"Wow..."
I don't know what time it is right now. But the streets is still bustling with people. The lights here in the Central Plaza are also shiny and it's amazing how there are different colors of lights in every stalls. It's like I'm attending a festival! Is it always like this every night?
"This is my first time coming here in the Central Plaza ever since I arrived in this world," I mumbled and laughs because of excitement.
Asher changed the color of my hair and eyes in order to avoid any suspicions and attentions from the crowd. He also had to change his, because blonde hair is also known to be an Odilia's trait and the Astra's Three's.
Hmm, come to think of it. I just noticed how Asher's appearance seems to be a combined version of an Odilia and Ciera, with his hair from the Odilia's and his eyes from Ciera's. Wow, isn't that amazing?
"This place has changed a lot since I last came here," I turned my head to Asher. Since he last came here, huh? He sounded like an old man just now. But he really is an old man.
"When was the last time you came here?" I asked.
"Back when Bartram was still the Emperor,"
"You're an oldie..." He glared at me with furrowed brows, and I just laughed at him. Now he's acting rude again, huh? What a mood swings.
"Don't bother with the details. Be thankful I brought you here," I chuckled.
"Aww, where's the nice Asher earlier?" I felt his hand tightened when I asked that question. Oh, yeah, he's holding my hand because he said 'It's dangerous, so stick with me for the whole time'. He can most probably locate me even if I get lost here though.
"Your memory's not functioning properly," I laughed at him and starts walking, dragging him towards the first stall I saw.
Are those barbecues? They also have barbecues here?!
"Woaaah! Is that a barbecue?" I pointed to the guy who's grilling on the left side.
"Huh? No. That's called meat skewer," Oh...wow, that's the literal name for it? Well, it is a meat...skewed with wooden sticks.
"It's called barbecue in my world," I mumbled as we continue to walk towards it.
"Asher, did you brought money with you?" I asked, he smirked at me.
"I can make money, I don't have to bring it with me," What a jerk, he's actually proud of it, huh? Are his money official though? It's made of magic, so it'll definitely disappear after a while. But, well, maybe he can make real money. Not impossible for Asher. I wonder if it's considered as counterfeits? He's going to become a criminal for sure.
"Then buy me barbecues," I said.
"It's meat skewer," I ignored his words and run towards the barbecue stall, dragging him with me. He won't let go of my hand even if I already loosen my hand from his.
"Hi, mister! Can we buy two meat skewers?" I asked the old man cheerfully. He smiled and laughed at me before he nod his head.
"Sure, little lady. Are you two with your parents? Won't you buy some for them as well?" I blinked couple of times before I turn my head to Asher. I'm not telling him to buy barbecues for Alina's father and brothers, but I do want more barbecues, not just one.
Asher stared at me with cocked brows before he sighed and look at the old man.
"Make it five, then," I prevented myself from cheering when he said that. I roamed my eyes again and saw a cart for a cotton candy. I pressed my lips together as I sigh in relief.
I'm glad the food here are similar to my home world.
"Asher! Can we also buy cotton candy?" I asked, pointing to the area where the cotton candy is. He creased his forehead at me and look at the direction I'm pointing at.
"You really have your own name of things. That's sweetmeat cloud," The fork? They even have their own name for cotton candy? For the love of God, why does the author of this book have to change even the slightest detail? And sweetmeat? That word is already so old!
"Then, please buy me some sweetmeat cloud, Almighty Magician," I said, giving him a smile. He stared at me for a moment, so I smiled widely at him, causing him to sigh again. The heck is this guy's problem? He brought me here to enjoy, but he keeps sighing at me.
"Uh, hey human," The old man that's grilling our meat skewers turned his head to Asher. What's with that strange way of calling the person?! He called him as if he's not a human himself!
Oh, maybe he really wasn't? I mean, he's an incarnation of a deity after all.
"We'll come back for these meat skewers. We're just going to look around the other stalls," Asher's voice sounds authoritative. If you're disguising yourself, then act like how you appear to people! He's naturally arrogant, isn't he? Was he created to be liek that?
...
I feel like the God of Creation is apologizing on Asher's behalf...
"Sure, sir," Asher nods his head and then starts walking towards the cotton candy cart. Dragging me with him. Because of his tone of voice, the old man ended up calling him sir...
"Asher. Since you're a God's incarnation, are you not a human?" I asked. He didn't even looked at me, and just continued walking ahead of me as he drag me to the cotton candy's direction.
