Why is it that even though I was able to sleep earlier when Brother Aeli carried me, I can't sleep now? It's already dark and I don't know what time it is right now. Even after sleeping so peacefully earlier, I am scared to even close my eyes right now. Maybe because I am alone?
I sighed and lift my body on my bed. Placing pillows at my feet, and on my both sides, before covering my body with blanket as I lay back down to my bed. I'm really scared to sleep right now despite the drowsiness.
*knock knock*
I flinched and closed my eyes when I heard knocks from the glass door of the balcony. What if it's another enemy?
"Princess, it's me," Ohh...
I opened my eyes and look at the person outside. It's Asher!
Now, I feel very very relieved now that he's here. Oh, and what's with him actually knocking before entering my room? That's so unusual. Wait, is this really Asher? What if it's the same with that dark entity that pretended to be my abusive mother in my previous life?
I narrowed my eyes at him. I saw him cocking his eyebrow as if he's confused that I'm not opening up the door, nor leaving my bed at all.
"What are you doing? It's cold here, won't you let your guest in? How rude," Hmm...
I tilt my head and stared at him.
"Are you Asher?" I asked. His face crumpled because of my question. Okay, he's Asher.
"Did you eyes got affected after absorbing too much divine mana?" Wow, he looks really annoyed. I thought he's already turned to a new leaf after the conflict earlier, but now he's become so mean and rude again!
Oh...suddenly, I remember when I hugged him because of my emotion. It send shivers down my spine. Why did I do that?! My emotions got ahead of me! The audacity of those emotions to take control of my body...gugghh so annoying!
"Not gonna let me in? Well, I'll let myself in then," he rolled his eyes before entering my room---WAIT!
He passed through the glass door!
"W-woah! You're really Asher!" I yelled, pointing at him. His face turns to a disappointed expression, and then to annoyed one, and then he took a deep breath and his face turns normal again. Wow, I just saw three different expressions of Asher in just a few seconds.
"Understandable since you had a tough time within that darkness. I'll forgive you. So? Why are you still awake?" He asked. I dunno where he went before coming here but he looks...are his eyes kinda reddish or what? I mean, his eyes are red! But I'm talking about the surrounding of his eyes!
"Hmm...I can't sleep..." I mumbled.
"That's why you surrounded yourself with pillows?" What's with that annoying smug smile!
"I was scared! What if someone suddenly lie down by my side and then it turns out to be the dark entity with a hole on her face?!" I retorted, clenching my fist while trying to defend myself from him. Hmph, even after he said it was understandable.
"I see. Then you can sleep now, I'll stay here," he said, heading to the couch near my bed. He takes a seat there and then placed his feet on the center table and lean his head to the back of the couch. The audacity of this jerk to actually put his dirty shoes to my table!
"Hey put down those filthy shoes!" I complained as I crawl towards the couch near the end of my bed and points at his shoes.
"Huh? For your information, my shoes never gets dirty. You can live in my shoes if you want," I wanna smack him in the head.
"Can I hit you?"
"If you can land a hit," I know I can't...but I still tried swinging my hand on him, but my hand just passed through his head! Dang it, this magician is veeery annoying! I'll try to do a sneak attack next time.
"Hmph, I'll get you someday," I rolled my eyes and went back inside the pillows I made. I covered myself with the blanket and closed my eyes. Knowing that I am not alone, I don't feel so scared anymore.
"Asher," I called.
"Hmm?"
"Stay there, 'kay?" I spoke, without looking at him.
"As you wish, Your Highness," His voice sounded uninterested. Pretty sure he didn't even want to be here!
Still, this guy just gives me the feeling of relief everytime he's with me. Probably because I know he's strong and I'll be safe with him around.
Heh ~ really lucky to have an Astra on our side. Not just one, but three!
"The truth is, there were four Astra's before..."
Hmm? That voice...was it Asher? Is that a memory or a dream? There were four Astra's? When did he say that? I don't remember.
"Asher..."
"Yeah?" I'm glad he's not getting annoyed that I'm calling him again.
"I think you told me before that there were four Astra's?" I opened my eyes and then lift my body up as I look at the back of his head. Since he's facing the other way.
"Yeah, and?" Wow, he's not even looking at me.
"Where is the other one?" I asked. He stayed quiet, not answering my question. Does that mean that he doesn't want to talk about it? I'm being insensitive again.
I forced a laugh.
"S-sorry, you don't need to tell me---"
"She was..." he paused for a moment before he shook his head. Looks like he really can't talk about it, huh? Must be a painful experience. I wonder what happened to that Astra?
"Never mind that. Why are you so curious all of the sudden?" He stood up and walk towards the the door of my balcony, closing the curtains of it. He also used magic to turn on my lamp and faced me.
"Do you know that there used to be five Gods in this world?" Eh? The heck?! I'm already so shocked when I heard there are three, and now you're saying there are five Gods originally?!
"For real?" I asked.
