"So Haruta, what's your hobby?" Enthusiastically, Miona looked at the young man while clasping her hands together and bringing them closer to her chest.
Instead of answering, Haruta just looked at Miona blankly and then went around the room. Ignoring the little golden-brown-haired girl who was slightly surprised.
Immediately she was quite surprised, the enthusiasm disappeared and turned into annoyance. 'I got ignored?!' Miona thought.
The sound of the treads of the boots slowly disappeared, accompanied by the sound of paper rubbing against each other. "You have a nice reading room, are you reading all of this?".
Since their meeting this afternoon until the dinner was over he was not interested in chatting with her, but unexpectedly now the quiet prince was asking the girl?
Miona quickly nodded then responded to the question with an awkward smile plastered on her face and slightly scratched her right cheek "But I didn't read everything, Dullea always told me to study the history of Osforia, the etiquette of being a princess, rewriting ancient writings, and other things".
Even though his face didn't show any expression, Haruta only answered hmm then opened the book in his hand.
Traditional medicine using algae plants that live in water, be it freshwater or seawater...
"Hmm? What are you reading?"
Having not had time to read the entire sentence in 1 paragraph, Miona stood up and approached. Very close. Then started slowly reading another paragraph "Algae is now widely used as a sweet snack for children which we call jelly". Hearing the word jelly, Miona's eyes lit up and she looked excited "Woaaah! I love jelly, they are adorable and very sweet in the mouth" she said while facing Haruta.
In contrast to the expression on Miona's face, Haruta looked uncomfortable and then slightly moved away from the girl.
Of course, what the prince did not go unnoticed by the princess. Aware of the treatment he gave, the boy pretended to cough then looked at Miona "Sorry, but I don't like someone approaching my personal space".
"Heehh~ Then have you ever held a girl's hand. Like this?". Without any hesitation, Miona grabbed Haruta's hands and chuckled. Then as if to ask him to dance, Miona pulled the poor boy's hand towards the right, then further to the right, then took another step to the left.
Sigh. That was the only response the prince gave after princess Osforia dragged him in all directions. But even though he didn't yell or show an annoyed expression, he just stared at the princess.
"Hihihi, sorry. You are very unique, other people will usually yell at me or maybe slap my hand," he deliberately brought his face closer and smiled "But you just sighed". Slowly, Miona turned her face away and looked at the prince gently.
'He's so cool'
' Too noisy '
The two children judged each other in their hearts. Accompanied by the moon that had climbed into the sky, they continued their bonding activities. Reading a book with the calm of the night and the sound of owls around the palace makes the atmosphere more calming to do activities that don't require a lot of energy. Maybe that's the principle of the future leader of Thedric land, famous for his calm aura, handsome face, the voice that never rises, making those around him feel comfortable. That's if the prince can be more expressive.
"Hey, have you ever heard the phrase that 'Two opposite sides are usually attracted to each other?'" asked Miona who was facing Haruta.
Haruta, who was sitting quietly while reading a book about the history of Osforia, ignored the princess' conversation.
Feeling ignored, she approached the child with hair as dark as the night sky and held his shoulders from behind. "I remember the winds being one direction but different sides, you know? Like east and west?". She liked the silence between them, especially without someone bothering her. But he prefers if the prince is involved in the conversation between them, even though the ending always only answers as necessary. Maybe gradually the princess will change her perception that the response is only limited to the cold night wind in the land of Osforia.
The dark blue dress with a golden yellow ribbon that gently hugs the princess's belly is a little dirty and has not been neat when it was still in the wardrobe sitting next to the prince, Miona smiling while looking at the crescent moon that illuminates the night.
"The moon is very beautiful. I like the blue color of the night decorated with stars and moonlight" she glanced at the prince from the corner of her eye then chuckled "Is that one of the reasons I like you?" the princess's statement was accompanied by a breath that she let out from her mouth.
"Hmm". And the prince did not respond. He was too busy to read a history book about the country he was now stepping on.
This did not make the princess disappointed or sad in the slightest bit on the contrary. She smiled happily decorated with red hues on both cheeks as if many flowers bloomed to accompany the princess's smile, those sparkling violet eyes stared at the moon shining in the night sky.
The later the time in the country of Osforia, the temperature will decrease. The guards who are on duty at night patrols also carry out routine activities to warm their bodies, namely by doing light exercises at their respective points. This condition also forced the princess and the little prince who are still enjoying their free time in the library to return and start to rest in their room.
Prince Haruta, who was already tired of reading, stretched his arms and legs which were starting to feel a little stiff. How long had he been reading Osforia's history books? He didn't remember. But he felt something strange, a quiet atmosphere that accompanied his night while reading a book. Since when the atmosphere became quiet. The prince turned to his right, and what he got was a golden brown head with a mane of hair covering the owner's face.
With a silent gaze, he sighed and took off the coat that had been protecting his body from the cruel weather in this country. Slowly she put her blue-purple coat on the princess, then leaned against the wall while tilting her head. A nostalgia that he felt, filled his mind.
