A loud shriek was heard inside Francheska’s chamber that had the other servants rushing to the bedside of her Highness.

“Call a physician for Her Highness!”

“No! There is no need for that.” Francheska interfered, “Just something cold water and a clean cloth would do.”

Shelly could not dare oppose Francheska of her new title, it was not similar to what was before, but she later obeyed her Highness.

Lying down on her bed with a wet cold towel covering her swelling eyes her maid on the other hand was preparing her breakfast for the day.

Francheska could sense that Shelly wanted to ask why her eyes were so puffy, she understood that concern of hers.

When they finished their duty, the servants made their way out.

"Shelly, please stay," Francheska called her.

Staying, Shelly then closed the doors of the room and went to Francheska's bedside.

"I finally ended things with the farm boy."

“----”

“One of the reasons I’m currently with puffy eyes.” Francheska continued to explain as she felt the cold seeping from the wet cloth over her eyes.

“And I have been sneaking out on my own when I have a chance–” Franceska felt a hand over hers.

“I already know your highness, and you should not apologize for such things…”

Francheska then peeked from the cloth with her free hand, she wanted to know if Shelly was genuine.

“All I want is a ‘thank you’. I risked my life after all by protecting you and occupying the servants and guards of your whereabouts whenever you sneak out of course.” Shelly pouted as she said.

Francheska was only stunned by the revelation. She thought that she was slick and that no one was able to know her sneaking– not until of course her newly hired knight was able to tail her.

Putting back the cloth in its place, Francheska could only sigh in relief that even though it was late information for her to digest, she still appreciated the thought of Shelly going her way to cover her mistakes.

“Your Highness, what are you smiling about?” Joy and confusion were infused in Shelly’s voice.

“Thank you Shelly for always watching my back. I guess I also need to thank my knight.”

“The knight…? Why would you…” a gasp came out from Shelly and when she realized her reaction she let go of her highness’ hands to close her mouth hanging from shock.

“Yes, last night the knight saw me and he talked–” Francheska could hear her maid’s panic gibberish words coming out from her, “--It's alright, the knight helped me big time when I returned… I owe him an apology, I did not even thank him…”

“Ah, your highness, are you perhaps the one who made half of his face red?”

Francheska could only nod in acceptance of her action of slapping the knight on the face. She was still baffled that the knight let her hit him when he had more strength and fast reflexes. Sometimes she wonders about her behavior being selfish it is not a pretty answer to things that are happening to her, but in her survival, it is the most vital thing she needs to have… she just feels guilty about the consequences they have to deal with.

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Half of the day Francheska already finished some of her rehearsals, and right now was her break time– nothing could beat the natural glow of the afternoon in their garden.

Shelly who put some of the snacks on the table made eye contact with her highness who then eyed the knight from a distance for them to talk.

Francheska could only sigh in response and gestured for Shelly to go on her way out for her to handle the matter.

Taking a cookie from the plate and the last sip of her tea, Francheska wiped the corners of her lips with a napkin as she stood from her chair and went to walk near the garden's pond.

The knight who naturally followed her with a few steps back behind her, could only guide him to distance themselves from the earshot of their servants.

Seeing a log and a large bush that could barely block them from the servants, Francheska made her way to comfortably sit on it and turned to the knight, putting a hand on the space next to her– commanding him to sit right next to her.

The knight hesitated at first but as he saw the large bush and the distance of them to the servants, it was enough for him to give in to her highness command.

Watching the calm surface of the pond, the two of them weren't sure how to progress things themselves. The knight wanted to speak out first but due to their title he had no right to initiate the conversation yet the commotion he caused was something he needed to address and apologize to her Highness, still… her highness was the one that commanded her– he was conflicted.

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"I'm sorry–"

"I apologize–"

They both overlapped each other's words, but they caught the words that left their mouth. With a surprised look on their faces, both of them wanted to continue after their word, and yet silence took over them.

Francheska then turned to the clear water, putting a hand on her chest, and closing her eyes to muster her courage. A sigh left her and sat straight as if her burden was lifted off her shoulders. With all her seriousness, she looked at her knight's face, and finally was true.

"My behavior yesterday Liam, I dared to question your duty of being a knight out of my irrational reasons and exploiting my new position," Francheska then stood up from where she sat and bent one knee– with her head facing the ground, "I, Francheska Del Von Hartpinjer, under my name I sincerely apologize for my actions yesterday."

Francheska was not too sure if her actions right now were sincere and genuine in the eyes of her knight, even with their huge status Francheska was still scared of what his face looked like, she could still not dare look the knight in his eyes, majority her eyes lingered on his scar on his left eyebrow.

"Your Highness, I should be the one kneeling and asking for your forgiveness not the other way around." the knight said.

Liam's gauntlet was placed over Francheska's gloved hand to grab her attention to stop her from kneeling to face him, yet Francheska's head was still lowered as if she was on her desk finishing her tasks.

"I accept your apology, your highness. As your knight, I broke my oath of protecting you and raised my voice– outspoken your Highness with unnecessary comments. I had a heavier sin– I'm sorry and I ask for your forgiveness, your highness."

The knight then let go of Francheska as he made his turn to kneel, but a force below his elbow halted his actions. With their height difference, the knight locked eyes with Francheska– for the first time, she finally dared to look at him.

"No need to kneel before me, I wholeheartedly forgive you," Francheska said with a smile.

"You finally look at me." The knight said his thoughts aloud.

"...you noticed?"

