Chapter 228
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Princess Ophelia rolled about on her bed as she clutched her pillow to herself. The humiliation was burning bright in her.
Ahhh!
How could she have embarrassed herself in front of a commoner like that!?
Not only that, it was in front of the man that was at the head of all the rumours that so many noblewomen wanted to be seen with!
She'd made a complete fool of herself buying that raunchy book.
The princess screamed into her pillow, causing her attendant to look inside the room, only to be greeted with the sight of the princess acting in a way that was not like herself, but the attendant only made herself scarce.
The princess remembered the way she acted, as well as the strange look that the man gave her before he smoothened it over and smiled at her, as if he was doing her a favour by not talking more!
Her! A favour!
It would have been better if he just continued giving her strange looks!
She'd been completely humiliated, and of her own doing nonetheless! She couldn't even take out her anger on someone else!
This was the first time in her life that she'd been so humiliated.
Ophelia abruptly sat up.
No, this could not do. She could not allow herself to continue looking like a fool in front of that commoner's eyes. Her dignity was at stake here. She couldn't let it be known that a princess was out there buying – buying explicit books!
AH!
Ophelia screamed into her pillow, her face burning.
She didn't know if it was because of anger, or because she was embarrassed. Maybe both.
How was she going to face anyone if word ever got out!?
No, this wouldn't do.
But… maybe the gods were on her side, and the man would not recognise her even on the streets?
It was the first time that Ophelia had not wanted to be recognised when someone met her. Rather, it was all too easy to find out who she was. All he had to do was grab a random lady in the shop and ask if they knew who she was.
Ophelia bit her lips.
Uuh. She had to find him tomorrow to threaten him into silence.
With that thought in mind, Ophelia sank into uneasy sleep for the night, waiting for the next day.
-(Author posts this only on w.e.b.n.o.v.e.l.)
The next day, Ophelia woke up with dark circles under her eyes, scaring her attendant. She looked haggard, and her sleep kept being interrupted by visions of that man's strange looks to her.
The attendant quickly did her makeup, even before any of the maids were to enter. The princess would have her life if she allowed those who she deemed weren't worthy to see her tired-looking face.
Just what had the princess been doing earlier that night that she looked like this?!
The attendant caught sight of a pink book by the princess' tableside and felt as if she stumbled upon a secret that she shouldn't know.
Terrified, the poor attendant pretended as if she was blind and deaf, banishing all extra thoughts from her mind.
Ophelia felt like crying. When had her dignity ever been this damaged? Of her own accord, no less. She couldn't even take out her anger against him.
She wanted to immediately head to the bookshop, but she knew that the man didn't start working until after he had his tea and desserts at the Cookie Sect.
Ophelia spread out her arms, allowing the maids to dress her.
She frowned when she saw that they dressed her in darker colours.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she scowled in displeasure.
"Not this. Something else. Something brighter, that makes me seem more innocent."
The maids, who were used to the princess' demands, hurriedly worked as they produced another outfit from the closet.
With a soft yellow shade that complemented her glossy blonde hair, the style of dress softened the inherent dignity that the princess gave off, causing her to seem fresher and less worldly.
Ophelia eyed her appearance in the mirror, finally giving a nod in acceptance.
The princess clutched her fan tightly. She could not make a further fool of herself until she corrected the first impression that she gave to that man!
The Cookie Sect was just as crowded as usual, but her entrance into the shop was met with a warm welcome as those that recognized her immediately inviter invited her to sit with them.
While she would normally have refused – being the one to invite instead of being invited – the place was entirely full, and she would not make a commotion that could cause an even worse impression on the man.
Sure enough, the man from the bookstore was seated in his usual place, elegantly drinking tea and reading his book, as if he had no other concerns in the world.
The sight of his peaceful face made her burn up inside in rageful humiliation. How could he spend the time so carefreely when Ophelia had been all torn up inside, even losing sleep over it?!
It wasn't fair!
It was at this moment when their eyes met, and she was not mistaken when she saw a flash of recognition in his eyes, before he smiled at her with the slightest tinges of awkwardness, adverting his eyes back to his book as if he was escaping her.
She felt like screaming, because he definitely recognized her!
Ophelia felt like just getting her guards to secretly off him already, but it had truly been her own fault.
Ooh, if only she hadn't felt her curiosity consume her yesterday. Ophelia felt regret, but she also felt indignant.
