The Fifth Season

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR: AN OBJECT OF INFATUATION

SNOH

"It would appear you two have already made acquaintances, how delightful! It sure saves the time of having to do any introductions." Mr. Doan pressed his hands firmly against the shoulder of Lothain who's toasty colored cheeks rose with a brash red color of embarrassment.

His eyes fought to look away from me, perhaps in a bit of shame at his father's eagerness to speak with me so I quickly gave him an encouraging smile, knowing it would help to soothe his anxiety.

Lothain cleared his throat and looked over at his father, "Father... we shouldn't bother Princess Snoh with any small talk of the sort. I'm sure she has a plethora of other individuals to speak to this evening." He said to him in a tone that borderline begged with mercy.

Mr. Doan looked over at his son oddly, his smile almost faltering as his dark brows lifted to gaze at him curiously. I didn't see much of a resemblance between the two, even now, Lothain's eyes were a sweet lavender color, while Mr. Doan's emulated that of a bright sunflower; either way, one thing was for sure, it was clear Lothain did not enjoy being around his company.

"Why the quick rush, son? The night is young, don't you agree, Your Highness?" He turned back to me, his face lighting up again with a sharp quickness. My lips flattered slightly at having to look at this man for a second longer and I sighed, "I suppose." I replied.

I didn't think it was possible, but his grin grew wider, "If you don't mind me asking, Princess... how in fact, did you meet my son?" He inquired curiously.

I fought the urge to shrug. I thought now that I had been introduced as one of the Princesses of this nation, it wouldn't look well if I was very careless with my body movements; I wanted to excuse the same confidence and grace that my aunt effortlessly flaunted around or even my cousins who seemed to have a distinct and mysterious air to them.

I tilted my head to the side slightly, "Well... through a mutual friend of course." I answered after a moment.

Mr. Doan arched his eyebrow, "Oh?" He turned to his son, "Who?" He questioned.

Lothain slightly adjusted the bowtie on his pristine suit and responded, "Enid Balsia, my roommate." He didn't sound like he wanted to give his father any more of a glimpse into his life at Clouiths but did so anyway. Mr. Doan's gaze, though seemingly "friendly" was most likely a cold and calculating one; underneath the disguise of being the Head of the Administration's office, most likely had no problem getting his way no matter the consequences.

Probably even at the expense of his son.

"Ah! I see.... That young man does come from a line of distinguished and wealthy magnates from Aurora. Isn't my son so clever, Princess? Not only has he networked with very important individuals, but he seems to have had made a close connection with the one and only Princess of Wysteria, huh?" He winked.

I frowned.

I wasn't the only one as of current. Odenne would be born soon once Aunt Aquila gave birth and the Archduchess of Oaocene had two children of her own Princess Solina and Princess Cyrla. I then thought about Scholar Ioanna and her daughter Edenna who I knew from the confirmation of my aunt belonged to the family in which were descendants of the Goddess Naiad; so they too were royalty under this nation but knew nothing about it.

Mr. Doan was calling me the "one and only" not because I was the only princess of the country, but simply because I was the only "eligible" one that was closest to Her Imperial Majesty the Empress.

He was attempting to flatter me in order to burrow his son into the door.

And if I wasn't mistaken, my false father and he were not on good terms; if I could put pieces together at the moment, I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Doan was gunning for the position of High Chancellor at the academy. After all, it was a pretty prestigious job and he seemed quite frankly, "fed up" with having to deal with the administrative role in the admissions process.