章節 13: Chapter 13

While I was cultivating a future ally, I kept an eye on my surroundings, observing the movements of the party and studying my next target, Alexandra Victoria of Great Britain, she was always surrounded by noble ladies who were trying to befriend the future queen of the United Kingdom.

She was a future beauty for sure, exuding an air of arrogance and possessing a cold, deadly gaze, In the future, she would be a great ruler, no doubt, and a formidable adversary.

But for now, she was just a spoiled little girl with a big ego, she watched the dance floor with an expressionless face but a look of envy in her eyes, perhaps if she displayed a smile, some courageous knight would step forward and invite her to dance, even her cousin, who followed her like a shadow, cowered in the presence of her beautifully sculpted stone-like face.

The music was nearing its end, the perfect time to invite her for a dance, I bid William farewell cordially, promising to continue our friendship and discuss future agreements, with a charming smile on my face, I walked towards her.

"Good afternoon, Princess Alexandra it is a pleasure to meet you," I said as I approached her, addressing her by her first name in French, It was well-known to everyone who knew her that she despised being called by her first name, but it was amusing to irritate someone so arrogant and witness their expressions.

"The czarevich, I presume, we haven't been properly introduced yet," Victoria responded in French, her forehead furrowed in irritation but still wearing a cordial smile, she extended her hand for me to kiss it.

I leaned in, looking directly into her eyes with a smile on my face, and kissed her hand. "Alexandre Romanov, it would be an honor to accompany you in the next dance so that we can be properly introduced, my lady."

Victoria's expression was a tangled mix of reluctance to accept my request, but also excitement to finally dance a little, for me, it was already a victory to have elicited any expression from that beautiful stone-like face, she took a deep breath and with a determined demeanor, accepted my request, and we made our way to the dance floor.

While we were in the middle of the dance, I initiated a conversation, "It is a beautiful city here in Hanover, I must congratulate the host for the splendid party today."

Victoria looked into my eyes, trying to assess me, and said, "Thank you, you are much more sociable and cordial than I imagined."

I smiled and replied, "What did you imagine, princess? A barbarian without manners, who speaks loudly and intimidates people?"

She still hadn't stopped assessing me, but I could see a slight smile on her lips, I continued, "You know princess, you have also surprised me too."

Victoria raised her eyebrows and asked, "I hope it was a positive surprise."

I continued, "Oh, you are much more beautiful in person than I had heard, but I don't quite understand why you dislike your first name, It's such a lovely name for a princess as beautiful and fierce as you."

As I praised her, I noticed that she averted her gaze and blushed slightly, I have to admit, being handsome and confident helps a lot in the process, but when I mentioned her name, she looked at me again, staring directly into my eyes.

Victoria said, "So, you knew that I didn't like being called Alexandra," and as she spoke, she purposefully stepped on my foot, clearly angry at me for mentioning it in front of so many people.

The party proceeded without further issues, I danced three songs with Princess Victoria, and she was genuinely enjoying my company, my playful and irritating demeanor was unlike anything she had experienced before, and I even managed to elicit a few smiles from her while recounting my hunting adventures.

The adult party took place in the evening, and we bid farewell to Hanover the next day at noon, before leaving, I decided to personally say goodbye to Victoria, I told her that I would write to her to keep in touch.

I also left her a gift, a bear fur ushanka that I had personally hunted, I planned to use the Princess of Great Britain as a spokesperson for Russian high fashion, as part of a new project I was initiating in luxury fashion manufacturing and creating a designer brand.