Forgotten Wife Let the traitors kneel Down (by Patricia Maradiaga) novel Chapter 46

A meeting at the bookstore

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+25 Points

Cassian hated leaving the palace and, even more so, visiting the city. However, that day he had promised Abril that he would get her new books. He could have sent one of the servants if he wanted, but he decided to go himself. When he asked for his carriage to be prepared for a trip to the city, the butler and the servants were very surprised, as the prince almost never left the palace since he had suffered the injury to his leg.

Cassian asked the coachman to take him to a bookstore. Upon arriving in the city, the coachman dropped him off as close as possible, but there was still a distance he had to walk. As he walked, Cassian limped slightly, and people stared at him, which he disliked. In the past, he loved strolling through the city, often sneaking out of the palace just to visit restaurants and wander the bustling streets, but all that was in the past.

Upon reaching the bookstore, Cassian asked the guards to wait outside. They refused outright, but he kept insisting; he didn’t want them to see that he was buying romance novels, even though they weren’t for him. He didn’t want to be misunderstood. After much insistence, Cassian managed to enter the bookstore alone. There was an old man at the counter who asked him,

“How can I help you?”

“I’m not quite sure, I’ll take a look around.”

“Of course, feel free to browse the books.”

“Thank you.”

Cassian wandered through the shelves until he reached the section where the romance novels were. As he read the titles and chose the ones he thought the princess would like best, he hoped no one would see him. He was so focused on selecting the books that he didn’t notice a young woman approaching until she spoke to him.

“That book you’re holding is very good, but there are two others before it. If you haven’t read them, you might not understand this one much.”

Cassian was surprised and embarrassed to be seen buying romance novels. The young woman noticed his face turning red and said:

“I’m sorry, did I make you uncomfortable?”

“I’m choosing books for a friend, but I really don’t know which ones to pick.”

“If you want, I can help you. I’ve read all the books here.”

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<A meeting at the bookstore

+25 Points

The young woman was very kind, and Cassian accepted her help since he felt a bit lost.

“I would appreciate that very much.”

“My name is Laila, what’s yours?” asked the young woman with blonde hair tied in a bun and light brown eyes. She was slim, and her clothes did not suggest she was a noble.

“My name is Cassian.’”

She smiled and said, “You have the same name as the prince.”

Cassian didn’t want her to know he was the prince. That day he was incognito, dressed simply, and no one would say he was the same person.

“It’s a common name.‘

“Actually, it’s not. This is the first time I’ve heard someone say they have the same name as the prince.”

Laila took several books off the shelf and dropped the subject of his name.

“These books are very good. I’m sure your friend will love them.”

Cassian noticed that one of the books was not a romance but an adventure novel. He

pointed it out.

“I don’t think she’ll like this one.”

“I assure you she will. Even though it’s an adventure, the characters experienced great love and described wonderful places.”

“Then I’ll take it.”

“Do

you want me to wrap them?”

“Do you work here?”

“Yes, my grandfather owns the store. Shall I wrap them all?”

“Yes, please.”

While Laila wrapped the books, Cassian stopped in front of a shelf where a book caught his attention. Laila noticed the book he was looking at and said,

“That’s a good book, I recommend it.”

“Have you read it too?”

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“I’ve read all the books here,” Laila replied proudly.

“That way, I can recommend books to customers who visit the store.”

Cassian took the book and handed it to Laila.

“Then I’ll take this one too.”

“When I read this book, I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. I hope you like it.”

“If I like it, I’ll come back to buy another book.”

“Then you’ll surely come back. I rarely make mistakes when recommending a book.”

+25 Points

After Laila finished wrapping the books, Cassian paid for them. He wanted to give Laila a good tip for helping him, but she shook her head.

“I can’t accept it. Helping you is my job, and besides, I enjoyed talking to you. So if you liked my service, come back to visit the store.”

“Thank you very much.”

Cassian took the books, and before leaving the store, Laila said:

“Next time you come back, invite me for a walk.”

Cassian realized at that moment that Laila was flirting with him. His cheeks turned red, and he quickly left the store. He wasn’t very familiar with that; usually, it was his brother who attracted the attention of women, while he went unnoticed.

When the guards saw his flushed face, they asked:

“Are you alright, Prince?”

“I’m fine, let’s go.”

When Cassian returned to the palace, he went to Abril’s room. Before entering, he heard Alessandro’s voice. He didn’t dare go in and turned around, handing the books to one of the

maids to deliver them.

Cassian returned to his room and lay on the bed, staying there quietly for a few hours. Then he remembered the book he had bought on Laila’s recommendation. She had been very excited while recommending it. Out of curiosity, he began to read, and it turned out to be just as Laila had said. The book was so interesting that he couldn’t stop reading it. He stayed up all night reading, and the next day, he woke up late and continued reading after breakfast. That day, he remained absorbed in the book, forgetting all his problems for a moment.

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A meeting at the bookstore

+25 Points

The next day, he continued reading until the pain in his leg became unbearable, and he had to go see Abril. When he reached Abril’s room, he knocked on the door with his knuckles, and one of the maids opened it. Abril was putting on a hat. Cassian asked,

“Are you going somewhere?”

“I’m going with His Majesty for a walk by the lake. I didn’t know there was a lake. Is it beautiful?”

“Yes, it’s very beautiful.”

“Do you want to join us?”

“No, I think I would be in the way.”

Cassian saw that Abril had one of the books he had sent her on the nightstand. He asked:

“Did you like the books?”

“Yes, they seem very interesting, and the one I started reading is wonderful. I couldn’t put it down. Yesterday, His Majesty had to take it from my hands to make me stop reading. Thank you very much.”

Cassian remembered Laila’s words. It seemed she truly wasn’t wrong, her recommendations

were very accurate.

Alessandro entered the room, greeted his brother, approached Abril, wrapped his arm around her waist, and asked,

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, I’m looking forward to our walk. I’ve never seen a lake.”

Alessandro smiled tenderly at her, which was strange for Cassian. At that moment, he realized his brother had changed a lot; he seemed to have softened. Cassian was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn’t realize his brother was talking to him.

“Cassian, are you listening to me?”

“Sorry, I got a bit distracted.”

“I’m asking if you want to join us for a walk by the lake.”

“Thank you, but no. I’m reading a book and would like to finish it, so you two go and have fun.”