Chapter 14 Metal and Earth

"Uhm… hi Pearce," greeted the princess when he arrived at the **** Café.

Pearce was silent and just sat in the front seat of the princess.

…there was an awkward silence when Pearce sat down.

"Uhm are you okay?" the princess asked, breaking the silence.

Pearce didn’t speak and Yani didn’t no longer speak anymore after.

Pearce was not surprised so the princess asked that because of the look he is showing now. Who wouldn't be in a bad mood if you were forced to date an important princess just because of a simple-minded girl?! Why is that princess so annoying?!

And what's more annoying…

Pearce looked at Yani that startled her but Pearce didn’t notice that because the truth is, he’s looking at the table just behind Yani where the annoying princess was sitting. He even saw the princess grinning at him who was even wearing shades just so she wouldn't be “recognized” supposedly.

Pearce just closed his eyes just to calm himself down. Why is she a chismosa (gossiper)?!

“Pearce, uhm… are you really okay? Did you really tell Elesa that… uhm… to tell me… uhm… to eat?” Yani stammered.

Pearce looked at the princess in front of him for a while and even though he was forced to, he knew he is still respectful sometimes so he let out a sigh…

“Yes. I invited you to eat today,” Pearce replied.

"Ah… okay," Yani replied and looked away. She started to murmur to herself that Pearce could not hear but he seemed suspicious so...

"I'll be straight with you…" Pearce said, getting the princess' attention. “I don’t know what that princess told you but this is not a "date". I am not courting you princess,” he promised directly.

Yani was slightly surprised by what she heard and sighed in relief.

"That's good then," Yani smiled.

Pearce played with the straw of the drink in front of him. "I called you to eat today because…" he looked away and thought.

Come on Pearce, think of a good topic to talk to…

"Because of what?" Yani asked.

…there’s a lot happening between you two lately so what can we talk about?

Pearce is still looking away because he really can't think of anything.

"Uhm whatever is that Pearce…" said the princess so Pearce looked at her. “…maybe let’s talk about that later. Good timing because I will give you something first… more like for you to hide it.”

The princess whispered the last words she said so Pearce didn’t hear it and was surprised while Yani brought it out and immediately gave it to him. Pearce was shocked to see that.

"Can you hold this first and hide it?"

Pearce heard the princess' request but he could not understand…

“Why should I hide that? Do you know what you are giving to me?” Pearce asked.

"Yes I am giving my journal to you," Yani replied. "I feel like I need to get rid of it in my hands first so I can really move on."

Pearce was a little surprised and when he understood that, he took the book…

"Because you reminded me of this…" Pearce looked directly at Yani's eyes. "…how are you?" he asked. Even though his face is serious, his eyes are full of sincerity.

Yani was a little surprised at what he did but she also smiled and played with her drink shake.

“You know me… still crazy for him. Still wishing that his memories would return. Hoping… that I am still special to him.”

Even though the princess was smiling, he could still feel the sadness in the tone of her voice. Pearce paused and just looked at his drink and processed what he was going to say first.

"It's good that you thought of hiding this first because you really need to remove the things that can remind you why you love him but…" Pearce was serious. "…why me, princess?"

Yani looked back at him but she also immediately averted her eyes before answering.

“I can’t think of anyone to trust with it. Also, to my knowledge, I know that if you will be the one that will hide it, you will not mind it. You already read it so might as well I’ll give it to you.”

Pearce looked at Yani who was smiling again but her eyes were serious so Pearce just let out a sigh.

"In that case, I just want to remind you…" Pearce paused. “When the day comes that I will return this to you or maybe you thought of taking it from me, at that time, you must have really forgotten how you feel about him. And one more thing, on that very day, you yourself will burn this book yourself.”

Yani was shocked when she heard that and she was even more uncomfortable because he was talking seriously. It took a while before…

“Y-yes. All right,” she tried to be confident to answer him but it was obvious that she was stuttering but Pearce didn’t mind that. He just knew what he heard.

