I stared at the sky as I waited for Themis to call me for dinner. Today is so peaceful, and I feel so relieved that none of the princes are destroying my best life… yet. Because I have no idea when those monsters are going to dismantle my peaceful life. Right now, I'm at the balcony sitting on the chair Themis gave me. I forced her to let me rest here outside, and she let me.
I bent my knees in front of me and hugged it as I looked at the countless stars in the sky. It's different from the night sky in my previous world. This one is literally full of stars that you can actually call it 'starry night'. Maybe it's because there's no light pollution here.
"Huh…?"
What's that up there? It's like there a glass…? Huh? A glass in the sky? Wait, no, it's not in the sky but it does look like a glass, and it's closer. Because of the moonlight, it's producing a reflection. Wow… this is the first time I'm seeing something like this.
But for some reason, I have a bad feeling about this.
I heard three knocks, and Themis' voice.
"Princess, your dinner is here," I jumped off my chair as I turned around to face Themis who just entered my room holding a tray of food. Beside her is Ryna who's the one holding my honey milk.
"Good evening! Have Themis and Ryna already eaten?" I tilted my head as I walked pass the huge door of my balcony towards my room.
"Not yet, Princess. We will take our meals once Your Highness has finished hers," Themis answered. I twitched my lips and looked at Ryna while smiling.
"How about the other maids?" I questioned again.
"They have already taken their dinner, Princess," Ryna replied. I slowly nodded my head. If I didn't ask, I wouldn't know that these two only eat dinner once they're done feeding me. Good thing I eat fast because I was always pressured to eat faster by my previous family.
"Hmm… then, Ryna. Please get yourself and Themis a food. Let's eat together!" I suggested. Both of them were surprised by my words, and then ended up exchanging looks with each other.
"However—"
"I won't accept no as an answer, okay?" I added before Themis could even say anything. She smiled at me and then chuckled.
"Our Princess really cares for her servants. Then, Ryna, go ahead and bring us some food. We must fulfill our Princess' request," Themis put down the little table on my bed. It's been days since I got here but this little table is still amazing for me. I can only see this from televisions after all!
"Themis, would it be alright for us to eat on the center table?" I asked, pointing at the table outside, on the balcony. The balcony is spacious, and there's a white luxurious table and four chairs there.
"That would be no problem, Your Highness. And you didn't need to ask us for that, you can simply order us to do that," Themis replied, giving me a smile. I nodded my head and giggled.
"Okay! Then, I'm going to bring my food there!"
"No need, Your Highness. I'll do it myself, and please go get us some dinner, Ryna," Themis carried the little table again but I once again spoke.
I instructed Themis to leave the little table on my bed and only bring the food on the table at the balcony, while Ryna went to the door, bowed to me and proceeded to leave in order to get dinner for her and Themis.
Really, this life as Alina is very peaceful and luxurious. I'm so glad I was transported here instead of going to hell due to suicide. But, what I'm worried about is the original soul of this body. I want to know if this girl had already died, that's why my soul was transported here. Or did we switch bodies?
Huh… nevermind. Let's just enjoy my new life here as a princess—who definitely will not die because I don't want that to happen!
Guuuh! But, still… reality is cruel. Even though I was 'isekai'd', my role is as an ill-fated princess who ended up killing herself!
Nooo!
"Hehe. I'm so excited. Eating with the people you love makes the food even more yummier!" I spoke. Themis smiled at me as she chuckled. It looks like she's quite happy with this request of mine.
Themis and the other maids have been working for Alina ever since she was born. That's because her mother died after giving birth to her. That's why, ever since she remembers, she doesn't have any memories with her mother at all. Her face is scattered around the palace though, so Alina knew her mother's face, and was so happy that she resembles her a lot.
"Princess," I turned to Themjs and smiled.
"Hmm? What is it, Themis?" I asked.
She stared at me for a few seconds, and then her expression turned softer.
"It's just… having you here with us right now makes me happy. Thank you, Your Highness," Huh? What's with her all of a sudden? Did she remember the time when Alina drowned? It's almost been a week since I woke up, is she still worried about me?
"Hehe, thank you, Themis! I'm also happy to have you and everyone!" I replied. I wonder what she's thinking?
"In truth, I am worried about the Princess. We're sorry if we can't bring to see your family, Your Highness. It was our fault that an accident like that happened, all because we refused your requests," Hmm… it looks to me that they are worried because I stopped looking for my family.
They might be thinking why their princess suddenly changed.
