Trisya realized that Prince Terry had never taken his eyes off her. However, Trisya chose to feign ignorance and instead turned her head in all directions of the carriage to avoid the gaze of the King's eldest son.
"Am I that ugly that you are reluctant to return my gaze, Lady?" quipped Prince Terry.
Trisya looked up, staring at Prince Terry for a moment, before finally turning her gaze in another direction. "I just feel no need to see you."
There was a rough sigh from in front of Trisya, which caught the young girl's attention. She did not know why Prince Terry looked so upset. Had Trisya just made a mistake? And after that, both of them were silent until the carriage arrived at Duke Gerald's residence.
Trisya was forced to accept Prince Terry's hand when he was about to help her get off the carriage, as he was the only one standing closest to the carriage door.
Trisya and Prince Terry immediately faced the Duke, Duchess, and Darian who were waiting in front of their residence.
"Good afternoon, Duke, Duchess, and others. I have come here at the request of The Queen, who asked me to ensure Lady Trisya reaches her residence safely," Prince Terry said.
"Good afternoon, Your Royal Highness. Welcome to the Lovatta Family Residence. And thank you very much for seeing our daughter off. Please convey our greetings to Her Royal Highness the Queen for taking such good care of Trisya," replied Duke Gerald.
"Your Majesty, would you like to have dinner here? It just so happens that the servants are preparing the food. Think of it as our gratitude that Your Majesty has taken care of our beloved Trisya," the Duchess offered.
Prince Terry looked at Darian and Trisya in turn. He got a friendly look from Darian, who was none other than one of his confidants. As for Trisya - whether it was just Prince Terry's feeling or the truth, the girl seemed to be staring intently at Prince Terry, as if warning him to reject the Duchess' offer.
"Maybe next time, Duchess. Mother asked me to return to the palace before dinner time," Prince Terry refused, making Trisya let out a long sigh.
"Trisya, say something!" Darian nudged his sister's arm while whispering in her ear.
"What?" confused Trisya.
"Say thank you!"
Trisya looked at Prince Terry lazily. It was true that Prince Terry had been kind enough to escort her. But, given the man's obnoxious attitude, it was very hard for Trisya to say thank you.
"Thank you for dropping me off," Trisya said in the end, rather than listen to her father, mother, and brother scolding her.
"Again!" said Darian.
"What again? I already thanked you," Trisya protested. Indeed, was her thank you not enough?
"Trisya!" scolded the Duke.
"It's okay, Duke. After all, the Lady has already said thank you," Prince Terry defended Trisya. However, Trisya was even more displeased when Prince Terry seemed to be defending her.
"If His Royal Highness has to be back at the palace before dinner time, doesn't that mean His Royal Highness can't stay here for too long?" Trisya pretended to care.
"Hm. I see. In that case, I'd like to take my leave, Duke, Duchess and everyone else," Prince Terry excused himself.
"Do you need an extra bodyguard, Your Highness? If so, I can provide one to ensure your safe passage to the palace, as a token of our gratitude," offered Duke Gerald.
"No need, Duke. If you do that, it won't get done because we keep on escorting each other. I have enough bodyguards," Prince Terry refused.
After that, the Prince got back into his carriage, which soon took him away from the Lovatta residence.
"Well... someone must be very happy right now," teased the Duchess.
Trisya was quite surprised to hear her mother's words. However, she didn't seem to realize that Duchess Amara was teasing her. "Oh yeah? Who, Mom?"
Darian joined in and nudged his sister's arm. "Who else would it be if not you? You must be very happy, right?"
"Huh? Happy? For what? Is our dinner menu today my favorite food?" guessed Trisya in a cheerful, hopeful tone.
"Don't joke around, Trisya! We know you must be very happy right now. And I'm so happy for you, my princess," said the Duchess.
Trisya still didn't understand what her mother meant. 'If it's not about the dinner menu, then what is it?'
"But, I want you to keep in mind that the Prince's kind gesture this time was motivated by the Queen's generosity. You shouldn't get too carried away, moreover get your hopes up! I don't want you to get hurt later," Darian continued.
Trisya was stunned by her brother's words. 'So, this is still related to Prince Terry taking me home? Well... why should I be very happy just because of something like that?'
"Darian, don't talk like that! I think it's normal for Trisya to be happy. It's a big improvement, you know. Prince Terry's attitude towards your sister is slowly softening. You should welcome this!" the Duchess admonished her eldest son, bringing Trisya's head into her arms.
Trisya broke her mother's embrace. "Mom, I'm fine. You were right after all. Prince Terry is willing to escort me based on the Queen's orders. So, don't make a big deal about it!"
"Trisya!" The Duchess cupped her youngest daughter's cheek affectionately. "You will win his heart someday. My daughter is the most beautiful and kind princess in the kingdom. It just needs a little time. Don't lose hope!"
Trisya let out a long sigh. Why didn't her mother immediately understand that the Trisya of today was no longer the Trisya of the past? She was no longer a noble princess who would beg for the Prince's love.
"Amara, let our daughter go! She must clean herself up before dinner time!" scolded the Duke, who had just finished talking with some guards.
"Ah, yeah, that's right. Layla, please help Trisya!"
"Yes, ma'am," Layla replied to the Duchess' words.
After that, Trisya and Layla immediately went to the room of the youngest daughter of the Lovatta Family. Layla helped Trisya prepare warm water, then found a change of clothes for her lady.
"Lady, how was your trip? Did you enjoy it?" Layla asked.
"Layla, if you mean, you want to ask about the Prince, I don't feel like discussing it," Trisya replied listlessly.
"Why, did Prince Terry upset you?"
"Of course. Don't you know, that he can always upset me, Layla? Yes, that cool, pretentious demeanor of his, his arrogant tone of voice, his harsh words. Ish. Does he think he's the only handsome man in this kingdom?" Trisya chided.
Layla looked surprised to hear her lady's words. Layla turned her head around the room, making sure that no one had heard Trisya's remark - or Trisya could get into big trouble if anyone reported her to the palace.
"Lady, please calm down! You could get into trouble if anyone overhears," Layla admonished worriedly. She was so worried that her forehead broke out in a cold sweat.
"I don't care. After all, the Prince already knows that I don't like him very much. The more he knows, the better. Then he won't think I'm trying to get his attention anymore. Who does he think he is?"
Layla wanted so badly to shut up her young lady's filthy mouth. However, it was fortunate that she still remembered her position. But really, if Trisya said that in front of other people, it seemed like Layla would no more hesitate to completely shut up the Young Lady Lovatta's mouth than she would have to be affected by what Trisya said.
"Never mind, Lady! Let's end this argument because you still have to shower and prepare for dinner with your family," Layla reminded.
Fortunately, sometimes Trisya was still manageable by Layla. After grabbing the change of clothes that Layla offered, Trisya immediately disappeared behind the bathroom door in her bedroom. Layla plopped herself down on a chair, rubbing her chest while letting out a long sigh many times.
"Lady has changed a lot. Much better, but also much more terrible than before. If she used to only dare to speak ill of court ladies, or fellow nobles but below the level of the Duke, now you even dare to speak ill of the Prince. How am I supposed to stop her before this becomes a serious problem?"