How could he treat her like she was an indecent woman! Her pride couldn't take it!
Her fan snapped open, and she hid her face behind her fan, biting her lips where no one could see.
The place immediately exploded into quiet activity as Alec's smile to Ophelia was definitely seen by the various ladies that had been watching him peacefully, shock overcoming them as he did something that deviated from the norm.
Even those that were seated at the same table as Ophelia squealed as they hid the jealousy in their hearts, wishing that they were the ones who'd gotten that smile directed at them.
"Princess, did you see that?! He smiled at you!"
Another lady continued as well. "I'm so jealous, princess! Your beauty holds no bounds, to be able to attract that gentleman."
"Yeah, we've been trying to catch his eye for a month, but the princess enters and captures his attention with only a single glance!"
Ophelia smiled at them as she endured the chatter and their titters, but she inwardly felt as if she was dying.
She would rather they all shut up about it! She didn't *want* to catch his attention! How could she wash this shame from her reputation!?
This was no good.
She had to silence him before it spread.
What if he heard them calling her 'princess'?!
For a brief moment, she thought about sending her guards to silence him permanently, but she bit her lip in indecision.
After all, it was only because of her own mistake that she was in this predicament.
Ophelia furrowed her eyebrows, but when she looked at him again, he never looked in their direction again, almost as if he was avoiding her.
Five minutes later, the man that had been the cause of all the rumours left early, breaking his normal schedule for once, stunning that had been content to just watch him.
"Aw, why did he leave so early today?" Ophelia heard someone say.
…The princess could only think that he was indeed avoiding her!
Ophelia waited for ten minutes before she extracted herself from the shop, heading towards the bookstore that she knew he worked at.
She didn't want to seem as if she was stalking him, but she couldn't leave it like this either!
-
Ye Sha was still snickering in Alec's mindscape at the varied reactions of panic and embarrassment from the princess.
It was too hilarious watching it happen like this.
It was better than watching any inane soap opera, especially when he knew it was entirely caused by Alec's ministrations.
It was just too funny watching her prideful façade shatter as she revealed her panic and humiliation.
Alec's plan was indeed proceeding without a hitch, as he had captured the princess' attention.
He'd changed up the line-up of books when he saw the princess lingering around the bookshop, looking without proper aim.
In the end, she'd subconsciously picked out the book with the pink cover that stood out from the other more normal looking books, causing this situation of her own making.
Alec had used her own carelessness and personality against her, entrapping her within his plans.
Everything was planned by Alec.
From the way the rumours spread, to the way that he caught her attention, even if at this moment it was negative, was going according to plan.
Alec unravelled his plan like thread on a spool, and the princess had picked it up without a second thought.
Sure enough, the bell in the shop rang, signifying a customer's appearance, and Alec kept his attention on his book, before a shadow darkened the counter.
Princess Ophelia stood before Alec, her fan covering the lower half of her face, as she stared harshly at him, her cheeks pink.
"Ahem," she cleared her throat.
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Princess Ophelia rolled about on her bed as she clutched her pillow to herself. The humiliation was burning bright in her.
Ahhh!
How could she have embarrassed herself in front of a commoner like that!?
Not only that, it was in front of the man that was at the head of all the rumours that so many noblewomen wanted to be seen with!
She'd made a complete fool of herself buying that raunchy book.
The princess screamed into her pillow, causing her attendant to look inside the room, only to be greeted with the sight of the princess acting in a way that was not like herself, but the attendant only made herself scarce.
The princess remembered the way she acted, as well as the strange look that the man gave her before he smoothened it over and smiled at her, as if he was doing her a favour by not talking more!
Her! A favour!
It would have been better if he just continued giving her strange looks!
She'd been completely humiliated, and of her own doing nonetheless! She couldn't even take out her anger on someone else!
This was the first time in her life that she'd been so humiliated.
Ophelia abruptly sat up.
No, this could not do. She could not allow herself to continue looking like a fool in front of that commoner's eyes. Her dignity was at stake here. She couldn't let it be known that a princess was out there buying – buying explicit books!
AH!
Ophelia screamed into her pillow, her face burning.
She didn't know if it was because of anger, or because she was embarrassed. Maybe both.
How was she going to face anyone if word ever got out!?
No, this wouldn't do.
But… maybe the gods were on her side, and the man would not recognise her even on the streets?
