Chapter 39: The Family I Wished For.
I feel really happy right now. Dad surprised me by inviting all the nobles to the Altair Palace and introduced me to everyone. I didn't know he was planning to do something like that at all! And it seems like everyone in the Altair Palace knew about it but me! What's even more shocking is that Dad has manage to throw a party to introduce me to the nobles, in just a day! No, it wasn't even a day, but just half a day! How did he do it?
I'm amazed. Brother Dae even said that the party will be held for three days. That means I'll have a chance to make those nobles fall for my charm ~ haha! However, isn't it a bit too much though? But, I'm really looking forward to those two more days.
"It seems like Ali is in a good mood right now," Big Bro Aeli said, holding my hand as we walk around the crowded place of the Central Plaza, still...even though I called it 'crowded', we are not part of the 'crowd'. That's because everyone's distancing themselves from us! They are all whispering about me, but it's fine because it's all positive comments!
After all, if they dare to throw insults to me right now...my Dad and brothers won't let that slide.
"Of course ~ this is the first time that I'm hanging out together with Dad and big brothers outside the palace!" I answered, big bro Heli who's walking beside brother Aeli chuckled and take a peek at me.
"We'll be able to hang out more, because your welcome party will lasts for more two days," He said. I can feel sparkles all over myself. That means I'll get to know them more! I want to know more about Dad and brothers, and to understand them more!
The truth is, I'm still thinking what would happen once my big sister arrived...but, let's cross that bridge when we get there!
"Hehe, but won't it cost a lot, Dad?" I turned my head to Dad who's walking beside Brother Dae who's also holding my left hand. Dad crossed his arms and smiled at me.
"If you're worried about the cost, my child. There's no need, we have a separated funds for our family," I smiled widely as I heard him reassure me about the funds. I'm aware about that though...
"Ali should get used to it. Your seventh birthday will be held for one month after all," I blinked for a couple of times and tilt my head.
"Eh? O-one...one month, Daddy?!"
---
"Hahaha! Ali's surprised face was so cute!" Brother Dae laughs as he caress me on the back. Who wouldn't be surprised?! One month just for a birthday?! Isn't that too much? I mean, the cost will be high, and some nobles might refuse the idea of it. Even though there are people that accepts me because of how my face resembles Mom's face so much, there are some people that are suspicious, even after Dad told them the 'reason' why Mom hid herself away in the Antares Palace.
"Are you worried about the cost, Ali?" Brother Aeli asked. I nod my head and looked at them.
"After all, it's only a birthday...holding a banquet for one month to celebrate my birthday will be too much. What if the other nobles refused the idea of it? They might..."
"Haha..." We all turned to Dad when we heard him chuckled. He walked towards me and kneel down in front of me.
"D-dad, it's dirty! Please raise yourself! And there are people around too..." I said, but Dad just place his hand on top of my head and then smiled at me.
"Ali. If there are people who would dare refuse my decision on what's best for my daughter, I am willing to get them exiled from the empire," I quickly shook my head and wave my hands repeatedly.
"Please don't, Daddy," I replied. He nods his head before he stood up and offer his hand to me, which I accepted right away.
"Now that you have calmed down, shall we continue our sightseeing and well...food hunting?" I giggled before jumping down to the ground. Brother Heli held my other hand as we all start walking again.
That 'food hunting' was something I mentioned earlier.
"Dad! Can we go to that store?" I pointed to a store that sells jewelries. This store is so simple, and I know this quality of jewelries don't suit Dad and big brothers, but I want to buy some for them using the money I have.
Money given to me by Asher, haha! I asked him to create money for me and he did it without hesitation. When I asked him if the money are real and if it won't dissolve or suddenly disappear, he went into annoyed mode and said, "I am the incarnation of the God of Creation, you know?". I just laughed because of his reaction.
"A jewelry store, Ali? Hmm...we can go to a more..." Brother Aeli paused when he looked at me. I don't know why, but he just smiled suddenly and ruffled my hair.
"Let's get in there,"
The central plaza is a simple place where all people can go in and out. Whether you are a noble or a commoner, as long as you need something from the Central Plaza, you can always visit it. There are also different stores here, some are huge and some are small. Of course those huge stores are the only ones that the nobles visited.
That's why I wanna go in this small jewelry store...I can probably help the owner with their business if I were to buy from here.
"Pardon our intrusion," Brother Heli spoke. There are two people inside, an old woman and an old man.
They stared at us for a while as if they were frozen in their places when we entered the store. I smiled at the both of them, and it surprised them because they flinched and suddenly, the old man in the counter left his post and bow on the floor, the same time as the old woman did.
"Greetings to the Imperial Family! Welcome to our humble store!" Uh-oh, are they panicking? Well, seeing all the Imperial family members would really get people panicking...
Still, why were their reactions like that? As if they weren't panicking because of our status but because they were scared?
