Chapter 194


    I had more or less the same footwear as her, curtesy of the royal family, so her insult to me was at its


    base incorrect. But, knowing we would likely be walking through the gardens, I had chosen leather


    ankle


    I boots rather than frilly and frail pumps or sandals.


    “Not alldies‘ footwear is so delicate,” I said. “Perhaps it might have been wise to consider the location


    of our date and the weather before deciding what to wear.”


    “A woman’s appearance is more important than herfort.”


    “Not if it’s so impractical she can’t even go on a date with her prince,” I said.


    Olivia’s eyes narrowed. “There’s clearly much you do not understand about fashion or royalty.”


    N?velDrama.Org content.


    Nichs sighed. “Actually, I would prefer you be able to go on this walk. If you prefer to wait here, you


    can


    Olivia’s smile twitched. Her face became redder and redder. “To spend time with you, Prince Nichs, I


    will sacrifice my shoes.”


    “I prefer whatever Prince Nichs prefers,” Lilliana added, likely feeling excluded.


    “Let’s just walk,” Nichs said.


    We started through the gardens and then crossed over into thewn. Olivia made a disgusted face but


    eventually pressed her fancy shoes into the soggy grass.


    1 like the fresh air,” Nichs said. “It helps clear my head.”


    1 also like fresh air,” Lilliana said.


    7 think –” I started, only to be cut off by Olivia.


    1 prefer the smell of freshly cut grasses. Don’t you, Sir?”


    like that, and also the smell after the rain,” Lilliana said, and set Olivia a re behind Nichs’s back.


    That is, if you also like that, Your Royal Highness”


    You are allowed to like your own things,” Nichs sald.


    fopirse, Your Royal Highness,” Lilliana said,


    y to be fun off by


    +15 BONUS


    “Don’t you love the clear sky, Sir? That color of blue is so beautiful.”


    I cleared my throat. “So not so clear over there.” I pointed where some gray clouds hovered near the


    horizon.


    “No one asked you, Piper, Olivia said. “I was speaking with His Royal Highness.”


    “As was I,” Lilliana said.


    Nichs stopped walking and turned to face us three. With his face expressionless, he nced


    between Lilliana and Olivia. “A Luna knows when to let others speak.”


    Lilliana immediately lowered her head. “Forgive me, Your Royal Highness. I meant no offense. You are,


    of course, correct in all ways.”


    Olivia lifted her chin. She made no apologies, but also no reply.


    However, I felt embarrassed. Nichs already protected me from so much, I didn’t need him to shield


    me here as well. A few cutting words from these petty girls was not going to hurt me.


    In this, I could take care of myself. I didn’t need him to fight all of my battles for me.


    I tried not to show how angry I was. I knew, in my heart, he was only trying to look out for me. But !


    wasn’t made of ss. It felt like he didn’t trust me not to fall apart at the slightest sign of adversity.


    Haven’t I proven myself capable by now? At least when defending myself from the girls?


    Nichs noticed my upset, and my quiet. He kept looking back at me as we continued our walk, and


    seemed distracted when the other girls tried to talk to him.


    We made our way around the grounds before returning to the gardens. The entire endeavor took about


    an hour.


    Nichs dismissed and said goodbye to Olivia and Lilliana before he turned to me.


    “Why were you quiet?” he asked.


    “You don’t trust me,” I said.


    What?s


    can mand op for myself?