Yesterday, Kafziel was announced to be my playmate due to my request. And now, both the Count and the Countess are in front of us to drop their youngest child off. They both looked so gentle. I don't know why they decided to come here though. They should be resting because they're probably tired from their long journey in the West.
"We are honored that our son was chosen to be the Second Princess' playmate. Kafziel will not disappoint the Imperial Family," Please don't exaggerate things. He's just going to be my playmate, nothing more. Playing is fun so there's no need to overthink about things like disappointment and such.
"Hehe ~ please don't think too much about it, Madam! We're only going to play after all!" I answered. The Count and the Countess stared at me for a moment before they smiled at me.
"The Young Princess looks really beautiful, she's almost identical to the late Empress," I tilted my head and stared at the Countess, confused. Her voice sounded like it's going to crack or something.
"Thank you, Madam! Madam Countess looks really pretty as well! And Sir Count too!" I know I can call them just 'Count' and 'Countess', but I'm a kid, so I should act like one. And I know it sounded stupid, but they don't seem to care about it.
"I thank you for your compliment, Your Highness. However, there is definitely no one who could match the Princess' beauty in this empire," Oh goodness… wait until you see Amara Euniq de Ciera. The one who inherited both the Empress' silver hair and the Emperor's red eyes—with Odilia's distinct eye pattern even!
Maybe that's the reason why the Ciera's loved her so much.
I giggled at the Countess and smiled at her.
"That's not true, Madam Countess. All of us have our own kind of beauty, hehe."
"Thank you so much, Your Highness," she smiled at me gently, and I can't believe how beautiful she is!
"Countess and Count Laverde. I want to inform you that my daughter is not yet introduced to the public. I order you two, as well as your family to not tell anyone about this encounter with Ali," Orpheus sounded so serious about that just now. It's really weird everytime he calls me his daughter even though he's completely aware that he's not my biological father.
"Understood, Your Majesty," the Count replied, both of them bowing to show respect and acknowledgement for Orpheus.
"And to correct you… Alina Devi de Ciera is the First Princess," Woah… I didn't even notice that. And why did he even say that? It's true that I am the second princess though? The Countess and the Count might misunderstand him and think that he wasn't considering Amara as the First Princess?
"Apologies, Your Majesty. We were not thinking straight," It was the Count who apologized to Orpheus. I was about to ask about why I was called a 'second princess' but I decided not to. The Count and Countess here might get some wrath from the Emperor if I ask that question.
"I understand. However, I don't want this to happen again," Orpheus stood up while carrying me on his arm. He gave them a simple nod before he spoke again.
"You are dismissed. The Young Lord may wait for my daughter at her playroom," The Emperor announced. He doesn't seem very happy about this. I wonder why? I hope he's not thinking about unnecessary things.
***
"Greetings, Your Highness. This chance I received from the Imperial Family will always be etched in me," What do you mean chance?
Anyway, Kafziel is a gentle and nice kid. He's always acting like a mature boy in front of me. Welp, even in the novel I've read, he's like that too. Although, the way he talked to the third prince yesterday was kinda funny. As if there were best friends who used to tease each other.
Speaking of that novel… What was the title of it again? Hmm, I don't remember…
"Ziel, can you act casually when we're playing? I'd really appreciate that… let's not think about the difference in status, shall we?" I asked, smiling at Ziel. He stared at me for a few seconds and then tilted his head.
"I would love to, Your Highness. However, I believe your father and brothers are going to hate the idea," I laughed because of his answer. Even though they've been acting nice to me these past few days, I'm sure they won't really care about that, Ziel.
It's only been a few days, so I can't tell if they're being genuine or not. But, based on the novel book…
No. I don't know anymore. Maybe it's best for me to just observe for now.
"You don't have to worry about that! I'll defend you from them!" I placed both my hands on my waist as I gave him a smug smile. I heard him chuckle quietly before walking towards the box where the lego—no, these are definitely not called legos… but it looks similar, so let's just call it like that.
"Additionally, I'm also against it, Your Highness. I twitched my lips and then crossed my arms.
