My baby needs friends, and it's a mother's job to make sure he has good friends that will support him.
I know that I can't put him under my care forever. I will have to teach him to create an environment where he will have his female lead and surround himself with loyal, trusting friends.
[—Sigh, there is so much to do as a mother, it's a good thing he has me around.] she thought as she smiled and self-praise.
Even though I've never been a mother myself before, taking care of the prince as my child does help one appreciate the effort that Parents put in.
However, it does make me sad that I couldn't be the filial daughter for my parents during my past life. I swear that I will take great care of my parents in this life.
So I got to live long and make sure my baby make friends, fall in love, then finally pay me a large annulment pension so that I could use it and spend my days peacefully with my parents in this life.
"What are you doing, nodding your head like that? You look silly."
The prince said when he saw her folding her arms and nodding to herself alone.
"Huh? It's nothing. I was just thinking deeply about something ..... hahaha."
<I was thinking deeply about your future happiness and how you will give me a large amount of annulment money, but I can't tell you that. hohoho>
She laughs in her mind.
Prince Leon and Ivy were on their way to a tea party held by the prime minister's wife for children.
Before they arrive at the Prime Minister's Mansion, Ivy thought.
<At last, a tea party event. It's a fairly common event that nobles held to mingle and develop connections. This is the perfect place for my baby to make friends.
My Mother wanted to come along, but I know that she was busy with the household arrangements, so I insisted that Prince Leon escort me to the event instead. That way, I could help my baby make more friends. Hehe, I'm so brilliant.>
"I hope there are lots of young boys our age at the tea party. I look forward to making lots of friends."
Ivy casually smiled while she gazed at the scenery outside, looking forward to reaching the Prime Minister's home.
"Huh?" The Prince voice out angrily, "Why are you so excited to meet them?"
"Well, your highness, it is always good to develop connections with others. One cannot live alone on this earth. So, of course, I hope to build many good relationships for the long term. I hope your highness could find someone like that too."
While she tried to explain sensibly, he just pouted and said
"Hmph! I don't need any."
When she saw his pouted face, she thought.
<—Sigh, I forgot my boy is shy, but I'm sure it will turn out fine. Nobody can resist that pheromones of his.
I'm sure there will be lots of people that will love him. He is the Prince, after all.>
Moments later, they finally arrive at the prime minister's mansion. The tea party was held at the prime minister's garden, and this was Ivy's first tea party since she came to this world.
She had always dreamed of joining these types of events, for she had read many times about it in the novels where it usually describes how beautiful the garden scenery is.
The moment she lay her eyes on it, she could only gasp and say
"The garden looks gorgeous."
As Ivy used to live in the concrete city, having the chance to look at a Victorian style garden was a rare sight for her.
The garden was blooming with flowers, and the courtyard was covered in white marble.
It was so vast and spacious that it felt like the whole place was full of fresh air.
The garden made her so overwhelmed that she almost forgot her purpose of attending the party today.
"Welcome your highness and Ms.Ivy. I'm Gregory Lewis, the Prime minister's son. It is my honor to have both of you at my tea party today."
When she heard a child's voice calling her, she came back from her senses to find a dazzling face standing in front of her.
He had silver hair and grayish-blue eyes, and then as he wore his dark coat, it made his skin look fairer.
The moment the young boy smiled and kissed her hand, she thought.
<Ugh! ... oh no, another handsome and attractive young boy shooting his pheromones attack at me! I have to endure! > (●˃̶͈̀ロ˂̶͈́)੭ꠥ⁾⁾
"Good day to you too, Sir Gregory. I'm Ivy Augustine, Daughter of Duke Augustine. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
After she made her greetings, she notices that her boy was silent as he just stood there frozen, doing nothing.
Then in her mind, she thought,
[Oh my god, did he forget his manners? Could you hurry up and greet him, boy!]?
So she quickly steps on his foot and pushes him forward, then softly said,
"You should greet him, your highness. It's proper manners."
"I'm Prince Leon Lambert, Crown Prince of the Empire. It is nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine, Prince Leon. Let me escort both of you to your table."
As Gregory walks ahead in front of us, I tug Prince Leon's sleeve to lower his ear and whispers to him.
"Your highness, please make an effort to mingle with everyone. The crown prince must build a good relationship with his people, and you will need more trusted advisors and loyal subjects in the future.
So try your best to make friends, ok?"
I look at him sternly, but his face looks slightly pinkish red.
"Huh? Are you feeling unwell, your highness? You look a little flushed."
"Uh, no, it is just the heat that's making me hot."
"ok... but if your highness does feel unwell, please do inform me immediately."
My poor baby, maybe he is sick. That could be the reason why he was acting a little strange just now.
Let's just hope he could pull through this event. I'll make sure to take good care of you later.
As we approach the table full of children, they swarm over to the prince even before reaching our table.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Prince Leon."
"Yes, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance as well."
While the children surrounded the Prince, I silently slip myself away and head over to the buffet table.
<A mother should let the children play on their own. That's how they grow up.>
After feeling proud of what I've done for my child, I rewarded myself with the cakes and delicacies on the buffet table until Sir Gregory came over and said,
"I'm happy to see Ms ivy enjoying herself today."
"Uhm, " she tried to swallow the food in her mouth and answer quickly,
"well, yes. Sir Gregory. The food is very delicious, and your garden is lovely. I'm enjoying myself very much."
"I'm pleased to hear that. This is my first time hosting an event like this, so I was feeling quite nervous."
