Crown Prince Ashley received the report in silence.
His aide stood stiffly, waiting.
"…She succeeded?" Ashley repeated.
"Yes, Your Highness. Lady Iris Ashcroft finalized a work partnership with Prime Minister Ivan Charles. Fully approved. Official seal granted."
Ashley's fingers paused mid-motion.
Ivan Charles.
The man who rejected nobles twice her age. The man who valued law over blood, rules over rank.
Ashley leaned back slowly, disbelief flickering across his usually controlled expression.
"Interesting," he murmured.
Not impressed—stunned.
He remembered her calm eyes, her composed refusal, her steady spine in the middle of danger.
"She's sharper than she lets on," he thought. "Dangerously so."
A smile curved at the corner of his lips.
"Prepare an invitation," Ashley said. "A full-day outing. Tomorrow."
The Invitation
When the envelope arrived at the Ashcroft residence, Iris felt uneasy before she even opened it.
The royal seal glinted faintly.
"…A date?" she muttered after reading.
A full day. Private. Personal.
Eena floated nearby, arms crossed."He's curious about you."
"Curiosity kills," Iris replied flatly.
Sehrain frowned."My lady, refusing a crown prince—"
"I won't be pulled into his pace," Iris said. "Not now."
She picked up her pen.
Her refusal letter was… polite. Respectful.
And painfully weak.
I regret to inform Your Highness that due to sudden fatigue and household responsibilities, I am unable to accept the invitation at this time.
She sealed it, expression conflicted but firm.
Ashley Reads the Letter
Ashley stared at the paper.
Once.
Twice.
Then he laughed.
"…Fatigue?" he repeated. "Household responsibilities?"
His eyes gleamed.
"This refusal is so lame," he thought. "She didn't even try."
He folded the letter carefully.
"If she won't come willingly," he murmured, standing, "then I'll summon her properly."
The Royal Decree
The palace halls were quiet as Ashley approached the king.
King Aldric looked up from his documents, surprised."Ashley? You're unusually early."
Ashley bowed slightly."Your Majesty. I request permission to summon my fiancée under royal decree."
The king blinked."…A decree? For what reason?"
Ashley answered smoothly, without hesitation.
"She's shy," he said. "And I wish to spend time with her."
The king stared—then smiled broadly.
"Oh?" he said, clearly pleased. "I was worried you didn't care for your engagement."
He set his papers aside.
"It's good to see interest at last."
Ashley smiled faintly, victorious already.
"Then I'll proceed."
Somewhere far away, Iris Ashcroft was about to learn—
Refusing a crown prince politelywas still refusing a crown prince.
And that never ended quietly.
To be continued…