"Alright… but can I make a small favor? Instead of Your Highness, can you just call me Ali? You don't have to do that in front of Dad and my brothers! Just do it when it's just us," I placed my hands together and intertwined it. As if I'm begging him for this request.
He raised his arms and then placed them on my shoulders.
"You shouldn't be asking me for a favor, Your Highness. Just give me an order, and I'd gladly do it," he was smiling while saying those words. I blinked a couple of times as I tilted my head.
Wow, spoken like a true knight.
"Then… call me by my name, since we're friends now," I gave him a wide smile as I giggled. He stared at me, with his eyes widened. And then his expression suddenly softened and he smiled gently.
"As you wish, Princess Ali."
I giggled cheerfully before I spoke again.
"Thank you! Let's play!"
I'm glad he agreed. I'm not really used to that 'Your Highness' thingy. It only reminds me that I'm an ill-fated princess who is destined to be verbally, emotionally, and mentally abused by my family and ends up dying.
Actually, playing with Kafziel is much better than spending time with Alina's brother. They ask you a lot of questions and it's really tiring to stay smiling in front of them just to keep my acts right. Also, Diellzain is so exhausting to deal with. He makes a big deal about everything that I say. Aelius and Helios are fine, but not Diellzain. He's absolutely tiring. Bruh's an overthinker.
Additionally, when I'm with them, I always need to observe them so I'm not enjoying my time that much. It's almost been a week since I came here to this Palace and they've shown Alina genuine love and affection. Which is really confusing. I don't even want to think about it anymore, but it always appears in my mind whenever I'm with them.
I think I need more time to figure out their motives for destroying my peaceful life in Antares Palace.
Because what if they have underhanded schemes against me because I'm not the Emperor's daughter? I need to watch out.
"Princess Ali, are you okay?" I immediately smiled at Ziel as I started rummaging through the box of toys.
"I'm sorry! Do I look like a bad girl just now?" I asked. I'm not sure if that's how a kid should act to her playmate, but I hope he won't suspect me of anything.
You can do it, Clara.
"No, Princess Ali. Actually you looked adorable, haha," he chuckled before helping me pick up some toys from the box.
"Thanks! Ziel is very handsome too! Oh—what should we play? I hope Ziel's not annoyed by me 'cos I asked him to be my playmate… after all, Ziel is already nine years old…" I only mumbled those few words at the end, but still loud enough for him to hear. And I did that on purpose.
"I am not annoyed at all, Princess. In all honesty, I am genuinely happy that you chose me to be your playmate," I only wanted to befriend him because he's going to be Amara's future knight. Apologies for stealing your great knight, but I also want someone to protect me!
It's all part of the plan, hahaha...
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Just kidding, I thought of that just now. But it wasn't a bad plan, huh? Guess I'll add a Plan D?
"Hahaha…" I creased my forehead and tilted my head when the guy just laughed all of the sudden. What is he thinking?
"Hmm?" He looked at me.
"Just now, the Princess looked extremely happy. I wonder what's going on inside the Princess' mind. It's amusing to see how the Princess' expression changes every few seconds," Oh dang… you will never want to know what's going on inside this pretty little head of mine, Sir Kafziel.
"Heh ~ it's a secret ~ oh, maybe it's alright to tell you? I'm just happy that I got to meet Dad and brothers! And now I met a new friend too! I hope I can get lots and lots and looots of friends!" I even had to motion my arms as if I'm drawing on thin air just to show him how much friends this little Alina wants.
I think I'm good with adlib performances too.
"With the Princess' cheerfulness, kindness, wisdom, and adorable appearance, I'm sure many people would befriend you," he replied.
"Hehe ~ thank you, Ziel!"
I'm glad that he's actually helping me ease away my concerns—not boredom, but concerns! Ahh… I want to kneel down in front of him and thank him verily, with tears of joy. Haha, this was never in my plan, I really just want to be his friend because he's Ryna's brother, but now there's a lot of ideas coming into my mind! I'm glad my brain juice has recharged.
*slam*
I flinched when suddenly, Kafziel threw a block of lego to the balcony before rushing there without saying anything at all! What the heck happened?
