Leticia couldn't tell why he is throwing that smile does he know can he tell? Does he recognize her? No with this red hair and gray eyes he wouldn't recognize her. Her eyes looked up and Leonardo was staring at her like a precious jewel. Oh is it just a simple greeting as friends?
"Do you wish to tell me something? Miss Amelia?"
Leticia snapped out of her gaze.
"Pardon me, I apologize ninth Prince."
Leticia sighed you are the one who told her to not forget but it seems you are the one who broke the promise Leonardo. Than again how foolish of her to recall a silly promise maybe because those days were the most joyful memories.
"Son would you want to marry Amelia? I know you wanted to marry Leticia."
Leticia closed her eyes she was staring at her hands before she looked up.
Leonardo's gaze softened as he looked at Leticia, his eyes filled with a mixture of nostalgia and something else something deeper and more complex.
"Father, I... I've changed my mind," he said, his voice low and measured.
"I realize now that Amelia is the one I want to marry. She's beautiful, intelligent, and comes from a respectable family. What more could a prince ask for?"
Leticia's breath caught in her throat at his words. Was he truly so easily swayed? Or was there another reason behind his sudden change of heart?
The Emperor nodded slowly, considering his son's words.
"If that is your wish, then so be it," he said finally.
"But what of Leticia? She will be heartbroken."
Morgan stepped forward, her expression carefully neutral.
"Leticia will understand. She knows her duty to our family."
Leticia felt a surge of anger at Morgan's words. Duty? Was that all she was to them a pawn to be sacrificed for their own gain?
She looked up at Leonardo, searching his face for any sign of the boy she once knew.
His curly golden hair disheveled hair grown to cover his forehead. There is a firm of two beauty mark below his dark golden silver eyes. Leonardo is known to be extremely handsome he has both his mother and his father looks. If anything he doesn't win those magazines as the number one male beauty for nothing. By the time he was thirteen to fourteen years he reached his swordsmanship to the highest level. His magic element is extremely mysterious those who have seen it aren't able to talk about it. His academic are off the charts his truly a golden boy the heaven chosen one.
"I don't mind as long as the lady of Princeton Family doesn't mind," Leonardo said.
Perhaps this is why he is putting on this relaxed smile. As long as you need a Princeton even you huh?
Leonardo stood up.
"I she'll excuse myself lady Amelia please take a walk with me outside this restaurant has beautiful guarded."
Leticia nodded her head.
Leticia rose from her seat, her movements graceful and measured. She could feel the weight of the Emperor's gaze upon her as she followed Leonardo out of the restaurant, the soft click of her heels echoing in the opulent hallway.
Once outside, Leonardo led her to a secluded garden, away from prying eyes and ears. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers.
He turned to face her, his expression serious and intense.
"Letty," he whispered, using the nickname only he had ever called her by.
"I know it's you beneath that disguise. I'd recognize your scent anywhere."
Leticia's heart skipped a beat at the sound of her true name on his lips. She had hoped he wouldn't recognize her, but deep down, she had known it was a foolish wish.
"What are you doing here?" she asked softly, avoiding his gaze.
"Why did you agree to marry Amelia instead of me?"
Leonardo reached out, gently tilting her chin up to meet his eyes.
"Your highness what are you talking about this is our first meeting we have never meant before," Leticia said.
Leonardo eyes narrowed when he notice her clenching her fits out of bad habit.
"You still have that bad habit, are you hurting?" Leonardo asked.
"Your highness what are you talking about?" Leticia asked. Leonardo held out his large white palm as there was scars on his palm. Leticia wanted to reach and feel his scar but held herself she is not Leticia the old friend but just Amelia.
"I thought I had nothing to worry about if it was you. Speaking of which I will be attending the same school high school as you it seems our last year of high school will be together."
Leticia opened her mouth but did not say anything.
"This is our first meeting."
"Our first meeting so be it," Leonardo said as he grabbed Leticia hand and kissed and looked at her with those golden silver eyes that seem to see through everything.
"Are you sure this is our first meeting?" He asked deeply. Leticia took a deep breath is he testing her? Leticia smiled brightly.
"If not where would I meet such an outstanding man like you?" Leticia asked all bubbly like how Amelia acts.
Leonardo let go of her hand.
"Interesting let's look around the guarded it's beautiful."
"Wonderful."
Honestly after that the walk to the guarded was pleasant and it was wonderful she sat on the swing and Leonardo pushed her few times before they looked around the garden even more.
Memory from when she was 9
"Lies Letty what are you hiding why do you always clench you palm?" Leonardo asked with that mysterious smirk.
Leticia looked at him as she glared at him.
"Letty you don't have to hide from me. Cry if you're afraid want if you want something ask me."
When she was young she used to scared of that mysterious smirk that seem to now everything but now she is not scared. Leonardo the memories have died long time this time no one can get in my way so don't blame her for being selfish.