Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve

Several cameras circled the restaurant, and before leaving, they all focused on Maxson for a close-up.After they left, we were finally able to eat in peace. I was a little overwhelmed by the sudden elimination, but McKesson didn't look any different, enjoying his food.Seeing him eating so deliciously, I remembered to eat it quickly, otherwise it would be cold.Again, I thought the food was so delicious and the orange juice was so mellow that I had to sip it to get the most out of it.The omelette and bacon were heavenly and the pancakes were cooked to perfection, not at all as thin as they are when I make them at home.

Hearing the exclamations of others, I know I'm not the only one who thinks the food here is particularly good.I remember using tongs to pick up the strawberry tart in the middle of the table, and at the same time, I wanted to see if other fifth-level people also enjoyed these foods, and that's when I realized that I was the only one The fifth rank stayed. Not sure if Maxson realized it (he didn't even quite remember our names), but it was kind of weird that they both got sent away.If I had been completely strangers to Maxson before this morning, would I have been kicked out too?While thinking about this question, I bit down the strawberry tart in my hand. It was extremely sweet, and the meringue was so thin and crisp. Every taste bud was awakened, drowning out my other senses.This is the best thing I have ever eaten, and I can't help but let out a satisfied admiration.I haven't swallowed the first bite yet, and I can't wait to take the second bite.

"Ms. America?" a voice called me. Everyone followed their reputation, and it turned out to be Prince Maxson.I'd be surprised how easily he called me in front of other people, and anyone else. Worse than being called out of the blue is having my mouth full of food.I had to cover my mouth with my hands and chew and swallow the food as quickly as possible. Although the whole process only took a few seconds, it felt like a lifetime when all eyes were on you.Celeste looked at me with disdain, and it seemed that I must be the easiest one in her eyes to beat. "Yes, Your Highness?" When the food in my mouth was almost swallowed, I replied immediately.

"Do you like the food?" McKesson looked like he was about to burst out laughing, if not because of my bewilderment now, then because of the content of our private conversation last night. I tried to stay calm: "It's delicious, Your Majesty. This strawberry tart... well, I have a sister who has a bigger sweet tooth than I do. I think she'll cry if she eats this. It's perfect .” Maxson swallowed the food in his mouth and leaned back in the chair: "Do you really think she will cry?" He seemed to be particularly interested in this point, how could he have such strange feelings for women and tears.

I thought for a while: "It's true, I think so. She's not very good at controlling her emotions." "Would you bet your money on it?" he asked right away, and I noticed the other girls looking back and forth between the two of us like we were watching a tennis match. "If I had the money, I'd definitely bet on it." I couldn't help laughing at the thought of betting on someone else's tears of joy. "Otherwise, would you like to exchange? You seem to be good at negotiating business." He enjoys this game, well, I will accompany you. "Well, so what do you want?" I offered, and I couldn't help but wonder what I could give to this man who had it all.

"What do you want?" he asked back. It was a particularly interesting question, almost as interesting as anything I could give him.The whole world is in his hands, so what do I want? I'm not first class, and now I'm living this life, eating insatiable food, sleeping in an unspeakably comfortable bed, and being serviced from head to toe whether I want it or not.If I need anything else, just bring it up. The only thing I really want is to be able to make this place a little less like a palace, like having my family around, or maybe not being so dressed up.But I've only been here for a day, and I haven't been able to ask my family to visit me yet.

"If she cries, I want to wear pants for a week." I offered. All laughed low and politely, even the king and queen smiled at my request.I like the way the queen looks at me now, it doesn't feel so strange anymore. "It's a deal," Maxson said. "If she doesn't cry, you're going to walk with me outside tomorrow afternoon." Take a walk outside?what is this?I don't see anything special about this.I remember Maxson saying last night that he was so well protected that maybe he just didn't know how to ask a girl out.Perhaps, this is his way of trying new things.

The person sitting next to me let out an unhappy sigh.Oh, I just realized that if I lose, I'll be the first to be alone with the prince.I kind of want to renegotiate the terms, but I promised him that if I want to help him, I can't just refuse his first invitation. "Sir, your conditions are very harsh, but I accept." "Justin?" The steward who spoke to him just now took a step forward, "Go and pack a box of strawberry tarts and deliver them to this lady's home. Tell the person who delivered them to wait until her sister finishes tasting them, and then come back and tell us what happened to her. Did you cry. I'm very curious about that."

Justin nodded and went out. "You should write a note for them to send back with you, telling your family that you are safe. In fact, you should all report that you are safe. After dinner, write a letter to the family, and we will make sure they receive it today." Everyone smiled and sighed, happy that they finally received attention.After breakfast we went back to write letters.Anne found my stationery and I wrote a short letter home.Although some embarrassing things happened at the beginning, the last thing I want to worry about is my family, so I try to write lightly. Well, in order to win, I did my best.