"since the day of the selection, you never once nor tried looking at me in the eye– I thought you were just like the other nobles who just discard commoners like me like trash– I'm sorry Your Highness–"

"No more apologies!" Francheska then tightened her grip on his armor just to refrain from his actions.

"Please, let's hear your thoughts," Francheska continued and then guided him to sit back on the log, letting his armor go.

'augh, it's hard to talk casually with these people! my language was more carefree and easier to understand.'

"...these past months I assumed your highness was just like the rest of the nobles, who saw us as nothing… only their toys, that we are replaceable–" looking at Francheska's eyes, "seeing you selfishly risk yourself for that farm boy changed my opinions. Your Highness, that night despite the darkness covering your face, I saw your pain and genuine love for that commoner– I thought it was impossible, that there was just no way but that night– you were the truth and I was seeing it for the first time."

Liam saw sadness behind Francheska's eyes and decided to give time to her.

"You are right," Francheska sighs, turning her attention to the pond, "it's impossible, and I have to end it."

Liam wanted to protest and oppose her words yet he could not dare talk over her, not out of respect but for the reality behind the words.

"Your Highness, I still don't know who you are but I know what you are feeling. Ready to lose everything for the sake of love, to be with them forever–" Liam then clasped his hands, "but the potential that we have deep inside was strong enough to not let every experience, training, hard work, and ambition go to thin air."

'So he had a special someone..'

"...but did you ever confess?" Francheska questioned.

"I never had the chance, she was an orphan like me, we were the same but she was stronger than me. Whenever she was bullied or got scolded, she always understood them– forgiving their actions and smiling through the pain. That was our differences, I could never forgive, I refuse to understand their side, and smile through every pain I inflict on my enemies." Liam gave himself some air to breathe and closed his eyes to feel the soft glow of the sun.

"Your sadness that night reminded me of the day we parted. Her words echoed to me as if talking to me to forgive you, listen to your explanation, and give you a chance– I did, and she was right– she was always right." Liam continued.

'Aahh, even listening to him talk about the mysterious woman it was already obvious who it was– none other than the female lead, of course, Josephine. A personality description like that only she possessed– and because of her I'm saved again… I wonder what would be his reaction knowing that a noble like myself– the crown prince is in love with her? It would be interesting.' Francheska unconsciously smiled at her thought.

"Sounds like you admire her, you should meet her again," Francheska suggested, smirking.

"It would be impossible, I do not know her whereabouts, your highness. I just know that a noble adopted her and is in great care." Liam sighed in relief.

Francheska wanted to help him of course but he should be glad, for in her debut she will appear for a reunion of the main characters!

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It was finally D-day, just an hour left and Francheska's debut will be starting soon. Something was stirring inside her belly, she was sure it was not nervousness, nor excitement, it was just dread… She wants to vomit badly despite only eating a few meals so she can still fit her dress.

“Water please,” Francheska asks and the servants deliver.

The duchess’s trusted servant went to slightly open the door to announce the remaining time they had and headed to the designated position for her entrance.

For Francheska it felt like a fever dream, everything was. The way things were happening was like a Deja vu she could not escape– making the same mistakes and decisions.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror her blemishes were covered well, she got rosy cheeks, and pink lips that complimented her whole attire. she started practicing her possible lines for her to come to the spotlight.

Knowing the night would end tragically, there was one goal in Francheska’s mind– finding William and convincing him to continue their plan, for the past few months after the crown prince’s event she received no letters from him. She thought it just slipped her mind, perhaps too burdened by her tasks that she failed to notice. When she reviewed the letters, Cosimo's seal wasn't present, and realized that she was the one who first reached out with a business in mind.

With a few touches of powder on her face, retouching of her hair, and checking the laces of her dress, Francheska was finally done. The servants then gave space for her to walk out of the room, others were arranging and cleaning the messy tables.

walking passed and through the door, the head maid and butler then guided her to the spot just like what they rehearsed. Reaching the closed door, she stood there fiddling on her thumbs. On the other side of this door, the duke and duchess were entertaining the guests, making them comfortable in the venue they rented.

The bustling sound was so loud that the large hall could not contain their voices but was able to pass through the large door they were positioning.

Suddenly this moment right here reminded Francheska of 'her,' when she had to go on stage with her group to sing for their fans, traveling to different places because of their fans' support.

Closing her eyes, she mustered her courage to walk confidently out there, making the audience applaud in enjoyment and have smiles on their faces.

'do not falter, I can do this… I can plaster a smile till the night ends, even if it will hurt the corner of my lips and have my throat dry from greeting them, I can do this!' Francheska hyped herself up in her thoughts.

"Your Highness" a familiar voice called out to her. Noticing her attention, it was just her knight who had his arm out for her to hold.

Francheska was a little stunned by how the knight was dressed handsomely, despite the scars on his eyebrows and lips he was not intimidating standing there before her. With their proximity, Francheska never realized how green his eyes were.

He looked perfect, Francheska knew that once Liam and Josephine would reunite they would fall in love with each other– oops, might be just one-sided…

'Anyway! I'm just going to be the catalyst of their relationship and say the things I have to say– that is my only interference!'

"Your Highness?" the knight called again with a confusing tone at the end, probably because the doors were about to open.

Francheska then took his arm, closing her eyes to take in breath and as she exhaled she gave a wide smile– showing her teeth for enthusiasm. Just like in every one of her performances, she nails the expression of happiness perfectly.

‘You can do this, savor every happy and magical moment…’

The doors then were opened widely by their other servants to show the debutante, the star of tonight– the crown princess Francheska Del Von Hartpinjer.