It was the first time that Ophelia had not wanted to be recognised when someone met her. Rather, it was all too easy to find out who she was. All he had to do was grab a random lady in the shop and ask if they knew who she was.
Ophelia bit her lips.
Uuh. She had to find him tomorrow to threaten him into silence.
With that thought in mind, Ophelia sank into uneasy sleep for the night, waiting for the next day.
-(Author posts this only on w.e.b.n.o.v.e.l.)
The next day, Ophelia woke up with dark circles under her eyes, scaring her attendant. She looked haggard, and her sleep kept being interrupted by visions of that man's strange looks to her.
The attendant quickly did her makeup, even before any of the maids were to enter. The princess would have her life if she allowed those who she deemed weren't worthy to see her tired-looking face.
Just what had the princess been doing earlier that night that she looked like this?!
The attendant caught sight of a pink book by the princess' tableside and felt as if she stumbled upon a secret that she shouldn't know.
Terrified, the poor attendant pretended as if she was blind and deaf, banishing all extra thoughts from her mind.
Ophelia felt like crying. When had her dignity ever been this damaged? Of her own accord, no less. She couldn't even take out her anger against him.
She wanted to immediately head to the bookshop, but she knew that the man didn't start working until after he had his tea and desserts at the Cookie Sect.
Ophelia spread out her arms, allowing the maids to dress her.
She frowned when she saw that they dressed her in darker colours.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she scowled in displeasure.
"Not this. Something else. Something brighter, that makes me seem more innocent."
The maids, who were used to the princess' demands, hurriedly worked as they produced another outfit from the closet.
With a soft yellow shade that complemented her glossy blonde hair, the style of dress softened the inherent dignity that the princess gave off, causing her to seem fresher and less worldly.
Ophelia eyed her appearance in the mirror, finally giving a nod in acceptance.
The princess clutched her fan tightly. She could not make a further fool of herself until she corrected the first impression that she gave to that man!
The Cookie Sect was just as crowded as usual, but her entrance into the shop was met with a warm welcome as those that recognized her immediately inviter invited her to sit with them.
While she would normally have refused – being the one to invite instead of being invited – the place was entirely full, and she would not make a commotion that could cause an even worse impression on the man.
Sure enough, the man from the bookstore was seated in his usual place, elegantly drinking tea and reading his book, as if he had no other concerns in the world.
The sight of his peaceful face made her burn up inside in rageful humiliation. How could he spend the time so carefreely when Ophelia had been all torn up inside, even losing sleep over it?!
It wasn't fair!
It was at this moment when their eyes met, and she was not mistaken when she saw a flash of recognition in his eyes, before he smiled at her with the slightest tinges of awkwardness, adverting his eyes back to his book as if he was escaping her.
She felt like screaming, because he definitely recognized her!
Ophelia felt like just getting her guards to secretly off him already, but it had truly been her own fault.
Ooh, if only she hadn't felt her curiosity consume her yesterday. Ophelia felt regret, but she also felt indignant.
How could he treat her like she was an indecent woman! Her pride couldn't take it!
Her fan snapped open, and she hid her face behind her fan, biting her lips where no one could see.
The place immediately exploded into quiet activity as Alec's smile to Ophelia was definitely seen by the various ladies that had been watching him peacefully, shock overcoming them as he did something that deviated from the norm.
Even those that were seated at the same table as Ophelia squealed as they hid the jealousy in their hearts, wishing that they were the ones who'd gotten that smile directed at them.
"Princess, did you see that?! He smiled at you!"
Another lady continued as well. "I'm so jealous, princess! Your beauty holds no bounds, to be able to attract that gentleman."
"Yeah, we've been trying to catch his eye for a month, but the princess enters and captures his attention with only a single glance!"
Ophelia smiled at them as she endured the chatter and their titters, but she inwardly felt as if she was dying.
She would rather they all shut up about it! She didn't *want* to catch his attention! How could she wash this shame from her reputation!?
This was no good.
She had to silence him before it spread.
What if he heard them calling her 'princess'?!
For a brief moment, she thought about sending her guards to silence him permanently, but she bit her lip in indecision.
After all, it was only because of her own mistake that she was in this predicament.
Ophelia furrowed her eyebrows, but when she looked at him again, he never looked in their direction again, almost as if he was avoiding her.
