Chapter 162 - DO NOT OPEN

please do not open: editing

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For the following day, Geraldine decided that she'll go to the palace to meet Alexjin to return his robe. The problem at the Northern forest has been solved since the barrier has been fixed but the sighting of the dragon was hidden by the Imperial family to prevent the people from panicking but the nobles couldn't stop their mouths from talking about it and it slowly spread around the Empire like wildfire. 

Currently, there are people rallying around the town plaza about the Empire hiding dangerous creatures from them and wanted to show to the public.

Geraldine hopped in the carriage alone as she leave Levine to guard her room in case someone would try to search for her things when she was gone. She didn't bother to tell it to her father or his brothers since she doesn't really care about their opinions.

It was 2:00 in the afternoon when she decided to leave the residence. The trip to the palace ain't that far since they have access to special roads that only noble carriages could use, making it easier for them to arrive at their destination.

After hours of travel, she arrived at the gates of the Imperial palace. The sight of it brings back old memories that she cannot help but shiver. 

The carriage stopped and one of the guards went to check who is the passenger. It was supposed to be a servants work but since she's alone, she grabbed a purse that contains their family crest and show it to the guard.

When the guard saw it, his face paled and immediately signal for the gates to open. They didn't question her anymore even though her name is not on the visit list.

As her carriage is parked, she went down gracefully and some palace servants greeted her.

"Milady," They said in unison and curtsied.

"I'm here for the 16th Prince," She mentioned and the two of the servants went ahead to inform Alexjin while the remaining servants led her to the garden gazebo to stay while waiting for the Prince to come.

It didn't take long before she saw Alexjin running towards her with a huge smile on his face. He's wearing a white suit that hugged his figure and a brooch that matches his electric blue eyes.

"Ma--" Alexjin was about to call her Master like he always do but paused when he remember that he must have not call her that to prevent gossips to start about them.

"Your royal highness," Geraldine stands up and curtsied when Alexjin reached her.

"Lady Geraldine Gauthier, how are you today?" Alexjin spoke softly as he gestured the servants to leave them alone.

"Your highness, I'm doing well." Geraldine kept her head lowered until the servants are out of their sight.

"Let's drop the formalities," Alexjin chuckled as they both sit at the pavilion.

"I apologize for coming unannounced but I'm here to deliver back your robe," Geraldine takes out a small paper bag that contains Alexjin's freshly cleaned robe and handed it to him.

"Umm, thank you," He said and took it out of the bag and the smell of roses hits his nose.

"You're welcome."

After that, both of them remained silent as they drink their tea. It was awkward and the atmosphere between them doesn't feel carefree like before. It was suffocating as if they were guarded all the time with eyes observing their movements.

"So…. umm, how's the royal life?" Geraldine muttered as she puts back her cup.

"About that, Lady Geraldine, would you like to stroll in the garden with me?" Alexjin stands up and offered his hand to her.

She didn't hesitate to give her hand to Alexjin as he helped her to stand up and both of them walked towards the garden which is full of different types of flowers. 

Geraldine could still feel the warmth of Alexjin's hand into her skin even though they are no longer in skin contact but her thoughts was distracted when Alexjin picked one of the Daffodils and put it behind her ear. 

That action surprised her, making her flinch and step back with her eyes wide open. Alexjin notice it too, so he quickly take off the flower.

"I apologize, Lady Geraldine. I cross the line between us," He muttered and instantly step back to give them both space.

"No, it's fine. I'm just surprised," Geraldine smiled and look down to see the flower, she bend down and pick it up when Alexjin prevented her.

"That's already on the ground--" He said but Geraldine still put the flower back into her hair with a smile.

"Let's go," She said and started walking away while Alexjin stands there, frozen at his spot upon witnessing what just happened between them. He could feel his heart beating faster than normal.

Turning around, he followed Geraldine while trying to avoid her gaze since his face is tinted red.

After a few minutes, Geraldine abruptly turn around, making him almost trip over her.

"There's no one here. We can now talk and act freely," She said and look around. They are currently at the side of the palace garden where less flowery plants are grow and it's more shrubs.

"Where's the children?" Geraldine inch closer as she whispered her question while looking around.

"Children?" Alexjin asked as he got confused by her question and his mind is imagining something else. The children in his mind are the offspring of him and Geraldine together.

Geraldine look at him weirdly, "The six children."

"Ah, I see. I got confused for a bit," Alexjin laughed awkwardly while scratching the back of his neck, "If you want, I could bring you to them."

"Really? Right now?" Geraldine couldn't help but feel excited as it's been months since she last saw the children she adopted.

"I'm sorry but right now is not the perfect time since it's improper for a lady to go alone with a man. There are also people who seen us today, they will get suspicious is we both disappear." He explained slowly but when he saw Geraldine's smile faded, his heart ache.

"But don't worry, I'll send you a letter when the right time comes but I don't know when will that be since they are also busy with the task I'm giving them." He continued.

"Task? What task?" Geraldine ask curiously.

Alexjin didn't answer and gestured her to follow him. He went to the other pavilion that is beside a pond but no fishes lived there. Just lilies growing healthily.

"Lady Geraldine, there's something I needed to tell you." He whispered with a serious face making Geraldine gulp.

"What is it?"

"I'm planing to overthrow my father, the Emperor from his throne and replace him." Alexjin said those words firmly without pause.

Upon hearing Alexjin's revelation, Geraldine was surprise and couldn't even speak as the information is still processing in her head since she didn't expect it to happen.

"What!?" Geraldine's voice raised as she could not still believe what Alexjin said. He immediately gestured Geraldine to lower her voice as there might be someone spying them.

"Are you insane? How can you form a group to overthrow the Emperor when you're not even a Crown Prince," She whispered harshly as she's concern over his decision as it could harm him and caused his life.

"I know your concern about this matter but you don't have to worry since you have taught me well for the past years. It became my advantage over my brothers even though they have education as well." Alexjin smiled brightly to show that Geraldine doesn't need to worry. 

"Also, I've learned that there are many strong houses that is against the rule of my father because of his cruelty and mercilessness towards the people of the Empire. As for the Crown Prince title, the palace has been preparing for the trials for the crown and I wanted to win, Master." Alexjin firmly said the name he used to call Geraldine. She could feel the motivation and seriously of Alexjin about his plan and she can't do anything against it and rather support him at his decision.

She reached out to his hand that was placed at the table. She pressed it tightly while looking into his eyes.

"Whatever decision you will make, I'm here to support you. Remember that," She smiled and was about to remove her hand when Alexjin took it and kissed her knuckled softly.

"Lady Geraldine, I will do the best that I can in order to give you the everything," He whispered and caress his check over her skin.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Geraldine ask as she could feel her hair at the back tingling.

Alexjin stopped moving as he slowly look into her eyes. His electric blue eyes shines when meeting her own red ones. Both colors contrasting one another.

"Lady Geraldine, I want you to have the whole world under your feet and it starts to this Empire and soon enough.. You will have all the Empires and Kingdoms that stands on every land."