"But…" Yani began. “…please help me. That's the only way I can think of. I have nothing else to remind him so I don’t know what to do next.”

Pearce was slightly surprised. "Do you want me to give advice again?"

Yani smiled nervously. "If you have anything to give?" she hesitated to answer.

"And when you cry?"

Yani was silent for a moment. “Pro-promise. I will not cry.”

Pearce looked at her and took a while before he looked away because he really thought of advice that could be given to her. This is better. And at least they had something to talk about.

"Honestly, I don't know much about such things… but these things I will say, almost all came from the books I read or maybe I have watched," Pearce bluntly said.

"It's okay. I will understand better if that is the case,” replied Yani.

Pearce paused…

"First, if your problem is that he is always there…" he paused and suddenly looked at the table behind the princess and lost his mind because of the woman sitting… and he didn’t know why.

“Yes, of course. I forgot about that. It's good that you really know what is happening to us,” said Yani so Pearce returned to the truth.

Pearce looked away from the table first and adjusted his mind but… he kept on glancing at her table as he spoke.

“…if that is the case, you should always be busy so that you don’t think about him. You are good at that because you are the princess of this nation. You probably have a lot of work to do.”

Yani nodded her head that she really agrees with what he is saying. She even thought of writing it in a notebook that Pearce didn’t know where it really came from… or did she just always carry one around?

"Hmm… it looks like we have a problem there," Yani said while looking in front of her. "I think it will be a bit difficult for me to do this because he always comes to my office…"

“If you only knew of all the princes, he always visits me and helps me. Even this summer that he should just be in his cabin, it's weird because he still comes to my office. It's annoying because I've already put meaning in all his actions. Then sometimes I don't believe his excuses anymore on why he always goes to my office… ”

The princess still has a lot of complaints and even though Pearce wants to stop her, he can't find him to do that because he seems to be hit. He often glances at the woman behind Yani.

Yani paused because he noticed that the person she was talking to was looking in the other direction so she thought he was no longer listening and she also realized the amount she had just said.

"Uhm sorry," Yani said, so it caught Pearce's attention. “Hehe. It's really like that when you’re crazy about him.”

Pearce just gave her a look.

"Anyways, all I want to say is that it is difficult to do the step you gave."

Pearce drank first and lowered it to the table before speaking.

"I know," Pearce replied. Yani thought she understood what Pearce meant when he said that but Pearce was a little surprised at himself because he seemed to have said something he should not have said.

He looked at the princess in front but there was no other reaction so Pearce knew it was okay.

"If you're having a hard time…" Pearce said to break the awkward silence but he looked at the table at the back again. “…then ignore him. If you have to be numb for him to stop, do it,” he ordered.

"But…" Yani said. “Wouldn't it be obvious if I did that? Suddenly ignoring him? ”

Pearce let out a sigh. “Then do it little by little. Highly likely if you ignore him for no reason, who would not be surprised? Treat him princess to what he thinks of you…”

Pearce paused and looked at the face of the princess… because he knew as much that…

"Treat him what he thinks of me…" Yani said to herself. "…does that mean…"

Pearce continued. "Treat her as a friend, princess."

…there was another awkward silence. Pearce saw the princess' face sad but she was not surprised. Even so, Pearce was prepared in case her eyes waters again…

…he waited… but nothing. The princess looked up at him as if he’s waiting for something from her but she gave him a smile.

“The beauty of what you said Pearce. You are right. I should have treated him as a friend for a long time,” said Yani. "I also realized that me, hoping and loving him but I am not even telling him about it and he also doesn’t know it because he doesn't notice my actions."

Pearce didn’t say anything not because that’s the usual, but he was really silenced because of what the princess said. It was as if he had learned so much from his current situation.

“So the next step is don't entertain him so much. If you can not be numb, treat him like a friend,” said the princess while writing. "Okay, next?"

Pearce let out a sigh again. "Isn't that enough?" he asked.

Yani looked at the list. “Just two? That is your only advice?”

"If you forgot, the first step is to remove things about him so there are three of them."