Five minutes later, the man that had been the cause of all the rumours left early, breaking his normal schedule for once, stunning that had been content to just watch him.
"Aw, why did he leave so early today?" Ophelia heard someone say.
…The princess could only think that he was indeed avoiding her!
Ophelia waited for ten minutes before she extracted herself from the shop, heading towards the bookstore that she knew he worked at.
She didn't want to seem as if she was stalking him, but she couldn't leave it like this either!
-
Ye Sha was still snickering in Alec's mindscape at the varied reactions of panic and embarrassment from the princess.
It was too hilarious watching it happen like this.
It was better than watching any inane soap opera, especially when he knew it was entirely caused by Alec's ministrations.
It was just too funny watching her prideful façade shatter as she revealed her panic and humiliation.
Alec's plan was indeed proceeding without a hitch, as he had captured the princess' attention.
He'd changed up the line-up of books when he saw the princess lingering around the bookshop, looking without proper aim.
In the end, she'd subconsciously picked out the book with the pink cover that stood out from the other more normal looking books, causing this situation of her own making.
Alec had used her own carelessness and personality against her, entrapping her within his plans.
Everything was planned by Alec.
From the way the rumours spread, to the way that he caught her attention, even if at this moment it was negative, was going according to plan.
Alec unravelled his plan like thread on a spool, and the princess had picked it up without a second thought.
Sure enough, the bell in the shop rang, signifying a customer's appearance, and Alec kept his attention on his book, before a shadow darkened the counter.
Princess Ophelia stood before Alec, her fan covering the lower half of her face, as she stared harshly at him, her cheeks pink.
"Ahem," she cleared her throat.
Princess Ophelia rolled about on her bed as she clutched her pillow to herself. The humiliation was burning bright in her.Ahhh!How could she have embarrassed herself in front of a commoner like that!?Not only that, it was in front of the man that was at the head of all the rumours that so many noblewomen wanted to be seen with!She'd made a complete fool of herself buying that raunchy book.The princess screamed into her pillow, causing her attendant to look inside the room, only to be greeted with the sight of the princess acting in a way that was not like herself, but the attendant only made herself scarce.The princess remembered the way she acted, as well as the strange look that the man gave her before he smoothened it over and smiled at her, as if he was doing her a favour by not talking more!Her! A favour!It would have been better if he just continued giving her strange looks!She'd been completely humiliated, and of her own doing nonetheless! She couldn't even take out her anger on someone else!This was the first time in her life that she'd been so humiliated.Ophelia abruptly sat up.No, this could not do. She could not allow herself to continue looking like a fool in front of that commoner's eyes. Her dignity was at stake here. She couldn't let it be known that a princess was out there buying buying explicit books!AH!Ophelia screamed into her pillow, her face burning.She didn't know if it was because of anger, or because she was embarrassed. Maybe both.How was she going to face anyone if word ever got out!?No, this wouldn't do.But maybe the gods were on her side, and the man would not recognise her even on the streets?It was the first time that Ophelia had not wanted to be recognised when someone met her. Rather, it was all too easy to find out who she was. All he had to do was grab a random lady in the shop and ask if they knew who she was.Ophelia bit her lips.Uuh. She had to find him tomorrow to threaten him into silence.With that thought in mind, Ophelia sank into uneasy sleep for the night, waiting for the next day.-Author posts this only on w.e.b.n.o.v.e.l.The next day, Ophelia woke up with dark circles under her eyes, scaring her attendant. She looked haggard, and her sleep kept being interrupted by visions of that man's strange looks to her.The attendant quickly did her makeup, even before any of the maids were to enter. The princess would have her life if she allowed those who she deemed weren't worthy to see her tired-looking face.Just what had the princess been doing earlier that night that she looked like this?!The attendant caught sight of a pink book by the princess' tableside and felt as if she stumbled upon a secret that she shouldn't know.Terrified, the poor attendant pretended as if she was blind and deaf, banishing all extra thoughts from her mind.Ophelia felt like crying. When had her dignity ever been this damaged? Of her own accord, no less. She couldn't even take out her anger against him.She wanted to immediately head to the bookshop, but she knew that the man didn't start working until after he had his tea and desserts at the Cookie Sect.Ophelia spread out her arms, allowing the maids to dress her.She frowned when she saw that they dressed her in darker colours.Looking at herself in the mirror, she scowled in displeasure."Not this. Something else. Something brighter, that makes me seem more