Trapped In Hisstory

"Did you just say Vanessa Lanstone?" Clayton asked with his brows forced together as he made sure he heard it right.

"Yes."

Clayton clicked his tongue, "She never attends most royal gatherings and now she came?" he said. It was obvious that he was annoyed based on the tone he was using.

Clifford has no idea what was wrong. "Why? You seem to know Vanessa Lanstone well, Your Highness," he said.

"She had her eyes on my brother ever since we were children. I do not know if she is stupid or what, it is obvious that Charles does not like her," he said.

Clifford chuckled. Clayton does not need to be annoyed since the one that Lady Vanessa was bothering was not him, but the Crown Prince. "I thought you were not close with His Highness, the Crown Prince? How come you are more annoyed with him?"

Clayton blushed, but he looked away. "Do not get me wrong!" he said, but Clifford just laughed.

"Vanessa Lanstone is a good lady, perfect in every way. But...she is dangerous. At least that is what I see."

The room was suddenly filled with silence and Clifford was staring at him, somehow for no reason, it annoyed Clayton. "Why are you giving me that kind of look?" he said with irritation.

Clifford immediately waved his hands in front of the Second Prince, "Ah, apologies, Your Highness. I was just surprised about what you think of Lady Vanessa." Clifford said, intrigued by the Second Prince's words about the Lady from House of Lanstone. He laughed, "Why would Your Highness say that Lady Vanessa Lanstone is dangerous?"

Clayton turned his head away, "Hmph. What is wrong with it? Can I not have my own opinions?"

"Not at all, Your Highness. I was just curious as to why you think so." Clifford said after shaking his head.

Clayton stared at Clifford, trying to find out why there is suddenly an unpleasant feeling in his chest, "Hah, you seem to be very curious about Lady Vanessa." 

Clifford did not say anything which annoyed Clayton even more as silence means yes. Clayton suddenly realized that his question might cause a misunderstanding, 'W-wait, what if he thinks I am jealous?' he thought then shook his head, 'Surely he would not think that since we only met just last night.'

When Clayton pulled away from his thoughts, he noticed that Clifford was no longer standing in the same spot, 'He disappeared? Where did he go?' he thought but he felt someone touch his hand.

He looked down and saw Clifford kneeling down, holding Clayton's hand as he placed it on his own face, "What...are you doing?" Clayton asked, startled by the servant.

"You do have to worry, Your Highness," Clifford said. "I was curious about what you think. Your thoughts are your own, therefore I am curious about you, and not Lady Vanessa."

One of Clayton's hands went to his face so Clifford could not see his face reddening, "It is not like I was thinking of something…" he denied and Clifford only grinned, still holding the hand of the Second Prince on his face.

Clayton peeked and saw Clifford looking up at him, '....Why does he look like a puppy wagging its tail to its master..?' he thought. He almost said that he was cute aloud but he held back.

Clayton pulled his hand from his face, "Fine then, I will believe your excuse." he said and Clifford smiled like a happy child being allowed to go out and play with his friends.

There must be something wrong with his sight, Clayton thought. Somehow the image of the servant being a puppy could not vanish from his mind. For now, he sees the servant, Clifford Hill, as a happy loyal dog.

The thought of having a dog by his side, "Hm, it is not that bad."

Clifford looked at him with a perplexed expression, "What is not bad, Your Highness?"

"Nothing."

Clayton turned around and opened the doors of the balcony, "A new servant such as yourself may probably have no knowledge of noble families as well as the royal family." he said. "Lady Vanessa Lanstone is my cousin, that is to say, our cousin."

The Second Prince sighed, "Although Vanessa grew up as a quiet and graceful lady, she has a lot of thoughts inside her mind that none could even guess. All the words she wants to say is kept inside her mind and so she was always silent,"

Clayton glanced at Clifford, "But a silent lady who you cannot read is far more dangerous than talkative, arrogant fools."

Clifford stood still, focused on what Clayton was saying. "I see."

"It seems up until now, she still has her eyes set on the Crown Prince. How foolish and desperate."

"It seems like you do not like Lady Vanessa," Clifford said and Clayton rolled his eyes at the obvious fact.

"She is annoying." Clayton uttered with emphasis, displeased as he recalled the memory with Vanessa in it. "Just because my brother was a bit kind to her, she became obsessed. Although no one would believe me, I know for sure that she is."

Clifford joined his side on the balcony, "I will always believe what Your Highness would say." 

Clayton let out a snort, "Of course, you would." he said, 'Loyal Little Dog.' he added but did not say it aloud.

"She seemed like she hated it whenever I was with the Crown Prince back when we were children. She did everything to get his attention and played with him which made me lose the chance to be with my brother."

Clayton slammed his hand on the railing of the balcony, "Does she think she could act like that just because her father is--" he cut his words, forgetting that he was with a new servant.

Although some commoners already know that Marquess Lanstone was the former Crown Prince and was supposed to be on the throne, the man he was with was a new servant so he could possibly not know about it. He does not want him to know or else he will be curious about Vanessa and her family again.

'It is a pity that I cannot tell him that I know. After all, I am the duke's son.' he thought. Seeing how Clayton was telling him about Prince Charles during their childhood, they must really be close back then, Clifford thought. 'I wonder what had happened that caused a rift in their relationship as brothers?'

"Anyways, it is suspicious that the silent lady of the Lanstones suddenly attends a royal gathering. Especially at my brother's celebration." Clayton said and rested his chin on his folded hand on top of the railing.

All of the sudden, an idea struck him and he felt uncomfortable. 'She...that damn woman cannot possibly be thinking of…?'

Clifford put his arm around the Second Prince and looked at his face, "Is something the matter? You seem anxious."

Clayton shook his head, "No...it is nothing." he said, hoping that it really was nothing.

"Your Highness?"

Clifford and Clayton turned around when they heard a voice. There was someone knocking at the door of his room and Clayton knew that it was a servant. It was unusual that someone would knock at his door so early as it was mostly silent since they do not care about him because he is the son of the Royal Concubine. 'Tch, what do they need now?'

"Your Highness, we would like to speak of His Majesty's order. Would Your Highness allow me to enter?"

Clayton was fine and had no care about servants and his father but he suddenly panicked when he remembered that there was a man in his room. He looked at Clifford in worry then rushed to a closet to open it. He went back to where Clifford was and pushed him towards the closet, "Your High--"

"I apologize, please stay there for a short moment." Clayton said and closed the closet.

He sat down on the bed and acted as he normally would, "You may come in."

The servant entered and he bowed while raising his hand towards his direction, "Greetings, Your Highness. May the Goddess bless your morning."

Clayton cannot hide the disgust on his face, 'What the hell is this stupid act? All of a sudden they are treating me like a prince. They never even paid respect whenever I passed by back then.' he thought.

"What is it that you need?" Clayton asked, wanting to end the conversation early and make the servant leave.

"His Majesty has asked for your presence. His Majesty invited you to breakfast together with the other royalties, as well as those from Canopus."

Clayton fell silent, having no words leaving his mouth upon hearing what the servant said. 'Invited to breakfast in which I never joined in? Did the king jog his brain out? Or maybe this is a request from my brother, I mean, the Crown Prince?'

He gritted his teeth, 'What the hell is this madness?'