He leaned on the balustrade as he looked left and right. He seemed to be searching for something—and when he found it—
My eyes widened when I saw him climbing on the wide balustrade and then suddenly…
"Ziel!" I yelled when he jumped down!
We're on the second floor!
I ran towards the balcony as well and immediately found Ziel running towards the forest. So I turned my head to the place where he was heading to and… I found a kid with long blonde hair!
A kid with blonde hair? Could it be?
I blinked a couple of times before looking back to the door of the playroom. Should I run down there? But, I won't be able to catch up if I do that, and there will be servants along the way. I need to talk to that kid!
I stared at the balustrade as I felt my heart beating fast…
"Halt!" I heard Ziel's voice, yelling to the kid.
There's no other way then, I'll use the easiest way!
I took multiple steps away from the balustrade. And when I found the right place to do my running approach, I immediately ran towards the balustrade, and then I jumped when I reached it to place both my hands on it to push myself up! And I succeeded!
I stood up on the balustrade as I looked at the blonde kid almost reaching the forest.
"Wait uuuuppppp!" I screamed, causing Ziel and the kid to look in my direction.
Finally, I saw his face.
He's pretty. He's got blonde eyelashes and red eyes.
"You! Wait for me!" I pointed to the blonde kid and right after I said that, I jumped off the balcony. However, when I looked down to the ground, my eyes widened.
Ahhhh! It's so high!
Of course, it is! This body is literally five years old! A short and small princess! Who said taking the easiest way is going to be a good idea?! My impulsiveness and recklessness did!
This isn't the easiest way to catch up with the kid—it's the easiest way to die!
"Princess Ali!"
I closed my eyes, covered my ears, and pressed my lips together.
Stupid. This was a stupid idea. Who said it's gonna work!? Why didn't I think twice before doing this?! I actually forgot about this small body! This body is not of an 18 year old!
I can feel my heart racing fast as the wind brushes through my skin. All the memory of the past flashes in my mind, even the memory of when I jumped off the building. The stars were beautiful that time, and the wind was refreshing that I felt so relaxed. But right now…
Regret! Regret is all I feel!
Can Ziel actually catch me?
That's right, Ziel!
I trust you!
I opened my eyes as I forced myself to turn around mid-air to face Ziel. He nodded his head and spread his arms, reassuring me that he's prepared to catch me.
"You're alright, Princess! I'll catch you!" He yelled. I wonder why none of the servants outside are coming to the playroom or reacting to our voices? I literally shouted Ziel's name earlier? That's so weird!
As I got close to the ground, Ziel also positioned himself in an area where he's definite to catch me. And just right when I'm almost within his reach, I spread my arms
I closed my eyes again because I was nervous. However… I suddenly felt like my body became more light, so I slowly opened my eyes once again only to see myself… floating?
And then slowly, I was put down on the ground properly. I stepped on the ground carefully with my eyes widened, and turned my head to the strange boy behind the tree. I saw how he put his hand down and turned around. He's the one who did that! Just like how Father did! And he looked like he was annoyed…?
"W-wait!" But he just started walking. He just ignored me!
"Hold on a second, please!" I added. But, as he walked away… he also started to slowly fade away! How is that even possible?!
Dang it. I couldn't talk to him even though I'm already so close! I didn't know magic could be annoying as well!
"Princess…" I gulped as I looked at Ziel. He doesn't look mad, but his expression showed how worried he was because of what I did.
I made him worry. Goodness gracious, self! What did you do to the poor kid?! I hope he wasn't traumatized by that. And I hope he won't tell Alina's family about what I just did!
"I…" I paused and looked directly into his eyes.
"I'm sorry…" I apologized as I lowered down my head. I closed my eyes and waited for him to answer. However, all he did was place his hands on my shoulders.
"Princess, don't worry. I won't tell His Majesty what happened today," Thank goodness! Was he reading my mind?
"Hmm…" I only nodded my head as I hummed.
"Should we go back, Princess?"
"Yes…"
He offered his hand to me, and I stared at it for a few seconds before I accepted it.
This kid is very mature. He handled that well.
***