─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
I reached for a perfectly sliced lemon meringue cake and looked up at the orange sky.
"My birthday is coming up soon, you know." I randomly commented as we ate our treats.
Isaiah, with a mouth full of cookies, gave me a startled expression.
"It is next month, on the 19th. I want you to come and celebrate it with me." I gently smiled while looking at the sky.
"I usually celebrate it with my nanny, Marina, my cousin Hansol, and my uncle Ezra. But since my uncle is off to war, and my cousin is busy doing daddy's job, It's just going to be my nanny and me. I'd like to invite you...You know, so it would not be so lonely." I continued in a mellow tone
I could see Isaiah's expression sadden from the corner of my eye. I turned my head to fully face Isaiah's direction.
"It's okay. I have spent 5 years living like this. I have realised that even princesses can't have it all, and that's okay with me. As long as I have people who care for me, that is all I need." I lied with a cracking voice.
Isaiah looked down with a blank expression as if he was trying to figure out what to say to my response.
"Oh! The weather is a bit chilly. My voice is not adjusting well to the chilly air." I lied once again, hiding my emotion behind my voice.
"... I will be there. To your birthday party, I mean. From start to finish. I promise." Isaiah smiled as he placed his hand on top of mine.
His small, warm hand rested comfortably on top of mine.
Suppose his beauty, along with his well-mannered personality, continues as he ages. In that case, he will be the number one playboy, hands down.
Isaiah quickly removed his hand while clearing his throat. His face quickly turned red like a tomato from embarrassment.
"Thank you, Zay. It means the world to me that you are going to celebrate with me." I grabbed his hand.
He slowly turned his head, exposing his flushed face. Within seconds, he looked down, averting his eyes away from my direction.
I began to laugh while releasing my grip from his hand.
"There, there. I know I am a beautiful princess, but to make the almighty Isaiah blush? What a sight to see!" I teased.
"Jokes aside, Princess. Any news about his majesty or the conversion of the kingdom? My father once told me, converting a kingdom or another territory is the trickiest part, which takes months or even years to complete."
I reached for my milk tea and took a sip. I released a gentle sigh.
"Honestly, I am not sure. It's annoying, actually. I write to daddy every night. Not because I want to, but because I have to. It's like writing to the wall. He has only replied back once, and it was to scold me because I threatened to stop writing if he did not write back."
Isaiah reached for another cookie and paused.
"At least you got a letter from his majesty. The knights that went to war have stringent rules and limitations for communicating. Since it is dangerous to expose private information, only certain high-ranked members get to communicate outside of war-grounds."
My heart sank. All I do is complain about writing letters to my dad. Yet- so many knights with families are unable to communicate for months on end. When did I become such a brat?
"No matter, Princess. As long as I have you as a friend, everything will be alright. I have faith they will return soon."
"Speaking of friends, you are in the imperial knight academy. I am sure you are quite popular since you come from a noble family, and your father is the lieutenant of the Emerald Knights." I mentioned with confidence.
"Quite the contrary, Princess. It is all about rivalry, competition, and skill there. We are taught to see each other as brothers but not as friends." Isaiah explained while brushing the grass with his fingertips.
"Huh? Brother but not a friend? What do you mean? Aren't siblings usually friends?" I tilted my head in confusion.
"It's simple, siblings protect one another and defend one another. However, friends play with each other and share their secrets, thoughts, and hobbies. We must learn not to confuse the two. Only share the traits to protect one another and never betray." He continued.
"...So I am your very first friend, Zay?" I questioned once more, this time using a cute voice.
Isaiah giggled while looking at the sunset.
"Yes, of course, you are. But you are more than a friend; you are my best friend."