Second Female Leads' Playbook

Mother agreed to break off the engagement if Sebastian and I did not get along. The next thing I had to do was to tell Sebastian. I was sure he would agree. He didn't care who he was going to marry. He was a workaholic. He cared about his kingdom and his subjects, but never his wife.

That's why when I knew he was coming to the gathering today. I decided to approach him. He looked thinner and paler, but as handsome as always. The impeccable shirt, hair and glossy shoes. The center of attention of every guest.

I secretly tracked him with my eyes. After greeting the hostess of this gathering, his aunt, he began to walk towards this corner of the garden I was hiding. That's my chance. I took a deep breath. I decided to track where he was going and intercept him. But then I found out he was walking towards my direction. No one was around me at the moment. Then he was walking towards me? Did Mother write to him already?

He stopped in front of me and gave me his usual nod. I started to tug at my dress. Why was I always so nervous whenever I was in front of him?

"Good afternoon, Prince Sebastian."

That's when I got this weird feeling. I felt light headed and everything around me seemed to go backward. But that feeling disappeared after a few seconds. Maybe I was too hot standing under the sun?

"I hope you like my present," Sebastian said in his usual tone. As cold as the wind on a winter day.

"Your present..."

That's when I remember. The collection of encyclopedia. The box gaining dust at the corner of my room. I should have lied just then. I should have told him I liked that very much. I knew that's the correct response. I opened my mouth after a second of hesitation.

But that second of hesitation was enough.

"You don't like that?"

Was that a shadow of a frown on Sebastian's face? Of course not, who was I kidding.

"Do you not like reading?"

"I do."

I loved reading. But definitely not encyclopedia! I especially liked reading romance novels. That hobby became my sole entertainment during my time as Queen.

Why did Sebastian send encyclopedia? It's not a prank, as he came to ask after them. And he seemed really concerned if I liked the gift or not. Of course he was his usual emotionless self, with no expression whatsoever. But I had been married to him for 2 years, even though we didn't talk a lot, there were really subtle hints to his mood.

"Prince Sebastian, thank you for you present. That's a set of lovely encyclopedia. Especially the covers with the blue and red glass stones."

He kept staring at me, he seemed determined to get an answer out of me. That's why I added the next sentence. Now are you satisfied? I thought.

Some of the covers of the encyclopedia had glass stones studded on them. Some with golden or silver ink. That set of encyclopedia was really beautiful. I had never seen something like that.

"If you like the design of the covers, you can give me two or three books you like. I can help you take it to the royal jeweler. He said there are some rubies and diamonds left."

"Royal jeweler?"

"Yes. He is the one who designed and worked on the cover for your encyclopedia. I can come over tomorrow to collect your books."

I was so shocked. My brain stopped working. "No... You're the prince...you don't have to come yourself to collect them. You must be... busy."

"I can handle a few hours off, you don't have to worry."

"No... how can I bother the prince for such mundane things? How about I give it to Adrian?"

"You're my fiancee. Adrian always sneaks off during office hour to entertain his fiancee."

I believed I heard some kind of weird secrets from the Prince.

"I'll come tomorrow." He gave me another nod. "See you, Liana."

I was still in a state of shock when I returned home. Did that mean, the stones I thought were glass were actually real jewels???? The white ones were diamonds, the red ones were rubies, the green ones were emeralds, the blue ones were sapphires? The Prince must be kidding me, right? I needed to take out the books and have another look.

They were real jewels. I should have noticed! They were so different from mere glass stones. What kind of lavish birthday gift was that?

Then did that mean he actually put some thoughts on my birthday present?