Bow, Your Highness

Chapter 8: Marriage Proposal

There was one problem with reaching Mona's room. One. Tartaglia didn't come back from wherever he was – so he couldn't ask him. Two, all the corridors downstairs were well guarded, as expected of the guards. Three, and most importantly, he had no idea where it was. The palace was huge – wandering around would be futile.

So he had no choice but to ensure Mona returned to her room, chasing her there. He waited cautiously, leaning against a pillar, for Sara to carry out her part of the plan: to stain Mona – forcing her to change clothes, and then he would take the opportunity to chase her.

"Qu'est-ce que c'est que ce bordel? (What the hell?)" The princess exclaimed when someone smudged her amongst the crowd.

Sara had been so discreet that no one had noticed it was her. After all, she had slapped her hand and sneaked through the crowd. It helped that, as a tengu, she had used her bird form.

Focalors came to her immediately, and Mona forced herself to calm down. She clenched in her fist everything she couldn't show with her expression. Her mother seemed to indicate her disappointment. Mona publicly apologized for her clumsiness, excusing herself to get out of there. It was when Scaramouche waited a few seconds before leaving through the same exit as her.

"Invitation and reason for leaving the main hall." Interjected the exit guard. Scaramouche showed him one he had stolen from a guy who looked a bit like him.

"Here. I'm shitting myself." He replied, smirking. The guard had to try hard to remain neutral about it – he had cleared his voice as he focused impetuously on the letter.

"Toilets are at the back on the right. All in order." He nodded, handing it back to him.

"I hope so."

He walked towards where he had told him, precisely where Mona was heading. He caught the edge of her dress on the stairs above. Of course, there were more guards. Scaramouche sighed exhaustedly and walked into the bathroom. Well, another plan emerged in him.

The imperial prince removed all the toilet paper rolls and destroyed them. He left the bathroom a mess in a few seconds. He also played with the sounds, muffling them. There was something good about being an anemo user. Let's say the whole floor was full of water and paper debris. He left in a huff immediately.

"Excuse me, but this toilet is revolting. I'll make a complaint to your superiors, for the record." He indicated with a disgusted grimace. "I'm so offended that I'm afraid I won't be able to use any more in this palace."

The guards stepped inside to check what he was saying, and Scaramouche was tempted to close the door, but surely...

"We sincerely apologise... You will have to use the one on the upper floor." They indicated, showing him respect. Bingo. "We are sorry for any trouble we may have caused you. On behalf of The Queen Focalors, we regret it deeply."

"Whatever, clean it up."

Scaramouche went upstairs and noticed another flight of stairs – which were unguarded. The imperial prince carefully looked at the polished floor and found drops of wine coming from her dress.