Unrequited

Chapter 4- Noticing the Change

'Getting teased by this person... wasn't bad at all?'

Stands up.

"then i'll have to go now, Grand duke"
Amelia stood up and turned to look at blushing Alexis.

It was obvious that he was blushing but Amelia thought it was just a normal feeling.

"Let me escort you, your highness"
Alexis stood up.

... "no it's okay...come visit the palace sometimes if you'd like"
Amelia was about to leave but looked at Alexis with a smiling face.

"... alright"
Alexis bowed to Amelia, as he said.

Amelia walked to the exit, when she opened the door, a young man showed up and escorted her.

'who's that?'
Alexis looked at Amelia and the young man walked together.

"Your highness, how was your meeting??"
In a casual comfortable attire, a young man looked at Amelia with full of excitement in his face.

"Edward, you should behave when we're outside, alright?"
Amelia didn't say it strictly but in a cunning and sweet tone.

"fine"
Edward pouted.

"Anyways, who was that man?"

"that man...? you mean the Grand duke?"

"mhm"

The two continued walking until they arrived to the carriage.

—

At the Imperial Princess' palace.

Place.

"Where's Edward?"
Amelia placed the letter aside and asked Giselle.

"He's in the Garden talking with his Majesty"
Giselle said.

"Alright"
Amelia stood up and walked to the big window where she can view the garden from above.

The Fingertips of Amelia's hands touched the glass as she looked at Edward and the Emperor taking a stroll in the Garden.

"Your majesty, the roses today are still fresh, the servants must've taken care of it very well"
Edward looked at the Emperor that also looked at the garden.

'it's good that they're getting along...' Amelia thought.

-
At Alexis' manor.

in the office smelled of ink, paper everywhere.

"did you hear that the heir of the fallen count was seen in her highness' palace lately?!"

"what?! but they don't have access to the palace, right?!"

"yeah, but it seems like her highness favored that young man"

two maids in Alexis' office gossiped.

Without even noticing, Alexis was also listening despite that he was looking at the letter.

"Her highness must've picked that young man as a candidate for the Crown Prince-"

Alexis looked at the maids.

Gasp.

Noticing Alexis' stare, the maids gasped and apologized through a bow, and continued to be quiet.

The door opened and Marlon walked in.

"Here are the reports" Marlon placed all the file reports to Alexis' table.

"Maids, leave us for a moment"
Marlon looked at the maids.

"Yes"
The maids bow and left the room then closed the door.

"did you here the gossip?"

"if you mean the fallen count's heir then yes"
Alexis opened the book.

"he's suspected to be the crown prince candidate the princess chose personally"
Marlon said.

Alexis looked at him suddenly.

"but he's not a threat to your power, your grace" Marlon explained.

"that's not what i meant..." Alexis' eyes looked at the side putting on a envious expression.

"anyways, did you and her highness fix your relationship?"

"well... we did got closer and...i don't want anyone to break our peaceful friendship"

Even though it was just a day, Alexis already think of Amelia as someone to him too.

"Hmm... but, you don't like getting involved with the Imperial Household, right?"

"Yes... but it won't mean i should avoid them"

"okay"

"but anyways... her highness is the only friend you have in terms of fun... and things... but don't you think that heir of the fallen count will break that friendship...? he might get more of the Princess' time"

"Marlon, i don't have time to be jealous and things, plus, her highness plays fairly and doesn't favor anyone when it comes to selecting Crown Prince's candidate winner"
Alexis closed his eyes as he explained.

Of course, what Alexis said was his true feelings too.

But it was also to avoid any feelings growing.

—
A week later.

at the Imperial palace.

"What?!"
A shout from the Princess' office was heard.

"the Grand duke is waiting in the garden"
Giselle said.

"Okay, i'll go there immediately"
Amelia walked out of the room and walked to the Garden hurriedly with the maids following her.

"G-grand duke...!"
Amelia opened the door and Alexis stood up from the seat.

"Your highness...!"
-
They sat.

"What brought you here duke...?"
Amelia asked straightforwardly.

"You told me to come visit the palace sometimes..."
Alexis sipped his tea.

'R-right i did...!!'
'but he's not the type of person to actually to it!!!'

"Your highness, can we take a walk to the Imperial Garden?"
Alexis placed his cup of tea back.

"Sure"

At the Imperial Garden.

During their walk~

"I heard from mother that you helped her when she almost got heart attacked"

"Yes..."

"You've helped her a lot, your highness, thank you"

"a-ah... well ... uhm... you don't have to say thank you"

"but her highness saved my beloved mother"
Alexis looked at Amelia.

___________
Authors time.

Hello, everyone! thankyou for reading this story...! and thank you to the people who've voted to the other chapters...! i would really also appreciate it if you can share your thoughts in this story by commenting...! :))

Again Thank you and God bless you all
- Sezch 🙇🏻‍♀️