Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Trisya thought talking to the queen would allow her to escape the antagonist's destiny and avoid the Prince. But she was wrong. After she went deeper, it turned out that the queen was Trisya's main supporter to become the Crown Princess - in other words, supporting Trisya to marry Prince Terry.

"Can't you stay a little longer, Trisya? I can ask the maid to prepare a room for you if you want to stay at the palace tonight," the qurrn offered. The middle-aged woman seemed to really love Trisya and had high hopes for her.

"Ah, no, Your Majesty. I must be back before dinner time, or Father will scold me," Trisya refused softly, using her father's gentleness as an excuse.

"I can get someone to talk to the Duke and give him some understanding if you want," the Queen urged, sounding so sincere and hopeful.

"Again forgive me, Your Majesty. But I really can't," Trisya replied. 'I don't want to become the talk of the town again if I have to stay at the palace. Because no matter what, they'll think I wanted it, and think even worse of me,' she continued silently.

It was indeed unfortunate that Trisya had to become an antagonist who was always bad in other people's minds. Otherwise, it seems like Trisya's life would have been perfect, as there was a lot of love she received from people like her family and the queen.

"Then, please don't refuse my request on this one," said the queen, making Trisya suddenly raise her head.

"What request, Your Majesty?" asked Trisya starting to get anxious.

"Let one of my sons escort you directly to your residence. I will also ask for some royal guards to escort you," said the queen, which made Trisya's pupils dilate instantly.

"Wha- what? You mean His Royal Highness Prince Terry and Prince Avery?" gasped Trisya. And the queen nodded while flashing a gentle smile.

Trisya swallowed her saliva harshly. Why did she have to go home with one of the two princes? She even had her own bodyguards accompanying her to come here.

"But, Your Highness. It doesn't seem necessary. I came here already with several bodyguards and maids. I think that's enough. Besides, I think the two princes must be very busy, so it's better-"

"Ah, no. They are not busy. They can definitely spare a little time to escort you," interrupted the queen.

"But-"

"Mom, can I join you right away?"

Trisya rounded her eyes and suddenly looked back. She immediately rose to her feet and saluted the two men standing nearby.

"G- good afternoon, Your Highness," Trisya greeted.

The two men looked at each other with a look that was hard to interpret. One of them was Prince Terry who gave his opponent a cold stare, which was met with a sardonic glare by the other person.

'Is he Prince Avery? He's very similar to the one described in the novel. Could it be?' Trisya thought.

The man broke his gaze with Prince Terry, then walked towards Trisya and the Queen.

"Sit down, Avery, say hello to Trisya! You guys haven't seen each other for a long time, right? Terry, don't you want to come here?"

Compared to Prince Avery, Prince Terry did seem more reluctant as he walked over. But finally, he soon sat down on one of the available seats.

"Welcome to the palace, Lady Trisya from Duke Lovatta's residence," Prince Avery politely greeted.

'Ah... yeah. He seemed more humane and friendly to Trisya. Is it the same in the novel? Why don't I remember much about him?' Trisya thought.

She tried to remember the character, and her relationship with Trisya in the novel. But it was so difficult. Or did the two of them not have much interaction in the novel? Trisya only knew that Prince Terry had a younger brother named Avery. And here she was now.

"Yeah. Good afternoon, Your Highness the Prince," Trisya greeted.

"Sit down immediately!" said the Queen. Trisya and Avery immediately sat down without saying much more.

"Why did you call me here?" asked Prince Terry who did not like small talk.

"Ah yeah. I would like one or both of you to escort Lady Trisya back to her residence. Has anyone volunteered? Or do I have to appoint one of you first?" said the queen, leaving Trisya again in a state of confusion. Not to mention Prince Terry and Prince Avery who were both staring at her.

"No- no need, Your Majesty. I really don't need to be escorted by anyone because I've already been escorted by several bodyguards from the Lovatta residence," Trisya explained.

