Another Chance To Bloom

Chapter 18

I was seated in the carriage going to my first outing since coming to this world.

I was really excited.

As the letter indicated, I saw their carriage by the entrance. It seemed that they had been waiting for some time.

I let a servant let them know of my arrival and finally we left the carriages behind as we ventured into the flower show with a few maids and servants.

The whole show was marvelous. There was various types of flowers from all over the Kingdom and even from other Kingdoms. I looked around for some flowers I could buy and bring back to the mansion for Mom.

Oswald seemed bored out of his mind, apparently he had accompanied us only because it would have led to rumours if a young man and young lady went out on a trip alone.

"You really don't like my sister?" He had asked.

I didn't even bother to reply as I whacked his head, which I had become quite proficient in.

Although I found out that Odelia really did have ulterior motives in bringing me here as she pulled me to walk a little further from the rest of our company.

"What is the matter, Ms Valentine?"

"Just call me Odelia outside of formal occasions, won't you?"

"That goes against my teachings."

"Don't be ridiculous, you're making me sound older with the 'Ms Valentine'!"

I rolled my eyes.

"I'm sure it doesn't, Ms Valentine. I just don't want any more people to misunderstand our relationship more than they already have!"

"What do you mean?"

I was suddenly afraid that all of my whacking had made my student more dumb than she already was.

"Ms Valentine, don't you think that a single young lady especially inviting a single young man to watch a flower show, of all things, is particularly suspicious?"

"Why?"

"Because it's a perfect place for a first date!"

"But I brought my brother..."

"Do you see your brother with us now?! What does it look like? It looks like you pulled me away for a private chat!"

"But I did pull you away for a private chat!"

"Not of the romantic variety!"

I pinched the bridge of my nose in exasperation.

I could feel the curious glances of people as we whisper yelled at each other.

"Forget it, just tell me what you wanted to."

"How did you know I had something to tell?!"

"Why else would you invite your teacher out on a weekend ?"

I lit a candle for Prince Alastair.

"I talked to Alastair after school on Friday."

"Good. What did he say?"

"I told him that I had liked him for a long time and that it wasn't just a sudden impulse. I told him of my feelings from childhood and everything. I apologised for suddenly scaring him with the whole heart thing and asked whether he was willing to give me a chance to pursue him..."

Hm. Sounds good so far.

"He actually agreed... But on two conditions."

"What were they?"

"One is to never say something like cutting my heart out ever again. And second... Is to apologise to that hay stalk..."

She looked like a wilted cabbage as she mumbled out the end.

"What do you think? Do you want to apologise?"

"I don't want to... It wasn't my fault in the first place! She was the one who provoked me!"

Sigh...

"Actually, I stand by Prince Alastair's side in this case "

"Why? Why do you both like that hay stalk so much?" She exploded.

"Now Ms Valentine, I would appreciate if you didn't put words in my mouth. I wasn't supporting Ms Burton, I was just considering the whole picture as was Prince Alastair."

"What...?" Looking at her pitiful expression I decided to break it down for my dumb little villainess.

"Regardless of whether Ms Burton provoked you or not, what is clear to the masses is that you called her degrading names and looked down on her origin. It has put you in a very disadvantageous position. Prince Alastair is a Prince, he is a son of the Kingdom, his partner would be scrutinized by the whole Kingdom."

"If he were to date you right after you insulted a commoner, even if the King agrees, the public would not. You might think that they are just commoners, what can they do? But I must remind you that commoners make up for more that three fourths of the Kingdom, they're opinion in such cases cannot be ignored. It'll be very easy for people with crooked ideas to weild this sword of public opinion to overthrow the monarchy."

"So serious...?" Odelia's face paled as her eyes widened. The poor girl looked like she was about to faint.

"Unfortunately so. But that's where Prince Alastair gave you a way out. You are still a child in the eyes of many. Your words can be simply labelled as those of an impulsive youth, but to date the prince that won't be enough. The public can be made to forget by the excuse of impulsive youth but not forgive. To forgive, would be for them to accept your repentance. To repent would be to apologise. Apologise to the injured party, that is, Ms Burton."

"Would that really help?"

"There has never been a precedent where a noble has apologised to a commoner. This is both an advantage and disadvantage for you. Disadvantageous in the sense that you might be ridiculed by some nobility but advantageous, in that as the first one to do so, you'll have the full support of the public. As long as you don't do something like that again, no one should oppose of your relationship with his highness. Apologising will also remove the hidden sword that could be used by others in the future. Suppose you become his highness's partner in the future but with this black history. By then the issue would be more serious, it's better to take care of it now. Retreat to advance, you know?"

"That makes sense..."

"I would hope it did after I wasted so much breath explaining it to you."

"Hey!"

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Mini Theatre

ML: ...

Author-Koi: I told you it's not your time yet.

ML: I want to meet my baby...

Author-Koi: There, there... All in good time.

ML: I don't trust you.

*ML has left the chat*

Author-Koi: ...

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A/N: 25/12/'21, Sat

Merry Christmas 🎄⛄

Have a wonderful Christmas, everyone!
(*˘︶˘*).｡*♡

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