"Hmm, quite spacious for a humble store, not bad, do you have sponsors?" Brother Heli asked, roaming his eyes around the store. There are different kinds of jewelry, all looks amazing! One more thing, these products here are probably much of a better quality than the ones considered as expensive in my world. It's amazing to think that a simple store like this have these amazing jewelries...
"W-we do receive sponsors from a certain Baron from the West..." Brother Dae clicked his tongue, which made grandma and grandpa flinched.
"West, huh? You've signed a store permit in our land and accepts sponsors from the West?" Brother Dae sounds really annoyed. We haven't even entered the store yet, and he's already scaring the store owners...
"W-we apologize for our insolence,Your Highness...b-but, we have no choice. I-It's an opportunity for us..." Grandpa said, why are they still bowing on the floor? They are already old people, so they shouldn't torture those bones...
"P-please raise your heads. We are here to purchase from your store, we won't be able to get assistance if you keep your head lowered...a-and it might not be good for your health as well," I said, but they only raise their heads to look at me, and when they saw my Dad and Brother Heli, they slammed their forehead to the back of their palms again.
O-of course, who would listen to the Princess that was just introduced earlier? I'm pretty sure, some parts of the Empire haven't even heard about it yet.
And they look really scared of my dad and brothers. They made their image to their people that way after all, because they said that power makes other people obey them. Nope, they didn't exactly told me that, I only read it in the novel.
"Did you just ignored my daughter's words?" Dad's voice wasn't loud, but it seems like it echoed to the four corners of this room. Even I felt a shiver down my spines.
"We apologize, Your Majesty, Your Highness!" Both of them quickly stood up, and I feel pity seeing them look so concerned while glancing at me.
They feel real bad for ignoring my words, I can tell.
"I know it hasn't been spread to the other lands yet, since the party has only begun earlier. However, you two are within my borders, how come you are not aware of my daughter?" I'm pretty sure they are aware though, they saw me after all...
Dad's being sensitive, haha ~
"Daddy, don't scold them. I'm sure they just had a hard time if they would listen to me or wait for you to tell them to raise their heads. You are the Emperor after all, and I was introduced just earlier, so we shouldn't expect that everyone had heard about the news already...hehe," I explained. Dad looked at me and then sighed. He smiled before nodding his head.
"Since my daughter said so, I will forgive you two. This better not be repeated, even if its other people. You must tell everyone about my daughter," Wow, Daddy really wants me to be known to everyone right away! But, I think they should just let for the news to spread. It won't be that long anyway.
"If the Emperor is worried about that, I can just rain this whole empire with posters and a painting of the princess, including her background, and put the speech you relayed earlier," we all turned our heads Asher who suddenly appeared inside the store. I bet he's been with us and is only hiding himself.
"So you've decided to show yourself, Astra," Dad spoke. I knew it.
Asher 'hmph'ed and starts walking towards us. He looks really bored as he lean the back of his right hand on his hips. Looks at his face, looking so uninterested--
"Greetings to the Almighty Astra! We are honored to be in your presence!" Eh?
Grandma and grandpa went bowing on the floor again!
"Hmm, yeah. Now stand up," Asher said. His voice was enough for the two to obey his orders. Daddy and Asher are amazing.
"Wait, wait. Let's not make the topic farther from what you just said, Astra. Can you actually do that?" Brother Dae asked, pointing at Asher.
"There is nothing I can't do, Your Highness," Asher's voice sounded so uninterested. He's probably just here because of my overflowing mana.
"Hmph, you can't even send divine mana to Ali yesterday..."
Brother Dae, that's insensitive, I'm here!
"I was only thinking of the Princess' well-being. I can force my divine mana to her body, but that would also give her side-effects," Are they fighting now? And why is Asher even trying to explain himself? You're fighting a kid, for goodness' sake! Just say 'yeah, yeah' and get it over with!
"Hmph..."
"But to answer your question, I can do it. If the Emperor allows it--"
"Then, do it right away," Dad spoke.
Wait, are they actually planning to make my face rains this whole empire?! That'll be embarrassing! Why did that even entered your mind, Asher!?
"W-wait, please. I think it's fine, you don't have to ask Asher to do it, Dad," I smiled at him and hold his huge hand with my both hands. I feel really small being with these people. But, I'm still five, I can grow to be a tall pretty lady.
"But the same treatment you got from these old fools might happen again, Ali. It's better this way," Ahhh...that's so rude, my third brother! I feel like crying. I pity grandma and grandpa!
"Brother Dae, you can't say things like that to other people..." I looked at the two old lovers, and they look saddened. I feel pity for them...
"I know you are eager for the other people to know about it, but news spreads like wildfire! I'm pretty sure it'll reach the other lands in just a week! Or maybe even a day! The news came from the Palace after all!" I said with a cheerful voice. I think these people need someone to be their constraint. Because of our status, they're just doing whatever they want!
