The days passed quickly. There had been many changes since Oliver and Amanda were now officially in a relationship. Once again Amanda was flooded with invitations to various parties, and suddenly people who had not been in contact with her began to ask after her. The letter she had sent to Aaron brother should have arrived by now, and she was paid careful attention for his reply.
It was impossible to concentrate on that now, however. It was none other than the day that Oliver said he would visit the Windsor mansion. Every corner of the mansion had been scoured by the servants. In the early hour, Francis did not leave to see the knights and Amelia wore her best dress. No one said it, but they were all anticipating the Crown Prince’s arrival.
The clock’s hand finally pointed to the promised time. There was a rattling noise, and Amanda saw a familiar black coach entering the mansion grounds. At the entrance to the mansion, the carriage stopped and Oliver exited and stepped down.
“Ah!”
Some of the servants let out an exclamation, while others stared with their mouths agape.
He had a tall height and a solid figure. His face had a sculptural handsomeness to it and his blue eyes contained a cold chill. He looked perfect in every way, and his air of pride struck the female spirit. The Windsor servants thought they had gotten used to seeing Amanda and Amelia, but Oliver was something else. Amanda took a few steps towards him when he arrived.
“Welcome.”
Oliver gave a small as she approached to greet him.
“How have you been?”
Oliver’s visit to the Windsor mansion was sure to be gossiped about, but it was best not to reveal as much as possible. No matter the fact that Amanda and the prince were lovers, some noblemen would still speculate why the crown prince would visit the Windsors himself. There must be a group of people who would find a political reason. For now, it was best to keep Francis out of the way and have it look like that Oliver was simply passing by. Everything needed a justification. Oliver had requested this beforehand as well, and if it weren’t for that, Amanda would have found it harder to deal with her father’s stubbornness.
“Why are your eyes look wet today?”
“…Don’t joke.”
Amanda remembered how she felt like she had been stabbed needlessly, but she soon straightened her face. Oliver then stepped back and smiled.
“I’m not being funny.”
For some reason Oliver seemed playful and friendly today, a sharp contrast to the time he brought a dismembered nobleman’s head at the party. Amanda had asked Quinlen once before–was Oliver a playful person? Quinlen then solemnly answered that he did not play games… So it seemed that only Amanda saw this side of him.
“My father is waiting in the dining room. I stopped him from coming out to meet you. This is an informal visit.”
Oliver’s visit to the Windsor mansion was sure to be gossiped about, but it was best not to reveal as much as possible. No matter the fact that Amanda and the prince were lovers, some noblemen would still speculate why the crown prince would visit the Windsors himself. There must be a group of people who would find a political reason. For now, it was best to keep Francis out of the way and have it look like that Oliver was simply passing by. Everything needed a justification. Oliver had requested this beforehand as well, and if it weren’t for that, Amanda would have found it harder to deal with her father’s stubbornness.
“This way, Your Highness–”
“If this is an informal visit, why are you calling me Your Highness?”
Amanda couldn’t think of how to reply. This grand reception not only involved Francis and Amelia, but all the servants as well. Amanda secretly glanced at the other servants’ faces and wondered if calling the prince “Oliver” would cause an issue. Oliver smiled lightly as if he knew what she was thinking about.
“What does the rest of them matter?”
Most of the people working in the mansion were under the control of the Windsors. Sometimes a case like Elice’s may appear…but that didn’t matter. They were supposed to be madly in love, both at home and in public.
“Oliver…”
She murmured his name, and a few of the servants nearby raised their eyebrows. Very few people, except for the Emperor, the Empress, and his brother, were allowed call the crown prince by a personal name.
“Say it like that. You promised me that you would call me by my nickname when we’re alone.”
One of the maids gave a small scream of “Kyaaa!” Oliver’s words sounded so romantic that it had come out unintentionally. Amanda turned her hot face away from Oliver and made to lead him inside.
“I know. I didn’t forget my promise.”
She was supposed to call him Oliver per the contract, but they had met in so many official locations that the name did not stick in her mouth. Only after hearing her reaffirm it did Oliver look satisfied.
“Let’s go.”
Then Oliver followed Amanda into the mansion.
“This way, please. I’ll show you to the dining room.”
She turned her head to look at Oliver, and she saw the maids’ eyes shining brightly. All servants felt the chemistry between Amanda and Oliver was simmering hot.
Just before the couple entered the dining room they were left alone, and Amanda dropped her eyes.
“No matter how much we pretend to be in love, saying that all of a sudden somewhat embarrasses me.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re telling me to call you by an affectionate name in front of others.”
“I only said what we promised.”
Amanda was surprised to see Oliver talk seriously as if he were not acting.
‘…A playboy.’
But this time, it felt like this was not so bad. After her conversation with her father, she needed Oliver’s full support right now.
“Thank you.”
“…?”
Oliver gave her a questioning look, and she continued.
“You have made good on your contract. Pretending to love me like you do in front of others will help me out greatly.”
“Thank you very much.”
Amanda gave a small smile to Oliver. He paused for a brief moment at the sight of it, but she didn’t catch his reaction. All her nerves were on edge at the impending meeting between Oliver her family. As she approached the door to the dining room, she stopped to look at Oliver again.
“Then I look forward to working with you.”
With that, Amanda opened the door. She saw her father and Amelia waiting anxiously for them in the dining room, and Francis abruptly stood up and bowed deeply as soon as Oliver came in.
“Hail the Crown Prince. Eternal glory to the Keith Empire.”
Although it was a natural greeting for the crown prince, it was not one for meeting a daughter’s lover. Oliver walked towards Francis and raised the older man up.
“Please stand up. I feel burdened when I am greeted by my father-in-law like this.”
“Your Highness…you don’t have to call me father-in-law.”
“Why? Won’t you allow me your daughter?”
“Please. Take her anytime you want.”
Amanda felt a sting at how quickly her father’s reply came, but Oliver gave him a satisfied look.
“You must keep that promise now.”
Oliver soon sat down at the head of the long table. Normally Francis took that seat while Amanda and Amelia sat at the side, but now Oliver sat at the head with Francis on his right and Amanda and Amelia on his left. In a hierarchical society, everyone was seated according to their status. Oliver was none other than the crown prince, and except for His Majesty the Emperor, there was no higher position than Oliver now.
“Anything you need, please tell me.”
“Something is missing from Lady Windsor.”
At Oliver’s affectionate tone, Francis’s and Amelia’s gaze immediately moved to Amanda. She smiled awkwardly.
“Enjoy the meal, Oliver.”
“You as well.”
Francis’s brows furrowed at Amanda’s casual use of the name “Oliver.” He was worried that the nickname might be an act of disrespect, but he saw the way the crown prince easily accepted it. Perhaps their relationship had already progressed to the point that they were this affectionate. Francis found this knowledge surprising and he glanced at his daughter.
It wasn’t until a moment later did Amanda realized she had inadvertently called Oliver by his pet name, but by that time it was already spilled water.
‘…We’ll have to show that we get along as much as possible. Isn’t this better?’
At last, the dishes prepared in the kitchen began to arrive. Amanda had been particularly meticulous about the menu choices.
“Let’s eat everyone.”
Only after he started eating were the others allowed to touch the food. Meanwhile, Amelia was staring at Oliver as if he had come out of a fantasy. Oliver’s visit still seemed like a dream.