"I'm simply a caretaker of Creo's Empire," That didn't answer my question. He's immortal though, and he's been living for hundreds of years, or maybe a thousands of years?
"So, you're not a human? You've been living for over two-hundred years after all," I hope I'm not offending him with these questions. He stopped walking and when I lined up with him, he walks together with me.
"Hmm, Indeed, I am not. Does it matter to you," He asked. Somehow, his face looks more serious now, as if we're talking about something veeery important. What's with him?
"Nope! Asher is Asher!" I said and giggled. He scoffed---no, he smiled?
"You ne... ...nge," Huh? I didn't hear that clearly.
"Come again?" He shook his head.
"Nothing. Hi, can we buy one sweetmeat cloud?" He pretend to rummage on his pocket and I saw how his hand glints before he raise his hand in front of the guy. The guy pulled one plastic of cotton candy and handed it to me before receiving the payment.
"Thank you, sir! Uh, do you not want any, Asher?" I asked. He shook his head and then starts walking again. Dragging me towards the next stall of food stall.
I looked at the cotton candy and it's cover is already gone. Looks like Asher already removed it. I took a bite of it and I feel like I am in heaven! It's really so sweet and the way it melts in my mouth is sooo satisfying!
Oh, are these diamonds? It looks really pretty...I wonder if these are real.
We continued walking, so I just followed the diamonds with my eyes as I satisfy myself with this cotton candy in my hand.
If those are real diamonds, I can ask Asher to buy it for me and then I'll hide it as my loots when I finally escape the palace!
"Asher, are those real dia---"
"No," my shoulder fell in disbelief as I sigh. Too bad. Of course, you won't find a real diamond just anywhere. Why did I even expect it?
"Why, you want diamonds now? I can make you real diamonds, no need to waste my magic to make money and purchase those," my eyes widens as I look at him. Is he actually for real? He can make real diamonds?! Dang it, this guy really is a powerful being!
"R-really?" I asked. I don't know if I'm seeing things, but I can see sparkles all over me right now. He glanced at me and chuckled, turning his head away from me and covering his mouth. Why is he laughing at me now?
"Yeah yeah,"
"Oh, but don't let Alina's family know about, 'kay? It's my loots," I said, raising both my brows at him, I heard him snorted as he look at me with that face as if he's amused about something.
"What is that face? Are you mocking me--ouch!" I groaned in pain when someone bumped onto me. The man stopped and faced me, he's wearing a hooded robe and I can't see his face clearly.
"Apologies, Your Highness," I smiled at him and nod my head.
"It's alright, please be careful next time," I said and wave my hand at him. I looked at Asher and we started walking again, but after a few steps, I was pulled by Asher and he quickly turn his head behind again as if he's looking for someone.
"Dang it..."
"Asher? Is there any problem?" He stared at me and his expression looks disturbed. What seems to be the problem of this guy? He narrowed down his eyes towards me.
"Do you feel any strange feelings?" He asked. I tilt my head and creased my forehead. What does he mean by that?
"Huh? Not at all," I replied. He looked at the direction where the guy disappeared. I mean, he didn't really disappear out of thin air, maybe we just didn't saw where he went.
"That guy addressed you as 'Your Highness'," I covered my mouth when I realized it. That's right! We're in disguise! I was so excited about the diamonds that I didn't realized it?!
"He's definitely suspicious. I couldn't even get a glance on his face," Asher said.
"And he disappeared right away when we only took a few steps after turning around...and even if you say you don't feel anything strange, your complexion changed, and you look more paler than usual," He explained. Really? But, I don't really feel anything right now.
He sighed and clicked his tongue. He looks really frustrated and annoyed.
"Let's go get your meat skewers and go back to the Alphard Palace," I nod my head. I was about to walk but he pulled me again to his side and forced me to face him. He then raised his hand and pressed his index finger to my forehead.
What is he doing? Oh, suddenly I feel very warm and light. Did he do this?
"Let's go,"
---
I slowly opened my eyes and I groaned when I felt my head aching. What the heck, this early in the morning? Was it because I slept late last night? This kid's body is really weak. Just one night of not being able to sleep on time and her head is already aching.
"Headache?" That's Asher, sitting on the couch across my bed. He's reading something--wait, is that the book I borrowed from the Imperial Library?
"Yeah...maybe because I slept late last night," He closed the book and faced me. He's staring into my eyes again. Is he trying to examine my soul?
"Yup, you still look sickly," I creased my forehead and tilt my head. What does he mean by that? Sickly? Me?