"Hmm, I think you are too late now, Princess. I already spread posters all over the empire," I turned my head to Asher with a surprised expression.
"Huuuh!?"
---
They really did it...it's embarrassing to even think about it. Right after we purchased jewelries from grandpa and grandma's store, Brother Heli said he'll work things out with the Western Baron and sponsor the store of granny and granpa instead. And when we got out...everyone's looking at me with posters on their hands! Some people boasted that they've already seen me earlier and they were relieved from their exhaustion, while some were surprised to see the poster.
Asher, that jerk! He was the one who gave that idea to Dad!
Anyway, Themis was able to make me sleep, but it was only a few minutes when she left that I was awoken again by my own consciousness. I mean, there's no reason, I was awoken by nothing at all. And I don't know why.
"Can't sleep, Princess?" I glared at the guy who just entered my room casually as if it was his. My room has become this jerk's room as well, and my family have no idea about it at all. Well, he has to be here if he needs to watch over my mana.
"You had the audacity to show yourself to me, you annoying Astra?" I glared at him, and he laughed. He's satisfied with my raged expression!? I hate him so much!
"Your angel looking face doesn't suit those glaring eyes, really. You look like a puppy trying to act tough," Guughhh I wanna hit him so baaad! But, I guess he complimented me, huh?
"Well, thanks for the compliments. I do look like an angel and as cute as a puppy," I crossed my arms as I turn my head away from him. It'll be a waste of time to get mad at him because he'll only find it amusing that someone is mad because of him.
Seriously, he's got screw loose.
"Yeah yeah,"
I slowly turned my head at him again and was surprised that he was so close to my face!
"Eek--"
I moved my head away from him and he sighed.
"Despite completely eradicating the black magic within you, your complexion is still not good. Probably because of the overflowing mana...you'd probably need a guardian for it now," Guardian? For my mana?
"Guardian?" He nod his head.
"Let's talk about it next time. For now..." He crossed his arms, and then suddenly a chair appeared behind him, and he sat down. Why is he sitting beside my bed?
"How's your day with your family? Excluding the raining posters," suddenly, I am annoyed again. Why did he have to mention it again when I was just about to forget it?
I took a deep breath to calm myself. I face the ceiling and smiled, remembering my bonding with Dad and my brothers earlier.
"It was fun...they were all gentle to me, and they bought everything I laid my eyes onto, hahaha! We ate to a fancy restaurant as well, and I loved their meats--I was worried that everytime we go to another area, my brothers always threatens the salespersons. But, I think I learned more about my brothers because of that. Daddy also showed me how much he loved me, and I cant help but feel warm being with them..." I spoke. Asher did not answer, so I looked at him again. He's only staring at me, listening.
I'm glad he's actually listening though.
"And we had lots of meat skewers too, because Dad told my brothers how I loved them. I stuffed myself full! Haha!" I added. I feel tired with all the bonding we had earlier, but I am extremely happy.
I am so happy, I feel like crying.
Something like this never happened to me before.
I can't even hang out with my previous family, nor be able to talk to them properly.
That's why...
That's why, I am so happy.
I faced the ceiling again and smiled. I can already feel the few tears escaping my eyes.
"Hmm, you actually calls them your dad and brothers now," I turned to Asher and giggled at him. I also noticed that small smile on his face, but I decided not to tease him about it.
"Now then. Who are you? How do you see yourself in the mirror now? And what do you think of when looking at your family? Do you think...you can call yourself Alina now?"
Asher asked.
I admit that there are still what ifs within me. What if Amara came, and they forget about me? What if Amara arrives and they focus on her more? What if Amara finally shows herself and she gets all the attention from everyone?
But...in those what ifs, I already consider myself as Alina.
I smiled at Asher.
"Hm! I am Alina Devi de Ciera, the First Princess of the Ciera Empire, the second daughter of Empress Iliana and Emperor Orpheus. Prince Helios, Prince Aelius, and Prince Diellzain's youngest sister," I replied.
I think I am fine now.
There might be what ifs, but I will do my best to remove these from my mind.
I am Alina after all. Dad and my big brothers have accepted me to be one of them ever since we met. So, those what ifs can screw themselves.
I'll believe in myself and my family.
"Enough crying now..." Asher wiped my tears with the back of his index finger and then tap my forehead.
"Today was tiring for you. You should go to sleep," I nod my head and closed my eyes.
Haha, maybe Asher deserve to be one of the reasons why I am so happy today.
Oh, wait...I forgot to ask him about a lot of things...
Maybe, I'll ask him tomorrow...
***
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
cathcatya
cathcatya Hiii! Please don't forget to vote and give me your feedbacks! Just one more chapter and we're already done with the volume 1! I'm so happy I was able to finish one volume, hehe ~ Please enjoy this chapter!
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