Trapped In Hisstory

Either of the two reasons, Chance knew that something bad will happen. Even if it is Vanessa's revenge or Calliwell's revenge, no matter who it is it would still be dangerous.

Even if Charles was still not born by the time the Marquess was kicked out, even if he is innocent, there is no guarantee that Marquess Calliwell, his uncle, will not include him in his revenge.

'After all, I—no, Charles, is the son of his brother whom he hates.' he thought.

That was only an assumption, there is still no proof that they want revenge or will rebel. But it was always good to be aware of the worst scenarios.

The door opened and a man with a long hair, tied in a side ponytail, wearing a monocle. 'I assume this is the House of Lanstone's butler?' Chance thought.

Alec stayed beside me, one step forward to not let anyone touch or approach me. "You are in the Crown Prince's presence, greet His Highness and show your respect to the Star."

"Greetings to the Star of Antares. Albert stands before the Crown Prince." The butler, named Albert, bowed his head and raised his hand towards the Crown Prince's direction.

"Greetings, Sir Albert." Chance said in return.

Albert turned to the Valorian Knight and also bowed, "I also greet Your Excellency." he said and Alec nodded as a greeting.

The man put his hand on his chest and the other hand's open palm was showing the manor, "I am Albert, the butler who serves the Lanstone Family." he introduced himself.

"I am pleased to meet you, Sir Albert. I apologize for coming without notice." Chance said a bit embarrassed to suddenly visit the Lanstone Household without even telling anyone. Their servants might panic.

"It is all right, Your Highness. We were a bit surprised to hear that you had entered the gate, so I had my servants to prepare at once." Albert said. 

He was so calm and despite them coming without notice, it was like he was not bothered at all. It was great that such a butler served his uncle, "It seems like my uncle made a great choice of a butler."

Albert smiled, "You flatter me, Your Highness." he said.

He extended his hand to the side to show the door of the manor, "Let me guide you two inside, Your Highness and Your Excellency." Albert offered.

"I thank you in advance." Chance said and followed the butler as he stepped inside the manor.

It looked well kept, as expected of the butler in charge of the servants. There was not even a slightest bit of dust. Even though he was kicked out of the Royal Family and Marquess Calliwell was no longer living in the palace, it was a relief to see that he was still living in a great place and not having a hard life.

He looked in front of him and Albert was still walking. Strange, he looked like he knew what Chance came for even though the Crown Prince did not give any notice or reason for his visit.

"Albert? Do you know what I came here for?" Chance asked in curiosity.

Albert stopped and turned around, "The Crown Prince knows that the Marquess is not present, therefore there could only be one reason you visited." he answered, "Is it not because of the Miss?" 

"Miss..?" 

"The Daughter of the Marquess. The Lady of the Lanstone."

'Ah.' Chance nodded and Albert started walking again and headed further into the manor and they followed behind him.

He stopped at the door and pointed at it, "This is the Young Miss's chamber. I should take my leave and let you two have your talk." Albert said and bowed his head. The Crown Prince just nodded and the butler walked away.

Chance glanced at the Valorian knight and the knight knocked, "The Crown Prince is here." he announced and there was a bit of someone organizing inside.

'She must have been surprised and immediately fixed her things.' Chance thought.

"Your Highness may come in." the lady inside spoke, allowing them to enter.

Both of the brows of the Crown Prince lifted up when he heard the familiar voice, "That voice...it does not sound like Teri." Chance muttered.

Alec Valorian opened the door and what first came to sight was a hair of silver that comes down to the waist. 'This…'

"Lady Vanessa..?" he uttered in surprise and confusion.

Lady Vanessa curtsied, "Greetings to the Crown Prince, the Star of Antares." she greeted, and stood up straight again.

"My apologies, I am not aware of the arrival of Your Highness." 

Chance waved his hand, "I am the one at fault for not informing you of my visit, Lady Vanessa." he said.

Lady Vanessa's lips parted but it closed again and glanced at the knight beside Chance. Chance's gaze shifted between Vanessa and Alec. He put his hand on Alec's arm, "You can stay outside to guard, I have something to speak with this lady." he said.

Alec hesitated but bowed his head and stepped out of the chamber, closing the door and leaving the two of them inside.

~~~~~

"Your Highness seems to know my thoughts well."

"I only did what could be of help to me." Chance responded.

"Fortunately, I benefited from your actions. It helped me quite a lot, Your Highness." Vanessa said in return.

Chance let out a snort, which he does not often do. "You are quite direct and bold to say that. It is the same as telling me that it was your plan to dance with me so you could benefit." the Crown Prince said.

Lady Vanessa chuckled as the Crown Prince held her hand and twisted her. When she was finally facing him, she smiled, or it could almost be a smirk, "Being honest is a good trait."

"So you admit that you are using me right now?" Chance asked and Lady Vanessa flashed him a smile. "But Your Highness is using me as well...are you not?" she said, almost in a whisper..

Chance went silent. It was true that he used Vanessa, after all. He did say that asking her to dance was done to help himself. Same thing as using the lady. The Crown Prince's eyes narrowed to Vanessa Lanstone and from the tone that she was using, he had a suspicion that the lady knew something. 'Does...she know about me and the Second Prince of Canopus?' he thought.

He cannot ask a question related to Caliber because his suspicion might actually be wrong. Maybe she does not know and only has another thing on her mind. "Hmm, for what reason do you think I requested to dance with you?" Chance asked.

"You want to escape from your father's eyes," she answered.

"Why do you think so?"

"I am sure you know that His Majesty puts a lot of attention to you, his dear son, the Crown Prince." she said, "He must be waiting to see which lady you would ask to dance with. Especially from which house."

Chance remained quiet, listening to her every word. "Since it is I who is now dancing with you, His Majesty would not be worried about the other houses. After all, I am the daughter of his brother...that was kicked out of the royal family."

Chance stared at his cousin's face, almost frowning, but he did not let the people watching them notice that he was a bit displeased. "You look so angelic and innocent, but I wonder what it is that goes on in your head."

Vanessa chuckled. If Chance had not known her yet and heard her laugh, he would have felt much better.

"Your words make it seem as if I am planning something, Your Highness." she said after she let out a chuckle.

"I only say what I think." Chance said, "And from the way I see it, you are a scheming lady, who would do anything to get what she wants."

~~~~~

Vanessa smiled, "It seems you are now interested in me after what we talked about in the celebration."

Chance looked at her, "Indeed, I...am." he answered, not even denying it since it was true that Lady Vanessa's words were interesting and piqued his curiosity.

"But I am afraid I cannot tell you what I plan to do just yet. So you can leave and come again." she said with her hands held together as she stood gracefully. Despite having a calm and innocent look on her face, Chance felt the opposite about her.

"Such an indirect way of being rude, I came here and you are making me leave?" Chance said.

Lady Vanessa was about to say something but Chance raised his hand to stop her, "Do not worry, I do not need to hear whatever your plan is."

"It seems Sir Albert made a mistake and now you misunderstood." The Crown Prince said.

"I came here at the Lanstone Manor for a reason, but it is surely not because of you."