"Looks like I didn't put much magic in my spell last night," he mumbled. Come to think of it, I feel really exhausted too, my body feels weak and some of my joints hurts like hell. What the heck is happening to me?
"Come here," he beckon me over, so I crawled towards him. The couch is just close to the end of my bed after all. So I don't need to leave the bed.
"My body hurts too, and I feel very tired..." I mumbled. He nods his head slowly and then placed his hand on my forehead---literally his whole palm is covering my forehead.
"You don't have fever...that's good," Asher said. I closed my eyes and I can see the light of his magic even though I have my eyes closed. As he continue to heal...is he healing me? Well, as he continue to do that, my body's starting to feel very warm again, and my headache is starting to fade away. My body feels lighter now, and the pain in my body has slowly disappeared. That's freaking amazing.
"Is it done--"
"Nope, I'm trying to cleanse your body," Cleanse?
"Cleanse? From what?"
"Just hush," I stayed quiet after that. Letting him focus on his work.
Asher really is fulfilling his promise to Alina's mother that he would take care of her. Even though he definitely hate the idea of babysitting a five year old with an adult soul. Despite that, he's still doing his best to watch over this body's overflowing mana. I'm glad he's here, otherwise I won't be able to know about a lot of things at all. I might even become a criminal when I turned twenty without even knowing about it!
Also, Asher told me right away about the curse on the second day after we first met. It's most probably because he knew that the person within this body is not a kid, but a teenager. And it could also be because he wants to eradicate this curse right away so he won't have to babysit Alina for a long time.
"There, done. Your third brother's coming, so I'll be leaving now," I nod my head and smiled at him.
"Hm. Thank you," he just looked at me and then disappear.
Right after Asher left, I heard knocks on my door.
"Ali? Are you awake?" Looks like I woke up early because none of the servants have entered to wake me up yet. Themis always comes here to wake me up for breakfast.
Now that Asher 'cleansed' my body, I feel more energetic than usual.
"Is that Brother Dae? I'm awake!" He entered my room after hearing my voice.
"Good morning, Ali. How's your sleep?" His question reminded me of my nightmare last night, but I decided not to think about it and just forced a smile at him.
"It was great, big bro! Oh, why is Brother Dae visiting me so early? Are you not busy?" He walk towards me and when he reached my bed, he sat down on the side and smiled widely at me.
"My friend came to the Albireo Palace. Do you wish to meet her?" His friend...'her'? Hmm...
Oh, wait. Is this...the adopted daughter of the Duke Sigris of the North? What was her name again? Hmm...the Duke's name is Clovis---and he's very beautiful! But, I forgot the name of his daughter, I think it starts with K?
"A friend of Brother Dae? Woah...I want to meet her!"
He chuckled and ruffled my hair.
"Then, I'll call Themis and the others,"
Really...his smile is almost swaying this Clara's heart.
Still, I can't trust them yet. I need to remain strong, because if I get attached to these people and they later cast me away after meeting Amara, it would only hurt me in the end. The only people I can trust here are Themis, Ryna, and Ande, as well as the other maids in the Antares Palace.
Oh...maybe Asher, too.
***
Hellooo ~ is the story progressing quickly? Sorry! I need to do it like this, because the next volume is going to be a lot longer and progresses slower because there's a lot of things that are going to happen there now, and there's going to a timeskip! Anywaysss! Thank you for reading my first book! I hope that everyone enjoys this story!
I'm already here at the greenhouse garden, waiting for Diellzain and his friend. And guess who's with me? Of course, the old magician. Seeing his face is a bit tiring now, I suddenly want to see Ziel even though we just saw each other yesterday.
"How do you feel?" That was the third time he asked me the same question, and I keep answering him with the same answer as well.
"I'm fine. Is there any problem, Asher? You've been asking me the same thing," He shook his head and crossed his arms. He's not even sitting on the chair, and he's just standing behind me as if he's some kind of the 'right hand' of the Princess or what.
"Don't you want to take a seat?" He shook his head again. Seriously, he's making me overthink with his questions. And Asher always refused to face Alina's brothers, but today he's here with me despite knowing that I'm going to hang out with Diellzain and his friend.
"Ali!" I turned my head to the glass gate of the greenhouse and wave my hand when I saw Diellzain. I can see someone behind him, but she's not showing herself to me at all.
"Come, Lea. It's my younger sister, won't you introduce yourself?" Diellzain took a step on his left side, letting me see a beautiful pink-haired girl with wavy hair. She has long pink lashes too and her eyes are amber! Wow, this girl is super pretty! She's like a Goddess!
