─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
"And that is how the former emperor- your grandfather, Aldous conquered Xendor at the age of seventeen." Professor Luca explained as he adjusted his glasses.
I began to scribble while nodding, pretending to pay attention.
"Princess…. Ah…Princess? Can you please pay attention and read page 112?"
I continued scribbling while ignoring the professor.
"That is alright, professor Luca; I would like a word with the princess if you could give us a moment." A familiar voice entered the room.
I quickly looked up out of curiosity. Hansol smiled as he made his way to the table where my lecture was taking place.
Professor nodded and bowed before he left the room.
"Seems to me, you are not focusing on your studies. Is there a reason you are drawing rather than pay attention to your professor?" Hansol questioned as he picked up the scribbled paper off my table.
I squirmed in my seat while letting out a small sigh.
"I really like professor Luca, I really do. But, unfortunately, I am just not in a good mood for classes. I am sorry, Han han. I will do better. I promise. Oh! When do I start training with the imperial mage?" I questioned as I adjusted myself in my seat.
Hansol remained quiet as he stared at my drawing, placing his index finger by his mouth.
I tilted my head in confusion.
"Actually, Princess. I have a couple of matters I would like to discuss with you. First and foremost. It has been brought to my attention that you have been seeing the lieutenant's son, Isaiah- lately."
"Oh, yes! Zay! He is my very first friend! He is kind and very polite! He is practically my best friend!" I replied with glee.
Hansol bit his bottom lip and nodded his head. Then, he looked away as if he had to rethink his thoughts before speaking.
"I am not going to stop seeing him if that is what you think, Han han. Everyone around me treats me like a fragile doll because I have no friends. All the maids and butlers feel bad for me since I do not have any siblings to play with. Isaiah is my first friend. He treated me with respect and swore to protect me.On top of that, he is a noble. He is the son of a marquess and marchioness. A respected family, I hear. So I have to be friends with noble children, right?" I defended my case as I held my head high.
Hansol smiled.
He sat down next to me while placing his arm on the table, relaxing his usual stiff posture.
"I am not opposed to whom you befriend, Princess. I know that the young boy is from a respected, noble family. His father, the marquess, is a phenomenal man who fought many battles alongside his majesty. In fact, I am quite fond of the relationship between you and the boy." Hansol explained as he leaned back in the chair.
"Then… I can still play with him?" I asked with deep concern.
"Well, of course. While I am regent, you are allowed to, only with supervision, of course. However, this is not my reason for visiting you. I had an urgent… call from his majesty early this morning. Turns out you will have a different mage tutoring you for now. Once his majesty returns, your mage tutor will be chosen." Hansol continued.
"Hmm… I mean, the lady told me it is perilous if I do not train soon. So when and at what time will I start?"
"It has not been decided. His… majesty was in quite the mood when he found out about the sudden news. Let's wait until we hear back from him."
I nodded while closing my book.
"Do you think it is raining where daddy is? It always rains when daddy is not with me." I changed topics as I stared out the window.
Hansol stood up from his seat and adjusted his attire. He cleared his throat before he attempted to speak.
"I am sure his majesty is doing just fine, regardless of the weather. One more thing, before I go. Your birthday is coming soon. Make sure you think hard about what you want. Let me or Marina know, and I will go to the lengths of the earth to get it for you, Princess. You have my word." Hansol stated before exiting the room.
My birthday… that's right, it is only a month away. It is a shame that even though I am a princess of an entire empire, I have yet to have a birthday party with kids my age. Having birthday parties were always out of the picture in my old life since I had two working parents with financial issues. I guess having money or no money, I will never get to experience having a birthday party.
After my classes and dinner, I headed out to the imperial garden, where I waited for Isaiah to arrive.
"Princess! I mean… Amie, how are you feeling today?" Isaiah questioned with concern.
He sat down at his usual spot on the picnic blanket, facing the beautiful garden.
"I am fiiiiiiine, Zay. You have been asking me this for three days now, you know?" I replied in an agitated tone.
Isaiah rolled his eyes and grabbed a cookie at arm's reach.
"You should be happy I am worried about you. That's what friends do. We worry and protect each other." Isaiah responded as he ate the cookie.
Friends, huh. The only two friends I ever had honestly were remarkable human beings. Even when the whole world was rotten, they were the only gems that genuinely stood out.
"Thank you for worrying about me, Zay. You are right. True friends worry and care for each other. If anyone ever bullies you or talks trash to you, come find me! I will kick their butt!" I said in a serious tone as I flexed my arm in confidence.
Isaiah began to laugh to the point he fell back.
I raised an eyebrow in confusion as I stared at him, laughing away.
"Amie… I am flattered. Truly, I am. But you may not know this - I am the strongest in my class. So no one would dare bully me. But I promise, If anyone dares to bully me - you will be the first person to know, okay?" Isaiah sat up as he wiped up the tears off his face.
I smiled.
"Let's relax and eat!"