every time he visits at night... Her dark bedroom indicates that she is already in the dreamland... Until one night, he saw her still awake and eating late-night snacks!

Beatrix wanted to visit Prince Andrew but the Emperor forbid her from disturbing him because he is still adjusting to the new workload.

"You should get used to it since you are going to marry one of my two sons. Your patience and understanding should be greater if you wish to marry the future Emperor... This job is no joke, Lady Beatrix." The Emperor told her seriously when he sensed her sadness and disappointment.

"I fully understand, Your Majesty!" She politely replied and bowed before leaving.

Beatrix sighed as she recalled her attempt to see Prince Andrew and the conversation between her and the Emperor.

The Emperor is both right and wrong... I want to marry Andrew but I am not sure if I also want to marry the future Emperor but sad to say, Andrew and the future Emperor could be the same... The Emperor and Empress' lives are so complicated... I do not like it! I prefer a simple yet happy life but it seems that will not happen in this lifetime...

They did not see each other for a long time. She cannot sleep well every night... thinking about him and worrying about him so she expressed her helplessness and disappointment by eating at this time of the night alone in front of her favorite snacks.

"Beatrix!" Prince Andrew happily call her name, ran towards her, and embraced her tightly, feeling that his every effort to visit her every night is worth it!

"Andrew, it has been a long time..." She smiled at him and hugged him too.

"I miss you so much! You do not know how happy I am to see you and hold you like this!" He immediately told her his feelings that seem to burst in his heart.

"Me too!" She smiled. "By the way, did you eat already?"

"Not much." He told her honestly as his own servants never failed to bring him his necessities but he does not have his usual appetite these days and he would really like to create an excuse to be with her.

"Then eat with me! I have here chocolate cake, different cookies, and hot chocolate drink... But you do not like these things..." Beatrix's excitement turned to sadness when she suddenly realized that Prince Andrew's preference in everything is very different from hers unlike Prince Anders that everything about them seems to match and fit together perfectly!

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