Reincarnated as an Imperial Prince

Fledgling Relationship Part 1

In one of the private rooms of the Hofburg Palace

"Father...I...I...I..." Sophie stuttered as she tries to formulate her excuse, her face flushed red with shame. She's in a very awkward situation right now. She's sitting with her sister who is brushing her back with a hand. Across her was the imperial prince of the Ruthenia Empire, Alexander Romanoff, who watched them in silence. Her father is also present and looking at her with a disappointed look.

"Sophie, why did you sneak out of the palace?" Her father scolded her. "And you even brought along that trash painting materials of yours! Did you secretly bring it along with you when we left? Didn't I tell you that you're forbidden to paint?"

Sophie just nodded her head, not daring to argue with her father. She felt very dizzy right now and this situation is just adding on the top of it.

"Father, that's enough," Sophie's sister, Louis, stood up and blocked her father from lashing out at her.

"Who gave you permission to speak? Didn't I also tell you to keep an eye on her because we are expecting to meet his Imperial Prince? Now that His Highness saw her perform things that are unbefitting of a princess, what do you think will happen?" He argued as he gritted his teeth and returned his gaze back to Sophie. "You're so useless,"

Upon saying those words, tears escaped from Sophie's eyes and streamed down her face.

At this moment, Alexander knew he couldn't stand idly. He has to step in.

"With all due respect, Royal Highness. I think it's a bit harsh of you to say things like that to your own daughter."

Alexander's words caught the attention of Sophie's father and he turned his gaze to him.

When her father faced Alexander, he suddenly dropped his cold demeanor and talked to him politely. "I'm sorry, Your Highness. I'm just scolding my daughter after she's done something so disgraceful."

"Disgraceful? At what for painting?" Alexander asked in confusion, his tone demanding an answer but soft enough so that it won't offend him.

"No, it's for having the Imperial Prince of Ruthenia Empire see her like that."

"But I don't have a problem with it," Alexander said. "Why would you consider painting to be so disgraceful? So much that you have to tell her she's useless," Alexander sighed, unbelieve that such trivial matters would lead to the harshest of words a father can give to his daughter. "Can you give us some room, please? I want to talk with Sophie."

Sophie's father hesitated for a moment then silently walked out of the room, her sister walking alongside him, leaving the two alone.

Alexander turned to Sophie, who was clutching tightly to her dress, her face staring down and sniffling. He then walked towards her.

"Here," Alexander offered a handkerchief. Sophie slowly turned her head and met his gaze, her blue eyes shining with tears.

"...Thank...you," Sophie took the handkerchief and wiped her tears. She then looked back down again, not daring to look at him, especially in her current state.

"I don't speak Ruthenia too much so please forgive me if I make a mistake..."

"It's okay, we can with a language we are both comfortable with. How about English?"

"English is fine."

Alexander sighed and sat back in his seat. He picked up the canvas Sophie used to draw. He got it from Rolan, whom he ordered to get it for him from where Sophie dropped and left it.

Seeing that Alexander is perusing her painting, Sophie tried to stop him. "...You mustn't," but it was too late as Alexander saw the entire drawing.

Alexander looked at her with a blank face. His gaze was staring right at her.