"That was a captivating story," Erica remarked as she closed the book, noticing the little spirit girl sleeping on her shoulder. She wore a faint smile, glancing out of the large windows as the sky darkened.
"Is it really that late already?" Erica gasped, taken aback by the time.
"I'm feeling hungry too," she muttered, rising from her seat and pushing open the ornate golden door to find a maid waiting.
"You've finished at last, Princess. Your dinner awaits," the maid said, bowing respectfully.
"Excellent, I'm famished. Let's not delay," Erica replied, striding towards the dining hall. The maid, initially stunned, soon replaced her expression with a smile.
"Princess, I wish you well in your new life. The person you've chosen to replace you seems as kind as you described," the maid murmured as sge followed Erica.
Seated at the dining table, Erica wasted no time, relishing the aroma of the food before her and eagerly devouring it until the table was empty.
As she prepared to leave, a strange man entered the room, a forced smile on his face. Clad in silver armor adorned with golden motifs, he exuded an air of authority.
"It's good to see you're well, Princess," the middle-aged man with fair skin and green hair greeted, eyeing her up.
"And who might you be?" Erica inquired, her tone curious and slightly suspicious.
"I am Viscount Paine, here to deliver a message from His Majesty," Paine announced arrogantly.
"Very well, where's the letter?" Erica asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Does the princess lack manners, or has she forgotten them during her time in this borderland?" Paine sneered, assessing Erica.
Surprisingly beautiful, with fewer scars than rumored, Erica didn't exude the powerful aura expected of someone who had supposedly trained extensively. How could such a person become King?
"Oh, why should I even care? Just give me my letter and be on your way," Erica said calmly, waving her hand dismissively.
Paine looked at Erica, shocked by her lack of reaction to his provocation.
He simply smiled and handed her a letter before standing upright.
"Princess, the king has requested your return to the kingdom to reside in the palace," Paine said, while Erica seemed calm on the outside, but her mind was filled with confusion.
'Why on earth did he summon Erica back? Did I do something wrong? Have they discovered that I am an imposter? What is going to happen to me?' These questions raced through Erica's mind as she faced Paine.
"And may I ask as to the reason for this summons?" Erica asked, her gaze fixed on Paine.
"He mentioned missing his dear daughter," Paine replied, smiling.
"I see. Very well, I shall arrive in three days' time," Erica declared calmly before walking away, escorted by a group of maids.
After walking through the halls for a while, Erica finally arrived at her room door. The female knights promptly opened it, allowing her to enter.
"You may all leave, but you, please stay," Erica instructed, pointing to the maid who had previously escorted her.
"Is there anything you need, Princess?" The maid asked with a bow, smiling up at Erica.
"I overheard you earlier," Erica stated coldly, eyeing her.
"Who are you?" Erica inquired, her curiosity piqued.
The maid responded with a smile, "I'm Elisa, the princess' personal maid. Please take this orb and crack it; everything will become clear," she said, pulling out a blue orb from her pocket and handing it to Erica.
"What do you mean?" Erica asked, looking at the blue orb in confusion.
"The orb contains a message from my princess for you, and once you crack it, every secret I hold about the princess will be erased. So, if you have any questions, please ask me," Elisa said gently, and Erica nervously looked at her.
'So, she's aware that I'm not the real princess,' Erica thought, glancing up at the maid then at the orb in her hands.
"Why did your princess do this?" Erica asked with a frown.
"She was bored. My princess is a genius, but even geniuses can find life mundane. She found no joy in living," Elisa said with a sad tone.
"Why? She's a princess; I don't understand why she's so upset," Erica blurted out, her annoyance evident.
'How can she find no joy in life? She has everything one could wish for!' Erica thought, her frustration growing with each passing moment.