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　　After a mentally tiring day out with Augustus yesterday, I decided to flood myself with pending paperwork to clear my mind from everything that happened with him. Even when we arrived back at the palace, he treated me as he always did, with pure indifference.

　　Anne was particularly interrogating me that night about what happened with Augustus, even when I told her that all we did was talk about books she firmly believed that I was keeping secrets from her. In the end, I just allowed her to use her own imagination to interpret whatever romantic scenario she wanted.

　　I was so immersed in finishing my work that I had not noticed the time passing by so quickly until it was already evening. I stood up from my desk, stretching my aching body just as there was a knock on the door. I assumed it was Anne here to serve evening tea.

　　“Come in.” I said as I walked towards the couch and table but I stopped in my tracks when the door was pushed open and a familiar mop of auburn hair popped up from behind the door.

　　“Good Evening,” he beamed as he entered the study before closing that door.

　　“Hello, Duke.” I greeted with a polite smile.

　　“I hope I am not interrupting anything?” he asked, making his way towards me.

　　“I was just about to take a break.” I said as I moved over to the couch and sat down. “Is something the matter?”

　　“Oh, well, I was around the area and thought I should say hello.” Instead of sitting opposite me, he had the nerve to stride to my side and plop down right beside me. A strange yet pleasant scent lingered on him. It was not a bad scent, just something I am not familiar with. I moved slightly away from him to avoid any indecent closeness in case someone were to enter the study all of a sudden.

　　“I appreciate your…friendliness.” I muttered as I watched him get comfortable. He casually stretched out his arm to rest over the headrest of the couch, his hand almost grazing me. He then looked over to me, a charming smile played on his lips.

　　“I heard something interesting last night.”

　　“Hm?” I raised an eyebrow at him to urge him to continue.

　　“You went on a date with the Ghost Prince?”

　　“I would not necessarily call it a date.”

　　“Oh? Then what would you consider it? An outing?”

　　“Book shopping.” I firmly said, not sure why Cassian was being so interested in what I did with others.

　　“That sounds incredibly tedious.” He mocked me with a grin.

　　“It was not.” I defended, somehow his words started to bring back memories of my childhood when Elina and Lilian would tease the hobbies I had growing up. “Just because you do not enjoy something, does not mean you have the right to degrade it.”

　　“Ah, did I hit a nerve, princess? I’m sorry if I offended you.”

　　“You did no such thing.” I lied. “I was just making a statement.”

　　“I see. So, how was it? Did you and Augustus get along?” he asked as he shifted in his seat to get closer to me. I merely moved sideways to maintain the distance between our bodies.

　　“I don’t see how that is any of your concern, Duke.”

　　Cassian chuckled, inching closer once more. “Now, now, I’m only being nice here and making conversation with you, my dearest.”

　　I winched at his words. “Pardon me?” I asked, trying to avoid showing any form of irritation on my face or voice.

　　“What? I can’t call you cute pet names? We are to be wed, are we not? You should get used to it, my dearest Cordelia.” He scooted closer again but this time I had no more space to move away from him. over knees were pressed together and the stare he had on me was clearly one of teasing. He was trying to get a reaction from me.

　　“I would appreciate it if you would refrain from acting too close to me. We are not married yet.” I said firmly as I attempted to move my legs so that they were not pressed against his but he was too close to me and he angled his body in such a way that he was facing me. But I soon realised that it was not the closeness of his body to mine that was frustrating me. It was his scent. Whatever perfume he was wearing was indeed intoxicating.

　　“Very well, I shall respect your wishes.” He said, a tint of amusement in his voice.

　　“Then could you please not sit so close to me?”

　　“Are you perhaps getting shy from our sudden closeness?”

　　“It’s unnerving.”

　　Cassian laughed. “I love how blunt you are at times, princess.” He said and yet he did not attempt to move away. “Since you did not deny the fact that you went out with Augustus, can I safely assume that you are planning to ask me on a date as well?”

　　“I’ll consider it.”

　　“Aw, aren’t you being mean to me?” he pouted. “Could it be that Augustus is your favourite already?”

　　“That’s not true.”

　　“Then ask me on a date.” He pressed.

　　“Are you always this insufferable?” I snapped, the scent emitting from him was causing my mind to swirl. I wanted to stand up, walking away from him before I showed any signs of discomfort but before I could even stand up, Cassian took hold of my wrist and pulled me back onto the couch.

　　“Since you are so shy to even ask, I’ll ask you out instead.” He said softly, his thumb freely caressing my wrist in circular motions. “Would you like to accompany me out to town?” he continued.

　　“It’s already so late.” I tried to reason with him.

　　“I didn’t know you had a curfew.”

　　I frowned. “Let’s go out tomorrow instead.” I sternly told him but it was clear that he was not affected by my serious side whatsoever.

　　“It’s the last day today.” He said instead.

　　“What are you talking about?”

　　“The Midnight Pavilion, of course.” He beamed.

　　I furrowed my brows, clearly unaware of what he was talking about but before I could question him, there was a knock on the door.

　　“Princess? I brought you some tea and biscuits!” Anne’s familiar voice called out from the other side.

　　Almost by instinct, I pulled my hand free from Cassian’s grip and immediately stood up. “I think it would be best if you took your leave, Duke.”

　　Cassian stood up as well and was clearly watching me as I did everything I could to avoid his gaze. “I’ll be waiting for you by the stables tonight. Make sure to wear something comfortable.” He winked before walking towards the door.

　　“I did not agree to go out with you!” I called back.

　　He lazily waved at me without looking back and pulled the door open. Anne was so surprised by him that she almost dropped the tray in her hands. Cassian sidestepped away from her and Anne slowly turned to me with shock plastered on her expression.

　　“I apologise if I had interrupted your moment with the Duke, princess.” Anne quickly said as she hurriedly entered the room and placed the tray on the table. “S-Should I go call him to join you…?”

　　“No.” I quickly said, almost too quickly. I then fall back onto the couch, leaning back fully as I let out a tired sigh. “Is there a show of sorts happening in town?” I asked her as she poured the hot tea into the cup.

　　“Ah yes! It is a travelling magic show that would appear from time to time. If I am not mistaken, tonight is their last night here before they move on to a different location.”

　　“Why have I never heard of this?”

　　“That’s because it’s seen to be an event catered to the common folk. Although I have heard of noblemen and women disguising themselves to enter.”

　　“Are they not allowed in?” I asked, wondering why they would need to disguise themselves if it was a public event.

　　“No, everyone is allowed in as long as you pay for the entry ticket but I just assumed they disguise themselves for anonymity sake?” she said as she passed me the teacup. “Why the sudden questions, princess? Could it be that you are interested in this event?”

　　I pondered for a moment as I slowly blew the hot beverage. It would not be a bad idea to spend a day with Cassian now that he had invited me. It would save me the trouble of planning an outing with him like I had to do with Augustus.?

　　“Could you tell me more about this Midnight Pavilion, Anne? I’m rather curious.” I asked her, wanting to know everything I could about this peculiar event before I actually decide whether or not to meet with Cassian tonight.