Time passed in a blink of an eye. Little Mimosa turned five. As soon as she learned how to speak, she pleaded with her parents to call her by her second name.
So little Mimosa became Princess Zadhea.
She wanted to do that only because that name Mimosa made her feel suffocate. It always reminded her of her past life as well as her role as the villainess.
It reminded her that she was just a fictional character of a trashy romance novel. To reduce her distress, she chose her second name. Plus, It sounded cool to her ears.
She got determined to fulfill her duty. She wanted to go back as quickly as possible. So instead of becoming obsessed with the male lead, she chose a different pathway to become a villainess.
They were destined to become rivals. Why not choosing that?
With the help of her father, she learned swordsmanship as well as other skills that would be useful during battles. She wanted to learn everything to become a ruler, not a wife of a ruler.
She lifted up her first sword when she was only three years old.
Queen Margaret was obviously not happy with father daughter duo's behaviour. She even protested to that idea by saying that she couldn't possibly fight with a boy who'd be stronger than her. She wanted her daughter to practise how to become a proper lady but Zadhea refused that and stubbornly left to practise with her father.
She had two options created in her mind. First she would become a great warrior and fight against the male lead. Second was the same. But the outcome would be different.
If she won against him, she would kill him without a mercy. In that way, this novel world would be destroyed as well. He was the male lead so this world was indeed based on him. Just like that, she would be able to return to her own rightful world.
If she lost, she would happily get killed by him. The result would be the same. She would go back to her own world. So it was a win-win situation for her.
She just wanted to try her best. She wanted to become the best villainess. Not a useless, damsel in the distress type one or a rude, selfish one. She didn't want to get herself dirty by acting like a bad bitch. She just wanted be herself. At the same time, a competitive, worthy of fighting rival.
"Mother queen, I'm going on a stroll," Princess Zadhea informed her mother while packing her bag.
Queen Margaret very well knew that what this 'stroll' thing meant.
Zadhea knew that her mother disliked her practising fighting skills, archery and swordsmanship. So whenever she went for practice, she let her know about it as a stroll instead. A princess having a calm walk. Hee hee!
As usual, Queen Margaret ignored her daughter with a 'Hmph.'
As for Zadhea's granny, she supported her with everything though she also liked to see her granddaughter getting married to prince Heidith. But of course, she wouldn't tell her that. She would act like a good grandmother until the right time arrives.
"Grandma, I'm leaving."
"Be careful, darling." The old royal lady stated with so much love in her eyes. Then she handed over some snacks to her.
"Eat whenever you feel hungry. Don't force yourself. Take regular breaks."
"I know, thanks grandma." Zadhea replied with a smile before leaving the palace to go to her private courtyard where she practised.
This time, King Edwin was busy with some matters outside the palace thus he couldn't join with her as usual. Instead, one of his most loyal knights accompanied her.
"Good morning, Princess Zadie." The tall knight with brown hair and a pair of amber eyes greeted the princess with a hounorable bow.
His firm, muscular body looked strong. There was a scar near the corner of his right eye, making him look like a dangerous person.
In fact, he wasn't.
His warm smile betrayed his dangerous aura.
"Good morning, Sir Callisto." Princess Zadhea greeted him back with a smile.
Without wasting time, Sir Callisto picked up two wooden swords, one large and the other one small, saying, "Princess, Let's begin then."
"Hmm."
Zadhea waved her wooden sword and started attacking him. Callisto avoided her attacks while teaching her when and where to attack.
They continued this for three hours straight until...
"Wait, princess!" The knight exclaimed as he stopped fighting. Thereafter, he rushed towards a strange looking bush.
Pointing his sword towards the bush, he yelled, "Come out or else I'll kill you."
'A stalker?' With that thought in her mind, Zadhea became alerted.
Rustle
Rustle
There was a faint soft muffled crackling sound caused by something colliding with leaves until a tiny figure came to their sight.
It was a timid looking girl wearing round glasses.
Princess Zadhea: "..."
The knight: "..."
They were dumbfounded and looked at her, astonished.
"Lady Evelyn, what are you doing here?" Sir Callisto finally found his voice.
The little five years old girl awkwardly smiled at him while waving her hand. "H-hi, Sir Callisto! I'm here to meet Princess Mimosa."
"It's Zadhea. Call me Zadie," The princess quickly corrected her.
"Oh!" The glasses girl became a little confused but nodded her head anyway, indicating that she agreed.
"Why did you hide behind a bush?" The knight asked.
"I..." Lady Evelyn flushed red in embarrassment.
The situation became awkward.
"I... I was afraid of disturbing the princess," Finally she blurted out.
Zadie found her cute. She took her hand saying, "Come. No need to explain things anymore. Let's have a chat under the oak tree."
Lady Evelyn vigorously nodded her head like a little chick.
Thereafter, they both sat down under a huge oak tree. The knight took Zadhea's permission to leave for some work. So the two girls were left alone with soldiers and...
"Snacks? Wow!" Lady Evelyn exclaimed, excited.
"Yeah. Grandma made them. I love them too," Zadhea said with a warm smile on her face.
Her grandma was the best when it came to food and stuff.
"Eat as much as you want. Don't be shy. We are friends from now on, okay?" Zadhea uttered enthusiastically.
"Of course," Evelyn's heart felt warmth.
Zadhea put down her sandwich when she felt certain someone's stare.
"Why? What's the problem Lady Evelyn?" She questioned a bit uneasily.
"You are different," Evelyn spoke without thinking much. "You are so good, Zadie. By the way, call me Eve."
"Okay, Evie."
Evelyn warmly smiled at her. It seemed like she finally found her bestie.
"I wish I could wear pants just like you," Evelyn said with a sigh. "Duchess Hydra, my mother, is so strict with me."
"The queen is the same. But I'm more stubborn. So I wear pants though she doesn't like it."
"Unladylike," They both said in unison before burst into laughter.
Zadhea's shoulder length hair was dark shade of red like the colour of red wine.It waved rhythmically as the wind brushed against it. Her eyes carried a hint of calmness and it looked like the never-ending blue sky. Sure enough, she looked beautiful although she was still five years old.
Evelyn nervously bit her lip.
Zadhea could also feel her nervousness so she inquired, "Why? What's the problem?"
Taking a deep breath, Evelyn blurted out, "I'm not the real Lady Evelyn."
Zadhea was confused. "What do you mean by that? Are you a spy?"
"No, no. I'm not a spy. I'm Theresa."
"Theresa?" Zadhea tilted her head. She couldn't remember that name.
"Yeah. Theresa from Shensai highschool."