They walk towards me, and I smiled at the girl.
She held both sides of her pastel pink dress as she bow to me.
"G-Greetings, Your Highness the First Princess. I am Kalea Sigrid from the Sigrid Dukedom, and It's an honor to personally meet you," she greets. So her name is Kalea! Now I remember!
"Ah, please raise your head! You're my brother's friend, so please be casual with me!" I jumped from the chair and it was my turn to give her a bow. She looks really pretty, but I can't also admit that she's prettier than Alina. This girl's face is too pretty that if I was a guy, I'd definitely like her! Of course, not when she's still young.
"Welcome to our humble garden, Lady Sigrid. I hope that you enjoy your time here, my name is Alina Devi de Ciera, it's nice meeting the Lady of the Sigrid Dukedom," I greet. I was about to tell Asher to greet these two as well, because he's being quiet, but when I turned my head to him...
"What are you looking at, Ali?" Of course, he's here but I'm the only one who can see him. Coward! Why won't you show yourself to Diellzain and Kalea?!
"Oh, n-nothing, Brother Dae! Let's take a seat!" I spoke. Diellzain glanced at Kalea and then pull out one of the chairs to let her take a seat. Diellzain likes her, huh?
"Y-you didn't have to do that, Your Highness...thank you," Kalea spoke, taking a seat on the chair across me, while Diellzain takes the chair on my right side. He smiled at Kalea before he spoke.
"My little sister is adorable, isn't she?" Wow, the way he talks with her is really casual.
In the novel, Kalea is...she's...
Wait a minute. I can't seem to recall anything about her...
Huh? Where was she in the novel? Wait, but I clearly remember her. Huh? What did she do in the novel? I don't remember. Even after boasting that I remember things pretty well, how come I can't remember this girl at all? I even knew she's the Duke's adopted daughter, but...huh? What?
Even if I try to remember, I can't remember it.
Kalea Sigrid, she's the adopted daughter of the Duke Sigrid and...
That's it? That's all I can remember? How come?!
"Indeed, Your Highness. The First Princess is absolutely beautiful. I can see her striking resemblance with the late Empress Iliana," Kalea smiled at me and I did the same. Wow, she looks at me really softly.
Strange...I know her but she doesn't seem to be in the novel. How is that even possible? But in my memories...she's part of the novel?
This is confusing.
"Big Sis Kalea is very pretty too! I love your hair! It's like a sweetmeat cloud!" I spoke. Because she really looks like a cotton candy. She chuckled when I said those words to her. Diellzain's staying silent and just watching us speak with each other. He's probably giving us time to get comfortable with each other.
"T-thank you for the compliment, Your Highness...A lot of people have also called me...a sweetmeat cloud because of my hair, hehehe," She's so pretty, so adorable. I wanna bite those puffed cheeks!
"Big Sis Kalea looks like a porcelain doll, too!" I added. She looked at me with widened eyes, surprised by what I said.
"However, I-I can't be even compared to the beauty of Your Highness...ehe," Agreed, girl. You're beautiful, but this kid...
I know it sounds boastful, but Alina really is beautiful. I don't even have any words to describe this face.
"I have a gift for the First Princess...uhm..." she placed her hands together as if she's asking for a blessings or something. Where's the gift?
Suddenly, her hand glowed white, and a small luxurious box appeared. Wow, the box itself already looks expensive! I wonder what's inside? A ring? A necklace? Earrings? She handed it to me as she lower her head. Even though I told her to be casual with me.
And she can use magic too!
I glanced at Diellzain and he just nod at me while smiling really wide. Looks like he's in a good mood, huh?
"Wow...I appreciate it, Big Sis Kalea!" I giggled and accepted the luxurious small box. I'll absolute hide this, so I can make a fortune out of it in the future.
Still...it's embarrassing that I don't have a gift for her---
"Ohh..." I mumbled when I heard the person behind me snapping his fingers, and a box also appeared on my lap all of the sudden. It's like there's a necklace inside, because this box is a bit larger than the one that Kalea gave me.
"You're thinking about how embarrassing it is that you have nothing to give back?" Did he read my mind? He's been quiet, and the first thing he said is what's in my mind? Magicians are amazing, I just hope he only guessed about it and didn't read my mind.
And how nice of him!
"Thanks...hehe," I whispered secretly. I heard him 'hmph', but I got no choice but to ignore that.
"I also have gift for Big Sis Kalea!" I got the box on my lap and placed it on the table. I don't know what's inside this box but, I hope it's a real gift. I trust you, Asher.