"For real. All of them had an incarnations. Four Astra's created by Creo, Deo, Moira, and the Goddess of Life, Aisha. While the God of Death, Azrael, called his incarnation Selene," Hmm? Astra...those meant 'star', as far as I remember. And Selene, I think it can also mean 'moon'? No, in the Greek Mythology in my previous world, Selene is actually the Goddess of the Moon. Then, is there a Sun? Haha.
"All those Gods have another celestial entity above them. Raini, the creator of all creations," Huh? Isn't Creo the God of Creation? Wait...creator of all creations? Hmm, kinda confused right now. Asher walks towards me and held my blanket, gesturing me to lay down again, and he covered me with my blanket after I did that.
"Raini, had a younger brother. His younger brother abandoned Godhood because of greed, he wanted to be more powerful because of his brother that got more divinity than him, and eventually became a Demon King," Dang, that's scary! Why is he telling me this now?! Right when I am planning to sleep? This is not the type of bedtime stories I want to listen to!
"A-and...?" Still, I can't help but to know more about it. It's also interesting, to be honest.
"And, well...that Demon King is our enemy," I blinked for a couple of times.
"Couldn't you told me about this tomorrow? Now, I'm even more scared!" I complained. He laughed at me and stood up.
"Scared of what? You've got an Astra here," I rolled my eyes. Can he actually defeat a demon king? Wait, why is it the demon king? Isn't it the black magician that placed the curse to the Odilia? Hmm...wow, there's a lot of confusions right now. But, I don't want to talk about it yet.
"Hmph. You better stay here or I'll ignore you all my life!" I closed my eyes and turn my back from him. This jerk is testing my patience, what's with him suddenly revealing this scary story at the same day when I just experienced a great nightmare?!
"That...won't be good," I felt him tapping on my temple and all of the sudden I feel really sleepy again.
I'm glad he's always helping me sleep whenever it is hard for me to. I just hope I won't forget the information I got tomorrow all because a certain Astra altered my memories.
"Goodnight, Your Highness,"
---
"R-really? I am allowed to go out now?" Just now, Dad told me that I can finally go anywhere I want without worrying about anything. But I should bring someone with me---and never wander too far from Asher.
Seriously? Why not?
"Wait a second, Dad. Does that mean this jerk have to stay with us even if Ali is hanging out with me?" Brother Dae pointed at Asher, and I wanna laugh at Asher's reaction. He made sure to change back his face to normal though.
"That's right, Zain. The Astra here is the one that's keeping Ali's mana under control after all," Dad spoke. I stayed quiet as I look at Asher who's standing behind me, with Themis beside him, it's because we're standing in front of Dad, while my brothers are on his sides.
Asher lean the back of his hand to his waist and close his eyes. This jerk, now that he's branded as my hero, he's going back to his annoying attitude when we first met.
"We can also do that?" Brother Dae retorted and crossed his arms.
Asher looks at my brother and smiled at him. His smile looks really annoying.
"However, Your Highness, my divine mana can protect the Princess with any dark magic that might plan to target her. I wonder if the Third Prince can do the same thing?" Bruh's provoking my brother even more. He should just shut up because he's dealing with a kid. But it seems like it satisfies him to annoy other people.
"Guuhhh..." Brother Dae glared at him, as the Astra smiled at him. Definitely to annoy him even more. Seriously...this guy is so childish. Even after living for how many centuries, he hasn't matured at all?
"T-then...can I hang out with Dad and brothers right now? Hmm...only if you are not busy..." I giggled and scratched the back of my head. All of them turned their heads to me, and smiled at the same time. I just want to change the topic and lighten up the mood.
And wow, they really smiled at the same time.
"Of course,"
My face lit up when I heard them answered simultaneously. The truth is, I was planning to ask Asher to continue with his story that he cut off last night, but I also want to spend time with my family.
"But, before that...come here, Ali," Dad beckon me to come over to his throne, so I turned to Themis and Asher and waved my hand one time before running towards Daddy.
He already prepared his arms and I throw myself to him. I wonder what he's going to tell me? After carrying me, he sits properly to his throne and put me on his lap.
"Let them in,"
Huh...? Them?
Asher and Themis walk to the left side of the hall, near the pillars. They even lower their heads? What's going to happen, I wonder?
I saw two knights walking towards the huge door of Dad's audience chamber, and when they opened it...a lot of unfamiliar people entered the audience chamber, with all of them looking at me with widened eyes.
Based of the way they dress, they are nobles.
Wait, nobles!?
"D-dad? What's going on?" I asked. I don't really like the feeling of being stared at by a lot of strangers. Somehow, it's making my heart beat so fast.
"Oh, look Ali. Lea's here as well," Brother Dae looked at a certain direction, so I followed where his eyes are looking at and I saw Sister Kae there smiling at me, with her...father? Wow, her father is really beautiful! Duke Clovis Sigrid turns his head to us and smiled at me.
I feel like blushing! He's so pretty!
"Don't look at that guy, Ali," Dad covered my eyes and his voice sounded very irritated. Looks like he's got some issues with the Duke Sigrid.
