Side story 00

Side story 00

"My Queen, where's our Alena?" King Alfred asked as he entered the carriage and sat beside the queen.

"I thought you fetched her already?" Athena asked.

"I thought she was with you," Alfred replied.

"Wait here. I'll fetch her," says Athena as she descends from the carriage.

She knocked at Alena's room and asked, "My dear, what's taking you long?" 

Alena turned around and glanced at her mother. 

"She hasn't dressed yet?" Athena asked the nanny assigned to take good care of the heiress of the western region. 

"I don't know what to wear, mother. What gown do you think would make me attractive?"

Athena chuckled and replied, "You still have four years before your coming of age. Should you be concerned with being attractive at the age of fourteen?"

"Of course, mother. I can't show up to the imperial family looking unattractive."

"Let's head out now. You don't want to make Vinziel wait that long, do you?"

The young heiress looked away to hide her blushing cheeks. Shortly after, they went to the carriage and headed to the imperial palace to have tea time with the empress and emperor, whom they held gratitude for the fortune bestowed on them.

When they arrived at the gazebo of the imperial house, the royal princess was crying over her hairstyle.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Scheriziel asked despite knowing what their daughter's deal was.

"Mother, I would never let father touch my hair again. Look at what he did to my precious hair," says Venice Sharie, the nine-year-old daughter of the empress and emperor.

"Greetings, my lords." Alfred greeted the sovereigns as he bowed his head, which the queen and Alena followed.

"Sister Alena, could you please fix my hair?" says Venice as she embraces the daughter of the house Dwight, the ruler of the western region.

"I would love to. Sit down first."

Everyone was settled at the round table and shared a merienda handpicked by the empress.

"How's Aleandro? You didn't bring him with you?" says Scheriziel while sipping a jasmine tea, referring to Alena's twin, her former lady-in-waiting son.

"He went abroad last week. I tried to persuade him to study in our land, but he's determined to study overseas."

"I see. My Vinziel is also interested in studying overseas for four years or so, and he'll leave next week," Scheriziel responded. 

"Prince Vinziel is leaving, your majesty?!" Alena reacted impulsively as soon as she heard the young prince leaving the empire.

"Relax. He'll be back after his education," says Viishaun as he forks out a slice of cinnamon cake.

"He didn't tell me about him leaving..." Alena murmured in disappointment. She was worried that the prince would forget about her during those years they weren't in touch. She stood up and excused herself, but before she could make another step, Prince Vinziel blocked her way.

"Where are you going, my lady? Leaving so soon?" Vinziel handed over a flower to Alena. 

"I don't need this flower. If I knew... you'd be giving flowers to those foreign ladies. Your Highness, get out of my way," says Alena as she refuses to accept the flower.

Vinziel chuckled and replied, "You are cute when you're jealous. How about this?" He opened a velvet box and revealed a promise ring. "Will you still refuse this one?" he added.

"What is this?"

"A promise ring?" Vinziel replied, wearing a stoic face which he inherited from the emperor.

"I know. But why are you giving me a ring? Are you proposing or something? You aren't on your knees. I supposed it's not a marriage proposal." Alena was confused as she stared at the ring.

"This is not yet a proper marriage proposal, but I'll be back for your coming of age to ask for your hand."

Alena chuckled and replied, "You better be on your knees next time, your highness."