Annabelle POV

'Why did he look at her like that? '
'Did they know each other?'

While Sir Michel is babbling about a lot of things, I cannot help it but keep observing Jas and Prince Wilfred. He seems cold but weirdly, he stole glances at Jas and from time to time i could sworn i see he furrows his eyebrows as if trying to remember where did he had seem here before.

"That's odd..." I said as the servants serve Pistchio ice cream to us.

"Yes, Miss Grace?" Sir Michel's voice stunned me..

"Yes? Ah.. no no.. urm.." I looked around to see Hanakimi, Sir Michel and Prince Wilfred looking at me ..

Find a reason.. find a reason...

I scooped the ice cream in my mouth,looking so gullible.

"The Ice Cream is so de-ri-chious!" I said with my mouthful of ice cream. Jasmine smacked her head and Hanakimi was looking at me with stunned expression..

But soon it comes..

"BRAIN FREEZE! AHHH!"

My sudden reaction shocked everyone, even Jean who just walked in with a set of tea and snacks. Automatically, I sat up and went out from the room, leaving all of them shocked by the situation..

Normal POV

SMACK!

"Ow! That hurts.." Annabelle said when Jasmine hit the back of her head with towel. After the incident, Annabelle ran out from the dining hall leaving Hanakimi and Jasmine with nothing to say.

In the dining room, Hanakimi and Jasmine were in shades of red, embarrased by the situation.

"Apologies, Sir Michel, Your Highness.. Annabelle can be..." Jasmine's words were stopped while she was trying to find a nice word to describe her friend.

"Err..Unique..sometimes.. Excuse us, Sir Michel, Prince Wilfred.." They bowed down and quickly exited the room.

The room fall silent.

"Well, that's something we dont see everyday isn't it, Will?"

Prince Wilfred nodded, agreeing to Sir Michel's statement.

Jean pour orange juice into Sir Michel's glass and white wine in Wilfred's glass.

"She kinda remind me of Prince Roberto.. always being the unique one.. haha.." Sir Michel chuckled as he looked curiously at the ice cream in front of him.

"But i'm curious.. How would it feel to get a brain freeze? Should i try it?"

Sir Michel begins to scoop a big spoonful of ice cream..

'Is he serious?'

Jean who was just went in with a phone in his hand, step beside Sir Michel.

"Lord Michel, Mr Le Fleur called. He said the menus for the upcoming events has arrived and awaiting for your approval.."

Sir Michel put his spoon down and take the phone from Jean's hand.

"Yes, Mr Le Fleur? Really?" He stands up and about to exit the hall when he turned around.

"Oh yeah, Will, will you check the stable for me? It seems that Galdys is missing from yesterday.." Lord Michel said with a smile.

Wilfred smiled as he understood what Sir Michel's words meant.

"I will Sir Michel.."

Nobel Michel nodded and smiled .

"I have some errands to run, make yourself at home.. "He smiled again and exited the dining hall, leaving Wifred alone.

Prince Wilfred on the other hand was busy thinking about something.

"There's something about her that looks familiar, but i cannot pinpoint what it is.."

Prince Wilfred said while playing with the cherry tomato in his plate..

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"Ah! Stop hitting me! Ah!"

Annabelle's voice echoed around the courtyard. She was running for her life while being chased by Jasmine, who was running after her with a baseball bat(Where did she get it!) firmly in her hands.

"I told you before.. One more shouting and a slap in the face!" Jasmine chased her like there wont be a chance tomorrow.

"Aish, those two.. Yah! You both.. stop it!" Hanakimi was trying her best to catch up with them who was busy running in lighting speed. They runs so fast that she lost sight of them the moment she stops to catch her breath.

"Girls..(pant)..Stop(pant)..it.. Girls?" She look up to find that they both are nowhere to be seen..

"What the? Hey ! You guys! Hello?!"

Hanakimi shouted ,calling them by their was searching here and there..

"How big can this castle be!" Hanakimi shouted..

Rustle..Rustle.

Hanakimi looked at the rustling bush near her. Something was rattling in the bush.

"Err..Um.. What could that be?!" She said, stepping slowly towards the bush .
Slowly..
Slowly..

Rustle..Rustle..

Meow~

A white kitten came out from the bush. It is wearing a pink bow on its head..
"Aww.. So cute~"

She closed in on the cat who was looking at her with her glowing eyes..