"Oh, what? Sir Gregory, did you made all the arrangements?"
"Well, my mother did help a little."
"But that is still very amazing! Sir Gregory, you are very amazing! You should be proud of what you accomplished!"
I was so impressed that a young man his age could make such a fantastic tea party. I know for a fact that hosting an event is no small feat. A good event organizer charges millions to build a professional-looking event like this, and he is only a child. Wow!
I held his hand tightly to encourage him and thank him for inviting me.
"Thank you for inviting me again to this tea party. I'm delighted that I could be a guest at your first tea party."
Gregory started to blush when he saw ivy's gorgeous smile. The boy did put quite an effort into making his first tea party a success.
From sending out the invitations, maintaining the garden, to carefully choosing the right food and music for the atmosphere.
Everything was as he planned. So it made him happy when ivy praises him sincerely for his hard work. He never expected that he would've enjoyed so much to see a person's smiling face.
"Thank you, Ms. Ivy. I hope that you will attend our events again in the future, and maybe sometimes we could have tea alone together."
Suddenly someone pulled Ivy away from Gregory, and when she turns around to look, she saw it was the Prince who drags her away.
"Sorry, but My Fiancée is very busy attending her queen-to-be classes. I fear that she will not have any opportunity to visit your home."
"Ah, I see, then maybe I'll come by and visit my lady instead."
"The Duke's household only strictly allows those involved to enter, so regretfully I don't think you will be able to visit us anytime soon without going through the Duke's permission."
"Well, that's good to hear then because I'm going to be training under Duke Augustine as well."
"WHAT!" X2, the boy and girl yelled while the Prime minister's son continues to explain.
"Yes, my father wanted me to sharpen my swordsmanship skills. Who better to train me other than ms Augustine's father, the master swordsman himself."
Gregory smiled, leaving us speechless.
Wow, this is surprising. I never thought another handsome guy like him would be training at the Duke household.
But wait a minute, isn't this kind of like the 2nd male lead character settings?
He is handsome, smart, talented, and there is some rivalry between Prince Leon and Sir Gregory.
On top of that, they will also be spending time training together under the same Master.
Sir Gregory must the male leads best friend/love rival! He is the 2nd male lead!
I was expecting a 2nd male lead in this story, every story generally has one, but because I skip most of it, I didn't know who it was.
No wonder I grew quite fond of him. I've always preferred and supported the second male lead of the romance novel.
Even though they try so hard to woe the female protagonist but fate was never in their favor. I always sympathize with them and hope to read their happily ever after too.
That's the life of a side character, he is like my comrade in battle, and we are on the same side.
< from today onwards, he shall be my second son. I will make sure that he will find happiness as well>
(Author: ivy has grown delusional with her family settings. For her sake, we hope that there won't be any more sons)
********
Prince Leon POV
Ever since that day at the library, I've been looking forward to seeing ivy.
After the sword match, there was a moment that I thought I couldn't even hold a sword again, but I want to continue my swordsman training with Master because I needed an excuse to go back to the duke's household and see her.
She invited me to be her escort to the prime minister tea party today, and even though I'm not fond of these events, I look forward to joining her on an outing.
Today her hair was tied in twin ponytails with a glittering yellow ribbon, and she wore a simple white dress with yellow laces. Though she dresses quite modestly, it compliments her very well that made her look cute and lovely.
For some reason, her head is always in the clouds as if she was having a serious discussion with herself. Though I always wonder what she is thinking about, seeing her nod her head like that amuses me.
However, sometimes her words and actions tend to mess up with my emotion, which really gets me agitated with her when I heard her say
"I hope there are lots of young boys our age at the tea party. I look forward to making lots of friends."
Why did she hope to see more young boys at the party? Why does she want to develop connections with them? And she wants someone for the long term?
Does that mean she hope to meet other male interest?
But why? Even when she already has me as her fiancé?
But since it's an arranged marriage, does that mean she is unhappy being betrothed to me?
And She also wishes I could find someone else too? Does that mean she is not interested in me?
I felt my heart sunk to the deepest pit of my stomach.
Even though I'm glad to see her happily looking forward to the tea party, I'm not happy with the idea of her meeting others.
Nobody can have her except me.
As we arrive at the prime minister's mansion, she had the brightest smile when she gazes upon the garden. I love how she smiles; it really brightens up my whole world.
But my mood was immediately spoiled when this bastard comes along. How dare he kiss her hand. I want to quickly tear off that dirty mouth of his for contaminating her hand.
I didn't even want to talk to him until ivy forces me to do it.
When I felt her small hand tug my sleeve as she silently whispered in my ear. I could feel her breath gently blowing, and her voice was so sweet that it made my heart skip a beat.
She wants me to mingle with others because she cares for my well-being as a crown prince, and I agree that it is essential to build a good relationship with my people for the sake of my people's future. Sometimes I'm amazed by how caring she is.
As I was busy handling the swarm of people around me, I lost sight of her, and it made me anxious. I need to make sure that no one takes her away from me.
Then I saw that bastard Gregory and her holding hands.
I was so furious that something came over me.
I immediately grab ivy's hand away from him and instinctively pull her away towards my arms.
I glared at Gregory and continuously pushed his invitations away from meeting her.
I can see that he is interested in her.
But no matter how hard you try.
<she only belongs to me>
Author:-
What are your thoughts if this novel were to adapt into a comic? Would you support it? Comment your support to let me know!