"I should be the one apologizing to everyone. Because I was so stubborn, I ended up in a situation that was so dangerous. I didn't listen to your advice and tried to go out on my own…" I replied. Staring on the steaming food in front of me.
"Princess…" she mumbled.
"Your Highness…" she mumbled.
"Oh, come to think of it, Themis… there was a blonde boy that saved me from drowning, do you know him? He's within the palace grounds after all," I think his hair was also a bit long…? Wait, was it? Uhh… I can't remember it properly. Even though he was in this palace, I've never really seen him after that drowning accident.
"Blonde boy, Your Highness? I don't think I remember someone with that hair color. Do you have any other description, Princess? We can look for him and convey gratitude for saving our little princess," Right. I would like to thank him but, I have no idea where or how I could find him.
"I'n sorry, Themis. I can't remember much and I only remember his hair color," I replied. Themis and I tilted our heads to think together.
"Miss Themis, Princess. The food is here," we both looked at the door when we heard Ryna outside my room. Themis stood up and went to the door in order to open it and let Ryna in.
It only took seconds before we started eating together. I waited for their food to arrive, so I could eat with someone. They're always letting me eat alone as they watch me, and I can't take that anymore. And I just found out that they delay their dinner just to watch me eat?!
"Thank you for the food! Oh, can I request Themis and Ryna to always eat with me during dinner?" I asked. They looked at each other as they nodded together while smiling at me. They're so sweet and so easy to talk to.
"Hehe, thank you!"
I grabbed the fork and knife as I stabbed the meat with a fork, then sliced it using the knife. This is how I remember Alina eating her food. After I sliced a few meats, I got the spoon to begin eating.
Hmm, so far, it's been a good life being here. I can eat anything I want and do whatever I want. I can be a lazy bum all day and the servants won't say anything about it at all. No schools to attend and assignments to do, just relax, eat, sleep, and play. A life I always wished for.
Unless some bad and evil princes arrive and destroy my life!
Ughhh, I remember that again!
Eat.
I have to eat lots of food in order to have a healthy and strong body, and courageous mind that can fight off verbal insults! I have to make my mind stronger than my body, because my opponents are going to target my emotions!
"Princess, please slow down. You might choke—"
"Guahh! *cough cough*" I balled my fist and hit my chest when I really choked like Themis said! Themis and Ryna panicked as the head maid reached for the water and handed it to me. I accepted it and drank the water slowly, and then took a deep breath after that.
"Princess… please don't do that again, it's dangerous." Ryna said. I gulped and nodded my head.
"I'm sorry…"
***
It's in the middle of the night. I slowly opened my eyes when I heard something strange outside. I squinted my eyes and turned to the lamp on the side table and turned it on. I also rubbed my eyes before looking outside the balcony.
What's that sound? As if a glass is slowly breaking. It hurts my ear when there's this sound of metal grinding on a glass. What the heck is that…?
Is there someone trying to break into my room? But, the sound is not that loud… I massage the back of my right ear and try to listen more.
There's really that strange sound… I'm not imagining things.
"T-Themis…?" I called.
Of course, there's no answer.
She's definitely sleeping by now.
There's no knights or guards outside. There are only maids here after all, as if they were confident that there's no need for guards or knights.
I gulped and crawled out of my bed. What's that sound? I'm nervous, and my heart's starting to race faster than usual.
I am alone right now. Would the servants hear my voice if I scream? And don't they hear anything? Why is no one coming here to get me?
I placed my right fist in front of my chest to calm myself. But, my heart's beating really fast right now. Just what is that strange sound?
I took a deep breath.
"Themis!" I called. This time with a loud voice.
But, even though I considered it as 'loud voice', as a kid, it's probably not that loud. I glanced at the balcony before turning to the door again as I started walking.
I feel like my knees are going to give up on me. It's definitely because I came back to being a kid, that even a bit of fear within me can immediately affect my whole body. This small body is a disadvantage.
"Themis! Ryna! Ande!" I called again as I tried to walk faster towards the door. I took a deep breath and covered my ears, all because that strange sound is starting to get louder and louder. And my heart also is racing faster and faster.
What the heck was that...?
I gulped and turned around to face the balcony as I forced my weakening knees to take a few steps backward. I stared at the balcony and waited for a while. What is going to happen? The sound strangely disappeared.
I was startled when suddenly, a loud sound of glass being broken echoed to the whole place. And as a kid, this body seems to move on its own! Bending down, covering my ears, and closing my eyes tight. I don't wanna open my eyes...