"Ah of course," the princess began to erase and rewrite it. "But that's really it?"

Pearce looked at her seriously. "There is another one but are you sure you will do it when I tell you?"

"Of course," Yani replied immediately. “That is why I am asking you for advice. Make the most out of it,” she smiled when…

"In that case, the last of all…" Pearce looked so serious. “Find a new love.”

Yani was shocked when she heard that from the speaker. She didn't really expect that but Pearce continued.

"Of all the steps I mentioned, that is the most effective princess… because if someone else owns your love, the day will probably come when you will really not think about your feelings for him."

Even after Pearce is done, the princess in front of him still can't speak. He didn’t know what she was thinking when she heard that but he just let the princess be. Maybe if he was in her place...

He looked again at the woman sitting in the back and was slightly surprised because the woman in the back also reacted and a smirk formed on his lips because something entered his mind. Speaking of a person…

"You know princess, you are not alone in your situation because I know someone who is also experiencing your situation."

With those words, Yani returned to the truth and looked at Pearce.

"Who?" Yani asked.

“The electric princess.”

At this sentence, both princesses present in the situation were shocked but of the two of them, Elesa was really shocked as if she could not move in her place.

"What do you know about Elesa?" Yani asked so Elesa returned to the truth.

"Many… princess," he smirked and even stared at the listening woman. "I don't know why but once she told me that she likes the electric prince who already has a lover, the water princess," he bluntly said.

Again, they were surprised by his bluntness while Elesa was starting to panic and was already thinking of a way to stop their conversation but Pearce continued.

“You know princess, if that princess was just here, I think she would need these tips even more because it is no longer called love. It is already in front of her the fact that the electric prince loves the water princess but she still believes that the prince will love her back?”

Pearce is just teasing her but maybe because of the intensity of his bad mood on what the princess had done earlier, it seems like this is his way to get revenge on her so he doesn't notice the words coming out of his mouth because sometimes, they also have a limit and now, the princess is hurting. She can cry, but she’s stopping herself because she’s an electric person.

"So you already know that much about Elesa's situation," said Yani. "Did she also mention that I was to blame so that’s her situation?"

Gradually the smile on Pearce's lips disappeared and they were both surprised by Elesa when they heard that from Yani.

"What do you mean?" Pearce asked.

Yani paused, and smiled weakly. "Looks like she hasn't said it yet," Yani answered his question.

"Don't blame Elesa for why she feels that way for Zoltar, because the whole story…"

Yani told Pearce everything since she met Elesa in the Electric Cabin and promised to help her to get together with him until what happened in the Electric Challenge, so she wasn’t able to tell how she feels about Zoltar.

And when Pearce found that out, he suddenly felt guilty because he judged her. He didn’t know that this was what happened. In fact…

"Do you think Pearce, was it really wrong for me to do that just so she wouldn't get hurt?" Yani asked him.

Pearce could not answer immediately and even looked at the princess who was listening to their whole conversation with her head bowed. He also looked back in front of him and answered… because after all…

“Even if you think about her welfare without being hurt, you did something wrong princess. It's your fault why she is like that,” Pearce said directly so Yani bowed in shame.

"In everything we talked about today, just in case that princess is here listening…" he paused and looked at Elesa. “... the steps I said are also useless. It looks like she's just stubborn but if that's the story, I really can't blame her…”

"…because when it comes to that princess' situation, the first step she should really take is to tell her how she feels and also find out how the other one feels. Even though it is obvious that he wants someone else and you know she will be rejected as well, you should just let her be.”

"We thought that she would get hurt and we don’t want that to happen to her but, what if she has to be hurt for her to learn?"

Yani could not speak back because he seemed to be preaching. Add to that the fact that someone like him only speaks once so you will be really quiet when he says that much and what he says is hitting you that hard.

The surroundings became quiet after that. The princess in the back didn't know what to do after she heard that. She can't even explain how she was hit… will she be happy because she only heard that once and somehow, that she was comforted when she heard that or as before… because she’s stubborn, she would ignore that?