"Meow.. here girl.. Come here.." She called out to the kitten. The kitten started to walk towards her slowly paw after paw.
Finally the kitten rested on her lap. She purred with happiness.

Hanakimi forgets about her real intention of searching for Jasmine who was chasing Annabelle. She was busy playing with the cute kitten.

Meow... Meow.. Meow..

"You are the cute one are you?" She patted the kitten on her cat twist and turn,playing with Hanakimi.

"Come here.." She hover her hands towards the kitten and the kitten obey her. Soon the kitten was slowly being close to her.

"So what is your name?"
The kitten look up to her , as if trying to show her something. Hanakimi noticed a collar with a nameplate hung around the kitten's neck.

"Oh? You got a nametag?"

Hanakimi was about to read what is the kitten's name when suddenly...

Ahhh!

Something pull her by the waist into the bush. She was trying hard to hold on to a tree stump nearby but the grip on her waist was that strong that she felt such a pain on her waist.

"I say.. let me go.. let me go..." She struggles to hold on the tree. She was hugging the tree stump when she felt that her favorite dress she was wearing now, slowly start to rip at the bottom. She started to get furious.

"I SAID..." She put all her strength..

"LET ME GO!" She kicked the person who was pulling her waist directly on the gut. After that happen, she felt the tight grip on her waist slowly loosen up. Now this is her chance..

"Yah!" She kick the final blow to the person.

"Ahhhh!" She heard a sharp voice in pain and the tight grip on her waist was no longer felt as the person let her go.

DUSh!

A big splash of water was heard, indicating something heavy must have dropped in there.

"Huh! Mess around with me will ya?" She walks to a high land, looking down to what seems to be a huge pond. The splash of water was there just now but nothing can be is here..

"Oh? That's weird.. I thought.." Hanakimi paused, feeling odd and thinking at the same time.

She look here and there, there were no signs of anything heavy dropping into the lake.. Could she be hallucinating?

"That cant be.. i felt that strong grip.. " She said while Putting her hands on her pained waist.

"Hurm.. oh well.. maybe it got scared and got away. Served you right! That's what you get for messing around with me!" Hanakimi shouted with all her might.

She laugh it off, turn around and started to walk away from she heard something resurfaced from the pond. She turned around to find...

"Ah! A monster!"

Although it seems illogical, at that time it does not make sense at all. Hanakimi started to freak out and run away from what look like a mud monster resurfaced from the pond.. The monster was crawling on the ground, it hands trying to reach out to her.

But just like any other person will do..

"Ahhh! HELP ME!"

Yup, she bolted her way like a lightning ,leaving the ' mud monster' who was crawling on the ground.

"Herp...her-pherp..herp- me-"

The ' mud monster' was crawling trying to get out from the pond when it noticed a classic brown-handmade watch on the ground. It pick it up and slowly a smirk begin to form on its mouth upon seeing that antique watch on its hand..

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"Hanakimi!" Annabelle shouted into Hanakimi's ears, surprising her..

"Huh? Yeah?" SHe said with a shocked expression. She look around and see all eyes were on her.

"Should we take a break, Hana?" Cynthia asked with a worried expression on her face.

"I think we should take a break, Cynthia. Hanakimi seems tired and distracted by something.." Prince Edward said, kindly with a smile that would melt even the coldest heart.

"Oh? oh no..no.. please continue.. You were saying about the menus and preparations for the night's ball and the party the next day right?" Hanakimi said while sitting up straight.

" Wow, what do you know, she did pay attention eventhough she looks a little spaced out.." Prince Wilfred said, with a small smile on his lips.

" I am sorry for my foolish behaviour but it wont happen again.. I promise.." Hanakimi flashed her smile, adding more confidence to herself to forget the incident on the other day.

" Well, then.." Cynthia look back into the papers infront of her.

"Two days from now, you three will be scheduled to work separately according to the department needed for the annual gathering...'"Cynthia resume her meeting and this time everyone pays full attention, even the 2 princes..

" Belle, you will be heading off to Liberty to manage all the wardrobe, curtains, table-runners,napkins and everything that are related to it. " Cynthia read out loud Annabelle's schedule from a paper on the table.

"You will be choosing the best cloth,for the event . You will also be going back and forth to Liberty and Altaria"

Annabelle frowned by how much cloth and linen she need to pick.

"Do i have to choose it all by myself? What if the design and taste does not on par with the event her?" Annbelle asked, furrowing her eyebrows. Cynthia chuckled.