However, it seems that this sentence is not enough.In the evening a butler knocked on my door with a report from my family. "Miss, she didn't cry. As you said, she said that the strawberry tart was so delicious that it made people cry, but she didn't really cry. His Royal Highness will come to your room to pick you up at around five o'clock tomorrow afternoon, please get ready." I'm not unhappy about losing, but, of course, it would be nice to have pants to wear.Of course, if you don't have pants to wear, it's good to have a letter from home.It occurred to me that this was the first time in my growing up that I was away from my family for more than a few hours.Our family didn't have enough money to travel, and I grew up without any real friends, so I never had the chance to spend the night away from home.It would be great if I could receive letters from home every day, but I know this idea is too extravagant.

I read my dad's letter first, and he wrote a lot about how beautiful I looked on TV and how proud he was.He also wrote that I shouldn't send three boxes of strawberry tarts back, because I'm too spoiled Xiaomei.Three boxes!Oh my god! He went on to write that Aspen had been coming to my house lately to help with some paperwork, so he took a box home too.At this point, I really don't know how to react.On the one hand, I'm glad they're getting such fine food, but on the other hand, I can't help thinking that he's going to share it with his new girlfriend.That girl is his favorite person now.Not sure if he was jealous of Maxson's gift, or if he was just glad he got rid of me. My attention stayed on these few lines for a long time. Dad ended by saying, glad I made a friend, that I've always been a little slow on that.After closing the letter, I stroked the name he signed on the outside. For the first time, I felt that his signature method was very special. Gerald's letter was short, he misses me, loves me, and asks me to send more food home.I couldn't help laughing out loud seeing this. My mother wrote very domineeringly. Although it was just words, I could hear her tone, congratulating me triumphantly that I have won the prince's favor, and said that she knew that I was the only one who got a gift home, so I insisted on doing it any ongoing efforts. Well, Mom, I'll keep telling the prince that there's no chance between him and me, just redouble our efforts to piss him off.What a great plan. Fortunately, I saved Xiaomei's letter until the end. Her letter expressed her unbearable excitement, saying she was jealous that I was able to eat so well every day.She also complained that her mother was intensifying and ordering her to do this and that, and I could understand her feelings on this point.Then came the barrage of questions: Is Maxson better in person than on television?What am I wearing?Can she come to the palace to visit me?Will Maxson have a secret brother who will marry her in the future? I smiled happily holding these letters, thinking that I must reply to them as soon as possible.I think there must be a phone here, but so far, no one has told us.But even if I have a phone in my room, it's not realistic to call back every day; moreover, the letter can leave a memory, proving that I have indeed been to this place. I go to bed knowing that everyone in the family is doing well.Still a little nervous at the thought of being alone with Maxson again, but the warmth and comfort of the bed quickly lulled me to sleep.In fact, I don't understand why I am nervous, I can only hope that I can get through it safely. "Just for show, would you please take my arm?" Maxon said when he came to pick me up from my room the next day.Although I was a little hesitant, I did it anyway. My maids have already changed me into evening dress: a high-waisted, short-sleeved, wrap-shoulder little blue dress.My bare arms feel the texture of Maxson's starched suit, and there's something oddly unnatural about it.He must have noticed my unnaturalness, so he tried to distract me. "I'm sorry she didn't cry," he said. "No, you don't have to be sorry." I said in a joking tone, and I was not unhappy when I lost. "I've never bet with anyone before, so it feels so good to win." His tone was a little embarrassed. "Beginner's luck." He smiled: "Maybe. Next time, let's do something to make her laugh." At that moment, many scenes appeared in my mind. What is there in the palace that can make Xiaomei laugh so hard that she can't straighten up? Maxson saw that I was thinking about Xiaomei: "What is your family like?" "What do you mean?" "Literally. Your family must be very different from mine." "Of course." I laughed. "Nobody wears a crown to breakfast anyway." Maxson smiled. "Was the crown worn at the Singers' house for dinner?" "certainly." He laughed softly.I'm starting to think that maybe Maxson isn't as snobby as I thought. "Well, I'm the third of five siblings." "Five!" "Yes, five. Many families outside have many children. If I can, I will have many." "Oh, really?" Maxson raised his eyebrows. "Yes." I replied in a low voice.Not sure why, but this topic seems too personal.Only one other person would have known this. Sadness welled up in me, but I held back. "Well, my older sister Kenna is married to a 4th class and now works in a factory. My mom wants me to at least marry a 4th class, but I don't want to give up singing, I love singing. I think now that I'm in the third class, it would be weird to perform for people, but I'll still try to do some music-related work." Cota came in second, he was an artist, we rarely see him these days.He did come to see me off, but it was just to see me off. Then, it's me. Maxson smiled easily. "America Singer," he announced, "my