Astrid no longer knows where she is going because she is currently roaming around the palace with those who also took her to where Magnus was a while ago. She also could not remember what their names were because she was out of her mind when they introduced themselves. She just nodded to them. Magnus is haunting her mind. She cant focus on what is happening right now. The man beside her is explaining something about the palace and Astrid is not paying attention. If it was just a review on the exam, she would probably have failed because she was not listening. Magnus last words were on her mind.
'What is the meaning of that? He needs a wife and that's me? What's that? Seems like he just bought the toy he wanted? Does the sacred marriage mean nothing to them? Do they not believe that only lovers are the one who gets married? I cant agree on this! I just cant! Yes he is so damn attractive that every girls dream but that doesn't count to marry him.'
"Princess are you listening?" The man beside her asked. Astrid was suddenly embarrassed because she really didn't listen to him. She is still not used to call her princess. Astrid just nodded and looked around to see where she was. She was amazed at how beautiful the place was. She is outside the palace. She is surrounded with different flowers. The pathway is clean and there is a huge fountain in the middle. And some bench to sit in every corner of the garden. The place is very spacious and the palace is really beautiful from the outside. It screams elegance.
"Can I stay for a while?" They nodded and bowed for a moment before leaving. She took a walk in the garden and occasionally touched the flowers. She ran to the place where the tulips are that looks healthy because they look so beautiful.
Astrid stared at the pink tulip as if telling her to pick it up but she hesitated because it might be forbidden to take it. She jumped in shock because it suddenly picked up on its own and floated in the air and stopped in front of her. Astrid took it and looked around at the same time. She looked back because of a girl's laughter. And there she is, smiling cutely at her. She did something with her hand while giggling . Astrid just stared at her at what she was doing and wondered what was the girl's doing. She felt amazed when she mentioned her to look back. And there it is, a flower crown made of different flowers on it. It landed on Astrid's head. She is lost of words. What is this place?
"Hey! You are my brother's princess right? " She asked innocently. Astrid is too shocked to answer. She giggled and ran towards her. She's small and looks beautiful. She hugged Astrid as she approached it which surprised her. Astrid doesn't even know her and it feels like the girl knows her very well.
"I am happy you're finally here Princess Astrid." She said while still hugging her. Before she could hug back, she separated. Astrid just smiled at her because she don't know what to say. She is too clueless.
Astrid took her hand and stared. She's obviously happy. So genuine. Her long hair was dancing because of the calm wind. Her eyes are round and expressive. Her cute nose and small pinkish lips are adorable. Her soft skin as Astrid touch her hand is so satisfying to feel. She doubts if her skin is like hers when she was in her age.
"Hi. What is your name? " She didn't say anything funny but she laughed. Maybe she was just a really happy kid.
"Im Xeraphine Grant. I am the youngest. I hate it when Prince Magnus is grumpy all day. Im glad now because you're here already. Lets go! Im gonna take you to mom and dad! Im sure that they are also happy to see you. Come on! " She pulled Astrid until they reach at the palace door. There were guards there holding swords. When the door opened, they met Magnus who's looking serious at Xeraphine. Suddenly Xera looks scared and uncomfortable in front of Magnus.
"Why are you with her Xeraphine? I already told you that you will not see her unless I say so. Care to explain princess. " Xera bowed because of Magnus preached. Astrid pulled Xera closer to her to let her know that she was with her even though she was scared too.
"I just badly want to see her and I'm gonna take her to mom and dad."She explained.
"No." He said in finality. Xera was sad when Astrid looked at her. "Go back to your room now."
Xera just nodded at Magnus. She looked up at Astrid and kissed her on the cheek before leaving. Astrid looked at Magnus madly when she lost sight of Xera. He just raised an eyebrow at her as if saying that he did not care if Astrid's gaze is mad at him.
"What?" He asked boredly.
"Is that how you treat your sister ?! Your rude. "She growled at him. He looked at Astrid and looked even angrier at her. Suddenly Astrid regretted what she had said.
"Yes im rude but im just telling and making her know how to follow orders. I know that once she knows that you're here she will bother you always. "
"She's not a bother! Besides I like her. " She said. Suddenly he looked calm.
"Look Astrid. I don't want to confuse you. This place is different. There are things here that you will not see in your world. So as much as possible Im making it slow to you. " He explained to Astrid. She suddenly remembered what Xera had done earlier. The tulip and the flower crown on my head. But she still stared angrily at Magnus who was now wondering.
"Your reason is valid but that doesn't mean that you can treat Xera like that! You should apologize to her. "She even pointed to the stairs where Xeraphine climbed. He frowned at what Astrid had said and obviously did not want to obey.
Her eyes widened with nervousness because he suddenly approached Astrid. Magnus squeezed Astrid's waist and brought his face closer to hers. Her heart is beating so fast because of his presence. She closes her eyes when she felt his lips in her ear. "I do not apologize to anyone Astrid." He whispered to her ear and then gave her a little distance for her to breathe. He caressed her right cheek and tuck her hair at the back of her ear after.
"Only to you my princess." He left Astrid hanging after he said that.
I cant explain what to feel. He said that he don't want me to feel confused but he is the one who's confusing me. Am I that special to him?
"Princess? Why are you standing there? Are you okay? " The man with her earlier asked recently. She smiled at him and asked him if where is Xera's room. He took Astrid to Xeraphine's room and said goodbye after. She knocked on the door which Xera immediately opened.
"Hey. I just want to say sorry about earlier. How are you? " She pulled her into her room because her older brother might see her and get angry again.
"Princess !! Im glad you came here. I want to be with you. I hate my brother! He is too serious and mad always. Did you hear what he said earlier ?! He's rude. I'm gonna tell mom to scold him. " She complained while frowning and pouting her lips. She was obviously angry with her brother.
"Don't mind him. He just wants the best for you. But he is wrong to treat you like that. Im sure your brother don't know how to get along with you. But since Im here, and I don't know why Im here. Let's talk and enjoy each other's company. " It is true that Astrid still wants to talk to her because she is the only one who has been relieved her feeling since the day she came here.
They just laugh and complain sometimes to Magnus attitude . What Xera's stories makes Astrid happy. Xera even showed her ability to move things. That is not what all she can do and it is not yet the right time to show Astrid that. Astrid was not surprised by what Xera was able to do because she made sure that Astrid would not be surprised or scared by whatever she does. Until someone knocked on the door and told them to come down for dinner.