─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
He picked me up and headed out to the balcony. I could see him look up at the sky in curiosity. A gust of gentle wind came from the side. He took a deep breath and smiled as he looked up at the sky once more with me in his arms.
"See, daddy? When you are with me, everything is will be alright. I will protect you from harm and give you good weather whenever you want. Okay?" I giggled as I placed both of my hands on his face.
A sudden, shocking reaction came from him. His eyes became large. Naturally, he smiled and nodded.
"Then let's make a deal. Heal me when I am hurt, and give me good weather when we are together, and I will protect you with my life. How does that sound?" He suggested.
"Deal." I nodded.
We stayed out on the balcony until the sunrise. I can see the reflection of the sun in his bright, green eyes. His facial expression was calm and soothing. I can tell he has never seen the sunrise while being outside. I smiled and laid on his shoulder and slumbered away into a deep sleep.
"There you are, your Majesty." said Ezra as he went outside onto the balcony.
"Shh. You'll wake her." Said Xavier as he carried her in his arms.
"... I have never seen you outside without your umbrella. Just, how long have you been out here, and why are you not training with us? You are two hours late, your Majesty." Ezra whispered.
"Seems like the Giodivonian gods are truly on her side. The weather appears to be perfect when I am with her. This is proof." He replied
"I will be skipping training today. In fact, I will cancel her lessons for today as well. Have the imperial head maid come in for me, Erza." Xavier continued.
Ezra raised his eyebrow in confusion. He has never seen him so calm and collected in all of his years of knowing Xavier.
Shortly after, the imperial head maid and right other maids came in.
"You called, your Majesty?" Questioned the imperial head maid.
He gently placed the princess on the bed and tucked her in. He patted her head and whispered into her ear, "Have a blissful dream."
Imperial maids looked at each other in confusion.
"Once the princess is awake, get her ready. Find a lightweight dress and prepare a cloak for her. Once she is ready, let me know so we can fetch the imperial carriage. We will be attending tonight's moon festival."
Once again, the imperial maids gave a shocked look. They all nodded and bowed.
Xavier headed to the imperial office, where he found Hansol finishing up documents from the meeting.
"Oh, your Majesty. I want to discuss a few adjustments I want to make to our military supplies. It seems that the budget is…"
"Enough with the formalities, Hansol. It is just us two in the room. Also, do what you please. I trust you." Xavier interrupted.
Hansol looked confused and looked through the documents.
"But… your Ma… Xavier, you always have the final say in terms of the military budget. I cannot simply make adjustments unless you allow it. How can I just do what I please? It is not the job for the chancellor to make these decisions." Hansol argued.
"Then make it your job. I am allowing you to make the decision. It has been six years since you became chancellor. You know what I will approve and not approve of. Enough with this talk. I want to have a good day."
Hansol rubbed his eyes with frustration.
"Xavier, you also have a meeting with ...."
"I have plans to go out today. So, you will step in for me. Have fun at the meeting." Xavier interrupted once again. Xavier went to his reading chair and opened a book by his end table.
Hansol sighed lightly and tilted his head towards the ceiling.
"May I ask why you will not be attending this afternoon's meeting with the military commander and general? The last time I checked, you were in charge of attending war-related meetings. Since, you know… you are the emperor and all." Hansol said in a snarky tone.
"I am going to the moon festival with the princess. I figured since this will be her first outing, it would be best if she were to attend the festival to learn more about her culture and status as the princess of this empire." Xavier responded as he continued to read.
Hansol's eyes grew large. He could not believe what he was hearing. He quickly walked towards the lounge area and sat by Xavier while facing him.
"You… you will be going to the moon festival with the princess?! What possessed you to do so? Have you been poisoned? Did you eat something bad?"
"I do not know. I just... decided to do something out of the ordinary. It's what people call ...'fun,' right? Also, I was taken to the moon festival when I was her age. She may learn a thing or two." Xavier replied.
Hansol looked at the fireplace in thought and looked back at Xavier.
"Do you plan on taking a few knights with you? I know you are strong and highly skilled in combat and swordsmanship. However, can you really risk putting the princess in danger"? Hansol said with anxiety.
"Of course, several knights are coming along, Hansol. Do you think of me as a brute? They will be under the invisibility spell from the imperial mage to not attract attention to themselves. Also, I will be armed, as well. The princess will be with me at all times."
Hansol gave a confused expression and scratched his head while looking at Xavier.
"You know what? I am going to let this one go and ask later. It seems that along with your brain, your sanity has left as well. Just leave me here with all of your responsibilities while you have fun at a festival." Hansol replied in a snarky tone.
Xavier rolled his eyes and closed his book.
"Why don't you take the day off tomorrow? The festival is a week-long, and today is the first day of it. You are more than welcome to attend or do whatever you wish with your day off. This is me, showing my gratitude." Xavier smirked as he looked at Hansol.
Hansol's eyes shot open and sparkled with glee.
"You mean I can take the princess with me to the festival as well?! If I remember correctly, they change certain foods, games, and public theater every day! Deal. Take your day today, and tomorrow I will take the pri…"
"No." Xavier refused.
"W..why not?! How come you can take her, but I can't?!" Hansol argued.
"Because she belongs to me. Go by yourself or take a woman with you. I could care less about what you do. She stays with me. Your choice." Xavier commanded.
Hansol's mouth opened wide in disbelief.
"You mean to tell me... A few years ago, you... who did not want anything to do with that child... but now... you are throwing a fit to keep the princess all to yourself. What a jealous man you have become, Xavier!" Hansol shouted and laughed.
Xavier closed his eyes and tilted his head in frustration.
"I am leaving now. Report to me about today's meetings and military budget." Xavier said as he left the imperial office.