Trisya devoured the chocolate cake that was delivered by a waiter moments ago with great relish. "Hmm ... right, Sis. It tastes this good," she said.
Aston chuckled. "Eat slowly! No one will dare take that cake away from you, Trisya. If you want, we'll also pack some for Mr. Duke and Mrs. Duchess."
"Really? Then that's fine too. Oh yeah, where is Layla? Didn't she come in?" puzzled Trisya, seeing that no one from her entourage had come in, including her personal maid.
"Looks like they're waiting outside. Or perhaps looking for another place to rest?" replied Aston.
"Why is that? Wait a minute! I'll tell them all to come in and eat with us. You don't mind if you pay for their food too? It's just a cake, so I don't think it will cost too much money," said Trisya.
"I can even buy all the cakes in this shop for you if you want, Trisya. Do whatever you want as long as it makes you happy!" said Aston.
Trisya developed a big smile. Then, she immediately went out to look for the whereabouts of her entourage. And it was true. They were waiting right in front of the cake shop without doing anything.
"Is there anything you need, Lady?" asked Layla who quickly approached Trisya.
"Oh my, Layla. Have I only been calling you when I need you?" wondered Trisya.
"Pardon? Is there something wrong with my words, Lady? Then, I-"
"Layla, invite the others to come inside!" cut in Trisya who immediately said her main purpose for coming here.
"Huh? Excuse me, Lady? B- but why? Are we-"
"You want to do the childish thing of torturing your maids and bodyguards again, Lady Lovatta?" Hearing the smartass remark that was clearly directed at her because she was the only young lady in the Lovatta residence, Trisya turned her head. She stared fiercely at the man who pretended to judge her. And he - the man walked closer, as if not yet satisfied with his accusations against Trisya.
Everyone there including the maids and bodyguards who followed Trisya compactly bowed respectfully while greeting the pretentious man.
"Sincerely, Your Highness the Crown Prince," they greeted in unison. Meanwhile, Trisya as the person who had just been accused arbitrarily felt reluctant to give respect.
"Lady, please!" squeaked Layla while giving Trisya the code to join in bowing to Prince Terry.
"What am I supposed to do, after he talked to me like that?" protested Trisya.
"Lady, please, just this once!" pleaded Layla, as several maids joined them. Naturally, they feared for the young lady's safety if she still stubbornly refused to salute the Crown Prince.
Trisya could not bear to see the concerned looks of her maids. Reluctantly, she began to bow and salute the successor to the royal throne.
"Yours sincerely, Your Highness the Prince," Trisya greeted briefly, before finally raising her head and venturing to meet the future heir to the throne.
"Lady, I thought you had changed for the better. But was my guess wrong? Unbeknownst to me, do you still like to torture your maids?" Terry accused.
Trisya scowled. "Torture what? What did I do to my maids?"
"Don't be evasive, Lady. I saw you forcing them to do something. That's right, isn't it?" Terry continued.
"Woah, since when did His Royal Highness the Crown Prince notice me in this much detail, even to the point of seeming like a smartass?" mocked Trisya.
"No- Lady, please let me explain to His Highness," pleaded Layla.
"That's right, Lady. You'd better keep quiet, so we can clear up this misunderstanding," continued the other maid.
"No, no. It's okay. Let me settle this 'misunderstanding' myself," Trisya refused.
"Lady Trisya, please behave yourself with the Crown Prince!" scolded one of Terry's bodyguards. Seeing the terrifying figure with a sword in his hand, Trisya's guts shrank. She would still be brave if it was just a verbal altercation. But, seeing the figure ready to slash her throat at any moment, Trisya suddenly became silent.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I think you just misunderstood. Lady Trisya never tortured us. And about what just now, it seems that instead of forcing us, she was actually trying to invite us in, Your Majesty," Layla began to give her defense to the lady.
"You don't have to be afraid to speak up, Miss. Just tell me if Lady Trisya is doing something unkind to you!" grumbled Prince Terry's bodyguard again.
Trisya gave him an unreceptive look even though her lips were silent. "Alright. What you think of it, whatever. I apologize if you think it's wrong. But, may I now take my entourage inside?" asked Trisya.
"Lady!" scolded Layla. After all, Trisya should never have interrupted the royal family. She couldn't just leave like this, especially when they were in a public space.
"I just wanted to buy some cookies cake for you all. Count Aston is willing to pay for it," Trisya replied to Layla.
Prince Terry furrowed his brows as he could still hear Trisya's words. He couldn't believe that the Lady of the Lovatta residence was inviting her maids and entourage to eat cake together.
"Buying cake?" was Prince Terry's surprise.
"Only for my entourage - my kind maids and bodyguards. Sorry, Your Highness, but the offer doesn't apply to you either," Trisya retorted fiercely.
