Bonnie froze when she heard the voice. Then, a hint of panic shed in her eyes as she thought, ''When did Ivor get here?! Did he hear my conversation with Andreas? What would he think if he heard the word princess?''


    She wondered if Ivor would make the connection that she promised Andreas to marry him. Although the word princess did not prove anything, Ivor was perceptive.


    Ivor strode toward her and asked, "Why are you nking out? Earth to Bonnie."


    Bonnie returned to her senses and tried maintaining herposure to make up a story. "Oh, it''s nothing. I was just thinking about my research. That''s why I didn''t notice you calling out to me." Ivor nodded understandingly. "Oh, that''s what it was."


    He was stunned to see the prince standing beside her. Andreas met Ivor''s gaze and waved at him joyfully. "Ivor, I was thinking about visiting you in the next few days, but here we are. What a coincidence."


    Then, Andreas caught himself and nced at Bonnie. He turned to Ivor and asked, "Are you here to see Bonnie?"


    The couple exchanged nces and asked each other simultaneously, "How do you know His Highness, Bonnie?" "How do you know Prince Andreas, Ivor?"


    The couple stared into each other''s eyes, and Ivor took the lead, "I met His Highness when he and His Majesty visited Pyralis for a


    business forum. I represented


    family in weing them. I even brought them to all the uniquendmarks. That''s how I became good friends with His Highness.


    Ivor then looked at Andreas before gazing at Bonnie. "Hmm, how do you know each other, Bonnie? Also, you two look pretty close."


    Bonnie was about to answer, but Andreas was faster, "Here''s the thing, Ivor. Bonnie and I are "


    Before he could finish, Bonnie red


    at him. Ivor saw it and frowned. Then he gazed between his fiancee and the prince repeatedly. Even Ivor could not tell what was


    happening. He nced at Angel.reet


    and asked, "What were you saying, Your Highness? What''s your rtionship with Bonnie?"


    Andreas scratched his head and instinctively looked at Bonnie. He stammered, "U-Um, perhaps Bonnie should exin it. I can''t find the words right now."


    ''I have no idea why she stopped me. Still, I won''t say a word if she doesn''t want me to. I''ll do anything she says.''


    Bonnie sighed in relief.


    ''Thank goodness Andreas read my expression urately, or I wouldn''t know how to exin myself. Now that the ball is in my court, it''s up to me to spin the story.''


    Bonnie took a moment to collect her


    thoughts before staring into Ivor''s profound eyes. She kept a handle on her nerves and said, "I went


    there!!


    blueberry plucking in Zudale three years ago and, believe it or not,


    befriended him. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    en


    "He''s here because he finally mastered Arvadorian and came looking for me. After all, it''s normal for friends to hang out, right?"