Derrick gaped at me. “We’re running from theCrown Prince?”
“It just happened,” I wheezed, making the turn to the main lobby. I finally found that gigantic front door! Freedom at my fingertips. “If I survive this, I’ll tell you why.”
That would be too easy, wouldn’t it?
One second, I could see the door, and the next I crashed against a hard body, losing my balance before arms circledme and pressed me against said body. We were both panting heavily, having sped through this large mansion.
“You forget I can foresee your actions,” the Prince grinned down at me, holding me tight as he breathed deeply. “You got lost, didn’t you?”
Derrick halted and bowed in an instant, despite his tired breathing. “Prince Winston.”
The Prince glanced at the man behind me. “Professor Altha. The new Recovery magic professor.” Watching me now, he mumbled, “Why didn’t anyone notify me? I need to update the security of this place.”
Samuel and Vincent arrived a second later, standing next to Claude. “She runs so fast,” Samuel griped, catching his breath, before noticing my former physician. “Derrick. You have business with the Prince?”
He didn’t get to answer when the front door slammed open, and my two knights rushed inside, murderous glares aimed at the other men in the room. “My intuition never lies,” Reuben growled, eyeing each and every one of them. “I should’ve known we could not entrust Bea to you.”
Robin stepped forward. “Let Bea go.”
But the Prince only smiled. “’Bea’? You dare disrespect your lady?”
This was getting way out of hand. The last thing I wanted was for my bodyguards to pick a fight with the Crown Prince and ensure the doom of my entire household. I already had that fear twice; I didn’t need a third time.
I tried wiggling out of the Prince’s hold, but it was too strong to break. I settled with turning around so my back was against his chest, as his arms lifted to my shoulders.
“Ibeggedthem on my knees to call me that. It took a lot of whining and pleading,” I scoffed, hands on my hips. Okay, I waslaying it on thick, but I needed them all to know that I liked being called without a title, even by my knights.
Samuel cursed as Derrick blushed red, and Vincent covered his mouth while he stared at the floor. I didn’t need to be a mind reader to figure out what the hell flashed in their collective male brain. Robin and Reuben’s smug faces only confirmed it.
What’s worse? When Winston’s cock twitched against my lower back. I would’ve glared at him if I weren’t so intent on stopping the aroused heat from spreading through my body, which would immediately give me away.
“Fuck me, you’re even cuter when your whole body blushes,” Claude yelled what I feared. My shoulders and legs were exposed so I didn’t need to doubt his words. There was no hiding my emotions, was there?
I glanced up at the ceiling to avoid any eye contact. “W-where’s my apology?” Did I just fucking stutter? This day was getting worse by the minute.
I heard the twins ask, “Apology?” While Derrick said, “From who?”
Winston’s breath tickled my ear and sent tingles down my spine, his mouth a few centimeters away as he whispered, “We’re not finished, princess.” He let me go, but not before turning me around. Surprised gasps drew my attention downward. There, Crown Prince Winston knelt before me on one knee, one arm draped over the other.
“I apologize for offending you, Bea. It wasn’t my intention, and I hope you forgive me. I’ll watch my words next time.”
Carefully crafted. I noticed he didn’t apologize for therealproblem, which was his stance onsharing mewith other people he didn’t deem worthy. But I couldn’t call him out on it, not when there were so many people watching. And honestly, I was still scared of lawful retaliation. I was already pushingboundaries by having the Prince apologize as he lowered himself.
He was right — we weren’t done with this. Not by a long shot.
After that entire shitshow, I couldn’t get away fast enough. I had no idea if the Champions planned to have a whole day meeting and I didn’t stay to find out.
I “forgave” Winston and excused myself, nearly jumping into my knights’ welcoming arms. Derrick and Vincent also excused themselves, and the five of us left the mansion in silence, with neither one of the Champions stopping us. As soon as Reuben helped me up onto his horse, both Vincent and Derrick were gone.
This meeting only left me with more questions than answers. For one, we didn’t get to finish the “introductions”; I still didn’t know what Divine magic had to do with Claude, and what his Unique was if he had any. Derrick didn’t answer how he got there without knowing wheretherewas.
And there was another issue that popped up that I needed to deal with.
Reuben was not handsy with me, unlike Robin, and his muscles tensed so much I just knew he was very nervous as I rested against his chest. It was interesting that the twins were complete opposites with this subject.
When we arrived back on campus, I slipped away while my knights returned the horses to the stables. My next mission: hunt down Amos Drakon to help me with horse riding. I had to make it true or I wouldn’t hear the end of it fromthem, because they seemed intent on ruining my free time, at least on Sundays.
Even though I had no clue where to look for Amos, it was as if the Oracle, or whatever guiding hand of fate, led me to him; Amos was in a training field, dressed only in his pants and boots, practicing with a spear alone.
