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Little Angela is quite nervous now. She is sitting next to Rayburn in a carriage, which is much more comfortable and greater than that dark carriage she had stayed in. But she is so nervous because of Rayburn’s bad mood. She is pretty sure that what he faced was worse than when he went against his father for the first time. She would like to say something to comfort him and ask what’s happening, but she gives up immediately, because Rayburn seems not to start any topic now. After Angela ran away from Rayburn and back to save him from slave trader, Rayburn just grabs her hand and keeps silent. Angela is enjoying the moment since she just found out how much she likes Rayburn, so that she keeps quiet with a smile.
Rayburn unconsciously grab Angela’s hand since his friend return to him in order to “protect” him from the “her slave”. He just notices that when Angela wriggles her hand. But he doesn’t want to let her go. Just an hour ago, Angela ran away from him. He noticed how important his friend is. Her leave hurt him so much, but her return heals everything. He knows Angela’s lie on her identity, as “princess“, but how about his lie? He is worried about how to explain and introduce himself. He didn’t pretend to be a commoner, but he never told Angela the truth that he is the first Prince of Ludext. What makes things worse, he is the dethroned Prince with bad rumours, being kicked out of the palace. Will she run away again? Will she listen to my explanation? Or believe those rumours? He can’t stop thinking about that so he just keeps silent, grabbing Angela’s hand and holding Schlan's cage, enjoying the temporary peace.
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-Just an hour ago
Slave traders stopped their kidnap plan since they recognised that kid is the first Prince. Few of them attempted to lay a hand on Rayburn but he gave them a few cuts in return. Rayburn was really in a bad mood since his best friend ran away. They had eye contact, which he could definitely catch fear in her eyes. Sheathed the bloody sword, he gave up and returned to his carriage, but suddenly he noticed a familiar blonde running to him.
She bumps against Rayburn and almost loses her balance, Rayburn catches her in his arm. Angela seems to be scared of something. She is nervous, grabbing his hand with her trembling hand and trying to drag him somewhere. She kept nodding “we must go. It is dangerous if we get caught.” Rayburn holds her in his arms and tries to calm her down.
“Why did you run away after seeing me? And why do you come back now?” Rayburn was excited for her return, but he tried his best to ignore it, he didn’t want to get his hope up by himself and finally be disappointed.
“Emm….. my servants said they want to … Em …they try to find you …” Angela nodded and organised her sentence “Ah! But I didn’t run away because of you… it is because my servants are there too… They tried to find me and take me back to the castle… so I ran away… I am sorry for that” Angela looked down to her toe. Memorising how she felt and her tears after running away from Rayburn, she decided to tell the truth. “In fact, my servants try to hurt you! So we should run now!” She looked into Rayburn’s eye and tried to warn him.
“So she didn’t run away from me, besides, she comes back to warn me even if it is dangerous..” Rayburn thought. He knew her real identity and realised why she took such actions. “Her eyes are red, did she cry? Crying because of running away from me? Or… getting hurt by her “servants”? Damn it, maybe I should cut their neck instead.“ he thought, and tried to hug Angela to comfort her.
“Wait… Rayburn… are you alright?“ Angela noticed Rayburn’s bad mood and sadness on his face, as well as the blood on his cloak “Oh! Did you get hurt? That blood…”
“It’s fine. I am alright.” She would never know how much her return comforted him. He believes that, one day, all his people will return to him, too. “You are right. Let’s run away from here now.” He grabs Angela’s hand and Schlan's cage and runs to the carriage, meanwhile trying his best to hide the clue for what he just done: blood on the ground and his clothes. They escape before the slave trader can find them or before Angela discover his dark side. Now, his friend returns by his side to protect him, he would take the same efforts to protect her too. Rayburn takes his friend with him to go back to Hoya as planned, but doesn't have much time to explain or ask her willingness. Luckily, Angela said nothing for this and came after him.
Angela was surprised but still followed Rayburn’s leading, when he dragged her to run. Although she stopped a while in front of the carriage, she went inside the carriage because she believes in her friend, who is her first love that she just understands now.
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Back to now~
The carriage reached the capital area, came across to the city gate and rode to the residence of the noble. Angela admires what she sees, but also worried about her dressing, she even wears no shoes! Suddenly, the carriage stopped in front of a big house. Rayburn started the topic and said “I will explain everything later. Now, just follow me.” Then, he asks her to hold Schlan's cage and drag her another hand to get out the carriage. In front of them, there is a girl, in pretty clothes, definitely a noble, waiting. “She must be Rayburn’s sister since they have the same look with each other.” Angela thinks.
“So… she is the one you want to take with you...” Hoya looks at Angela and her bare feet, who is holding the cage of Rayburn’s bird “Hi, Kid, Nice to meet you. Welcome to House Espelindo. I am Hoya Espelindo, princess of ludext empire. May I have your name?”