"Don't be shy! After all, sooner or later you will also become part of this family, Trisya. Especially with Terry. You can't act like a stranger with him. Terry, you heard what Mom said too, right?"

"Yeah, i did, Mom," Prince Terry replied after he broke his gaze with Trisya.

Trisya swallowed her saliva roughly. Clearly, this atmosphere felt so uncomfortable for her. If she had gone home with Prince Terry, he would have come back to harass her with his usual cruel accusations. Trisya's shoulders slumped. She really didn't want to be stuck alone with Prince Terry.

While Prince Avery... Trisya couldn't remember what his true character was like when he was with her. So, choosing to be with him would be quite risky.

"If you're busy, I don't mind taking Lady Trisya, Prince. After all, it seems like you would be uncomfortable with Lady Trisya, right? In that case, perhaps it would be better for me to take Lady in your place," Prince Avery explained.

From the sound of his name, the man's words were a little more pleasant to listen to than Prince Terry's harsh words. But Trisya still couldn't make up her mind. She preferred to leave everything to the Queen.

"Honestly, I would prefer if Terry escorts Lady Trisya, so that they have time to get to know each other better during the journey. What do you think, Terry?" the Queen asked her eldest son.

Hearing the queen's words directed at Prince Terry, Trisya reflexively followed the middle-aged woman's gaze. However, Trisya quickly looked down when she realized that it made her and Prince Terry's gazes meet.

"My brother seemed to agree . Maybe it will make the atmosphere in their carriage uncomfortable. If so, poor for Lady," Prince Avery chirped which made Prince Terry turn his gaze towards her. Meanwhile, Trisya could only nod silently.

"Terry, are you still being cold to Lady Trisya? Shouldn't you already know that Trisya is one of the strong candidates for the Crown Princess?" rebuked the queen.

Prince Terry let out a long sigh. There was no other choice, he had to speak up immediately before getting a scolding or even punishment from his mother. "Yes, Mom. I will escort Lady Trisya back to her residence."

Trisya rounded her eyes. She stared at the king's eldest son unconsciously. Fortunately, she could still control her mouth not to curse. But then again, Trisya's guts immediately shrank as soon as Prince Terry returned her gaze.

"Don't you have anything else to do? If you do, I can help by escorting Lady Trisya back to her residence. After all, that's my job, isn't it? Being your deputy and doing the work that you can't handle on your own." I don't know if it was just Trisya's feelings, or if Prince Avery's words managed to change the atmosphere into a more awkward one.

"If it's just to escort Lady, I think I have enough time," Prince Terry replied casually, as if not taking his younger sibling's words seriously. "Lady, would you like me to take you home now?"

Trisya was suddenly nervous as Prince Terry started talking to her. "Ah it- it's... yeah. But, if Your Highness is really busy and cannot escort me, I can go home by myself, Your Highness. I just came with a carriage and bodyguards from the Lovatta residence, they are also still waiting for me in front and-"

"Does the Lady mind if I escort the Lady?" interrupted Prince Terry.

Trisya's eyebrows dipped sharply - not accepting. Why did it have to be her fault here again? "What, no. I'm just-"

"It seems that rather than me, it's Lady Trisya who objects to me escorting her, Mom," Prince Terry chided which made Trisya glare even more disapprovingly.

"Is that right, Trisya? Then, would you like to be escorted by my second son instead?" offered the Queen.

Trisya shook her head. "No, Your Majesty. I don't mind if Prince Terry escorts me. It's just that-"

"Then, we'd better get going now, so that you can arrive at your residence before dinner time!" said Prince Terry.

Trisya chuckled. Why did he like to interrupt her so much? With no other choice, Trisya quickly got up from her seat, saluting the Empress and Prince Avery in turn.

"I'd like to take my leave, Your Majesty," Trisya said.

"Come here often, Trisya! Think of this palace as your second home! Because no matter what, one day you will also live here with us," replied the queen. Trisya was taken aback. However, from the tail of her eyes, she could see Prince Avery instantly turn his face away with an indefinable look.

'What's wrong with him?'