Chapter 31 Separate

• Esthela stared at the prince, who remained very serious, awaiting her response. Was he jesting with her? How could he so easily forget that night? Gradually, she became annoyed at the thought that she might have been just another conquest on the prince's long list. Yet, considering he might be joking as he had done before, she retorted.
• "You are definitely joking with me," said Esthela, annoyed although she took a breath to continue speaking. "Very well, if you've forgotten that you coerced me into promising to dine with you in such an unorthodox manner, all the better. Now, what's the next condition you're going to impose?"
• "Ha, ha, ha..." The prince laughed upon realising she had already agreed to accompany him. He promptly feigned humour. "I haven't forgotten, Miss Esthela. The next stipulation is that I don't want to see you speaking with Florian, and you mustn't leave my side for the duration of your charitable work."