" YOU ARE THE CROWN PRINCE???!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? WHY HAVEN'T YOU TOLD ME BEFORE? .. do you know how embarassed I am right now? I messed up 😭"
" Why are you embarassed?" Jasper asked her as he was escorting her towards her allotted room.
" WHY? I was trying to convince the crown prince of this empire to run with me infront of the guards 🥲🥲🥲... What they are thinking of me right now ... That I'm a crazy woman who came from Seron as your friend without any etiquettes 😭. I'm sure they gonna laugh at me."
" *Pffft* ... Don't worry no one will laugh at you..."
" How can you assure me when you are laughing yourself! You are a big meanie.." Tessa thought and cleared her voice. " Anyways Jasp... I mean your highness, I guess we need to discuss our plans further. "
" I know and that's why I'm going with you. Here , this is your room from now on . "
Tessa was shocked to see the big room with a queen size bed , beautifully designed wardrobes and dressing table . The view from the window were immaculate. She only imagined this type of room in her dream as it was twice a big her real room in her world. Her thoughts were disrupted by Jasper's words.
" I hope you like it so make yourself comfortable Tessa Malven. "
" Are you joking? This is more than enough.
Well so what's next your highness? "
" I will introduce you to my family. But don't worry they are not complicated ones .. I will explain them everything before the dinner . You can join us for the meal. I'm sure you must be tired as teleportation for a normal human body is not easy to bear. And you also had horse riding for more than 20 mins. Go , wash up and have some rest . I will escort you ."
" Hey I'm not weak 😤. Anyways..Umm your highness... I want to add up something.."
Jasper looked at her with questionable eyes.
" Yes?"
" I mean.. you see that I'm new here and I don't know much about this world's etiquettes or culture... Maybe you and your trusted people will know that I am from a different world but what about others.. there are plenty of them and what if the imperial family suddenly have other guests ... Like you know.. many people saw me with you .. and curiousity runs in living veins.. If any unavoidable situation happens and people see that as a lady and your friend, I don't know minimum etiquettes.. won't they suspect? And hunters are outside so they will be more alert and try to act accordingly ... So can you assign an etiquette teacher for me? "
Jasper was silently listening Tessa . He nodded his head. "You are right.. good.. I will prepare one. Don't worry and rest. " Jasper left the room . Tessa sat on the bed and let out a sigh.
"*Phew*... can't believe I'm really in a different world... How surprising that a completely different world like this co exist parallelly with my world. And with whom I came here .. the crown prince... Feels like a dream ..." she looked at the ceiling and heard a noise in the door . Tessa turned back and saw a female standing. She bowed to her " Ms. Malvin , I'm Elisa. His highness assigned me as your personal maid . I will be taking care of your every need so don't hesitate to tell me anything you want . "
" Hi Elisa 👋🏻 ☺️. You can call me Tessa . Nice to meet you. Thank you for everything. I would like to be friend with you."
" Friend, lady Tessa? "
" Yes , you remind me of Ris... I mean a friend of mine. And as you see I don't know anyone here..rather than his highness... So chatting and spending time with you will be great. "
" It's a honour of mine, lady Tessa. I will try my best to assist you. "
" Can you tell me where is the clothes.. I want to take a bath.."
" I will prepare everything and let you know, lady Tessa. "
" 😃 Sure. " Tessa said and thought " having a friend here would be nice . I'm new here .. although I came with Jasper but still I need to evaluate people in my own accord. A hidden hunter can be here . I need to be careful and win the trust of good ones so I can help Jasper. "
" My lady your bath water and clothes are ready . The bathroom is right there . Please proceed. "
" Thanks Elisa. "
Time passed. The sun set and disappeared quickly. Tessa was lying on the bed and brooding in random thoughts. She was also reminding everything she saw and like in the way of coming here. The big room was filled with silence . The tik-tik of the clock was surprising the chilling silence. Tessa didn't know how much time she lay down on the bed .
" I wonder 🤔 what kind of food they eat ? Although Jasper said they eat and drink like normal human.. still the cuisine might be different in taste or looks .. who knows..."
*Knock .. knock*
" Tessa ? If you are ready then let's go to eat dinner. "
" It's the idithorn" ( combining idiot + blackthorn in her mind ) " Coming "
Tessa opened the door and saw Jasper standing right next to it . Her eyes widened a little as this was the first time she saw him with a mask . His well defined nose , beautiful doe eyes with smooth and silky black hair falling on them , snatched jaw line with pretty cute cheeks and his rosy pink reddish lip .. everything was top knotch. She never thought him to be this handsome with pretty features. Jasper was standing half leaned on the wall and he looked at Tessa who was admiring his true beauty with innocent eyes.
