Three years later
Scarlet was able to talk and move freely. That's correct! I can do whatever I want.
No one can defy me since I am the Princess of this Kingdom.
Sigh. But being a Princess in this powerful realm is very dull. Not just because people don't defy me, but Mother is also busy supervising the inner court. The Queen is no longer living at the palace.
I recall, I heard rumors from the maids. The Queen was exiled after three days of her birth to the Prince together with her daughter. I don't have much information on why she got exiled. However, if the king punished her, then she might have pulled something secretly.
Never mind that awful thing that happened to the Queen. The kingdom is now talking about appointing my mother as the new Queen of the Kingdom of Luan Guo.
"Mother kept on denying the rank. She doesn't want to be the Queen."
The throne for the Queen seat is now unoccupied.
The ministers kept pressuring the monarch to find a Queen, yet the King was doing perfectly even if there was no Queen. Mother can manage the inner court regardless.
I'm just concerned that the ministers will go after my mother.
"Fret not mother! I will investigate their personal information. I suppose that will help me when they pick any fight toward her. I will safeguard my mother from the gossip and rumors that will hurt her."
"Oh, is that why her Highness is spending her time in the library all day?"
"Freesia! What are you doing here?"
"I just had to inspect Her Highness. I have to go back after I check on you."
She then observed me and the books on the table.
"Your Highness, you are still young to read this complicated literature. Why are you straining yourself too much?"
"I told you previously. You don't believe me, don't you? I am a prodigy."
"But you know, Your Highness. If someone accepts that they are special by themselves, they can't be someone special. Just like you admit yourself as a prodigy. I have a suggestion, why don't you keep it to yourself and let folks know what you are capable of."
I blinked. She had a point. Someone who admits they are something exceptional, huh?
"Now then, I should go back to my work. The others might be looking for me now. You should relax for a bit, your highness. Oh right, why don't you visit your brother? I'm very sure he's waiting for his sweet big sister."
"Yeah, I should. Let's go part ways then."
I left my books to visit my brother. Mother informed me that I should befriend him because he's all alone with his mother banished. He has no one to be with but us. He is certainly a pitiful boy.
The Prince's palace is a bit far from mine. I had to stroll with my little legs and pass by these maids who only gossip all day.
"She's going to visit him again? What if she inflicts a curse on the Prince? The heir would be undoubtedly in danger due to her presence."
They are sure to love to screw with me, I visit the Prince every day, so I also hear them bad-mouthing me every day either.
Mother always urges me not to take the unpleasant gossiping of the people in my heart. I should just let them say whatever they want to say because I know that it's not true.
But occasionally, I couldn't just ignore it. I had to fight back.
"How I wish that I'm simply an average person."
When I first saw myself in the mirror, I frightened myself with white hair and crimson eyes. I don't resemble my mother or even the King at all.
I paused in the big entrance of the Prince's room. My head is bent. I was afraid to approach the other side. I'm scared about what if he gets the nasty rumors because of me.
"Mother is also being criticized because of me, I hear people speculating that I might be adopted. I know I shouldn't feel these things but I just can't help myself from overthinking."
My eyes are tearing.
The door of the Prince's room suddenly opened slightly.
"Ah! Big sister! I knew you were here!"
And the Prince ran toward me to embrace my legs strongly. He was grateful to see me here.
"...Why are you crying..?"
I kneeled and hugged the Prince tenderly.
"Are you not terrified of me? I'm quite different from you, I have these eyes that are like a monster and a hair color that no one has."
"Big Sister…"
"You must detest me, like how people treat me. If you step further closer to me you might be judged by them."
"I don't understand… Big Sister."
"Ah. That's right. You are still young to understand but I hope eventually you will."
Wiping my tears away, I produced a grin that would stop him from worrying.
"What should we play today? I'm sure you want to play anything, right?"
"No. I want something sweet. But my servant doesn't want me to have them, claiming I might get a toothache."
"Oh. Then, why don't we acquire some secretly?"
"I… I want that!"
That day, the two of us grew closer than before. As if I am much more than his birth sister. I wasn't alone and unhappy because the Prince became so fond of me.