"Am I truly Free?"
A sigh escaped Aria's lips as she sat in the comfort of her home garden. The splendor of the different roses and lilies clashed together in a beautiful array. Aria sat underneath a shade as she sipped the tea her maids served her. Aria giggled a little, remembering what had happened the night before when Nikolai was announced as the crown prince. She had left, but that didn't stop her from experiencing the aftermath of the event. Aria closed her eyes as she reminisced about everything.
...
"Aria! Aria!" "Ariana!" Aria made a swift turn and was met with a pair of emerald eyes. "Aria, where are you going?" "Well, home, of course." Aria swiftly made a curtsy with an apologetic look. "Look, brother, I'm sorry for leaving behind, but I strongly believe it is time we head home."
Asher was taken aback but just assumed it was probably because she was upset with the choice of heir the Emperor had made. Asher grabbed hold of Aria's shoulders and looked straight into her eyes. "Aria," his grip tightened, "I understand how you feel. I know you're angry that the Emperor chose Nikolai instead of Leander-"
"I'm actually happy about that." "I know, and- wait what?" Asher let go of her hand, and Aria made a slight flip of her hair as she spoke in a sassy tone. "You... what? But don't you... love Leander? Don't you want the best for him?"
"It might be the best for him, but it ain't the same for me," Aria replied before stepping closer to him. "But he's your fiancé." Asher stepped back in shock. Aria followed a step forward. "Why would I support a useless fiancé when I'll soon be rid of him? I only keep what's important and use what's useful."
A terrified expression was all Asher's face could fathom as he stepped back perplexed. He stared at Aria's sinister look for a while before making an attempt to retort. "But I thought you love-" "Love?" Asher was quickly caught off by Aria as she scoffed. "Why would I- no- how could I love a man who would inevitably choose another woman over me? Those feelings of love I had for him were but a fleeting display of pity."
Aria turned and began walking away but stopped and slightly turned to Asher, who stood in awe, not too far behind her. "Are you coming... Asher?" Asher stared at her as her silver hair shimmered under the moonlight, and her eyes shone like alluring sapphires. "Y-Yes..." Asher composed himself as calmness suddenly washed over his face. This shocked Aria, but she decided to ignore it and turned as Asher approached her. "Yes sister... I'll follow your lead," Asher murmured as they both walked into their carriage.
...
"Ha~" Aria stretched her arms. "It must have been a bit too much of a shock for Asher- poor thing." "My lady.." Irie pitched in from beside her, urgency pasted on her face. Aria turned to her. "Yes, Irie?" "The crown prince is here and wishes to see you." Aria raised her head slightly to see Nikolai walking towards her with her father. A smirk graced Aria's face as she stared at Nikolai. "Huh. I guess you just couldn't wait." Aria muttered under her breath before raising to acknowledge Nikolai.
"Lady Ariana!" "Good day, Crown prince. I hope the weather is treating you well today." Aria elegantly curtsied. "Why wouldn't it? And please drop the formalities; I was only made crown prince last night." Nikolai smiled nervously as he scratched the back of his head with a blush. Aria tilted her head with a smile. "You're too modest, your highness." Seriously, I was definitely blinded by stupidity— I mean— look at the perfect Emperor right in front of me!
"So," Nikolai bowed lowly before continuing, "May I join you, my lady?" Aria curtsied in approval before sitting back down. Cute. The duo sat back down as the two of them drank tea being served by the maids. Nikolai sipped the sweet tea and smiled warmly at it. "I see your tastes have changed, Lady Ariana." "I apologize, your highness, but my tastes have always been the same; it never changed."
Nikolai made a smile that he hid behind his cup. "It seems the Emperor has grown up to you," Nikolai finally said after the short awkward silence that fell. "Well, it is not my forced intention." Aria made a smirk while putting her tea down and crossing her legs. She gently placed one hand on her lap and crossed—laid the other hand on it. "The Emperor isn't easy to please, you know. Only those with potential can even engage in a conversation with him— not sweet words." Aria emphasized the word 'not,' and the gentle pull back of her hair using her hand caught Nikolai off guard, but he quickly came through, pulling a charming smile.
"My lady... it seems you would be a perfect aide." Nikolai casually smiled as if his words did not weigh what they did. Aria, as if picking up on the atmosphere, smiled back at him. "I'm sorry, your highness, but I must say I ain't so much of perfect." Aria stared deeper into his eyes. "What seems perfect is not always so perfect at times. Wasn't Leander also perfect?"
Nikolai dropped his cup with a smile as if admitting to defeat. "You're much smarter than I expected," he said while bringing out a box from his pocket and placing it in front of her. "Why and where did you hide all this time?" Aria stared at the box then smirked back at him.
"Huh? You don't like it—" "No." Nikolai interrupted her and stood up. "But somehow... for some reason... I feel this is you finally spreading your wings." Nikolai tilted his head in a smile as Aria just stared dumbfoundedly.
"Your highness..." Nikolai straightened up and bowed lowly before leaving. "If you'll excuse me." Aria didn't move; she just stared at the box he had left. "Hmm. It seems I'm having more fun than I should be." She stood up and picked the box with a wry smile, staring at it.
"But... I guess I've smiled more than I did in my previous life... is this what freedom truly is? Was I in bondage before? So much that even Nikolai noticed?" After a long pause of staring at the box, Aria gripped it firmly and with a forceful flip of her hair, she turned, leaving. This isn't about whether I'm free or not; I'm clearly dancing on someone's palm, but... I have to avoid death this time. No matter what.