" Ms. Malven? "
Tessa was still inside of her thoughts so she said , " You are so handsome and beautiful."
" Handsome and beautiful are different things .. "
" Then you are beautifully handsome. Opps... Sorry ... I mean .. I apologise to your highness for suddenly speaking out of my mind. "
" *Pfft.* Ms. Eiffel tower, let's go . "
Tessa started following Jasper. " Well don't wanna ask to much .. but may I know who are there in your family?"
" If you say direct blood relation then dad , mom and my older brother. "
" Eeh? Older brother? But you are the crown prince? I mean how is that possible? I thought the first born is usually become the heir of the throne in monarchy. "
" That must be a rule in your world.. not here.. Here everything is decided based on individual potential, skills with physical and mental ability. My older brother is a good person though but he is not good with swords or mental observation..... But don't be sad for him as he is already ruling Seron ."
" Seron? Oh I small kingdom I came from? But how ? What happened to the previous king? "
" The previous king was my maternal grandfather. My mom was the only child of him .. after she became empress there is no one to inherit it .. but after I was chosen as the crown prince, his health detoriated for old age. With the consent of dad , grandpa , grandma and me , he became the king as we all agree that he would be perfect for that position. Seron is famous for its scholaristic and business achievements and he is great at those things. "
" Wow ... It's good to hear that there is no discrimination in this world. But I can't deny you are a good fit for the crown prince. "
" Why you think that? "
" Because I feel you are kind and genuine . You care for everyone just like a true ruler. Oho i forgot to ask .. it's a characteristic of vampire that i heard... That you guys don't age .. is it true here?"
" Quite true . We age veryyyy slowly after we harness our powers properly and as soon as our body got its maturation. It's varies from person to person."
" So how old are you now ? "
" 28. And I stopped aging from this year . "
" So you are 8 years older than me 😯. But you look surprisingly young , your highness. I already feel old in this age 🥲. "
" You are funny . " Jasper stopped talking as they entered in the dining hall. Tessa saw a middle aged man on his 50s and an woman quiet close to that age sitting on the dinner table with a smile on their face . As soon as they entered both them excitedly greeted Tessa .
" Hello your Majesties. Nice to meet you both . I'm Tessa Malven. " Tessa also greeted back.
" Tessa , please sit . Have the dinner with us . Son told us everything... We are sorry to hear what happened to you . But don't worry here you are safe . I'm Julika Blackthorn, Jasper's mother. " The empress showed her a chair beside her to Tessa to sit. The empress showed her a chair beside her to Tessa to sit.
" Exactly, please make yourself comfortable. My son did a quite impressive job by bringing you here. If he ever does anything insensitive to you , please do tell me . I will surely punish him . "
" Honey .. you forgot to introduce yourself. "
" Oho ... I'm Arthur Blackthorn. The current emperor of Velmor. "
" Sorry , my husband is quite shy when it comes to things like this 😂. Tessa we don't know your foot preference or likings so we prepared something on our own accord.. we hope you will like it and let me know your favourites so next time I will arrange them for you . " The empress and emperor both warmly smiled at Tessa.
" Mom , dad stop . Let her eat first . Ms. Malven, please eat so you can be Eiffel tower. "
Tessa was smiling but hearing the comment she glared at Jasper. " You idithorn 😒" she thought and said ," Sure , your highness I will. "
" Jasper , don't tease this beautiful lady . She has the average height of a woman. Tessa dear don't mind him . He is like that. "
" Teasing? Who ? Me? Mom you should have listened to the alternative surname she said when she forgot Blackthorn. Hahahaha 😂."
Tessa's face got red with embarassment. She glared and put a false fierce smile on her face . She looked like a butcher who could have chopped Jasper if his parents weren't present. " You , Big fat Ox .... I will chock you . "
" Oh my God , Tessa , I would love to see that . " The emperor laughed. " Sorry for reading your thoughts suddenly. But that was an funny adjective. "
All four laughed and while having a good meal. Tessa felt warm and welcomed. She looked at the 3 of them . A happy heartly meal with family was all she wanted but never got. She felt like she became a part of the Blackthorns without even doing anything. She became emotional but kept smiling as she knew , she is happy . Very happy . She didn't know the future and she don't want to . She just wants to enjoy this moment to its fullest .