"So it really is wrong," Yani said so everything went back to the truth. “I have already apologized to her and I thought my conscience would not bug me again but that is not what is happening now. Maybe I need to apologize to her again.”

Pearce looked at Yani for how sorry she is and also let out a sigh.

"If you already apologized to her and she answered you that she is okay, then let her be," Pearce said.

"Probably…" Yani said. "…she was lying at that time so—"

"If so…" Pearce butted in. "…obviously that just means she doesn't need your help, princess."

Yani was surprised by what she heard.

"You broke his trust princess, do you understand that?"

Yani was speechless and shocked again at what she heard. Why didn't she think of that?

Pearce also let out a sigh so that silence would not last.

"I’m not saying this because I want you to feel guilty," Pearce said. “In my opinion, you should remember that you are a princess. You have a lot of responsibilities and you still have a situation about your prince and then you add that princess to your burden?”

Yani could not speak again.

“That is her problem. Let her face it alone,” Pearce said numbly.

Yani just looked at him and just smiled at what he was saying, just a weak smile because even so, she could not help but increase her respect for the man in front of her.

"And before I forget…" Pearce said as he took something from his chaleco pocket and gave it to the princess.

Yani looked at the object first before she took it. "What is this?"

"Is it not obvious?" Pearce asked numbly. “This very cabin. The Main Cabin.”

Yani holds a small sculpture of the entire Main Cabin made of various materials. She was amazed and she was even more amazed because you can remove the roof of it so she opened it and saw that it contained everything inside the Main Cabin. Is he this good because how did he fit everything in the little sculpture she’s holding?

"How…" Yani could not finish what she was going to say because of awe.

"When you gave me the map, I still had to study around and make sure I was going in the right directions so I sometimes go out of my room to go around," Pearce explained. "I was amazed at the place so I thought of doing that."

Yani heard what he said but she was still moving the small Main Cabin in her hand.

"And I’m giving you that because…" he paused to get Yani's attention.

“…because somehow, I’m starting to like this place. And you made me experience that princess...”

He made a smile, "…thank you," he said that not only startled Yani, but because it was the first time she saw that, she blushed… but Yani immediately smiled back.

“Thank you too, Pearce. I'll keep this… and I'm happy to hear that from you,” said Yani while looking at the sculpture she was holding.

It took a while before the smile on Pearce's lips gradually disappeared.

"But I have a request… is that okay?" Yani added.

Pearce sipped his drink first before answering. "What's that?"

The smile on Yani's lips still lingered. "About Elesa..."

Pearce did not avert his gaze from the princess even though he heard that.

“…I'm still worried. I get what you said but if I do nothing, my conscience might not put me to sleep…”

She looked intently at him. "Is it okay for you to take care of Elesa?" Yani requested.

Pearce paused and even looked at the still sitting princess in the back and it was obvious on her face that she was waiting for his answer.

"I want to refuse princess…" Pearce said which slightly surprised the two. "…but first of all, you are the princess of this nation so what right do I have to reject you…"

We don’t know what the two princesses were thinking when they heard that because we could not read their faces…

"Also…" said Pearce, which made the two slightly surprised because they thought he was done, but not yet. “…even if you didn't say that, I think fate is already playing with us.”

Pearce was shocked by what came out of his mouth because he didn’t really expect that but he was thankful because a scene entered so the two princesses did not hear what he said last.

Shatter! Shatter!

The three were distracted by the sound.

"Hey, look what you've done," one of the customers said next to the broken glasses.

A waitress approached him next to the scene.

"I'm sorry Sir but what happened?" the concerned waitress asked.

Yani and Pearce realized that the earth princess was that waitress.

"You're not looking in your way so your hand bumped on my glass and it fell on the floor!" complained the customer.

“I'm sorry Sir. I'll clean this up immediately and replace your drink,” Donna sincerely said and kneeled on the floor to pick-up the shattered glass.

When she picked it up, “Aray (Ouch),” she said in pain because she was injured.