best friend." "Isn't it?" I rolled my eyes.How could I be his best friend, at least not yet.But I have to admit, besides my family and my lover, he is the only person I can tell my heart to.Well, and Mary.So, are he and Mary friends of a nature? We walked slowly down the corridor to the stairwell, he was in no hurry. "Behind me is Xiaomei, the one who didn't cry and betrayed me. Seriously, I feel cheated, I can't believe she didn't cry! Well, she is also an artist. I... I love Dead her." Maxson studied my expression.When it comes to Xiaomei, I do become a little softer.I kind of like Maxson, but I don't know yet how close I want him to be. "And then there's Gerald, our little one, who's only seven years old and hasn't figured out whether he's into music or art. His favorite things now are playing football and studying bugs, which is all very well, but those hobbies are terrible. No money. Well, that's all." "What about your parents?" he asked. "What about your parents?" I replied. "You know my parents." "No, I don't know them, I only know their public image. What are they like in real life?" I tugged at his arm, and I could still feel the strong muscles in his arms even through several layers of clothes.Maxson sighed, and it was obvious that he was not really angry, and seemed to like the feeling of being entangled.It must have been lonely growing up in this place without siblings. When we walked into the garden, he was thinking about what to say.When we passed the guards at the gate, they had a slightly weird smile on their face.After passing them, I saw a camera crew, and of course they were going to shoot the prince's first date.Maxson shook his head at them, and they went back indoors at once.I heard someone swearing.While I don't really want people following us, it doesn't seem like a good idea to send them away. "Are you okay? Looks tense," McKesson pointed out. "You'd be at a loss for a crying woman, and I'd be at a loss for a walk with a prince." I shrugged. Maxson smiled and said nothing.We headed west, into the shade of the woods.Although it was not too late, the shade still covered us like a small black umbrella.This is exactly what I needed when I wanted to be alone the night before.It's really just the two of us now.Going forward, we are getting farther and farther away from the palace, and the guards can no longer hear our conversations. "Why should I overwhelm you?" I thought about it, and decided to tell my true feelings: "Your character, your purpose, I don't know what you expect from this walk." "Oh." He stopped, facing me.We were very close, and although the summer air was warm, I still felt chills on my back, "I think, you should know by now, I'm not the kind of man who likes to bend. I'll tell you, from you I think Want something." McKesson took another step closer. I held my breath, thinking that I was still in the most terrible situation.No guards, no cameras, no one to stop him from taking what he wants. My first instinct was to give him a kick.real.I kicked him hard in the thigh with my knee. Maxson screamed loudly, and immediately bent over and squatted down, while I took a few steps back: "Why is that?" "If you dare to move a finger at me, I will dare to do something even scarier!" I vowed. "what?" "I said, if you..." "No, no, you crazy girl, I can hear you very clearly." Maxson looked pained, "But, what do you mean by that?" I felt my whole body start to heat up.It seems that I was too arbitrary, to make such a big joke out of nothing. The guards ran over when they heard our quarrel. Maxson raised his hand and told them to back down, but they must have seen this awkward half-kneeling state. We all fell silent for a while, and when Maxson had endured the worst of it, he turned to me. "What do you think I want?" he asked. I shrank my head, my face was red. "America, what do you think I want?" His tone was very unhappy, what's more, he felt very hurt.He must have guessed what I was thinking, and he was very upset, "In public? You think... oh my! I'm a gentleman!" He turned and left, didn't take two steps, and then turned back. "If you look at me like that, why do you still say you want to help me?" I couldn't even look him in the eye.I don't know how to explain it to him, saying that they all prepared me to face a pervert, that the secret dark place made me feel uncomfortable, and that I have only been with one other guy, and when we are alone Such. "You can have dinner in your room tonight, and I will deal with this matter tomorrow morning." I waited in the garden until everyone else had entered the dining room before returning indoors, and wandered the corridors for a while before daring to return to my room.Anne, Mary and Lucy were all excited when I walked into the room, and I was too scared to tell them that I wasn't spending all of this time with the Prince. I was sitting at a table on the edge of the veranda when dinner was brought.Now I'm not so obsessed with the embarrassment I just made, because I'm hungry.However, they were so excited not simply because I had been out for a long time, because there was a big box on the bed waiting to be opened. "Can we watch?" Lucy asked. "Lucy, how rude!" Annie scolded. "As soon as you went out, they brought it! We kept guessing what it was!" mary exclaimed. "Mary! What about etiquette!" Anne continued to scold. "Don't worry girls, I don't have any secrets." When they come to kick me out tomorrow, I'll tell them why. I undid the big red bow on the box and smiled weakly at them.In the box were three pairs of trousers, one in linen, one in suit trousers, very soft, and one in fine denim.There is also a card with the national emblem of Ilya printed on it.