(Paglabas meaning - to go out; to come out)
Several days passed since the day Atherina requested to go outside the palace as her 12th birthday present. It is something so simple but even Atherina herself doubts that her mother and father will allow it.
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[A few days ago]
"Are you sure you're going to ask mother and father about this Alain? You know how they are with regards to Athy's safety." Alejandro asks towards Alain. They were walking towards their mother, the Empress' chambers first before they head over the Imperial Office to their father, the emperor.
"Of course, I'm sure brother." Alain says with certainty. "This is the first time Athy has ever asked or requested anything from us for her birthday. I. the very least would like to try and ask for her." He reasons.
"Alright, I'll back you up on this brother." Alejandro sighs in defeat. He knew himself he cannot convince his brother Alain out of any decision he makes. But as long as he is capable of supporting him from his decision, he will do so.
On their way to their mother's chambers, they encountered their youngest brother, Asterio along the hallway. "Are you two going to ask about Athy's request to mother and father?" Asterio asks.
The two of them nodded, "Can I come? With the three of us asking for Athy, I don't think mother and father will be able to refuse." He spoke.
Alejandro and Alain thought about what Asterio said, and they were right. The three of them have never asked for the same thing from their parents, whether it's about what they wanted for themselves or for their little sister, they had to compete with gifts.
But this time was different, they all thought the same thing. As their little sister have never asked for anything her whole life, she only wanted one thing. And so, for her, they'll convince their parents to allow her this request.
When they finally entered their mother's chambers, their father was there too. They were both having tea while their father worked on some documents and their mother was cross-stitching a beautiful butterfly for her daughter.
"Greetings mother, father." the three princes greet their parents. Even with a tight family bond, it is still customary to greet their parents as they are the highest reigning nobles of the Empire.
"What brings my three sons here?" their father, Artheous asks as he puts down is pen and drew his attention to his three children.
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{Artheous' POV}
"Father, Mother. Atherina wants or rather requests something for her birthday." Alejandro says.
That alone surprised me, "Really? What is it?" I asked. Even my wife, was surprised with this statement from my son.
For the past few birthdays, my daughter, Atherina has never requested of anything or anything she's wanted for her birthday. She has never really had an eye for a big celebration, as she tends to keep things from herself, and she's easily contented with what she has.
'So, what could it be?'
"She wants to go outside the palace and explore the Empire, she wants t-." Alain answers but got cut off.
My wife, Kathiris suddenly put down the item she was cross-stitching to, and paused, "On her own? No, I will not allow it."
"Dear wife, listen to them first." I said to her. "Continue." I said to them.
"We will be with her mother, and we will protect her. She wants to experience having friends, shopping, and exploring the grounds outside the palace! She wants to occasionally go out and have fun, like us." Alain reasons more.
"Atherina also said that she wants to conceal her identity as an Imperial Royal for the time being before her debut to high society and birthday celebration." Alejandro added.
Compared to my three sons, my daughter has never gone outside the palace grounds. She has never even set foot outside the palace gates. She was weak, and sickly growing up, so naturally, my wife became very protective of our daughter.
While the three boys can come and go whenever they want, have friends, and have fun, my daughter has none. Besides the younger aged maids, she hasn't even had her first tea party and lady-in-waiting and she's 12.
I want my daughter to experience the fun she's missed over the years. I just hope she'll be socially ready.
Without waiting for an answer from my wife, I spoke. "I will allow it on one condition."
"What will it be father?" the three boys asked in unison. I snickered in their enthusiasm; their sister really has brought them together like this.
"It doesn't have to be the three of you following her around and watching her. I will have someone discreetly follow her whenever she plans to go out, and she has to go out with a maid or even a lady-in waiting once I get her one." I told the three of them.
"And- we have to finally throw her a party." I chimed. My wife, Kathiris had no choice but to agree with my decisions. I know she will have comments regarding my decisions later on, nevertheless, she knows it's going to make our daughter happy.
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[Present]
"Ready? Princess?" Atherina's maid, Janine, asked Athy walking towards the carriage that will finally give her the freedom to go outside the imperial palace grounds.
"Yes." A single word was enough to see how cheerful Atherina was in her first day outside the Palace.
{Atherina's POV}
"Also Janine, don't forget to not call me 'princess' outside. Call me Rina." I stated. I just have to be careful not to reveal myself. Nobody even knows what I look like!
"O-oh. Of course, R-Rina." Janine stuttered uncomfortably. She's still being careful around me despite being with me for over five years. My father and mother have been really strict with choosing my maids, so I guess I can't really scold them for being too careful around me.
We both got to the carriage, and I saw my brother, Alejandro outside of it. "Athy..." he trails off.
"I'll be careful brother, you know that. Thank you for getting mother and father's approval about this. I'm really happy." I expressed.
He let out a grin, and a soft gentle gaze. "I know you'll be safe sister. But always be alert, I've taught you enough tricks if ever you're in a tight situation." He says. "You did." I laughed.
My eldest brother, Alejandro, ever since I was 8 has taught me how to use a tiny dagger then throughout the years, it has changed until I was capable of wielding and fighting with a rapier on my own.
He helped me get on the carriage along with my maid, Janine. "Safe travels." he says before finally closing the carriage doors.
Both my mother, and father, already said their regards. Besides, apart from my first time getting to experience to be outside, it is also my first time to sleep somewhere besides the palace. As the very next day, it is the time for the first phase of the entrance examinations for the Aegerine Endora Academy of Divine Magics and Arts.
The exams are composed of 4 phases. The first phase is the written examinations in the Endorian Ancient Language. Almost half of the applicants begin to give up in the first phase as many of them (especially applicants who are not in noble families) are not fluent in the Endorian Ancient Language.