"Dont worry. You will be accompanied and helped by the best designers in Liberty.." Cynthia smiled and look back at the paper.

"Jas, you will be heading off to Charles and Oriens back and forth for the lighting and electronical supplies needed for the event." Jas nodded, jotting down every important notes.

"Will be prices and types of products be given to me before i went up and choose it?"

"Yes, we will provide the info about the needed things and how much we need .. you also need to stop by Phillip three days before the event to pick what kind of pottery needed for the decorations and centerpiece for the party.."

Jasmine nodded, agreeing to the matter. Hanakimi was about to jot down the info when she saw Prince Wilfred was smiling for a moment while looking at Jasmine.

"huh?" She said in a low voice. She followed Prince Wilfred's gaze and she was right.

He was looking at her but nobody noticed.

"And what a party with beautiful decor and lightning without delicious food? As for Hana, you will be travelling back and forth from Chrarles where you will be choosing some wine and drinks such as special brew tea." Cynthia handed Hanakimi a list of food and tea and how many pax that she need to handle that day.

"As for the food, you will be heading to DresVan for the gourmet spree to choose which dish will be suitable for the event. If you want, you can suggest something from your hometown to be served at the party but make sure it is approved first.." Cynthia said while looking at all of them one by one..

"Will there be a live cooking too at the party for the next day?" Hanakimi asked. She have always dreamt of cooking in public She can play with flames and cook good food for the audience.

"Hurm.. Let me check back about that for a couple of days.. In the meantime, you can proceed to follow your schedule as stated..Alright?" Cynthia said while she took off her glasses and looked at them.

"Alright!" The three of them said in unison. The Princes nodded,in agreement.

"Sorry i am late..."

The front door opened, revealing a handsome man in a brown suit and a friendly smile plastered all over his face.

"Sorry for the delay, Lady Cynthia.. His Highness have a bit of a..urm.. *cough* morning problems.." A tall good looking guy with a straight face in a grey suit said when he appeared in the room.

The younger man who entered before him seems irritated as he sighed when the gray-suit guy walks in, stating the reason for his tardiness.

"Aish.. I told you, its fine.. Do you really need to go through details, Al?" He sighed again and walks into the room.

"Hello,Cynthia...how are you?" The man said. The guy named Al was standing straight like a guard after closing the door.

"I am fine..Ladies, i would like you to meet Prince Roberto of Altaria.." The girls' eyes widened.

'This happy-cheerful guy is the next ruler of Altaria?'

'She seems so happy and contented for a guy who will be taking over a country when his dad retires..'

Hanakimi and Jasmine exchanged looks with each other, nodding..

"He is my cousin.. My childhood friend.."

Annabelle's jaw dropped.

"Miss Cynthia is royalty?" Annabelle whispered to Hanakimi, who was jotting down menus that popped into her minds.

"Hello everyone..My name is Roberto Button but you can call me Robbie. I maybe a crown prince, but i like to be treated like a normal person too." He flash his smile at the three.

"That stern looking guy in a grey suit is my butler, Alberto. Dont worry, he is a nice guy. he is just that stern looking guy but he makes a great tea..." Al, who was standing straight seems beaming with happiness but controls it when Prince Roberto said nice things about him.

"Although his tea was not as good as the tea made by Louis,Jan and Claude, it is still drinkable"

Alberto sighed..

"Your Highness,a prince should never talk like that.." Alberto said with a straight face and a matter-of-factly voice.

"Ok..okay.. I know.. Dont give me lectures now.. Geeez.." Prince Roberto sat down beside Will.

"Okay now, since Robbie is seated,we can continue.."

"All of you will also be accompanied by Prince Roberto, Prince Wilfred and Prince will also be helping you to choose. Never be shy when its about asking an opinion okay?" Miss Cynthia said while looking over the papers.

"Roberto will be accompanying Annabelle back and forth to Liberty and Altaria.." Annabelle smiled at Roberto and he smiled back..

"Wilfred will be accompanying Jasmine back and forth Charles,Oriens and his hometown Phillip." Hanakimi and Annabelle saw how happy Prince Wilfred is alot..

Well..

"Edward will be accompanying Hana back and forth from Dresvan and will be visiting Charles for the drinks available/.."Hana smiled and turned to Prince Edward.

"from this day forward, its gonna be a helluva day!.. I can feel it.. '