Starting with spring, the season is full of warmth and happiness. The season in which he started his life in this world, first breathed the air of life, tried to grasp everything that appeared in his sight, listened to the various soft sounds around him, and what he remembered the most was the warmth he felt for the first time born in this world. The heartbeat he listened to calmed his crying, as well as the soft-touch he felt when he started to fall asleep because he was too tired after crying.
That feeling changed along with the summer that greeted his country. The scorching sun that always accompanies his playing time outdoors, along with the gentle laughter of the person who managed to allow him to be born into this world. That beautiful and gentle face always accompanied her gaze and seemed to have become a record in his mind, which he would not forget forever.
Time was running continuously, ignoring what would happen after it changed to the next time. Increasingly cold air began to blow around Thedric's land, forcing everyone to seek more warmth to survive. That's what the prince might do. Go to visit the mother's room, accompany her who is now busy reading a book on her bed and smiling weakly at the child. Spending time together becomes warmth for him with the child.
Perhaps the description of the thought became the motto he applied in the winter before the year changed. As time leaves all memories, the woman continues to try to make new memories that will never be forgotten. She didn't want to give up just because she was lying weakly on the bed, fighting for her son to get the full love of a woman he could call mother. The young woman seemed happy to hear her son tell about his daily activities and events that he went through that day. With a radiant face and a big smile interspersed with a small laugh, the prince told of his meeting with a little girl with green hair like the lake water owned by this country. He told the story that the girl fiercely scolded and demanded that he behave like a prince in general, not a young man who chose a hobby to paint over studying knowledge as the king's successor.
All the scrolls of memories begin to roll until they become bandages at the end of the story. Her role as the core for the scroll of memories came to an end, in a blizzard that hit the country which only happened once in 30 years became the final accompaniment of her life. The mother is gone. The holder of the palace balance was gone.
The beautiful scroll that she had been making for almost a year was starting to get out of hand. One week of happiness that he had been waiting for faded, no more words were answered by her. The eyes that had always looked at him with a gentle softness refused to look at him, the warmth he had felt until now had disappeared. Everyone refused to talk to him, they were more shocked how the queen need had gone, someone who had always been by his side for 1 year. The departure of the queen in the hearts of the king and the child left only the void of the night. And her departure seemed to take away the prince's warm personality.
The prince who used to be very friendly turned cold, the prince with full words and expressions of heart left turned into a blank stare and silence. Without feeling looking forward to the future, planning a happy future, the expressionless blank-eyed prince just accepted all decisions given to him without any complaints.
That sad look he threw at the floor, like a roll of tape that can only be replayed, the warm memory is just a memory in his mind. No matter what he tried to do all the activities he used to enjoy, nothing could make him feel the warmth he felt before.
With a small whisper, he said "I miss you" a small sob was heard, he also shed tears that slowly fell countless.
It was as if his heart was slashed by a sword and filled with hard liquid, the pain and pain he couldn't stand. Trying not to make too much noise, Haruta wiped his eyes with his sleeve and controlled his breathing.
What happened next was warmth on his cheeks. His wide blue eyes stared at the floor as if in a slow time, he stared ahead and his gaze was greeted with two violet eyes that were round and vibrating as if unable to see what was happening in front of him. A worried expression appeared on the princess's face, but she didn't say anything.
The prince's last sob broke their silence.
"You're pushing too hard"
"Hah?"
The worried expression disappeared and turned into annoyance, "You're still a child, it's natural to cry now and then!" After saying that, the little princess pouted.
"You too are still a child"
"Then why?! Don't trouble yourself with negative feelings and depression-like that. Our time now is a time to play and learn!" with her hands folded the princess glared at the prince.
Feeling that the princess think she's smart ass, the prince looked at her coldly "Do you know about depression and negative feelings? Don't force your mindset on others, you and I are different. We live in different environments, our upbringing is different and our relationship is different." The hot feeling he felt in his heart seemed to want to explode out as if there was a lot of weight he was carrying on his shoulders, he sighed.
"It's late, I'm tired. You'd better go back to your room" and he started to move from his place.
"Wait a moment . ." the princess did not hesitate to pull the prince's arm and make him turn around.
Instead, the little princess Osforia was about to scold her, but what she got was a gentle smile "You and I are indeed different, memories, traits, and feelings are different. Everything is different"
Without any movement, Haruta listened to the princess who continued to talk to him.
"But have you forgotten, that difference is what makes us complement each other," said the princess. She clasped the prince's hands and looked at him gently "If everything is the same what is the use of experience? What you went through I may not have gone through, but one day I will go through" with a sad look he looked at his hand that gently gripped the prince's hand " But the past makes you stronger and stronger. My mother- I mean the queen of Osforia told me-"
"Why don't you just call her mother?"
"Shush! I'm trying to respect your feeling you know"
The prince was silent and just looked at Miona strangely.
"Wounds exist to be healed, and medicine exists because there is someone who wants to save others. If someone is physically injured, then a doctor is the best choice. But if you have a heart or mental injury, do you know what the medicine is?"
"Erm, chamomile and lavender?"
