𝐌𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐓

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐎𝐍𝐄

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     When the door slammed open, (Y/N) was the only one that jumped, Gen, Basile, and the others within the room giving her an odd look as Adrian strolled inside. His expression was frigid, his amber eyes darkened whilst his lips were set in a thin line, his gaze immediately zeroing in on (Y/N), a fact that made her stiffen in apprehension.

    "(M/N)..." he started, his eyes narrowing. "Did you have trouble finding this room? I see you were able to make it here before me."

     "Yes, no trouble," she shook her head, wondering if it were just a rhetorical question.

    "No... sidetracks that kept you busy?"

    Tilting her head at Adrian's words, (Y/N) felt puzzlement write itself over her features, noticing that Gen and Basile were just as confused, both glancing at Adrian with obvious questions brimming within their eyes. However, he didn't look at them, instead his stare only drilling into (Y/N). As she wracked her brain trying to come up with any possible scenario that could have brought upon his annoyance and irritation, a small lightbulb flickered within her.

    Ah.

    Was it... that?

    "Your Highness, apologies for speaking to the Princess so casually in this time of mourning," she expressed solemnly with a small bow. "I am merely a servant, so I should not have overstepped even if she were the one to approach me first. I promise such a thing will never happen again."

    "Is that why you think I'm upset?"

    Lifting her head in confusion, (Y/N)'s eyes widened when noticing immediately just how close Adrian had become. Blinking repeatedly, she was sure they were almost nose to nose from how he had approached so suddenly. By then, both Gen and Basile could feel discomfort creep along their spines, finding the situation wholly uncomfortable. But what could they do about it? It was normal for servants to be interrogated, albeit not by the Prince himself. That was usually overseen by guards, head maids, even advisors like Basile if need be, but never royalty unless one had committed a grave sin.

    Yet (Y/N) hadn't.

    Whatever was happening was unnatural.

    "Is that sorry reason really what you believe has vexed me?" Adrian asked once more, this time (Y/N) really not knowing how to answer since other than that, she could think of no other reason.

    "I-I... I apologize, Your Highness," she lowered her head again, having wanted to break eye contact with him anyway as his glare was burning through like an acid would. "I... cannot seem to think of the reason as to why you are angry..."

    "I see..." he uttered as he stepped back. "That's truly disappointing."

    "Your Highness?" Basile started as he stepped forward, believing it necessary to distill the tension of the situation due to how uncomfortable some of the others in the room were looking—Adrian was pressing too hard, his actions unbecoming of a man soon to be crowned King. "While (L/N) surely does need to be punished for lacking, shouldn't you tell us the reason first as to why we are here?"

    Adrian said nothing at first.

    (Y/N) glanced between the two men who were currently staring each other down, each with a gaze containing unbridled caution.

    "Basile Oman... I ask that you do not interfere with matters between myself and my personal servant," Adrian announced with a clipped tone, making it obvious that his patience was wearing thin very fast. "I am speaking to (L/N), not you, so you have no right to interfere." He crossed one arm over his chest while the other rose upwards to let his hand cup his chin, continuing, "In fact, I don't know why I didn't make you all leave immediately. After all, I believe it's best to keep such important conversations private from outsiders."

    With that, Basile, Gen, and the others within the room were escorted out of the room before the door slammed shut behind them.

    Basile's eyes narrowed.

    Something... is off here.

    "Now, then..." Adrian hummed as he turned back to face (Y/N). "The nuisances are now gone, (M/N), so... what are you going to do?"

    She said nothing, instead continuing to stare at the ground, her fists tightening.

    What's going on?

    Why is he so mad?

    This is abnormal, even for a spontaneous guy like him, so what happened?

     "That annoying look of yours is on your face again," Adrian tutted, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look up at him. "We'll have to fix that, won't we? Of course, along with that confusion of yours that is just getting in the way, now."

    (Y/N)'s brow twitched.

    I'm confused because you won't tell me what the fuck is going on here!

    "Ah..." Adrian then smirked as his eyes curved, delight glimmering within the Amber depths that made shivers course up and down her spine. "But there's that fiery look in your eyes again. I certainly will always enjoy seeing that..."

    "Your Highness—" (Y/N) started.

    "Wrong," he cut her off with a shake of his head. "Honestly, you never learn, do you?"

    "I apologize... I meant, Adrian..."

    "That's better~"

    She grimaced at his tone.

    His smile only broadened.

    "If you can tell me why you are so upset, then maybe there is something I can do so I can fix that," she began once again, her breath trembling. "So, please, sire... can you explain it to me?"

    "Are you ordering me?"

    "I would never do such a thing."

    "Oh, really?"

    "Yes."

    "Then... I guess I'll tell you," Adrian smiled, his head tilting to the side as he released her chin only from both hands go delicately up her face, once more tilting her head up so that she was focused only on him. "There's just something about you that irritates me. So much so, that I just want to lock you up for only my observation and learn why that is. Wouldn't that be fun?"

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