“Hey. Hurry up with that and get my drink,” the customer demanded.

Pearce and Yani are both watching the scene. Pearce's face was blank as Yani started to get irritated.

"Does that person even know that the princess of the Earth Cabin is what he is ordering?" Yani stated angrily. "And why is Donna still obeying him?"

Donna was even quicker to pick up even though she was injured several times.

"Not because you're a princess, you should be treated like royalty in this café so hurry up will you," he again demanded.

Yani was about to stand up when Pearce held her.

“Don't stop me Pearce. That fire man needs to learn!” Yani promised angrily.

"Let him take care of it," Pearce said which surprised Yani so he looked at the scene and was slightly surprised.

“Instead of watching her do it, why won't you help her? You're the one who dropped it.”

Donna and the customer looked at the speaker standing in front of them. Aes just looks serious so the customer is not shaken.

“What makes you say that?! I'm a fire person and I can't touch water. Besides, that's her job!” he replied to the prince.

Aes pushed his desk. “Watch your mouth bastard,” Aes angrily said.

"Aes!" Donna confronted.

Yani was shocked by what was happening while Pearce suddenly stood up and went to the place so the fire customer, Aes and Donna got their attention.

"Pearce," Donna said in shock and they thought what he was going to do when he suddenly knelt down and helped pick up the broken glass that surprised them, as well as Yani and Elesa who were watching.

"What are you doing Pearce?" Donna asked. “You may be injured.”

Pearce didn’t speak and continued. A waiter came with a mop and when Pearce finished picking up the crystals, he put them in the given dustpan and took the mop and mopped the floor.

"What the heck is he doing?" the demanding customer said.

Pearce ignored the people around and just continued until the floor was clean again. Then, he put the mop back on the basin and left for Yani's table without a word that everyone who was watching was amazed.

"Are you done princess?" Pearce asked Yani. "Can we leave now?"

Yani was out of her mind because of what happened but she also immediately returned to the truth and it just so happened, she paid for their drink and she and Pearce left the café together.

After they left, Yani turned back to the café before approaching Pearce.

“Hey, what happened there? What were you doing?" Yani asked.

"Helping the earth princess," Pearce replied while facing the princess.

“O-kay. That's nice,” Yani replied.

Pearce turned around and Yani just looked at him full of surprise. He really is unpredictable.

They were about to walk away…

"Wait!"

They stopped and turned to the speaker and saw Donna approaching them. He stopped in front of Pearce and,

"Thank you Pearce," Donna smiled gratefully. “Thank you for your help earlier. Good thing you came.”

Pearce looked back at her without saying a word. When he looked up inside the café, he was startled. Because the door of the café is made of clear glass, he sees the watching prince who doesn’t have a good face.

So before anything happens…

"Your prince is waiting for you," Pearce said to Donna so Donna also turned to look but when she saw that, Donna's face changed.

"What is making him angry this time?" Donna whispered to herself which Pearce heard. Pearce was more startled to hear that from her.

She let out a sigh and said goodbye to Pearce and Yani (since she was also there on the scene) before going inside.

When Donna entered, Yani left next because suddenly concerned citizens came to her and it looked like they needed to discuss an issue. Yani bid goodbye to Pearce while Pearce just nodded in response.

When Yani disappeared, he was about to go but when someone just came out of the café where they came from, Pearce stopped again. You probably know who is the only one who hasn't come out of the café yet, right?

She also immediately removed his shades and put on her eyeglasses while looking back at Pearce.

A few more minutes passed as they just stared at each other in front of the café. It was not even an awkward silence because they seemed to be talking through their stares but it was also broken when…

“I have done what you want. Will you now leave me alone?” Pearce said.

Elesa is giving a blank face that Pearce wonders because when she is like that, he doesn’t know what she is thinking. He would have spoken when…

"Look what you've done, Aes," said a voice that caught the attention of the two and looked at each other.

"I was just trying to help," another voice answered.

The two knew that their voices were familiar so Elesa immediately walked to the scene but Pearce stopped her immediately.

