I Ignored the Protagonists, Now They're After Me

Ch 16

Nielle Warren's soft, doe-like eyes sparkled with a warm feeling as she smiled, causing my chest to tighten with unease.

This... how did this happen?

"Nice to meet you, Lady Nielle! My name is Fredrick Reynolds, but you can just call me Fredrick. My father is the Captain of the Royal Knights!" Fredrick said with a big grin.

Nielle Warren giggled in response. "A pleasure to meet you."

"I've believe we've already met once, Lady Warren," Allen hummed, nodding his head at her.

She returned his greeting. "Sir Carter, it's wonderful to see you again."

'Again'?

I hid my hands, which were sweaty and tightly clenched, in the folds of my skirt. The pain of my nails digging into my palms kept me from asking the questions that desperately wanted to leave my mouth.

"And you are? I don't think I've met you," Nielle Warren asked as she addressed, a polite yet puzzled look on her face.

Straightening my back and relaxing my hands, I begrudgingly gave her a curtsie with a small smile.

"My name is Maerie Valdoll, daughter of Baron Valdoll."

She brightens before returning the gesture. "A pleasure."

For who?

I could barely stop myself from scoffing at her. I managed to stifle it as I turned to the Third Prince. I gave him a bow as I did, making sure to keep it simple.

"Maerie greets the Third Prince. Pardon my abruptness, but I must be heading home now."

Fredrick gave me a look of disbelief and annoyance. "Maerie, you're really going to go now?"

"Yes."

"Why? What's the problem?"

"You said so earlier. I'm not in the right headspace today. I'll come back another time."

"That was just a joke!"

"My health is a joke?"

"What? No! Don't twist my words!"

As Fredrick and I bickered, the Third Prince glanced at me.

"You're ill?" He asked.

I paused at this before nodding my head at him.

"Yes. I'm very ill." I replied.

He keeps the same lazy face. "Why did you come then?"

"Allen and Fredrick asked me to come."

"You could have refused."

"You know I wouldn't."

He gave me a subtle look before responding, "Do I?"

Stunned, I just gave him a blank stare. After a moment, I answered, "I'm sorry?"

He doesn't respond. Instead, he diverts the conversation, "If you're ill, stay home. Lady Warren, if you're done greeting the others, let's finish up."

Nielle Warren, who was silent until he called for her, immediately looked like she was pulled back into reality. "Right away, Your Highness."

She went back to her desk, opening books and writing on paper. The Third Prince closed his eyes again and continued to doze off. I felt like I was being snubbed by him.

I scoffed out loud this time before turning and making my way out of the library. No one followed me and I'm glad they didn't. Without the help of anyone, I figured out the way to the front of the palace and asked a guard to call for my coachman.

The carriage came and without a word, I let the coachman help me in.

"Send me home please." I told him.

He nodded before saying, "Are the others joining you, Miss?"

I looked at the palace for a moment before shaking my head.

"No. I'm going home by myself."

—

A/N: This author reads all the comments, really. She decided to update this one, but her other stories will have to wait. Her passion for her stories was stifled when she began college, becoming caught up with so many things. Work has tired her out, not to mention schooling and COVID. She's frustrated to the point of crying that she can't seem to write anything for her love of storytelling. This chapter is a filler chapter that is trying to probe at her creativity, to see if these stories are still willing to be written by her hands and brain. Sincerely, this author apologizes.