Chapter 9 Cold rejection

°°°

"Your Highness," Lild said and bowed to make Quinneta aware of the Crown Prince's presence.

Quinneta paused and turned to them. She immediately bowed. "Your Highness, I wasn't aware of your presence, I'm sorry. I will go eat my lunch now," she said and immediately walked away with Tenah following behind.

"I was only teaching her, I'll leave now," Xai said and immediately left. It was obvious he was scared of his elder brother.

For some reason, Carrine felt disappointed. He didn't say anything, and for a moment he stood on a spot which surprised Lild.

"Your Highness," Lild said.

"Let's go," Carrine said and they both walked to his palace.

•••

Carrine said nothing as Lild made the report. Lild wasn't sure if he was listening. But he knew the crown prince wasn't the type to slack off.

"...then the troup will be..."

"I'll have dinner in my room," Carrine interrupted without changing theexpression on his face.

Shocked Lild could only nod. "I'll get them to bring it here when it's dinner time."

"Leave," Carrine ordered.

"Yes, Your Highness," Lild made a bow and left.

☆☆

Quinneta sat in the room thinking of the best way to ask for the Crown Prince's permission. She'd try to ask him after dinner.

She laid on the bed and thought of what to start with to gain his interest. He's very cold, so, beating about the bush wasn't an option. She just had to go straight to the point. She knew she'd only get rejected again so she had to prepare for it, but, she could still try.

•••

*Dinner time*

"His Highness wants to have dinner in his room," Tenah said.

"Huh?" Quinneta was shocked. She had planned to talk to him after dinner, how was she going to do it now? She got up from the dinner table and asked for the permission of the King and Queen. "I'd love to take His Highness' dinner to him," she said.

"You may," His Majesty said.

Quinneta bowed and left the table.

°°°

"Your Highness, I'd wait for you here," Tenah said when they approached the Crown Prince's palace. She couldn't bear to be thrown away badly. She also knew that Quinneta wasn't aware that there was an invisible lock there and she wasn't planning on telling her.

"Ok, I'll try to be back soon so you don't wait for long." Quinneta said and walked into the palace.

Quinneta walked up to a guard who immediately bowed when he saw her.

"Your Highness, how may I help you?" He asked.

"Please show me to where His Highness is, I brought his dinner," she said and adjusted the tray in her hands.

"This way Your Highness," the guard led the way.

The guard returned to his post after showing Carrine's room to Quinneta.

°°°

"Your Highness, I brought dinner," she said, opened the door and walked in.

Carrine sat on his bed, his long hair dripping. It was like he had just taken a shower. He wore a black robe and dried his hair also with a black towel. He actually looked more tempting and pleasing to the eyes.

"I'm so sorry Your Highness, I'll come back when you are ready," Quinneta said, lifted the tray and covered her eyes.

"Drop it," the voice was as icy and commanding as ever.

Quinneta turned and placed it on the desk. She then prepared to serve it.

"Leave," Carrine said.

"Your Highness, there's actually something I have to discuss with you," Quinneta said.

Carrine didn't act like he heard her. After tieing his robe, he walked to the table and sat down. Surprisingly, Quinneta sat opposite him.

"I'll just talk while you eat," she said and poured him some tea.

Carrine made no attempt to eat, he only sat, staring at Quinneta.

"Your Highness, I have something very important to tell you. I..." she paused and thought of the right way to put it. There was no other way, she just had to say it the way it was. "Your Highness...I..I.." the words weren't coming out.

Quinneta closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. After minutes of waiting, with Carrine still not taking his eyes off her, she suddenly said, "Your Highness, I need your permission. Please, allow me to attend Sky stars," she said all these in a breathless rush.

There was no reply. One second..two seconds...three seconds....one minute...two minutes...three minutes...

At exactly five minutes, there was a reaction from Carrine. Quinneta hoped he was going to say something, but instead, Carrine carried the cup of tea and took a sip.

After watching him take four sips, Quinneta couldn't take it anymore. She had to repeat herself. "Your Highness, I need your..."

"NO," the voice wasn't gentle nor harsh. It was not carrying the usual icy cold tone and was also not carrying the tiniest bit of warmth either. It just came out plain. As plain as the word itself.

Quinneta's countenance fell. She knew this from the beginning. He just wouldn't let her. Maybe she was only a doll he had to keep within the palace. She wasn't used to being rejected, especially notconsecutively.

"I won't bother you anymore, enjoy your meal," she said and stood up. She walked slowly to the door and left without turning back.

Carrine also concentrated on having his meal.