"Do not interfere," Pearce promised seriously.

"I will not interfere okay?" Elesa replied and slowly removed her arm from Pearce’s grip. "Besides, I'm a great chismosa (gossiper) and you know that so… you can't stop me," and she immediately turned around and walked closer to what was happening.

Pearce started to get irritated again because of what she’s doing… but the more he hated it, he could leave and leave that naughty, chismosa and simple-minded princess so that he would not get involved in a mess… but why…

…why would he go with that princess? Is it because of Yani's last request a while ago… that she left Elesa to him… or because… because what?

He leaned against the wall where the princess was hiding and peeking behind the café where the two were fighting. Elesa was a little surprised when she felt her side and just smiled at him while Pearce just avoided looking at her.

“You were not helping a while ago. You only made the situation worse,” Donna complained to Aes.

"But he's being an a-hole, and you're not doing anything," Aes replied. “You’re a princess, Donna. Know your position.”

"I know that," Donna replied. “I know I'm a princess but I am the princess of the Earth Cabin and I'm in the Main Cabin here in **** Café as a waitress so I know when I will use my authority as a princess.”

Aes was speechless after she said that but his face became serious.

“So are you saying that if I didn't come in the picture, you'll let that fire person mock you? That's okay with you?”

Donna paused and looked down. "I'm used to it."

Aes was surprised to hear that then came back to being serious.

“If that's okay with you, then it's not with me. I'll continue to watch you Donna and I'll make sure those customers know their place really well,” he said and turned around as he started to walk away.

Donna didn't like that idea. "I didn't ask you to," she stated firmly.

"You can't stop me, Donna," he stopped and looked at her. "I'm just trying to protect you as your boyfriend."

Even though it's nice to hear that from someone you love, Donna knows his intentions so those words that came from him are worthless. She bowed her head.

“Why can't you be like Pearce?!” Donna said that Aes stopped.

“Look what he did a while ago. He helped me and he didn't ask for a fight. He was even humble enough to clean the mess for me. If you just did what he had done, then it would end peacefully.”

Donna didn’t notice that Aes' hand became a fist.

"So are you saying he's better than me?" Aes asked.

“Of course he is. If you really want to protect me, then be like him.”

At those words, Aes turned around but Donna could not speak and could not move because for the first time in her life, she was pointed at a gun.

"Take that back," he angrily said.

Donna was shocked at her place because of the object in front of her. They fought many times but not once, even though he was angry, he did not point a gun at her so she was really shocked by what was happening now. She could not believe that he could do that to her.

"Don't ever compare me to that guy," he seriously said.

"Woah, woah."

Another voice interrupted so Aes confronted the person who spoke and he almost pulled the trigger of the gun out of shock but he also stopped when he saw Elesa casually just standing in her place.

“You know, you better calm down first Aes. You're not in the right mind to do that,” Elesa said while Aes' hand was still raised.

"Besides, what are you aiming for, a statue?"

At that sentence, Aes was surprised and turned back to where Donna was and was shocked to see that she was already wrapped with ground. At that sight, Aes also lowered his hand gun and it went back to normal.

“Wow. I can't believe I will see Donna's peculiarity for real. Now that's awesome,” Elesa said cheerfully even with the weight of the situation today.

Aes didn't say a word.

"You know, I heard her explain that whenever she's at that kind of state, she's actually vulnerable that if you shot her in the head, when she turns back, of course she's dead," this princess still smiled as she said this and the guy who is hiding could not explain his reaction because of that princess.

She's unbelievable because she doesn't seem to be able to read the situation. He also could not believe the prince she was talking to because he was just quiet. Aes kept silent because he knew that… and he knew too that if she's in that kind of state, he should be more protective.

"So, have you calmed down?"

The two were surprised when they heard Donna's voice. She's back to normal and she's looking back at Aes. There's no fear in her eyes but she's serious.

Aes looked away. “Can we continue this talk tomorrow? I still have a lot of work to do,” he instead said.

Donna smiled weakly. “That would be the best.”

