After the afternoon tea with Ziel and Asher. I went back to my room right away because of exhaustion. Exhaustion from stopping Ziel and Asher from arguing every single minute. It's annoying how that jerk keeps saying anything he wants just to annoy Ziel. I'm glad the boy was able to control his emotions.
"Your Highness, how was your afternoon tea?" Themis asked. She's the one who carried me all the way here because I feel so sleepy. And despite doing everything I can just to prevent these eyes from closing, this brain of a child won't allow me to keep my eyes open.
"Hmm...it was fun. But it seems like it'll take time before Ziel and Asher gets along..." I replied. She put me down on the bed after changing my clothes and then caress my cheeks.
Her hand feels so warm.
Hah...I'm starting to get attach to this person. She's the one who's always with me after all. Despite not having a mother here, she acts as my own Mom.
"I'm sure they will become friends after a few days of hanging out, Your Highness. Should we help them to get along?" Themis asked. Her voice sounds really soft and gentle that it calms me down.
"Hehe ~ that's a good idea, Themis," I replied. I closed my eyes while smiling.
"Let's plan it out next time then, shall we, Your Highness?" She ran her fingers through my hair as I feel a peck on my forehead.
"Please, sleep well,"
---
I slowly open my eyes, and I was surprised to see the darkness in my room. It's already nighttime and no one woke me up to eat?! I knew it! Those guys pretending to be Alina's family doesn't care about her at all!
"How's your sleep, Your Highness?" I quickly lift myself up from my bed when I heard a familiar voice from the couch of my room. And there I saw Asher, sitting on the couch across my bed like he's at his home or something.
Bro's crossing his legs with his both arms placed on top on the couch's back. Bruh be sitting like a boss.
"Oh, Asher? How did you enter here..." I turned to the balcony and the doors are open. Of course, he used the balcony instead of the door.
There's a door, jerk. There's a door!
"Woah, you used the balcony...but we're on the fifth floor?" Yes. My bedroom is on the fifth floor of the Alphard Palace. The scene here looks beautiful after all. As the day pass by, I'm slowly getting used to this room here.
"Says the one who jumped from the second floor. As for me, I can levitate, how about you?" He asked. I blinked for a couple of times before turning my head away from him.
"By the way, what are you doing here?" I asked. I know it's probably because of his duty to watch over me. But seriously, in the middle of the night?
"Obviously to have your mana under control. The very reason why the Empress asked me to take care of you was because of your mana after all," My mana? What's wrong with it?
"I've been here since your nanny brought you in. You look so peaceful while sleeping, huh? That makes me happy," Your tone of voice doesn't seem happy, kid. I prevented myself from rolling an eye because of this guy's shitty attitude.
"Thank you for taking care of me, Mister Magician, I hope I'm not bothering you," I said, forcing a smile as I scratch the back of my head.
"Oh, you are a bother," I stayed smiling at him without saying anything.
If I am a bother to you, please be aware that you are absolutely infuriating that I want to throw this pillow on to your face but since you are so strong, it's going to be a waste of time. How annoying this guy is?
"You're such a funny guy, Mister Magician!" I giggled and stretched my arms.
Wait a minute...
He says he's been there since Themis brought me in but the balcony's open? Was he lying---wait! Then he was there when Themis changed my clothes!?
"W-waaah! You were watching me changing my clothes then!?" I pointed at him while glaring. He smirked with his right brow raised!
"And? Not a big deal," It's a big deal!
My chastity!!!
I grits my teeth as I place both my hands on my chest, trying to calm myself. I am so annoyed right now that I want to give him a smack but he's powerful so it'd probably me who'll get hurt if I do that.
Calm down, Clara. You're fine.
Anyway, I'm hungry. Did no one really woke me up to eat?
"Hmm, your brother is here," Asher said, turning his head to the door of my room, so I did too.
"Ali. This is the third time I'm going here, and you can't ask me for another five minutes..." Aelius carefully opened the door and take a peek at me from behind. His face lightens up when he saw me sitting on my bed.
He entered the room as he smile at me.
"You're finally awake, Ali. I'm sure you're very hungry, so let's go eat now," Wait, what did he just say before that? This is his third time coming here to pick me up?! So it wasn't because they never tend to let me eat but it's because I keep asking him to let me rest again for five minutes?!
Dang it.
Hold on a second, can't he see Asher?
I looked at the magician on the couch who's now lying on it! He's napping?!
"B-Brother Aeli. Do you know where the magician is right now?" I asked, glancing to the magician who's actually lying on my couch right now. He opened his eyes for a moment before smirking at me.
Guuhh, so annoying!
"Hmm. I'm sorry, Ali. We have no idea where he is right now, but don't worry. He's definitely going to come back here tomorrow," Confirmed. Asher is really invisible from his eyes. What a great magician this guy is.
I wonder how powerful these Astra's Three are?
"Let's eat now, Ali. We've prepared lots of meats, because we noticed how much you love eating those," they noticed...?
"Pfft---pig," I glared at the boy on the couch but he's still keeping his eyes closed! Just shut up, will you?!
"Yaaay! I love meat!" I spread my arm as Aelius place his hands on my waist and carry me within his arms.
"Yes, yes. I hope my baby sister enjoys her meal tonight," Aelius planted a peck on my cheek and I only giggled and wrap my arms around his shoulders.
Being kissed by a beautiful boy makes my heart flutter.
---
Now, I can't fall asleep. Lucky this magician on my couch, sleeping peacefully with that gorgeous face of his. Looking at him right now, he looks really pretty without that furrowed brows and glaring eyes.
I sighed and crawled down my bed, wear my slippers and walk towards the balcony.
The wind breeze feels so cold and the sounds of the crickets can be heard up to this floor.
I turn my head to the single couch on the left side of my balcony and the table in front of it. Ever since Themis had figured out that I love resting here in the balcony, she asked Alina's father to place a chair here, and they immediately did.
I went to the couch and take a seat, leaning on its back as I look up to the starry sky.
For some reason, I feel nostalgic staring at the stars in the sky.
Back on Earth, after getting yelled at or hit by my family members, I would go to our roof top and take a seat there as I watch the stars in the sky. It calms me down and helps me to relax, though I always ends up crying and asking God why he gave me such family.
"Tired of all the acts, Your Highness?" I turned my head to Asher who's now leaning on the glass door of the balcony. What does he mean by that question?
"What are you saying, Asher? Oh, do you feel uncomfortable on the couch?" Then, please sleep on the floor.
"I know you know what I mean, dear princess," I gulped as I look away from him. I suddenly feel nervous.
"How would I know if you won't tell me?" I asked, closing my eyes while still leaning on the couch.
"Ouch--"
But I ended up opening my eyes again when I felt a hand grabbing me by the cheeks. Asher is now standing in front of me, holding my cheeks while staring directly into my eyes, his eyes are even glowing red as if it's burning!
"A-Asher...?" My heart is slowly starting to beat fast.
"I know about you. You are not Alina, aren't you?" My eyes widened as he ask me that question.
Now, my heart is racing fast. Does he really know about me? He knew that the soul within this body is not Alina but someone else? Then...
Is it possible that he knew how I ended up here as well?
But, how did he know about this secret? Since when? How...?
***