Studious Engagement
Episode 01: The Royal Engagement
You, Juniper, exit the carriage being escorted by your footman.
As your feet touch the ground, you stand in awe at the sight of the Imperial Academy: the school you have been longing for since you were young.
Your voice wanders off when you set your eyes at the familiar figure that began approaching you.
You try to keep your smile seeing the Crown Prince Finneas Rothwell. His scowl is the first thing you notice.
Juniper
Your Royal Highness.
Juniper
How wonderful it is to see you, but… I was told we will be meeting at the refectory?
Finneas
I was impatient. Besides, our conversation will be quick.
Finneas
What is the need for meeting there when we can talk now?
You glance at the footman who bowed and was leaving along with the carriage
Juniper
Very well then, what do you wish to talk with me about?
Finneas’s eyebrows furrowed
Finneas
Our engagement, of course.
You began recalling of the day when you received the news of your engagement—the proposed engagement
*Flashback*
At the Vansburgh Mansion
Lancelot
His Majesty orders an engagement between you and His Highness, the Crown Prince
Archduchess Milliwen Vansburgh
Well… isn’t that good news.
Your mother, the Archduchess, tries to give you a smile while her hands were clasped together, trying to look pleased
Archduke Jonathan Vansburgh
Has the engagement with Lady Breuwen fell off already?
You cringe at your father’s sharp tongue
Lancelot
*adjusts his collar* Ahem, yes, well, I suppose we can call it that…
Archduke Jonathan Vansburgh
And why my daughter, exactly? His Majesty had already made it clear when he kept choosing all the other nobleman’s daughters.
Archduke Jonathan Vansburgh
I’m afraid that harmed my daughter’s social status more than you can understand.
He gestures to you. But you look away because even though you have no care for such things, your father does
Lancelot
Yes, His Majesty gives his sincere apology… but it was His Highness that chose his former fiancées, this time His Majesty was now able to choose for him.
You gulp, anxious of such attention
Attention that came from the King himself, as well
Juniper
Do not wish to be engaged with His Highness
Archduke Jonathan Vansburgh
...
Archduchess Milliwen Vansburgh
...
Episode 02: Bargaining Chip
Lancelot
My Lady, are you sure?
Lancelot
This is an engagement with the Crown Prince,
Lancelot
His Majesty has chosen you as well!
Archduke Jonathan Vansburgh
Lancelot.
Your father’s stern voice made the already anxious Lancelot straighten his back
Archduke Jonathan Vansburgh
If my daughter does not wish to marry that excuse of a Prince… then she has the right to refuse, no?
Archduke Jonathan Vansburgh
Even if it is by Royal Decree that His Majesty demands that they be wed.
Lancelot
*gulps* Yes… My Lord. But, may I?
Lancelot opens the folder he had in his arms and took out a piece of paper
Lancelot
His Majesty thought that Lady Juniper refused so he had me prepare this…
He sets down a piece of paper on the table
Your parents squints their eyes trying to read it, but your eyes widened reading the bolded letters
"ADMISSION LETTER TO THE IMPERIAL ACADEMY"
Juniper
Your Grace… *covers mouth*
Archduke Jonathan Vansburgh
It appears you had something up your sleeve.
Lancelot
Why, of course, Jonathan. Such is the benefit of knowing you so well.
Archduchess Milliwen Vansburgh
*chuckles* Well, now that we’ve seen her reaction, are we still able to refuse, my dear?
Archduke Jonathan Vansburgh
*sighs*
Archduke Jonathan Vansburgh
I suppose not.
Archduke Jonathan Vansburgh
But…
Archduke Jonathan Vansburgh
*in a low voice* Lancelot, tell His Majesty that if their engagement inevitably fails, my Juniper continues attending that Academy. And make sure of it.
Juniper
Will I truly be able to attend the Imperial Academy if I agree to be His Highness’s fiancée?
Lancelot
Yes, you will. You can sign here and everything will be official and you can become their student.
Juniper
And what about our engagement, Your Highness?
Epsiode 03: Stubborn Prince
Juniper
End our engagement?
Juniper
(How could this be...?)
Juniper
(We haven’t even been engaged for a week)
Finneas
Yes. You heard me.
Juniper
But Your Highness, His Majesty arranged this himself—
Finneas
I do not care about my father’s orders or whatever it may be, we end this engagement now.
Juniper
*clench fists* (Is this why none of his engagements last? Even so, he chose the ladies himself)
Finneas
Now, don’t look so sour. You will only regret it if we continue this.
Juniper
Were you not informed, Your Highness?
Finneas
*furrows eyebrows* Not informed of what?
Juniper
I only accepted His Majesty’s orders because he granted me the opportunity to attend this Academy, and his condition was that you and I should be engaged.
Juniper
You would be wrong to say that I would regret continuing this.
Juniper
I would regret even more that I wasn’t able to attend the Academy because I couldn’t handle Your Highness’s attitude.
Juniper
I ask that you not be selfish and be considerate.
Finneas
Why should I be considerate of you?
Finneas
As the Crown Prince and you being merely the daughter of a Duke—
Juniper
As the Crown Prince, shouldn’t you be knowledgeable of the people of this Kingdom?
Juniper
Especially the nobles and their ranks. Lest you wish for your support to vanish.
Finneas
Hah, Juniper was it?
Juniper
Yes, Your Highness.
Finneas
I don’t like you.
Juniper
(Well, I don’t like you, too)
Finneas
Look, this engagement thing is annoying. All you ladies have been clinging onto me like a koala and using my image to raise your social status.
Finneas
And I’ve heard about yours…
Juniper
Well, I assure you, Your Highness, that I do not care for such things.
Juniper
And to be frank, I do not care enough about you to cling onto you like… a koala.
Juniper
I say, we continue this engagement but we stay out of each other’s way.
Finneas notices the other students glancing at them
The notice of their engagement has not yet been announced so no one knew what their relationship was and why the Crown Prince was speaking to the Archduke’s daughter
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