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"I wanna play with them again," Aurianna sighed, gazing wistfully from her balcony at the High Land. Her eleven-year-old figure, fair-skinned and adorned with two lovely pigtails of long white hair, was framed against the backdrop of her room. Her blue eyes, sparkling like gems, contrasted sharply with her bored expression. She wore a long gown that brushed the floor as she leaned over the railing.
Below her, the beauty of her kingdom unfolded. Medieval houses and mansions spiraled around the crystal castle at the center, and a river meandered through the countryside.
Aurianna huffed and turned away from the view, rushing to her door. She glared at the door handle, frustratingly out of reach.
"Bastards!" she muttered, dragging a chair over. Climbing onto it, she finally managed to open the door.
"Success!" she declared, only to be met by the stern faces of knights guarding her door.
"Princess, you know you can't go to the city," the female knight said calmly.
"But I wanna go! I hate being cooped up here all day!" Aurianna whined loudly.
"Your mother's orders, we can't disobey," the male knight said, shaking his head.
"I'm going to ask Mother Momo then!" Aurianna declared, retrieving a green cube from her ring. The knights exchanged nervous glances as she activated it, projecting an image of a brown-skinned woman with long green hair and mesmerizing blue eyes.
"Aunty Momo, I wanna play outside, but the knights won't let me because Mama said I can't go!" Aurianna cried, tears welling up.
"Don't you want to play in the palace garden?" Momo suggested nervously.
"No, it's not fun! I wanna play with the children near the border," Aurianna whined more.
"It's not safe, dear. You're a princess after all," Momo said, trying to dissuade her.
"But won't I be fine if my knights are there?" Aurianna asked.
"I guess so. Amber keeps you cooped up too much indoors. It's better you get out and play. The more the people see you, the more you can establish good relationships with them."
"Also, please, I want fried octopus!" Aurianna called to a maid standing at the door.
"As you wish, Princess. I shall get it for you immediately," the maid replied, walking off.
"Yay, so I can go?" Aurianna asked excitedly.
"You go, I'll tell Amber that I allowed you to," Momo said with a smile.
"Thank you so much, Aunty!" Aurianna beamed happily.
"Also, Aunty, can I ask what Mother is doing? We were supposed to have a tea day yesterday, but she never showed up," Aurianna stated with a dejected tone.
"That Amberβ¦," Momo scoffed before turning back to Aurianna with a lovely smile. "She was busy with her friends again, throwing extravagant parties as always. But next time, let's say in three days, I'll have tea with you!" Momo suggested.
Aurianna beamed. "Chi, chi, chi," she giggled. "See you then, Aunty!" She waved as Momo's image disappeared.
"So now can we go?" Aurianna asked the knight.
"Of course we can, Princess!" the female knight responded.
"Please hold my hand so I don't get lost," Aurianna stated kindly, stretching her hand toward the female knight.
"Of course," the female knight replied with a smile before walking with her.
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After a while of riding in the carriage, Aurianna finally arrived at the marketplace and beamed happily. Trailing behind her were three knights who kept an ever-watchful eye on the girl, but lingered a bit behind, allowing her some space.
Aurianna waved at a passing merchant riding on a cart. Seeing her luxurious clothes and the royal emblem in her hair, he bowed deeply in return, his face lighting up with a smile. Aurianna's twin pigtails bounced as she moved, her crystal blue eyes shining. The streets were bustling with people of all ages and sizes, and the fragrance of delicious food wafted through the air, making her rub her tummy.
"Miss Knight, I want that!" Aurianna beamed, pointing at the kebab stand and rushing toward it.
"Oh, you're here again, Princess Aurianna?" The meat owner chuckled, leaning forward and turning over some of the meat on sticks.
"Yes, so please, can I have some?" Aurianna asked politely, her blue eyes glowing with excitement.
"Of course you can, Princess!" he declared enthusiastically, picking up ten kebabs and packaging them nicely for her.
"Thank you so much!" Aurianna beamed.
"Anything for an adorable princess like you!" he replied.
"Despite being a noble princess, Aurianna sure is humble," a lady commented, staring at Aurianna with mesmerized eyes.
"Indeed. I expected someone born with a silver spoon to be quite arrogant. But she loves to hang around commoners. She's like an angel," another lady replied as they watched Aurianna walk around the market.
"Aurianna, come let's play!!" A young town boy called out to Aurianna, who was busy savoring her meat stick.
"Of course, I'm coming!" Aurianna yelled back. She glanced at the knights, who nodded their approval before she sprinted off to join the other children, her protectors following closely behind.
Wherever Aurianna went, the townspeople greeted her with warm smiles and generous gifts, their eyes shining with admiration and their eyes seemed dazed as they stared at her almost as if they were enchanted. She was a beloved figure, and the kingdom's affection for her knew no bounds.
The reason for their favoritism was rooted in an ancient prophecy by the Church of Beauty. It foretold that a princess born in the land of Sandeph would rise as the Saintess, a savior destined to lead humanity in a crusade against the demons. Though the identity of the chosen one remained uncertain, many believed Aurianna, with her popularity and kind nature, was the prophesied Saintess.
As the children played in the grassy fields, a young girl turned to Aurianna and asked, "Hey Aurianna, is it true you would be the Saintess?"
Aurianna's eyes sparkled with determination. "I have no idea, but I'd love to become a Saintess so I can protect everyone I love! Especially my people!"
The girl hugged Aurianna tightly. "Then I shall protect you as a friend, Aurianna!"
Aurianna's attention shifted to a passing carriage filled with dead and living demi-humans. She immediately stood up and rushed toward the group of knights leading the carriage.
"Mister knight, are they prisoners of war?" she asked innocently.
"Yes, princess," the knight replied. "They are survivors who are now slaves." Aurianna stared at the slaves in the cage, biting her lip.
"Oh, I see. It's only normal since demi-humans are inferior to humans," she said with a twisted smile before turning away.
"Aurianna, what are you doing here?" her escort knights called out as they approached. The knights managing the slave carriage immediately saluted.
"I was just curious. You're free to leave," Aurianna said, waving her hand dismissively. "Also, could I get a new batch of slaves? The old batch are, ummβ¦," she hesitated, a nervous look crossing her face.
"Already?" the knight asked.
"Yes," Aurianna nodded eagerly.A