My Fiancée Hates Me novel Chapter 40

P-P-Prince Erik??

"H-How may I help you?" I asked him.

"There were some girls following me. I hope that you do not mind if I stand near you while I continue with my shopping," Prince Erik whispered to me.

My heart thumped loudly from how uncomfortably close he was.

"I understand..."

The girls looking at Prince Erik from a distance quickly dispersed after seeing me.

"Did you not want to continue your shopping?" Prince Erik asked.

"I would..."

My wrist is too painful...

Probably noticing my wrist, he took my basket away from me.

"Which books would you like?" he asked.

I pointed to the books I wanted, and he helped get them for me no matter how high they were.

I become quite shameless when it comes to books. I suppose becoming a Librarian once before does this to me...

"Your picks are interesting. Are you not interested in the newly released romantic books?"

"There is a kind of splendor to these books because of the flavor the authors put in their writing. I often find myself gravitating towards them incidentally," I explained.

For some reason, we went up to the cash register at the same time.

"You have found many interesting reads," Hubert said with a wide smile.

"They all have interesting plots," I responded.

The pile in Prince Erik's basket was even more impressive.

"Do you have a large bag?" Prince Erik asked.

"There is no reason to carry them all back with you. They can make deliveries from here to the Academy," I explained to him.

"I see," Prince Erik said with a look of wonder.

"The Young Lady is quite informed," Hubert noted.

"...I was informed by two ladies in the park," I lied.

The lies just keep piling up...

We left the store soon afterwards.

"Then, good luck," I said towards Prince Erik as I tried to make my escape.

"...Would you like some tea?" he asked quietly.

Can anyone say no to a man who looks like he descended from Heaven?

I wish I could...

We had some tea and snacks at a nearby café with a seaside view.

"This is all very lovely," I commented.

Why am I having tea with this person?

"I was hoping that you would say that," Prince Erik said.

"Although, I think this is a bit much for just standing next to you while you finished your shopping," I said as I began sipping my tea.

"You also helped me pick out some interesting books," Prince Erik said.

"...Any normal person would have done the same thing," I said.

"...I have ulterior motives. If I did not use that excuse to lure you here, it would be difficult to get even one conversation through to you," Prince Erik said.

I flinched slightly.

"Ulterior motives?" I asked him.