"It's not what you think! I meant that I was going to give him a gift dor helping me to go to the infirmary last time!"
Asteria chuckled at how adorable looking Lady Roselle is. She couldn't help but tuck Lady Roselle's hair to her ear and smile, "Awe, I see. Then come with me!"
Asteria then led her to the Crown Prince's room where it was empty.
"Oh? I wonder where Brother Apollo is? Guess we'll have to wait then."
Lady Roselle stood up, "I'm afraid I came at the wrong time. May I ask if you can just pass this to him?" She said, giving the princess the basket.
"No-let's wait here as he must had strolled in the garden for breath of fresh air."
But Lady Roselle didn't listened so she ran to the door when suddenly, it opened and revealed Prince Apollo, who just bumped Lady Roselle.
Silence fell as the two were frozen in place. Princess Asteria watched with a smirk as she saw the main characters of the story finally meeting properly and having their moment.
Lady Roselle looked up and gasped, realizing she just bumped into the person she's looking for and her ears turned red. Princess Asteria could swear that she saw some little smoke coming out from her ears.
Her brother, on the other hand, was confused and he recollectd himself. His eyes shone for a moment, looking at Roselle's beautiful face and cleared his throat, "I apologize, I should-"
"No, I apologize- I was just-"
Both of them stuttered and Princess Asteria felt like she just watched a movie scene.
Guess she have to leave them alone to get to know each other then.
"Brother! Where were you? Lady Roselle here wanted to give you something."
"I just came from father's office about your matter." Crown Prince Apollo said then turned to Lady Roselle, "Really? Then sit down,
I apologize for having you wait here."
"It's alright, we just came here a few minutes ago…" Lady Roselle replied shyly and glanced at Princess Asteria.
Princess Asteria then stood up, "Alright then, I think Eros is waiting for me. I'll leave you guys now."
Lady Roselle's eyes widened and gave her a look as if she doesn't want her to leave but Princess Asteria just gave her a smile that says 'you can do this'
Lady Roselle gave up and Princess Asteria left the room.
Well well, the ship is really sailing.
Just then, as the princess was about to go back to her room, she heard footsteps and instantly hid on the wall. She saw Prince Galician coming out from Mistress Geneva's room….
With the way he quickly walk and frantically look everywhere, it was enough to give her suspicions to him…
She have to be careful…the walls have eyes and ears…
The princess don't know who she can trust anymore. The mistress is making her move and making her life miserable.
****
1 day.
The second round of the contest is nearing. Tomorrow…her fate will be finally discovered.
Princes Asteria felt both nervous on who can win. If Lord Eros won this round, then it's his sure win. But if any of Prince Galician, Griffith, or any other prince from the other kingdom won, then this will call for another contest, which is a hassle for the princess.
Well.. It must be Lord Eros, but what will happen when they knew of his identity?
Bloodbath.
And she's not ready for that.
"What do you feel now, your highness?" Asked Vita, noticing her discomfort.
Asteria couldn't reply as a knocking appeared on the door, followed by a cough from the other side of the door, "The King wants to enter." Said William's voice.
"My dear daughter, can I talk to you?" She heard her father the king saying soon after.
"Yes, come in father."
Vita came to open the door and left them alone. The king entered with a wide smile, "How are you, my child? How are you liking your suitors."
"Hmm, I still haven't decided yet…but do I really have to?"
Her father sighed, "You need to." He then whispered, "The next competition, will be far more dangerous.
Princess Asteria nodded, not sure what to feel about this sudden news. Well, let's hope for the best then.
Then she remembered about the power she have. She don't know this in the story… so she has to ask.
"Father. Have you known something within me?"
The king tilted his head to the side, "What exactly, dear daughter? Can you elaborate?"
"My power-"
The king instantly gasped and silenced her mouth, "Shshh, we must not talk about it. Tell me who told you that."
She raised her eyebrows, "So you know it?"
The king couldn't meet her suspecting gaze, "I was afraid for this moment to come, but I see that you already know it..Dear daughter, That is one of the readons why I adopted you…to protect you from the evil sources who'll take that strong power. I made you wear the pendant to protect you."
She glanced at the pendant that the king had gifted her the moment he took her in. The symbol of the royals. Dragon.
She don't even know what to say..
The king grabbed her hand and stared at her, "Asteria, promise me you will never use that power with evil, no matter what. I want to raise you with goodness in your heart."
Asteria nodded, still understanding the heavy weight of his tone.
He then cleared his throat, "The reason I came here is to inform you of something. I am assigning you with a personal knight."
A personal knight suddenly? This will mean she'll have another guard to prevent her from escaping to the streets. This will mean she won't have a freedom to roam around anymore, which is against her likings.
"Forgive me father but I already have my brothers-"
He shook his head, "No, I want to make sure you are getting protected all the time. It's too dangerous outside. I should have done this long ago."
Despite her complaints, His father snapped his fingers and a tall handsome man appeared. He had orange haired and eyes as dark as the night sky. He has tattoos all over his arms and has an pirate eyepatch on his left eye due to the battles he had won.
Asteria recognized him as the king's most trusted knight. He did all the dirty works behind her father's orders and has been loyal since day one.
Dressed in a metal armor and his swords flinging beside his wait, he bowed in front of his masters.
"Your majesty, I am here now." His deep and gruff voice said.
"Asteria, meet your personal knight. Krajner."
Asteria attempted to smile, feeling a bit scared at this intimidating man here.
"Pleasure to meet you, your highness. I am Krajner, and I will be your personal knight and protect you until the day I die."
It might have sounded a but exaggerated but Ardisian royal knights are compassionate and trustworthy soldiers.
"I assure you that he can protect you better than anyone, he just need some training in social skills department. Just don't be harsh on him, Ria."
"Just be careful, Ria. I have important things to settle."
And with that, the king bid his goodbyes soon after, hoping to give the princess and her new knight time to know each other.
Asteria stayed silent, just staring at her knight and stood up.
Krajner instantly stood up too, "May I ask where you are heading to, your highness?"
"Oh, just somewhere, you can stay here."
"But the king, his majesty strictly ordered-"
"Ah, don't worry, I am fine on my own. What do you take as a bribe?"
Krajner just looked at her, "I see why no one wants to have you as their master."
"Excuse me?"
"You're too stubborn, short tempered and spoiled brat."