The Princess's Proxy: A Royal Love Story

In the Laurel Garden, the osmanthus flowers were in full bloom, their sweet fragrance permeating the air. The delicate sunlight filtered through the branches, casting a gentle glow on the young woman climbing the tree. Claire Randall, around eighteen or nineteen years old, had a smile as pure as a pear blossom, her cheeks tinged with a hint of rose, and eyes as lively as a clear spring.

With a graceful movement, she plucked a bunch of sweet osmanthus from the treetop, her feet lightly stepping from one branch to another.

"Claire, be careful! My dear friend!" called out the young girl below, her age similar to Claires but not as striking in appearance.

Claire smiled and threw down a basket filled with osmanthus, her smile radiant as she said, "Jane, dont worry. Go fetch a larger basket; this one wont be enough."

"But I cant leave you alone here," Jane protested.

"You go ahead. The tree isnt that tall, and I wont lose my life," Claire insisted, waving Jane away from the tree.

Seeing Claires stubbornness, Jane reluctantly agreed, "Alright, but be careful!"

As Jane left, Claire scanned the garden for the best osmanthus trees, planning to pick the finest flowers for the princesss sweet delicacies.

Spotting a particularly fragrant tree on the western wall, Claire climbed higher, reaching for the most vibrant cluster of flowers. "Jane really makes a fuss over nothing. These trees wont harm me..." she muttered, just as the branch beneath her feet snapped, and she began to fall.

With a gasp, Claire felt herself caught in a pair of strong arms. Slowly opening her eyes, she looked into the face of her savior.

The man whispered in her ear, "The tree isnt tall, but your life is still safe, isnt it?"

It was him...

Claire quickly extricated herself from Edwards embrace, lowering her head and muttering, "Why do you hear everything... A prince like you even eavesdrops on others..."

Edward, with his keen ears, naturally caught Claires complaint. He quietly moved his hand behind her back and, with a firm pull, brought her close to him again. His eyebrows raised in a playful smile, he said, "You, a mere handmaiden, dare to scold me? You stand on the tree so conspicuously; how could I not notice?"

"Stop it, if others see us, it wont be good," Claire urged, pushing Edward away and hiding behind a tree.

"No ones around. This garden is so secluded; who would come?" Edward replied, gazing intently at Claires face, causing her cheeks to flush with a light blush.

Seeing her reaction, Edward couldnt help but laugh, gently touching her head and teasing, "I wont tease you anymore. Close your eyes, and Ill show you something wonderful."

"What for?" Claire asked.

"Just close them," Edward insisted.

Claire obeyed, and a few crisp sounds rang out, like jewelry being placed in her hand. The cool touch of the object sent a shiver down her spine.

"Open your eyes," Edward commanded.

In Claires line of sight was a begonia droplet emerald jade hairpin, something she had only seen in a painting and had longed for. She had mentioned it to Edward just once, never expecting him to remember.

"Do you like it?" Edward held Claires hand, watching her delighted expression, content to make her smile.

"I love it," Claire replied.

"Let me put it on for you," Edward offered.

"Okay," Claire stepped closer, feeling the warmth of Edwards fingertips as he adorned her hair with the hairpin.

Inside the garden, the fragrance of osmanthus filled the air, and the falling petals concealed their soft laughter.

"Ah, my dear brother Edward, youre in high spirits today! Enjoying the breeze and the company of a beauty!" A voice as irritating as its owner interrupted the moment. Turning around, Claire saw the figure she had expected—Jamie Fraser, the most favored prince among them, and the one she despised the most.

"Brother Jamie, youre in the palace today. I should have known and joined you earlier," Edward responded, instinctively placing Claire behind him. Every time Jamie looked at Claire, Edward felt an uncontrollable anger, but he always seemed to fall short in status compared to Jamie.

Jamie laughed but kept his gaze fixed on Claire, his eyes lingering on the jade hairpin in her hair. "What a beautiful ornament for a beautiful woman, but such a simple jade pin hardly matches Claires beauty. Edward, is this all you can offer to someone you hold dear?" he mocked, casting a disdainful glance at Edward. "If Claire were with me, I would give her the best in the world, for her appearance..." Jamies hand unconsciously reached towards Claire, but she retreated behind Edward.

Edwards expression grew more uncomfortable. Jamies words were deliberately designed to embarrass Edward in front of Claire.

"Prince Jamie is joking. Prince Edward merely came to inquire about the princesss well-being today, and this jade pin was a birthday gift from Prince Edward. Ive been by the princesss side for so long, and Ive seen you gentlemen many times. Please dont use words like dear to the heart to humiliate me," Claire interjected, trying to defuse the tension.

Edward, the most talented among the princes, could recite the Analects at the age of three, was well-versed in military books and ancient scriptures by nine, and could compose poetry and songs by twelve. However, no matter how talented he was, he was always overshadowed by Jamie, simply because his birth mother was a favored concubine, and his status was always secondary due to his mothers lack of favor.

Jamies talents were far inferior to Edwards, but his mother was not only the kings favorite, Lady Catherine, but his uncle was also General William. So no matter how outstanding Edward was, King Edward always favored Jamie more.

For a moment, the atmosphere was heavy. Although Edward and Jamie had been at odds in private for years, they could at least maintain a civil relationship in public.

"Claire! Claire! The princess is looking for you everywhere; lets not pick osmanthus anymore!" Janes voice echoed from afar, and seeing her, Claire felt a sense of relief, as she could now make her escape.