The Crown Prince Thinks I'm a Guy

Beneath the Rose Bushes

My heart hardened after that incident with Miss Quisling. I did my best to act as though nothing was wrong, but it was hard. Thankfully, we only scheduled to meet for a few hours per week.

Furthermore, I had other suspicions to deal with.

I stared at my nanny, busily doing the routine work of fixing up my hair. She was always laughing and smiling. Eccentric, but definitely hiding some things.

After all, Miss Quisling won over my heart the same way. Who was to say that Lady Hestia, high daughter of House Aron, had no ulterior motives when she asked to work here?

She said she asked to be my nanny because she wanted to know me. Who would even have a stupid reason like that? Just like everyone else in the palace, from the tutors to the giggling maids to the royal family, Miss Hestia wasn't my ally. I should have known not to open up my heart.

"There, it's all done," Miss Hestia announced, patting my hair like I was her child. "What are we doing today, Lady Elle?"

"You're wearing gloves again, Miss Hestia," I observed. I wasn't aware my voice sounded so cold but my nanny flinched in shock.

She looked down at her hands, gently holding them together. "Oh, I just wanted to look proper, after all..."

I looked at her from the mirror, noticing how she couldn't even look me in the eyes. I held my suspicions, but I still felt the treacherous pain that stung my heart. I gripped my hands.

"You always seem to be busy going somewhere, Miss Hestia," I said, looking down at an ivory hair brush. "I think I can go about the day on my own."

Her head quickly turned up to look at me, panic in her eyes.

'So, this is how it is,' I thought. 'She really was after something from me.'

My nanny shook her head. "I had to send some letters to my family. There's been trouble going on lately, but it's fine no-"

I stared at her coldly, which made her stop speaking. 'Ah, in the end, I will be royalty and she will be my subject. At least she knows her place.'

"Go on about your day, Miss Hestia," I ordered her coldly. "You're dismissed."

I got up and walked towards the door, ignoring the hurt in my nanny's eyes.

~~

I've been meditating whenever I had time. I only gave myself just enough time to sleep, and the rest of my waking hours I devoted to my lessons and magic practice. It was slow, but I did feel the speed of gathering notes taking lesser time. Knowing how danger lurked everywhere, I was anxious to grow stronger and smarter.

But, I also knew how to hide my abilities as well. I downplayed my intelligence during my lessons rather than blatantly showing it off. I also made sure to only show a small portion of my magical strength to Madame Crooch. I did ask her the questions I needed to ask so I could practice on my own, though. I didn't have much choice, but I believe she wasn't too suspicious of my more advanced questions.

I kept vigilant in the next following months, and before long, it was already my 6th birthday.

"Happy birthday, your highness, Princess Eleftheria, first daughter of King Thrace of Saule Kingdom! Long live, Princess Eleftheria!"

There was a small party in the palace ballroom, where a few nobility were invited. I was seated on the high seat, looking at the fake smiles of the nobles in front of me. I replied back with my angelic smile.

One by one, I received their greetings and their gifts. I tried to act like the child I was, but every time I saw some noblemen who I knew were secretly plotting against the royal family, I couldn't hide my cold gaze. They would grow shocked, but would quickly dismiss it. After all, what could a little girl possibly do?