Sometimes Kaleigh ponders if her stupid pride is the cause for her own suffering. And this time, it's no different. She agreed to a bet with Sariel to serve for a lifetime if she doesn't gain recognition from the prince without revealing her identity within this month. And for now, she has only gotten the sign of approval from Luke, and she needs a minimum of six more.

"No, this isn't right." Kaleigh subtly shakes her head and thinks to herself "I'm doing this for the safety of my family. I do not wish for the name Moran to be used to others' whims any further! If Sariel wins, my entire family could be stuck in a political scandal like 10 years ago!"

Kaleigh knows she can't bring herself to force her parents out of what she described as a 'second honeymoon'. They're happy as commoners. Even her big brother who's studying abroad can already fend for himself. So to just pull her entire family into a political ruckus, to force them to face the family's old enemies makes Kaleigh feel bad and guilty.

The introduction from the princes just slips away from her head as she stands there, behind Belle, consumed in her thoughts.

"...first Prince Jin Grandet..."

"...Chevalier Michel.."

"...the handsome Third prince Clavis Lelouch!"

"...I'm Leon Dompteur, but just call me Leon, ladies~..."

"...the fifth prince Yves Kloss, remember, Belle!"

"...I'm Licht Klein, the sixth prince...don't get too near..."

"...Nokto Klein, the seventh prince, Belle~..."

"...I'm Luke. Luke Randolph..."

The above was not what the princes said in their entirety at all, but rather what Kaleigh managed to pick up while she's thinking about multiple things at the same time in her chaotic mind. Only the name and title is enough - Kaleigh thought.

"Hey, Kaleigh, you're strangely quiet. Is everything alright? All the princes have introduced themselves already." Emma's voice takes Kaleigh out of her train of thoughts.

"I-I'm sorry. I was lost in thought a bit." Kaleigh stammers. She rubs her eyes and sneaks a glance at Chevalier. Thankfully, he isn't staring at her anymore. The blond-haired prince looks distant from the room yet again.  Thankfully, the person who knows all sometimes will act like he knows nothing at all, like an omnipotent god who chooses to ignore mankind and leave them in the hand of evil and unjust. Kaleigh lets out a small, mocking sneer that went unnoticed to most people in the room.

When Kaleigh finally takes notice of her surroundings again, Emma has already been pulled away by Clavis, Jin and Leon. These three seem very interested in getting to know Belle - or rather they're the most willing of the prince to accept Belle.

"Geez, she really left me alone like this..." Kaleigh chuckles wryly and shakes her head helplessly. Well, Kaleigh tried her best to help Emma gain her confidence. The rest is now up to her, mostly. Kaleigh was about to exit the throne room when a strong hand caught her wrist from behind, making Kaleigh jolt on the spot. Instinctively, she turns around and tries to shake off the hand that is trying to keep her in place.

"Come with me, Kaleigh." Chevalier states sternly, looking down at her with those piercing blue eyes. Kaleigh's eyes are a much lighter shade of blue, like the sky, while those of his are like permafrost deep under the snow, exuding a coldness that makes Kaleigh shiver.

"Why?"

"Are you questioning a prince's order?"

Sighing in irritation, Kaleigh follows Chevalier along to the Foreign Affair faction's office. Even 10 years ago or now, she has never liked Chevalier and even sympathized with Clavis for hating him. Maybe a part of Kaleigh hates how Chevalier's position since he was born puts him on a pedestal. He would never have to resort to petty schemes like her to simply win or keep herself and her family safe. He would never understand having to live while looking at other's expressions to live properly.

The doors behind Kaleigh close with a thud. This room is rather tidy and well-organized, partly thanks to the choice of the wall color being porcelain white. There's a large working table placed in front of the grand window with a quill and a bottle of ink always ready on the table while right beside the window is a bookshelf that extends to the ceiling, filled with books and important documents. From there onward, you'll see a sparkling crystal chandelier hanging. And the most noticeable feature is the flag of the Foreign Affair Faction. It has a rose insignia on and the color is white, elegant and regal.

"Can you answer my question now, your highness? I am not questioning your order, but I am rather demanding an explanation for it." Kaleigh crosses her arms. "As you can see, I followed your orders just fine, so I did not disobey in the slightest." She scoffs.

"As biting as ever, little swan." Chevalier smirks and resumes his position on his chair. "I suppose you're here because the king is dead?"

Taking a deep breath, Kaleigh nods. Chevalier wasn't supposed to know that. But then, what does he not know? Even Kaleigh herself was surprised when she learnt from Sariel that her family's punishment will only stretch as long as the king's life. But the damage has been done - and her family can never go back to the old ways anymore.

"I won't ask you how you know it, your highness prince Chevalier. It's pointless. But, I have a request. Since it is not your story to share, do you mind keeping your lips sealed?" Kaleigh asks with a dark smile. She realizes that her lack of fondness for Chevalier far surpasses her natural fear for this born predator of the royal court, hence why she's making this request so naturally without a hitch, not even a pause in her sentence.

The blond examines her carefully, looking for a hint of fear. His icy blue eyes scan her body language thoroughly, from the smallest movement of her hands and fingers to the way her eyes may or may not waver. When Chevalier realizes that there's nothing but disdain, he scoffs in amusement "And why should I?"

-end of chapter 10-