Aes gave her one last look before he walked away ignoring Elesa who was watching the whole scene and when Aes came out of that secluded place, he noticed Pearce on the other side. He was not surprised but he stopped for a moment.

“Remember this, Pearce,” he said. "I really don't like you," and he kept walking away while Pearce glimpsed at him until he disappeared from his sight.

Elesa then came out smiling.

“Hay… fresh air. Good thing the air is lighter here,” she happily said while Pearce is looking back at her while thinking about what happened a while ago.

'She seems to have no intention of helping the two a while ago but being her as that… she was able to calm the metal prince' said his mind.

Elesa gave Pearce a look and suddenly her face changed.

"Hmph," she pouted and like a child, she avoided looking at Pearce and walked away, which made Pearce wonder.

'Oh why is that? What's up?' he asked himself and followed Elesa.

Even though they were walking side by side in the hallways, Pearce knew that what the princess beside him is doing,

"Why are you sulking?" Pearce asked.

"Nothing," Elesa replied angrily.

Okay whatever she said. Pearce is not a pushy person so he has no intention of finding out why.

“Oh look. Hey Zoltar!” Elesa called suddenly so Pearce looked where she was looking.

Zoltar stopped and looked at the caller and saw Elesa with Pearce.

"Oh, hi there," he greeted back as the two approached him.

“So, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the Electric Cabin by now?” Elesa asked.

"Oh I came here to check on Femme's condition," Zoltar replied.

Elesa's face changed when she heard that and was changed back to being happy immediately so as not to be noticed.

"So, how is she?" Elesa asked.

“She’s doing great. She'll be discharged by tomorrow,” Zoltar replied.

Pearce really knows how crazy this princess is in front of her prince because when he just arrived, she seemed to immediately forget his presence… that she was with someone. And one more thing, he can really see the radiance of her eyes for this prince that is making him irritated…

…wait, that didn't come out right… why is he irritated? He looked at the two again talking. What is annoying about the scene today?

...

Ah… maybe because he really can't figure out why the prince in front of her still doesn't notice what the princess is showing… but he realized, of course, he loves someone else.

At this thought, a smirk formed on Pearce's lips.

"By the way Elesa, I have something to say to you because I think you need to know," Zoltar said the reason for Elesa to be more enticed.

"What is it?" she asked immediately.

"I'll be staying in Femme's room tonight and guard her until tomorrow when she's discharged…"

When Elesa heard that, her mood immediately changed… as if she didn't want to listen anymore.

"…so can you?" that was the last thing Zoltar said that Elesa was surprised because that was all she heard… and Pearce noticed it.

"What was that again?" Elesa said.

Zoltar sighed. "I said—"

"He said that as the princess of your cabin, you should do more work and be busy so you won't be able to think about him."

The two were surprised when Pearce spoke but Elesa remained shocked because she heard every word that came out of his mouth.

“Oh hey Pearce. I never noticed you there,” Zoltar smiled at him and Pearce just gave him a glance and immediately looked at the woman with them whose face was irritated.

"So, you were saying Zoltar?" Elesa asked, ignoring Pearce.

“Oh. Well as I was saying—“

"I already told you," Pearce interrupted again. “He said that you should do more work.”

"I'm not asking you," Elesa replied irritably.

"Actually, he's right," Zoltar said, which slightly surprised Elesa. “I'm asking you to take some of my responsibilities as a prince first while I'm with Femme.”

It took a while before Zoltar said "sinked in" to Elesa but the irritation on her face still didn’t go away.

“I'm sorry Elesa for giving you this much work. Just this time,” Zoltar said, trying to cheer her up because of the look on her face which surprised Elesa.

“Yeah it's fine. I'm not angry or what. I'm fine to take the tasks first…” Elesa replied. "…basta para sayo (…anything for you)," she whispered that only Pearce heard.

"What was that?" Zoltar asked.

"Oh nothing," Elesa said. "Just leave the Electric Cabin to me," she smiled.