"THEMIIIIS!" I yelled my lungs out, all because of this huge fear I am feeling within me. That loud sound definitely affected this small body, because I was already nervous in the first place.
Tears slowly escaped my eyes. Of course, it will! I am literally 5 years old! Scary experiences would drop a tear to my cheeks even if I try my best to prevent myself from crying! Dang it, what was that?! Are we being attacked?! A wild animal? Wait no, there's no way a wild animal could produce that sound! It's outside, as if a glass broke!
"Found you..."
"Princess!"
I flinched when I heard two voices speaking. I quickly turned my head to the door when I heard Themis' voice. I stood up and threw myself into her arms when she bent down and spread her arms.
"How sweet," I wrapped my arms around Themis and turned my head to the one who spoke at the balcony. I can't see it clearly yet, because Themis is wiping the tears off my face. But when she pulled back her hands, I finally saw the ones who are… probably the cause of that strange sound.
There are two guys outside, on my balcony, and they even opened the door. One of them is sitting on the wide balustrade with his arms and legs crossed, he's even closing his eyes, while the other one is standing on it. And of course, I knew who these guys were! What the hell are these two doing here?!
That's Helios Rishi de Ciera, the First Prince, and the other one is none other than… Diellzain Ray de Ciera. The third prince with a nasty personality! I mean, all of them have nasty personalities.
"Good evening, did we scare the little princess?" Diellzain finally opened his eyes as he smirked at me.
Scary! Dang it! Spare this little kid from that monstrosity!
"Greetings, Your Highnesses..." Themis greeted, she wrapped her left arm onto my back and gave the two princes a proper degree bow. Even the other maids did the same, and how come they're all here?
"Hmph, surprised to see us here?" Diellzain asked. What the heck is with that shitty attitude towards the maids?!
"In all honesty, it was difficult to break that damn barrier," he added. Huh? Barrier? There's a barrier?
"Haha, it covers a whole lot of area too. Good evening, by the way." I gulped when a long-haired guy appeared beside Diellzain out of nowhere. Even the second prince is here? What exactly is happening right now? This is not how they're supposed to come here, right? Why the heck are they breaking in my balcony?!
The second prince jumped down from the balustrade and smiled at me, he even put his left arm behind him and his right hand to his chest. Wow, his smile looks gentle and soft. As far as I remember, only Amara receives that kind of smile from him. In the story I've read, even though he wasn't one of those who insulted Alina, he showed his hatred by ignoring and glaring her down, as well as tolerating his siblings.
And, why is he here as well? Even if the way they come here is different than what happened in the book, it should still follow which characters were in charge of getting Alina out of here, and those were Diellzain and Helios only.
"Greetings, our young princess. We apologize for disturbing your slumber in the middle of the night," Wow, even his voice sounds so gentle and calm. It actually helps me to calm myself—wait, no!
Don't be fooled by his acts!
I turned and faced Themis, burying my face on her shoulders as I hugged her tightly.
"Is there nobody here that's going to introduce us to our sister?" Dang it, Diellzain really just said 'our sister' and that just made my life flash before my eyes! It seems like the Goddess of Fate ignored my wish after all!
"Princess..." Themis pulled away from me and smiled at me. Please don't give me that kind of smile as if you're bidding me farewell! Ahh, now my tears are falling to my cheeks again.
Themis wiped the tears that escaped my eyes.
"May I put you down?" She asked, I stared at her for a while before sniffing and nodding my head.
When she put me down, I faced the three guys on the balcony. Is it just me, or their eyes are glowing? Even the pointed petals on their eyes turned… white? Wait, I know this. Since Odilia is one of the families that had a great amount of mana, it causes their eyes to have this five-pointed petals eye design, and their eyes glow when they're using magics. But, right now they're not doing anything?
"Princess, the people in front of you are the Three Princes of Ciera Empire, and..." Themis paused. I tugged on the layer of her dress and looked at her as I waited for her next words.
And I know exactly what she's about to say!
"What's the need to pause?" Helios finally spoke. He's scary. I flinched and hid myself behind Themis. Helios noticed that and looked at me with… worried eyes?
"Woah, you scared her right off the bat, Big bro," said the third prince—wait, he called him what?!
Big bro?! The Diellzain in the book I've read calls this guy with just his name?! When did he start calling him big bro?!
"Princess, they are your big brothers,"
I know! I clearly know that! That's why I'm tearing up!
Guuh, dang it. This is it. The time has come...
This is the end of my peaceful life!!!
***