innocent."The maids, who were used to the princess' demands, hurriedly worked as they produced another outfit from the closet.With a soft yellow shade that complemented her glossy blonde hair, the style of dress softened the inherent dignity that the princess gave off, causing her to seem fresher and less worldly.Ophelia eyed her appearance in the mirror, finally giving a nod in acceptance.The princess clutched her fan tightly. She could not make a further fool of herself until she corrected the first impression that she gave to that man!The Cookie Sect was just as crowded as usual, but her entrance into the shop was met with a warm welcome as those that recognized her immediately inviter invited her to sit with them.While she would normally have refused being the one to invite instead of being invited the place was entirely full, and she would not make a commotion that could cause an even worse impression on the man.Sure enough, the man from the bookstore was seated in his usual place, elegantly drinking tea and reading his book, as if he had no other concerns in the world.The sight of his peaceful face made her burn up inside in rageful humiliation. How could he spend the time so carefreely when Ophelia had been all torn up inside, even losing sleep over it?!It wasn't fair!It was at this moment when their eyes met, and she was not mistaken when she saw a flash of recognition in his eyes, before he smiled at her with the slightest tinges of awkwardness, adverting his eyes back to his book as if he was escaping her.She felt like screaming, because he definitely recognized her!Ophelia felt like just getting her guards to secretly off him already, but it had truly been her own fault.Ooh, if only she hadn't felt her curiosity consume her yesterday. Ophelia felt regret, but she also felt indignant.How could he treat her like she was an indecent woman! Her pride couldn't take it!Her fan snapped open, and she hid her face behind her fan, biting her lips where no one could see.The place immediately exploded into quiet activity as Alec's smile to Ophelia was definitely seen by the various ladies that had been watching him peacefully, shock overcoming them as he did something that deviated from the norm.Even those that were seated at the same table as Ophelia squealed as they hid the jealousy in their hearts, wishing that they were the ones who'd gotten that smile directed at them."Princess, did you see that?! He smiled at you!"Another lady continued as well. "I'm so jealous, princess! Your beauty holds no bounds, to be able to attract that gentleman.""Yeah, we've been trying to catch his eye for a month, but the princess enters and captures his attention with only a single glance!"Ophelia smiled at them as she endured the chatter and their titters, but she inwardly felt as if she was dying.She would rather they all shut up about it! She didn't *want* to catch his attention! How could she wash this shame from her reputation!?This was no good.She had to silence him before it spread.What if he heard them calling her 'princess'?!For a brief moment, she thought about sending her guards to silence him permanently, but she bit her lip in indecision.After all, it was only because of her own mistake that she was in this predicament.Ophelia furrowed her eyebrows, but when she looked at him again, he never looked in their direction again, almost as if he was avoiding her.Five minutes later, the man that had been the cause of all the rumours left early, breaking his normal schedule for once, stunning that had been content to just watch him."Aw, why did he leave so early today?" Ophelia heard someone say.The princess could only think that he was indeed avoiding her!Ophelia waited for ten minutes before she extracted herself from the shop, heading towards the bookstore that she knew he worked at.She didn't want to seem as if she was stalking him, but she couldn't leave it like this either!-Ye Sha was still snickering in Alec's mindscape at the varied reactions of panic and embarrassment from the princess.It was too hilarious watching it happen like this.It was better than watching any inane soap opera, especially when he knew it was entirely caused by Alec's ministrations.It was just too funny watching her prideful faade shatter as she revealed her panic and humiliation.Alec's plan was indeed proceeding without a hitch, as he had captured the princess' attention.He'd changed up the line-up of books when he saw the princess lingering around the bookshop, looking without proper aim.In the end, she'd subconsciously picked out the book with the pink cover that stood out from the other more normal looking books, causing this situation of her own making.Alec had used her own carelessness and personality against her, entrapping her within his plans.Everything was planned by Alec.From the way the rumours spread, to the way that he caught her attention, even if at this moment it was negative, was going according to plan.Alec unravelled his plan like thread on a spool, and the princess had picked it up without a second thought.Sure enough, the bell in the shop rang, signifying a customer's appearance, and Alec kept his attention on his book, before a shadow darkened the counter.Princess Ophelia stood before Alec, her fan covering the lower half of her face, as she stared harshly at him, her cheeks pink."Ahem," she cleared her throat.
