All the other girls have already left the ground for their room. Only I was the one left. I looked at the maid that was walking in front of me. Have I been too suspicious these days? Why do I feel this was a trap!


    But would Josephine feel so low to do it? No, I shook my head as I stopped moving further.


    She was quirky, crazy, and haughty, but she was full of pride and righteousness. She would not y tricks to get me out of thepetition.


    Could other knights do it? Well they could have thought of doing so much they would not be able to since I was the highest noble participating after Josephine. Then there was only one man left who had the capability to send the maid.


    "Mydy, we need to hurry. You have to join us for dinnerter too." she said politely turning when she saw that i was not moving anymore.


    "Where did the crown prince ask you to take me?" I asked to cut the chase and her eyes widened, so my doubts were right.


    "I did not understand, mydy," she replied, bowing her head but it was toote.


    "Tsk tsk.. You think she would believe you now?" came the voice from the dark corner and the man responsible for this came out with a smirk on his face.


    The maid kneeled on the floor, her body shaking as she bowed and apologized, "I apologise, your royal highness. I did nothing wrong. I did not know how thedy came to know the truth. Trust me, I did nothing wrong. I just behaved as I was ordered."


    "She is telling the truth." i replied looking at prince as i did not want to drag her in this argument.


    He raised a brow looking at me and then chuckled, "since thedy wants to protect you, how may i dare to punish you. Leave." he said and the maid ran away so fast as if demons were chasing her.


    "How did you know that it was a trick?" he asked,ing closer to me.


    "She was not wearing themon maid uniform. She was wearing the inner pce uniform. How could a maid serving the royal family directly be given the task of receivingmon girls that are still not the knights officially.`` I replied and he chuckled.


    "So you have so much time to look at all of them, little girls. But you do not have the time to look at me. Tell me what shall i do to get your attention?" he said seductively as he came closer to me.


    "Why did you use this method to meet me when you could have called me for an audience anytime?" I asked , ignoring the proximity we were in.


    I have stood closer to this in the club while dancing and drinking. When he looked surprised that I was not affected, I took a step closer to him, showing that I did not care about his cheap tricks.


    "Because the other would have known that I had called you. I did not want people to know that you are closer to me." he said and i narrowed my eyes.


    ''Since when has the prince turned so considerate?'' It was already enough that Josephine was talking to me directly. If things continued everyone would think I had favor of the royal family then I would be the target of hatred from all the total families and the enemy of the royal family would also set me as their target.


    "I didn''t want my paramours to think wrong about me after all." he added when i was just about to thank him for his consideration and the words died in my mouth.


    "Then better not meet me, problem solved." I said , shrugging my shoulders and walking away.


    "What happened to the hundred and why were you sote at the end point of the race?" my steps halted when i heard his serious voice.


    "We lost track, maybe some arrow sign turned due to wind or I did not see clearly. I apologise for getting hurt because of me, your royal highness ``I said bowing my head and the man shook his head.


    "You are not able to take care of a horse. How would you take care of me. I reject your offer to be my knight. And I want you to withdraw your name from thepetition" he said in a menacing tone and I would not lie but I was hurt.


    "I have kept him safe even when a whole pack of wolves attacked us. There were more than 12 wolves. Did you get that? And if you think I am that weak and pathetic then I will lose thepetition anyway. Why would I take my name back and ept defeat like a coward? `` I said in a calm voice that anger had started engulfing me.


    He moved closer to me and held my arms. His grip was guard and his eyes were filled with anger but so was mine.


    "I want you to take your name back from thepetition and stay away from me. I am not interested in you at all. I have seen many girls like you who are ready to do anything just to get my attention. If all you want is just a night then you can join me tonight. Why do so much hard work for a simple thing like that?" he said with a smirk and my eyes widened.


    "How dare you?. You are nothing but a delusional man who thinks that everyone wants to sleep with you. Without the name of your family and this position as crown prince you are nothing but a sleazy man.


    I would rather stay single all my life than be touched by yo '''' i said covering his hands with mine and then moving his hands away.


    -----------------------------------------