“Do you want me to bring you a book from the library?”
“No, I’ve already sent one of the maids several times to the library, but there aren’t many books that interest me.”
“Do you want me to buy you a new book? I could go to the city and buy some books if you wish.”
“Would you really do that for me?”
“Yes.”
“I would appreciate it very much.”
Cassian had spent little time with the princess, and if he left, the pain would return in the middle of the night. So, he took her hand for a moment and said, “I won’t be long. I’ll see you later.
Cassian stood up and left, leaving Abril alone. She wondered why he had taken her hand, but those thoughts quickly disappeared when she saw the king enter. He approached her, gave her a soft and sweet kiss on the lips, and asked, “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not in pain anymore?”
“I didn’t say that, but the pain is bearable.”
Alessandro decided it was best to change the subject since Abril always made a grim face whenever they talked about it. “I was thinking we could go for a boat ride on the lake as I promised you a few days ago. It would be in two days if you feel well by then. There are some flowers in the water that are in full bloom. I think you’ll like them.”
Abril’s eyes lit up like two bright stars shining with pure happiness and excitement. “Really? Is His Majesty not lying this time?”
“I’m not lying. I’ve learned my lesson. I just want to fulfill what I promised you that day in the garden by the fountain. I want to make you happy.”
Alessandro caressed her hair, her cheeks, and down to her neck and said, “I told you I would show you all the beautiful places within the palace. I want you to forget the idea of wanting to leave the palace,” Alessandro thought as he gave her a sweet kiss. “I want you to stay by my side and never wish to leave because I won’t allow you to leave my side either.”
Cassian hated leaving the palace and, even more so, visiting the city. However, that day he had promised Abril that he would get her new books. He could have sent one of the servants if he wanted, but he decided to go himself. When he asked for his carriage to be prepared for a trip to the city, the butler and the servants were very surprised, as the prince almost never left the palace since he had suffered the injury to his leg.
Cassian asked the coachman to take him to a bookstore. Upon arriving in the city, the coachman dropped him off as close as possible, but there was still a distance he had to walk. As he walked, Cassian limped slightly, and people stared at him, which he disliked. In the past, he loved strolling through the city, often sneaking out of the palace just to visit restaurants and wander the bustling streets, but all that was in the past.
Upon reaching the bookstore, Cassian asked the guards to wait outside. They refused outright, but he kept insisting; he didn’t want them to see that he was buying romance novels, even though they weren’t for him. He didn’t want to be misunderstood. After much insistence, Cassian managed to enter the bookstore alone. There was an old man at the counter who asked him,
“How can I help you?”
“I’m not quite sure, I’ll take a look around.”
“Of course, feel free to browse the books.”
“Thank you.”
Cassian wandered through the shelves until he reached the section where the romance novels were. As he read the titles and chose the ones he thought the princess would like best, he hoped no one would see him. He was so focused on selecting the books that he didn’t notice a young woman approaching until she spoke to him.
“That book you’re holding is very good, but there are two others before it. If you haven’t read them, you might not understand this one much.”
Cassian was surprised and embarrassed to be seen buying romance novels. The young woman noticed his face turning red and said:
“I’m sorry, did I make you uncomfortable?”
“I’m choosing books for a friend, but I really don’t know which ones to pick.”
“If you want, I can help you. I’ve read all the books here.”
The young woman was very kind, and Cassian accepted her help since he felt a bit lost.
“I would appreciate that very much.”
“My name is Laila, what’s yours?” asked the young woman with blonde hair tied in a bun and light brown eyes. She was slim, and her clothes did not suggest she was a noble.
“My name is Cassian.’”
She smiled and said, “You have the same name as the prince.”
Cassian didn’t want her to know he was the prince. That day he was incognito, dressed simply, and no one would say he was the same person.
“It’s a common name.’
“Actually, it’s not. This is the first time I’ve heard someone say they have the same name as the prince.”
Laila took several books off the shelf and dropped the subject of his name.
“These books are very good. I’m sure your friend will love them.”
Cassian noticed that one of the books was not a romance but an adventure novel. He pointed it out.
“I don’t think she’ll like this one.”
“I assure you she will. Even though it’s an adventure, the characters experienced great love and described wonderful places.”
“Then I’ll take it.”
“Do you want me to wrap them?”
“Do you work here?”
“Yes, my grandfather owns the store. Shall I wrap them all?”
“Yes, please.”
While Laila wrapped the books, Cassian stopped in front of a shelf where a book caught his attention. Laila noticed the book he was looking at and said,
“That’s a good book, I recommend it.”
“Have you read it too?”
“I’ve read all the books here,” Laila replied proudly.
“That way, I can recommend books to customers who visit the store.”
Cassian took the book and handed it to Laila.
“Then I’ll take this one too.”
“When I read this book, I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. I hope you like it.”
“If I like it, I’ll come back to buy another book.”
“Then you’ll surely come back. I rarely make mistakes when recommending a book.”
After Laila finished wrapping the books, Cassian paid for them. He wanted to give Laila a good tip for helping him, but she shook her head.
“I can’t accept it. Helping you is my job, and besides, I enjoyed talking to you. So if you liked my service, come back to visit the store.”
“Thank you very much.”
Cassian took the books, and before leaving the store, Laila said:
“Next time you come back, invite me for a walk.”
Cassian realized at that moment that Laila was flirting with him. His cheeks turned red, and he quickly left the store. He wasn’t very familiar with that; usually, it was his brother who attracted the attention of women, while he went unnoticed.
When the guards saw his flushed face, they asked:
“Are you alright, Prince?”
“I’m fine, let’s go.”
When Cassian returned to the palace, he went to Abril’s room. Before entering, he heard Alessandro’s voice. He didn’t dare go in and turned around, handing the books to one of the maids to deliver them.
Cassian returned to his room and lay on the bed, staying there quietly for a few hours. Then he remembered the book he had bought on Laila’s recommendation. She had been very excited while recommending it. Out of curiosity, he began to read, and it turned out to be just as Laila had said. The book was so interesting that he couldn’t stop reading it. He stayed up all night reading, and the next day, he woke up late and continued reading after breakfast. That day, he remained absorbed in the book, forgetting all his problems for a moment.
The next day, he continued reading until the pain in his leg became unbearable, and he had to go see Abril. When he reached Abril’s room, he knocked on the door with his knuckles, and one of the maids opened it. Abril was putting on a hat. Cassian asked,
“Are you going somewhere?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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