Confessed by those keywords encored in her mind, “princess“, “Hoya”, Angela gets messy but tries to answer Hoya “Nice to meet you, Erk, Rayburn’s sister. I am Angela. I am Rayburn's friend… Emmm… ” Her hand seeks help from Rayburn unconsciously and he interprets her sentence. “Hoya, it is Angela, my friend.” Then he faces Angela “Angela, she is Hoya, my twin sister. And… Let me introduce myself again. I am Rayburn Espelindo, the first Prince of the Ludext empire. I was crown Prince, but I am dethroned now and …. being kicked out from the palace. We will go to our territory. And you can come with me...”
Angela cannot believe her ears. So that she always pretends herself a princess in front of an actual Prince? And Rayburn has already known that in the beginning? It is too embarrassing! She doesn't even hear what Raybun said.
Angela’s brain is overwhelmed and she asks questions that make her regret after that “Wait.., so Rayburn, you are not a young master from a wealthy family? And Hoya is not your cat’s name?”
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After Angela apologises for her words to Hoya, she is taken by a maid to change her clothes.
“You are so careless. Her clothes are just like a beggar and she doesn't even wear shoes. It is too embarrassing for a girl to be introduced or greeting others in such clothes. And she called you by name? Did you hide your identity?” Hoya asks
“It’s her misunderstanding, I just didn’t deny.”
“As well as my identity? I just know I am a cat in your mind.”
Rayburn doesn't answer and ignores Hoya’s sharp glare.
“Anyway, it’s rare to be called as “Rayburn’s sister”. Not bad. It is funny what that kid focuses on and she is so cute. From now on, we must focus on those people who are willing to stay with us. Maybe she can help us as a maid or secretary.”
“She will be the one who takes care of schlan.”
Rayburn doesn't like the idea of keeping his friend as a worker. But a few months later, they will discover Angela’s writing skills and Mano will be glad that he got a great helper for those administrations.
By the way, Rayburn is glad that she doesn’t overreact or run away after knowing his identity. As he thought, Angela would listen to him first, different from others. Will it be also happen to the his other rumour about murder and bloodlust?
“You are quite overprotective to the kid. You even have not told her about your identity and what we face before coming here. Right? Do you believe that she won’t run away after understanding what we faced?” Hoya said, The kid is holding Schlan's cage, it is weird that Rayburn allows others to touch it. Is Rayburn interested in the kid? She guesses but does not turn it into words. They already have a lot to deal with after Rayburn is dethroned.
But it is glad that Rayburn is in a good mood after the kid arrives. He smiles in the same way when they were talking about the cute name for the little bird. Hoya agrees that her twin brother looks better than what he showed just after being dethroned in front of people, by their father’s order. Will that kid do so? To leave and betray her twin brother? She needs to confirm it first before the kid gets any chance. She will get rid of her before Rayburn gets hurt anymore.
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Just a moment ago, Hoya kicked her twin brother out of the meeting room. She wants to have a talk with Angela to ensure she is harmless to house Espelindo.
Knock knock, inner door open and Angela in new clothes and shoes coming in. She is in a light blue dress, simple cutting decorated by bows and lace. The flat shoes are also in the same colour.
“Your highness. I apologise for those words I said, please forgive my impertinent conduct, and thank you for the clothes.” Angela lay down her head and apologised for her words again. She is quite nervous since she can’t find her friend in the room.
“It’s fine. Now, kid, just sit next to me. Rayburn will come back soon after he packs all his things up.” Hoya said, she grabbed Angela’s shoulder and further asked “You are brave. You come here, making some relationship with murder in rumours.”
Angela is still confused, Hoya further explains “It is said that Rayburn is the one responsible for the assassination of second empress. We were kicked out of the palace by the emperor because of it. Have you heard that?”
Surprised by what Hoya said, Angela speaks up “What baseless rumours! it is impossible! Rayburn is always gentle and kind. There should be some misunderstanding. You must complain to your dad for making such foolish decisions… erk… I mean the emperor, your highness”
Hoya is also surprised by Angela’s response, “Where did she come from? She really does not know about that rumour, even though it is widely spread in every corner. And she describes Rayburn as “gentle and kind”? Is she kidding me? My cool brother always keeps distance from others, in the palace and at the ball. Furthermore, she calls the emperor “our dad”… it is too laughable.”
“Rayburn…. I mean Prince Rayburn said he was being dethroned. Is it also based on those ridiculous rumours? Who said that? They should know how gentle Rayburn is…”
“Puff Hahaha!” Hoya cannot stop her grinning.
“I am sorry for my words. Your highness”
“It’s alright, Angela. You are so cute. More importantly, I would like to know what Rayburn told you about me? Hum?” Hoya holds Angela in her arms, grabs her cheek and asks.
Rayburn is waiting outside the door and hears everything. He opens the door and witnesses his friend making a puppy eye in Hoya’s arm to ask for help. Ignoring his sibling’s glance, he decides to give his helping hand.
“It’s time to go. Hold the cage of Schlan, Angela. You will come with us to get on the coach” Rayburn turns his back to hide his smile.
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In the carriage leaving the palace and capital, Rayburn is not alone.
His siblings and friends come with him.
His trusted knight escorts outside the carriage.
Everything will go fine. Rayburn thinks.