Gasp! "Not that"
Letting go of her grip, the princess returned a warm smile and said softly "The cure is easy, that is someone who wholeheartedly is by your side, who always helps you through the days and bad feelings you feel. Do you know? With you telling someone a little You've already reduced 1/3 of your burden."
The prince's eyes began to fall to see that smile and he was also interested in the words of the girl who he thought was noisy.
"And when you need that someone..." the princess then puffed out her chest and clenched her fists in front of "I'm here for you. There's no need to be shy to tell your girlfriend. Being a man doesn't mean you have to always be tough and strong," said the princess proudly.
But the only response she got was the prince's bored look and a snort from his mouth.
"Huh?! I'm trying to comfort you! Do you know that?!"
Haruta smiled slightly and turned towards the exit "Yeah, I know. From your loud and cheery face, I think you should be a counselor than a princess. It's not about smart, but it's about feeling and heart. So I suggest you switch your status now before it's too late".
"You!-"
❃❃❃❃
Krieeek . . . Klek!
"They're asleep," Adelicia said softly.
Lucas nodded his head and said his thanks in a whisper to the queen of Osforia.
"Care to tell us, what's going on here?" asked Eiji who went straight to the point at his best friend.
The decision he wanted to take was very heavy and there were so many doubts in his heart, but in this way, everything would return to the way it was. And that is what he hopes for now and in the future.
Slowly he took a breath and exhaled, his look at his two best friends "I decided to remarry"
Suddenly Adelicia was surprised, accompanied by a small but awkward laugh, the husband seemed confused to start the response he would give after hearing the big news from Lucas "Married again? Lucas, I know you are not too old and still very handsome but are you serious about this decision?"
Nodding his head again, King Lucas turned to Adelicia who had been silent for a while and refused to look at her. "What do you think?"
"Why are you asking us?"
Hearing Adelicia's words that sounded disappointed, the two kings both looked at the woman from the leader of Osforia.
"You should ask Haruta about this. Since he's still so small"
"Adel-" had not had time to persuade his wife to calm down, the queen spoke again.
"Give me the most appropriate reason why you decided to remarry?" she asked.
Marelle, Lucas's ex-wife and Haruta biological mother who died when the prince was not yet 1 year old, was Adelicia's colleague when there was a masquerade party and a tea party between the royal children. Their acquaintance began when the father of Marelle felt that the princess was too shy and not easy to get along with other people. However, after meeting Adelicia everything changed significantly.
And that's where the gap between the meeting with Prince Lucas.
Adelicia felt that it was a bit of an injustice to her friend who had passed away if the reasons Lucas gave didn't fit or sounded illogical. She waited for the king of Thedric's country to issue a strong reason. To replace her dead friend with a new woman.
"This is for Haruta's sake. You know, he only got love from a mother for 11 months and 3 weeks. On the week he was about to celebrate his first birthday, Marelle left leaving beautiful memories for him. But those memories also killed his feelings." Lucas replied. He shook the glass filled with wine in his right hand, and glanced at Adelicia "It's enough that my heart is dead, I don't want my first and last generation to live aimlessly and not feel happiness".
Adelicia, who could see the honesty in Lucas' eyes, lowered her head, the feeling she felt now was a disappointment. She felt disappointed in herself, remembering when that day Marelle left. She was by her side until the last breath.
"I beg of you, guide me for Haruta. Especially you Adel. I don't care who it is," Lucas lowered his head, he felt helpless and ashamed as a father. He could not fulfill his wife's last wish before she left. And the one who became a living encouragement and a reminder that Marelle had once stood beside him, was Haruta.
❃❃❃❃
"Thanks for the dinner, sorry to bother you guys"
Eiji smiled proudly hearing his friend's praise "You are good at speaking, but come on don't use your moves on me and my family. You know we will always be here for you no matter what happens, isn't that right Adel? Mio?". He looked between his beautiful wife and daughter who now had a sullen face while looking at Haruta.
"Be careful on the road, there's no need to rush since you'll surely arrive. See you later Haruta, I hope you can play with our little princess again, right Mio?" After mentioning the princess's name, Queen Osforia glanced at Princess Miona out of the corner of her eye.
But the princess just looked away and was reluctant to look at the prince.
"Sure. Thank you for having me here King Eiji and Queen Adelicia" and Haruta bowed.
Miona who heard Haruta's words peeked a little to see the expression of the prince. Immediately the princess regretted her decision to indulge her curiosity. What she got was the prince grinning at her, as if making fun of her.
"Nice to meet you, princess Miona," said Haruta.
With a flushed face either because of anger or embarrassment, Miona ran behind her mother "Hurry up and get home, I don't want to see you anymore"
Haruta just replied with a small smile, then started to enter the horse carriage that had picked him up.
The parents of the two children were a little confused to see their child's reaction to each other, different from the reaction when they first met.
When king Lucas and Haruta return home, Eiji tries to persuade his little princess to tell him what happened between her and the prince. Instead of an answer, he got, but a pouting mouth and vein showing on her head from stemming her anger.
⊱ To be continued ⊰