The second phase will determine if you will be an arts user or a magics user. There will be a test in a person's magic acuity. The lower your magic acuity, the more you're an arts user. The higher it is (depending in the color of the divine crystal orb), it will determine what level you are as a magics user. There are 5 levels; S, A, B, C, and D; S being the highest and D being the lowest-
Any lower than that means you're an arts user and are more capable of physically fighting.
Without realizing it, I dozed off during traveling even with how excited I was to finally get outside the palace.
"Pri-, I mean- R-Rina, my lady, we're here." Janine called out to me softly and woke me up. My mother, the Empress bought a small residence near the Academy in a rush. They also had another maid and butler, tend to me while I stay here for the time being. The coach of the carriage opened the door and there, they greeted.
"Welcome, your highness."
"I am Danilo, the main caretaker of this household. We have finished furnishing the house in your best interest according to her Majesty, the Empress."
"Thank you for your work!" I thanked them as I get in the house.
The place itself was charming, yet tiny compared to my room in the Imperial Palace. "I apologize if the house itself is inadequate to what her highness is used to." The butler exclaimed. The house itself piqued my interest. Who else lived here?
"If you don't mind asking, did you know who else lived in this house?" I asked.
"A small family of 4 lived in this house, your highness. They moved towards a different place within the capital but used the money in buying another house." He answers. My mind trails off as I see every nook and cranny of the charming residence I'll be residing in for the next few days as the entrance examinations itself takes 3 days to be finished and results will be released within a week.
All results of those who passed will be by a number code given to you in registration, so your name and identity is concealed until the first day of classes.
My number code is: 0427898. I just have to make sure I get in the Academy with the best of my abilities.
"Can I go outside and go around the capital?" I asked eagerly.
"Yes, your highness- please change into something more appropriate for the weather. It's pretty hot out, so you may want to lighten your outfit." Danilo says.
I got up to my bedroom where I'll be sleeping for the next few days and picked the outfit I wanted to wear for the day. Janine stopped me as she said, she wanted to dress me, "Please your highness, let me do this?"
"You can take a rest and go change yourself. I am capable of changing my clothes Janine, thank you for your assistance." I exclaimed. She was hesitant to go at first, but I further convinced her I was fine.
'I totally have no idea how to do this'
I've always had to rely on four maids to dress and undress me my entire life in the palace. But now, I only have one and I'm outside the Imperial Palace. I want to learn how to be independent even if it is just for a short while.
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It took Atherina several minutes to finally figure out how to dress herself. With a little assistance from Janine, she's done it.
Atherina and Janine both left the house, along with an Imperial guard following them from a distance assigned by her father, the emperor. Atherina kept getting flustered by the number of vendors all around the capital, selling delicious street foods she has never gotten a hold of before.
"Your Hi- I mean, my lady, please don't consume those. You might experience a stomachache." Janine says in a concerned tone. "Let me have this please Janine!" as Atherina pleaded to eat the freshly grilled seafood coated in a sweet barbeque sauce.
Atherina ended up buying a lot of snacks to take home, and even children begging for money.
"My lady, do you have a coin to spare?" One of the kids begged. With Atherina's kindness, she gave the kid, barely around her age a gold coin. "My lady, that's too much." Janine chimed.
Atherina had no idea how much a gold coin was worth towards these normal citizens. One gold coin can actually feed five family members in a household for at one week and maybe even more. But even with how oblivious Atherina was with the amount she's handing towards the beggar, she did not try and take it back.
"She's right my lady! please, a silver coin is enough!" the kid rambled.
"What's your name and how old are you?" Atherina Asked.
"My name is Basilio and I'm nine, my lady." the kid answers.
"Hi Basilio, I'm Rina and I'm turning 12!" She replied. "Please accept this, and pay my kindness to your friends. Have a nice warm meal tonight." and pleaded.
"No, my lady, I ca-"
"I've had my warm and nice meal, and that was enough for me. It was tasty, and delicious!" Atherina gushed as she cut off Basilio's sentence not wanting him to give back the coin. "I want you to experience it too with your friends." she argued.
Even with countless resistance of Basilio accepting the amount he was given. He accepted it, "Thank you my lady!" he says. He excitedly ran through an alleyway with his friends as Basilio showed them the gold coin.
But there was something wrong. She saw 3 bulky strong dangerous men follow Basilio and the other kids.
Atherina wanted to follow Basilio and his friends through the alleyway— and she did.
"My lady, where are we going?" Janine whispered.
"I think Basilio is in danger." Atherina muttered. They followed their trail and when they were about to turn to a corner, she saw the same three men who followed Basilio and his friends.
The other kids were on the floor, unconscious and some of them were even bleeding.
This made Atherina and Janine feel horrified with what they're witnessing. One of the men had Basilio strangled. "Give us the money kid and you'll be spared, unlike your friends." the three men laughed wickedly.
"This would have gone easier if you just handed the money immediately." One of the men complained.
"No! This is my money given by the nice lady! She told me to have a nice warm meal tonight and I want to fulfill her wishes!" Atherina heard Basilio said while he was pinned to the ground.
Atherina was crying at this point as she watches from a distance, she is being held back by Janine sk hard as she's been trying several times to run towards Basilio and protect him.
But Janine knew that the Princess' life will be in more danger. "Your highness, please, let's go." as Janine convinces Atherina again in a whispering tone not wanting get heard.
"We have to help them." Atherina sniffled.
Within that moment, the three men got impatient, "Bastard Child, just kill him." one of the men ordered. "They won't even notice a corpse is here." he exclaimed.
"No!!!!"