"Lady Trisya!" scolded the Prince's bodyguard, for the umpteenth time.
"Never mind, Tablo, Lady Trisya is a lady of the Lovatta House - daughter of Duke Gerald and sister of Darian. So you should mind your manners towards her too!" Prince Terry reprimanded his bodyguard who had managed to intimidate Trisya.
That's right. Why did Trisya just remember that her family's position was very high - though not as high as Terry's. But at least, if only to fight the bodyguard, or anyone else around them, shouldn't Trisya still be able to?
"Okay. My apologies, Lady Trisya," Tablo said as he bowed respectfully. As Trisya recalled, the novel explained that Tablo was the second son of a nobleman with the title of Count. That meant Tablo's father was in the same position as Aston.
"Trisya, why haven't you come in yet- ah, my respectful greetings, Your Highness." Aston who had just arrived immediately saluted upon seeing Prince Terry's presence.
Meanwhile, Prince Terry seemed to be scanning Aston's appearance from top to bottom, and it was also noticed by Trisya who had been the one who dared to openly stare at the crown prince. Seeing how Prince Terry was paying attention to his cousin, Trisya did the same. She looked for anything that might catch the Crown Prince's attention on Aston's body.
"Trisya, what's wrong?" asked Aston who realized he was being watched by Trisya.
Trisya looked up, then shook her head. "There's nothing. Aston, let's go back in! I haven't finished my cake yet. I also want to try other variants. Oh yeah, Layla and the others, come on in! The cakes in this shop are really good and you should try them!" said Trisya, trying to ignore Prince Terry and his entourage.
"I'm also feeling hungry and curious about the cake. Tablo, we're not in a hurry, right?" said Prince Terry which gave Trisya a bad feeling.
"No, Your Highness. There's still time to rest a bit," replied Tablo.
"Alright. I'd like to taste the cake here. Who knows if it tastes that good, that even a noble lady like Lady Trisya seems to like it so much," said Prince Terry, then casually walked into the pastry shop, passing Trisya and her entourage.
Trisya's shoulders slumped. She considered this a great misfortune. Why did she have to face such a big test just to enjoy the delicious cakes in this shop?
Trisya turned her head toward Aston, then cast a pleading look at the man. "Aston, can we just move to another place?"
"You mean, to a place where there is no Crown Prince?" Aston half-whispered. However, without him expecting it, Trisya nodded her head with both cheekbones puffed up adorably.
"Don't joke around! Isn't my little sister very fond of His Highness? Don't hide it from him, Trisya! Never mind, let's go in! You said you wanted to treat your maids, right?" continued Aston. Trisya turned to her maids who were now looking at her expectantly.
"What's the matter? Do you really want to taste the cakes too?" she asked.
"If you don't mind, then we would be very grateful to you,," replied one of Trisya's attendants.
"Come in and order whatever you want!" said Aston casually. Then, he quickly took Trisya by the hand to enter the shop first. They returned to the table they had left earlier. But, damn it, why was the table next to them that was empty, now occupied by Prince Terry and Tablo?
'Oh, shit! Trisya, I thought you were crazy to fall for such an annoying guy!' Trisya cursed the real Trisya - the one who had fallen in love so hard that she ended up dying because of that man named Terry.
"Is Lady disturbed by our presence here?" asked Prince Terry in a flat tone.
'YES! VERY! So if you've come to your senses, get the hell out of here!' screamed Trisya inwardly.
"H- how is that possible? Of course not, Your Majesty," Trisya replied. She felt like slapping her hypocritical mouth with her own hand. 'You fool! Why don't you dare tell the truth, Trisya?! You don't even dare to apologize after he accused you so casually. What's the use of your family's high noble title if you're still mentally like this?'
Trisya sat back in her chair. Then, she tried to enjoy her cake while trying to distract herself from looking at Prince Terry who was now waiting for his order to arrive. Really. Why did the sweet, fragrant and delicious cake become tasteless all of a sudden? Was this the effect of the unpleasant atmosphere caused by the two people at the next table?
"Trisya, are you alright?" whispered Aston as he brought his face closer.
"No, I'm not. But, I've decided not to try the other menus here. If you don't mind, can I ask for another variant to pack home?" asked Trisya who was already uncomfortable to be close to Prince Terry any longer.
"Are you serious? Wouldn't this be better enjoyed on the shop?"
"No. I just want it wrapped, Aston. I-" Trisya's words were cut off when suddenly there was a loud from the side. Trisya turned her head to the side - towards the person who made the noise.
"I know you are distant relatives. But my advice is, don't show excessive closeness in public! Or else the public will mistakenly think that Count Aston is dating his own cousin's sister," admonished Prince Terry.
Oh come on! Is it still a necessary thing for a Crown Prince to interfere?