“Okay then. I should be going. Thank you Elesa,” Zoltar said goodbye and walked away.

"Anything for you," the princess whispered to herself until the prince disappeared from her sight…

…while Pearce, on the other hand, rolled his eyes at the sight of it.

"Paasa (Hopeless)," he snickered which made Elesa even more annoyed so she turned to him.

"What is your problem?" irritated Elesa asked. "What's the problem if we talk?"

"I have no problem," Pearce replied numbly.

“Then why are you like that? Suddenly interrupting our conversation and saying things he never even said.”

“Didn't you hear what the prince said earlier? That's what he said. You are not listening.”

They start to argue with each other but what Pearce really hates, he doesn't really know why he is irritated.

“You know, if you are angry you can leave me and go to your room now. You can go back, can't you?” Still, Elesa is angry.

"If only I could…" Pearce said but he paused so there was an awkward silence.

"If only you could?" Elesa asked.

“Tsk,” Pearce clicked his teeth.

Actually…

"I don’t know how to go back," said Pearce, which slightly surprised Elesa.

“Huh? Don't you have a map?” Elesa asked.

"The small building I made that I gave to the princess served as my map but I gave it to her…" Pearce replied.

Elesa frowned even more when she heard that.

"…and I left the map in my room," Pearce concluded.

But to hear that, Elesa calmed down a bit and just let out a sigh and turned around.

“Come then. Follow me,” Elesa ordered and started walking. Pearce looked at her first before he thought of following her.

But honestly, it's not really because he doesn't have a map so he can't leave this princess… also it's not because of the princess' request earlier… think what you want to think it is.

As they walked down the hallway, Pearce glimpsed at her and he could still see the irritation on her face. He was the one who let out a sigh.

"All right, I'll say it—"

The two stopped because they said that at the same time and they even looked at each other after that and they immediately avoided looking at each other. They are like children.

"I'll be the first to say it," said Elesa to break the awkward silence. “I am just going to tell you what I did about the dolls earlier. I used metallic thread to power those and control them so the dolls moved.”

Even though Pearce got good information, he was still amazed.

"Why are you telling me that?" Pearce asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Elesa replied. “I said that so I hope you can also tell yours… what your hobby is. Especially when you are still not answering my question about what you did with the child's toy in the orphanage.”

Pearce paused. "Mahilig akong mang-ukit (I like to carve)," he said, which surprised Elesa. "Sculpting in english, just in case you don't know."

Elesa pouted because of the last things he said but she got it.

"Okay," she replied.

When she answered, Pearce looked at her next to him and could still see the irritation on her face.

“Oh why are you still sulking? Isn't that what you are waiting to hear from me?” Pearce asked.

"I'm not sulking," Elesa frowned.

"Why does your face say it so?"

"I'm not sulking anymore!"

"Why don't you just say the reason?" Now, Pearce is also starting to get annoyed.

"Because I also don't know why I'm sulking!" Elesa replied.

…

In an instant, Pearce's face turned blank.

"Ah okay," and continued to walk away but Elesa heard that he was holding back his laughter.

"What's funny?!" Elesa asked angrily.

"I did not laugh," Pearce stated directly.

"No but I'm sure you're laughing at me in your mind."

"You're the only one thinking that."

Elesa could not speak back after that and just pouted in the end. They arrived in front of his room just in time when…

"Here," Elesa was surprised because Pearce suddenly threw something at her. It was good that she was able to react immediately because she caught it and looked at it… and when she found out what, she was surprised. She would have asked when,

"Thank you…" Pearce said so she stopped and looked at him for a while.

"Thank you for everything because for the few days I have been here, you are always there reminding me that once… I felt belonged," he said to her with a smile.

Elesa was stunned after she heard that while Pearce finally entered his room.

When she heard Pearce close the door, she returned to the truth and realized that after he gave that, she’s not sulking anymore and realized why she was upset a while ago…

…it’s just unfair for her that he gave Yani something he did but now, instead of sulking, she wondered what he gave her.

Why did he give Elesa a key chain of ice cream cones?