─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
After a night of tossing and turning, morning came sooner than expected.
"Good morning, Princess! let's get you ready for breakfast." Marina announced proudly with a handful of maids behind her.
I sat up and rubbed my eyes.
"Good morning, Marina." I stretched my arms upwards.
"You stayed up late again, did you not - Princess? Just look at your face! Swollen and lack of life! Are you a six-year-old? Or a sixty-year-old granny, hm?" Marina shook her head with disappointment and sighed.
I blinked at her in silence as a careless response.
Leave me alone, lady. Not my fault this place is haunted. How is this place swamped with palace guards but not a maid in sight during the night?
"His majesty may show concern if you look this tired. Alina, make sure to give the princess a cucumber facial while her bath is taken. I will fetch jasmine powder for her face. That should brighten up her complexion." Marina ordered as I was escorted to the bathtub.
No way. I literally turned six yesterday, and you are talking about facials and makeup due to lack of sleep? I am as youthful as anyone can get right now!
After a long facial session and morning routine, I was finally taken to the imperial dining hall.
"His Imperial Majesty has now arrived." Announced the head butler outside the french doors.
I quickly got up and faced his direction.
A well-fitted royal navy military attire, decked out in gold pendants and ropes across his shoulder and chest, accompanied by his usually imperial ruby sash.
His one-sided slick back hair, only exposing a portion of his pale face - revealing a smirk as we locked eyes.
Jesus, this man is immortal. There is no way he is human. His looks would be considered illegal back in my world since it would cause world war III.
I dashed up to him, hugging his long legs.
"Good morning, daddy!" I said with passion.
"Well, aren't you loud this morning. Go on, take a seat. We have our arrangement with the mages, and you still have classes to attend to."Daddy replied as he gently patted the top of my head.
I nodded and ran back to my seat.
"...Amara, what was on your face, and why is it smeared on my pants?" Daddy questioned with disgust as he looked down at my face print I made on his pants.
Oh shit… that's right. They put that makeup crap on my face to make me look less tired. I have to kiss ass and beg for forgiveness so he doesn't go on a rampage for ruining his expensive pants.
"Ahh.. umm.. well…I… didn't sleep well last night… so they put powder on my face to make me look pretty for you, daddy. I am sorry. Please forgive me."I explained with a guilty expression.
He sighed as he walked towards the dining table and sat at his usual seat.
"What six-year-old child needs this mess on their face? What a ridiculous decision. I cannot be walking around with a face print on my pants, now can I?"He teased with a smile.
"Have the imperial head maid bring me similar pants at once." he commanded as he waved his hand firmly in the air.
The kitchen door opened widely as a storm of chefs and maids came out with a dish in their hands. One by one, placed on the large dining table in front of us.
"Are we going to talk about why you lack sleep? Or do you consider yourself a grown woman to now wear that damn powder on your face?" Daddy questioned as he placed a silk napkin on his lap and took a sip of his usual lavender tea.
"I sometimes cannot sleep, daddy. It is nothing to worry about. I do have a question, though." I tried changing subjects as I struggled to cut my steak.
"Speak."
"A lot of the rooms in the Emerald palace are locked. I did not notice it until a couple of days ago when I was roaming the halls after class."I lied, looking away in hopes I would not get caught.
"Many of those rooms have no importance for you to find out. They are just filled up with nonsense. Do not mind it." He answered in a carefree manner.
"Well, there is this one locked door downstairs… that stood out to me. It is one of the few double doors aside from mine and the empress's bedroom." I questioned with caution.
He froze for a second and looked at me without blinking.
"Amara, I do not like repeating myself. It is a room- full of nonsense. Worry your little mind with your studies. Now eat." He responded in a stern, deep voice.
I nodded slowly and began to eat.
Is it just me, or is he finally acting like a real dad? Serious when he has to be, playful when he has to be.
Shortly after, daddy left the dining hall to change while I waited for him outside the imperial palace by a few palace guards.
"This… damn sun. So bright for no reason. You, did you bring the umbrella?"Daddy questioned in an irritated tone as he walked out of the imperial palace.
The nervous young butler ran up and opened the umbrella, holding it above daddy's head.
"Let's get going. Make sure you keep up behind me while covering me from this damned sunlight. Who knew I would grow tired of the sun." He continued to complain to the butler.
I'm confused. Weren't you always upset that it constantly rained when you were outside? Now - you complain because there's too much sun? Are you on your menstrual cycle?
Arriving at the tower, we could see a long line of hooded mages from all sorts of heights, ages, and gender.
"Welcome, Princess Amara. It is a pleasure to talk to you once again."Greeted me the red-headed mage with a smile on her face.