I picked it up again and stretched my arms towards her. She blinked for a couple of times before she smiled at me while clasping her hands together in front of her chest.
"I humbly thank you, Your Highness. I will surely treasure this for all my life..." her voice also sounds soft and gentle. I giggled when she accepted the gift. The way she looks at it shows how much she appreciates the gift.
Thanks very much, Almighty Astra.
"May I open it, Your Highness?" She asked. I nod my head at her.
"Of course!" I replied excitedly. I'm praying to the Gods that it's a decent gift. Of course, I trust Asher---but who knows?
I feel my heart beat fast when Kalea's face lightened up, and Diellzain seems surprised too when he took a peek on the gift inside the box. Now, I'm very curious. But if I showed them that I'm curious about what's in it, it'll reveal my lies that I really didn't bought it.
"W-woah..." I gulped when Kalea's eyes widens as she stare at the thing within the box.
"These...these are real gold and diamond...it's too expensive..." Huh?
HUH?! GOLD AND DIAMOND?!
GIVE IT BACK TO ME!
"Ouch--" I silently mumbled that word when Asher appear in front of me while levitating above the table and flick my forehead.
"Your face shows how much regrets you felt that you gave it to her," Asher's floating as if he's laying on a couch, with his back leaning on a couch's arm rest. He's even crossing his arms and legs.
"Your Highness...this--I can't possibly accept this--"
Then, please give it back to me.
"Hmm? Why? I was looking forward of you wearing it..." I pressed my fingers together and pushed it onto my chin as I pout and use the little kid's trump card. Her cuteness! Kalea gaped her mouth as she looks at me, very shocked.
"Y-Your Highness...I think it's unfair, what I gave you is just a ring I made from my magic...it's also diamond, but I don't think the quality is as perfect as this one..." She looks worried, and I can tell by her eyes that she feels embarrassed that my gift is much expensive than hers...
Does it really matter?
Of course, it does! In my previous world!
"Hehe ~ who cares about the quality? It's the thought that counts! Now that I know you made this for me, I'll treasure it very very very carefully! I'll only wear it in rare occasions! I'll make sure to flex it to everyone as well that the beautiful daughter of Duke Sigrid made it for me!" I placed the little box my palms and giggled at her. She looks at me with those...what? Looks like I moved the heart of the Duke's daughter.
"The First Princess is really thoughtful and kind...I wish that the Princess stays like that as she grows up...but what is 'flex', Your Highness?" Oh...
"Ahh! Haha, it means showing off but in more uhh easy word!" I explained.
"Dear Ali here loves creating her own cute words. Before was 'yummy', that means delicious, and now is 'flex'," Diellzain spoke. Haha, what do you mean create my own words? Those words came from another world.
"The Princess really is adorable," Kalea giggled and carefully turns the box to me. My eyes widens when I saw the necklace that Asher made for her.
It looks simple, but the quality is perfect like she said! The lace is pure gold, and the pendant is diamond within a golden prong! I forced a smile and my chuckle is also forced. I hope they didn't notice it.
"This is really beautiful, Your Highness..." she mumbled.
"Hihi, brother Dae! Can you wear big sis Kalea the necklace?" I asked. I saw how Kalea blushed as she looks at Diellzain, she also looks excited by my idea, based on how she looks at Diellzain.
"With pleasure," He stood up from his seat and accepted the necklace from Diellzain.
I watched him as he walk behind Kalea and remove the necklace from the box. He placed the box on the table carefully, before he moves his arms to prepare himself to wear the necklace.
Kalea looks at me and smiled widely. She looks really pretty...and happy. Wow, I feel proud of myself all of the sudden that I made this person happy.
It didn't take long before Diellzain locked the necklace and takes a peek on her face.
"Even more beauti---"
"Woooah! You look very very very pretty that the necklace looks so well on you, Big Sis Kalea!" I placed my palms on my cheeks as I said those words cheerfully. I hope I am not blushing over this girl.
"You took the words out of my mouth, Ali, haha," Diellzain spoke.
"Hehe ~" I giggled.
"You're blushing," Asher spoke, but I chose to ignore him. It's better to focus on the positivity!
I hope he makes himself invisible for me too.
***
Hello! annaleemd71! Thank you so much for contributing to my book! Was it you who voted a powerstone? It's the very first one, so I'm really really happyyy! Thank you very much! I'm so glaaad!
Anyway, to all who are reading my book, thank you as well! I'm glad you like it, and I'll continue to improve myself for you all!
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