𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗬 𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦

HOW ARE YOU?

Episode 13| THIRD POV

There was silence in the room. Both Hazen and Veronica stood with awkward atmosphere.

As for Ispenel who had let himself hid in the farthest corner as to not disturb his young master's affairs.

Clearing his throat, Hazen decided to introduce himself first.

"M'lady, if your not familiar with me I am Hazen Nox Freitscheid, son of his highness Duke Ramesis Garrin Freitcscheid and Duchess Cecilia Sarina Freitscheid"

Veronica stared at him for awhile before speaking.

"I....in particular heard of his highness young master Hazen. Pardon me of my rude behaviour, I am Veronica Rochedale"

She lowered her head giving him a modest curtsy.

"N-no need! I mean, you can just introduce yourself without following etiquettes. In fact, you can just call me Hazen, just disregard the honorifics as you w-wish" he blushed while looking away.

'Stopppp blushinggg' he fought in his mind.

She however tilted her head in amusement.

'Aren't you the same? Why are you still being cute?' she muttered inwardly.

However her face turn to frown.

'But why are you here Hazen? Your not supposed to come here at this time'

"I'm afraid that would be difficult your highness"

"Why so?"

"Etiquettes must be followed, as a noble lady I must give his highness respect and not taint his honor"

"Taint my honor? For what exactly Miss Veronica?" Hazen probed not liking her immediate response.

"I-its...on the contrary, you must have heard a lot about me y-your highness"

"If rumours circulates about Miss Veronica, certainly this prince must have reached it, but I'm a busy person and I don't delve into such bandy" he shook his head and shrugged.

"Besides, today is my first time meeting with such a lovely lady" he complimented without a change to his facial expression and to redirect the topic.

Veronica turn her head sideways

"I..still..."

"Why don't we take a seat hm? I bet Miss Veronica is tired from all the standing and walking" Hazen offered and smiled genuinely at her.

He walk towards the chair opposite to his and suggested for Veronica to come over.

Hesitancy plastered on her figure. Afterall Veronica did not expect for the person she longed for to appear all suddenly in her father's office.

'When was it? When was it that we first met?'

She stood firm while eyes directed towards the boy offering her a seat.

'You were certainly mature when you offered to ally with me in the past.'

Scrutinizing him from head to toe, she couldn't help but study him from the Hazen in her memories.

'You used to have a long hair and a scar in the face near your eyes from the battle you had with the crown prince....' 

Looking at his teen self was new to her.

"Miss Veronica??" Hazen called seemingly noticing her reluctance.

She was zoning out, in her own world while her face showed countless emotions.

'What has this family done to you my villainess....they scarred you...'

Pity flash through his eyes and at that moment he just wanted to embrace her in his arms and comfort her. Alas, this is their first encounter and he didn't want to leave a bad impression on her.

To elevate the tense atmosphere he have an idea that will forever take it to his grave.

"Come on Miss Veronica, the chair is waiting, or is it because of me?? I assure you Miss, I don't bite" he smirked looking smugly at her astonish face.

And to make the situation awkward Veronica was out of her reverie upon hearing his smug suggestion.

'Except for that...what a big corny flirt' she used to label him that before and it seems the habit did not come from his matureness but from his teenage self.

She look at him deadpan, pursing her lips to not retort back, like she used to.

"I...thank you your highness" she surrendered and slowly took a small steps towards the chair.

Satisfied with the outcome, Hazen wanted to puff out his chest from his achievement.

Now he was able to see her from up close.

'She's even more beautiful in person!'

"AHERM!" Ispenel coughs purposely to avert his master's dreamlike zone.

Hearing the not so obvious cough from his aide, Hazen glared at the man and returned to his seat.

Both of them sat face to face, rather awkwardly.

'Again with the atmosphere' Hazen cried internally. He just wanted to have decent conversation with his favorite character but even his cockiness from earlier was gone, like the prehistoric time fired by meteorites.

It was the same for Veronica, her predicament was rather oblivious, she didn't want to show her uncomfortable side towards the person who had helped her from the past many times. What was she gonna do?

The two of them sat, trying to figure out what to say.

"How are you?" Hazen decided he should insinuate the conversation first.

However, Veronica swiftly turns her head in his direction and stared......longingly.

He didn't know his words would have a huge impact on her.

'Hazen...just why?' she laments.

"I'm...I'm fine" she responded.

"Hm? Then, how is the weather today Miss Veronica?" Hazen fired another simple question.

"Good..I mean, the weather is good like the usual" she replied gazing at the windows which showed the sun's afternoon.

"Like Miss Veronica proclaimed, can lady grant this prince wish to go on a date with the lady?"

"SO SUDDENLY!!" Ispenel yelled, eyes almost bulging from their suckets.

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Kid: so how did you and him met?

Veronica: He appeared suddenly and flirted with me in our first encounter then asked me out on a date that afternoon...

Kid: .....what?

Veronica: Yep, he did.

Hazen: *puff out his chest proudly* Yeah kid, so now back off! * held her possessively*

Veronica: (ご , .ごメ)