─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Daddy closed his eyes while turning his head. I could tell he was getting uncomfortable with this situation. Perhaps I was being too forward with my emotions.
"I… I don't… ugh… Nevermind that. We are only weeks away from finishing in Sulunder. Ezra will be in charge of handling the final preparations. So if you'd like, I can stay, or I can make my way back and help with…."
"Please stay, daddy! Stay here with me!" I covered my mouth as quickly as I could.
What the hell is wrong with me?! Why did I say that so naturally?! Who cares if he leaves! Ugh, what am I kidding. I am only fooling myself at this point. I think one thing, and I say another. It is evident that I have grown to like this douchebag.
Daddy focused his eyes on the floor while crossing his arms. He then looked at me with a dead expression and nodded.
"Very well. I have no other choice but to stay put. Ezra needs more responsibility anyways. I will have a palace guard send you back to your party if you'd like." Daddy replied as he stood up from his chair, facing the window behind him.
I studied the floor, thinking of what I should say next.
"Daddy, can we go for a walk by the imperial garden? I really missed your company. Even if it's just… for a short while. We do not have to talk either if that's… something you would like.." I lowered my head down as the heat from my flushed face rushed in.
We stared at each other for what felt like hours.
Of course, this man does not want to hang out with a kid. I am getting way ahead of myself. Whatever, let's just go back to my palace.
"I see. Well, good night, daddy." I nodded with disappointment.
"Fine. Let's go. I need fresh air anyways." He interrupted as he grabbed his royal military coat from his chair.
He walked towards the door as he placed on his coat.
"Are you coming, or did you change your mind?" He turned around with an irritated voice.
I grabbed the corners of my heavy dress and quickly ran to him as a response.
He opened the french doors and began his walk into the corridor.
Damn this man and his long legs. Can he walk a little slower? Did he forget that I am only a child?! a child's steps are far smaller than tall, adult steps! How selfish of him.
"No need to follow us. We will only take a stroll outside for a bit. Stay put by the imperial office." Daddy commanded the imperial guards behind us.
He stopped midway and turned back at me with his hands in his pockets.
"Were you always this slow?" He questioned with a cocky attitude.
EXCUSE ME, ASSHOLE?! Don't you see a tiny little kid with a dress that weighs tons trying to chase after you?! Sorry, I am not a giant like you!
"I… I'm sorry… I will do better…." I responded while catching my breath.
"Tsk, how bothersome to be a female. Hours of preparation, uncomfortable dresses, and accessories. I pity you, females. There is no possible way for me to carry you with such… dress on." He shook his head with disappointment.
"You there! Take the child to her palace and change her to a comfortable dress as soon as possible. Do not make me wait too long. Understood?' Daddy commanded a walking imperial maid across the hallway.
'Ye...Yes, of course, Your Majesty!" The frightened imperial maid ran with top speed towards us as she replied.
"Follow the maid. I will wait for you in the Imperial garden's gazebo. Make it quick. I have urgent matters to attend to after this."
I nodded and followed the imperial maid.
"Forgive me for my suggestion, Princess. However, His Majesty does not like waiting for too long, so let's walk a bit faster." The imperial maid panicked as she sped walked outside, aiming for the Emerald Palace.
I sighed gently and nodded.
I feel bad for myself too. Making a child run with all this pointless weight.
We finally reached the Emerald Palace.
"Upon his majesty's order, we have to change the Princess into a lightweight dress for their nightly stroll. Please be quick!" The imperial maid ordered the staff.
Like ants, all of the maids scattered- running up the stairs to fetch a dress.
"Take the princess to the first-floor emerald office; we will change her there for a quicker process!" Marina commanded out loud to the panicked staff.
"Follow me quickly, Princess." Marina grabbed my hand as we made our way to a locked door deep into the corridor.
Marina pulled out a set of keys from her black apron and unlocked the door.
"This used to be the former empress's office. His majesty's mother, Luna De Giodivonia." Marina explained as she quickly opened the door.
My dad's old lady, huh… In other words, my grandmother. I wonder if she was a good empress or a bad empress. She must have been mean and miserable since daddy came out the way he did.
Marina began to remove all the jewelry and loosened the corset as we waited for the maids with my items.
Within minutes, one by one, maids came running into the office with an item in their hands.
"I have the shoes!"
"I brought three dresses!"
"I have the undergarments!"
"I have the hair accessories!"
They yelled out of breath.
What a great team of women. Each maid had a role and dressed me fully, from head to toe in a matter of minutes.
"What's the time?"
"3 minutes and fifteen seconds, Marina!" The breathless maid replied with confidence.
"I will escort the Princess myself. To the Imperial garden we go!" Marina yelled as she placed me into one of the emerald knight's arms.
Whoa, whoa, dude! Why are you running so fast?! You are making me nauseous!
I could see Marina trying to catch up from behind as she held onto her dress.
"We are here, Your Majesty. The Imperial Princess has arrived." The Emerald knight placed me on my two feet by the imperial garden's gazebo.
Daddy was leaning against the gazebo's marble railing as he looked back at us.
"Hm… you all are so slow. I nearly lost my patience. You both go over there and wait for my command." Daddy instructed as he stood up straight, facing us.