I stared at the sky as I wait for Themis to call me for dinner. Today is so peaceful, and it makes me relieve 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, because I forced her to let me rest here outside, and she let me.
I bend my knees in front of me and hugged it as I look at the countless stars in the sky. It's different from night sky in my previous world, because it's full of stars. It's actually amazing, this is what you can call a 'starry night'.
Hmm? Wait, what's that up there? It's like there's 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 close. Because of the moonlight, it's producing the reflection of the moon...ehh? Huh? What is that? Now there are two moons! But, the other one is so blurry, probably because it's just the reflection of the real moon? Wow, this is the first time that I noticed that.
For some reason, I have a bad feeling about this.
"Princess, your dinner is here," I jumped down from the chair as I turn around to face Themis. She's carrying a tray of food as Ryna open the door for her.
"Good evening! Have Themis and Ryna already eaten?" I tilt my head as I walk towards my room.
"Not yet, Princess. We'll eat once the Princess has finished eating," Themis answered. I twitched my lips and look at Ryna while smiling.
"How about the other maids?" I asked.
"They're already done with their dinner, Princess," Ryna replied. I slowly nod 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.
"Hmm, then, Ryna! Please get yourself and Themis a food, let's eat together!" I spoke. Both of them were surprised by what I said and then ends up exchanging looks with each other.
"And I won't accept no as an answer, okay?" I added, even placing my hands on my waist while pouting. Dang it, it's all because this pout can move their hearts that I keep doing this.
"The Princess really cares for her servants. Then Ryna, can you bring food for us here? We can't let the Princess eat alone as well," Themis said, placing the tray on the center table that's being surrounded by luxurious couch and two single couches.
Really, this palace is so luxurious that I want to steal all the loots here, go back to my own world and then sell it for millions, live my own peaceful life away from my family, and die peacefully!
Guuhh! But, well...reality is cruel. Even though I was isekai'd, my role is as an ill-fated princess who ends up killing herself!
"Right! Eating with people you love makes the food even more tastier!" I replied. Themis and Ryna looked at me, and it seems like they were moved from what I said.
These maids here have been working for Alina ever since she was born, because her mother died after giving birth to her. That's why ever since she remember, she don'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 turn my head to Themis when she called for me.
"Hmm? What is it, Themis?" I asked. She smiled at me.
"It's just...I'm glad you're alright," Huh? What's with her all of the sudden? If she's referring to when I drowned, it's almost been a week since I woke up. Is she still worried about me?
"Hehe, thank you, Themis," I replied. I wonder what she is thinking?
"To be honest, I am worried about the Princess. We're sorry if we can't bring you to see your family, Your Highness. It was our fault that an accident like that happen, all because we refused your request," I see. So, they're actually worried about me because I stopped looking for my family? Yes, I think that's what she's trying to imply. It's because ever since Alina drowned, she suddenly gave up looking for her family.
"Themis, 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.
"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 like that. Hmm, 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 and how I could find him.
"I'm sorry, Themis. I can't remember much and I only remember his hair color," I replied. Themis and I tilt our head to think together.
"Miss Themis, Princess, the food is here," we both look at the door when we heard Ryna outside my room. Themis stood up and went to door to open it and let Ryna enter.
It only took seconds before we started eating together. I waited for their food to arrive, so I can 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 nod 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 stab the meat with a fork, then slice it using the knife. This is how I remember Alina eating her food. After I sliced a few meats, I get the spoon to begin eating.
Hmm, it's still a good life now, because 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!
Ughh, I remember that again!
Eat, I have to eat lots of food in order to have a healthy and strong body and 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 ball my fist and hit my chest when I really choked like Themis said! Themis and Ryna panicked as the head maid reach for the water and hand it to me. I accepted it and drink the water slowly, and then taking a deep breath after that.
"Princess...please don't do that again, it's dangerous," Ryna said, I gulped and nod my head.
"I'm sorry..."
--
It's in the middle of the night, I slowly open my eyes when I heard something strange outside. I squinted my eyes and turn to the lamp on the side table and open it. 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 someone trying to break in to my room? But, the sound is not that loud...I massage the back of my right ear and tries to listen more.
There's really that strange sound. I'm not imagining things.
"T-Themis?" I called. Of course, she won't answer. She's probably sleeping by now. And there's no knights or guard 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 crawl 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 consider 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 start 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 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 try to walk faster to 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 force my weakening knees to take 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 but...
"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 turn my head to the door when I heard Themis' voice. I stood up and throw myself to her arms when she bend down and spread her arms.
"How sweet," I wrapped my arms around Themis and turn 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 are! 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 nasty personality! I mean, all of them got nasty personality.
"Good evening, did we scare the little princess?" Diellzain finally open his eyes as he smirk at me.
Scary! Dang it! Spare this little kid from that monstrosity!
"Greetings, Your Highnesses..." Themis greeted, she wrap 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 the barrier cast by Mom," He added. Huh? Barrier? There's a barrier? Their mother put a barrier here?
"Haha, it covers a whole lot of area too. Good evening," 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 suppose 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 insults Alina, he shows 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 charged on 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 face Themis, burying my face on her shoulders as I hug her tightly.
"Is no one here 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 glows 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 wait for her next words.
"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 calls him what?!
Big bro?! The Diellzain in the book I've read calls this guy with just his name?! When did he started 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!!!
***
Good day to everyone! I really hope someone's reading this book of mine! And I hope it piqued your interest as well. Please continue supporting my first book! Thank you!