Oh, Ziel and his parents are here as well! He stared at me with relief all over his face. It was just yesterday when I fell unconscious in front of him after all, of course he's going to be worried.
Everyone mumbled with each other and whispers something I couldn't hear, but if I can focus my ears to it...
"S-so cute ~"
"She looks exactly like the late Empress!"
"Angel...is she an angel!?"
"Look at her hair and eyes! It matches well!"
"I told you, an angel!"
"It feels like my distress has gone away..."
Oh...they're actually admiring me. But...
If there are admiration, there are also slanderous comments.
"That's the rumored daughter? And why are we seeing her just now? Is she really an illegitimate child of the Emperor?"
"She looks like a four or five years old, and they're only introducing here today?"
"I bet she's an illegitimate child,"
"I don't see the Emperor's features at all. Maybe the Empress' child with another man?"
"Pfft,"
"Oh? Am I hearing your conversations right?"
The couple of people who are insulting me and my mom scattered away when Duke Sigrid suddenly appeared behind them with another handsome man with him. Who's that? Looks like he's already in his mid-40's. Duke Clovis have dark blue hair and amber eyes, his face is really fair, and the shape of his face is pretty. The other man has black hair. A Ciera perhaps? Yes, because he has black hair and red eyes as well. Also he looks very gorgeous...
"Daddy, who's that person with Duke Sigrid?" Dad smiled at me and placed his hand on top of my head.
"My older brother, Kieran Faris de Ciera. He rules the Southern Dukedom," Wooow...I looked at the Duke Ciera and it was also the time when he turned to me. He raised his right hand and smiled at me. He's really pretty! I smiled at him and bow my head at him, and that seems to move his heart.
"And your auntie, Chantelle Odilia is also here, she guards the Eastern Dukedom," Woah! Ruler of the Eastern Dukedom? It seems like my auntie is an amazing person!
I roamed my eyes, and I saw a blonde-haired woman with the same eyes as me! I don't know why but my heart felt like it's going to jump! She has wavy blonde hair, and golden eyes with the unique eyes of Odilia!
Wait...is it just me or she's blushing while waving at me? Also, is she crying?
"I think we shouldn't have let Auntie Chan to see Ali," Brother Dae said. I turned to him with confusion all over my face.
"Why not, brother Dae?" I asked. He gulped and it looks like he's sweating. I-I wonder why?
"It's just that...Aunt Chan adores her nephews so much that she always, without fail, recommended herself as our Magic Lesson Professor..." Brother Heli answered. Oh, isn't that really adorable? But, why does it seems like their days with our Auntie weren't good?
"And now that she found out about having a niece...which she wished for so long..." Brother Aeli added. For some reason, I'm getting nervous even more.
"Silence," with Dad's one word, everyone fell into silence. No sounds of voices from anyone, and they are all facing us forward. As if Dad's voice controlled them all.
"It's been five years since my wife left us. The news of her passing affected the whole empire, including me and my sons," Dad started. I also felt really sad when I heard his words. I am the reason why Mom died after all...
No, that's not right. I shouldn't blame myself, because Mom would not like that. She will definitely scold me if we see each other again.
"With the news of her passing, we were unaware of the child she left. She hid the child within the Antares Palace and asked an Astra to create a barrier that would block other people from entering except the maids she chose. A barrier I couldn't break despite doing everything I can," Upon mentioning the word 'Astra', everyone turned to Asher who's standing beside Themis, with his eyes closed and his arms crossed. He really like that pose, huh? Similar to Brother Dae.
"Is that kid an Astra?"
"Isn't the Tower's Magician also an Astra?"
"Why is he so small?"
"A new one, perhaps?"
I noticed the small Astra's jaw clenching after hearing all the words from the nobles. I know he's getting annoyed by them, he should just use magic to cover his ears, so that he won't hear anything from the nobles.
"The reason for this was a strong emotion of...fear," Everyone became quiet again, none of them even whispered to each other to relay their curiosities.
"She knew that her body has already became weak while bearing our fifth child. And she thought that if she died giving birth to the child, we'll blame the child for her mother's passing," I know this is not the reason. But why am I feeling emotional as well? The tears should just stay inside my tear glands.
"However, when we found out about this from the maids. We never felt hatred for the child at all, rather we felt saddened by the fact that she couldn't be with her family ever since she was born, she couldn't meet her mother even," Is dad actually saying this so the nobles will sympathize with me? Is he going to use this way to have those nobles accept me?
No, that's not it.
I buried my face to Dad's chest and couldn't help but clench on his luxurious clothes.
It's because he couldn't tell them that Mom had to lie about having an affair just to hide me because I am cursed and there's no way how to remove this curse yet.
"Now, if you can't accept my fifth child as the Princess of this Empire...," Dad paused and when I turned to him, he's glaring down at everyone!
"Then prepare your coffin right away. The punishment of those insolent people who dares to defy my daughter will face the Ciera's wrath," Geh---how scary. I hope he's joking...but no, his face is serious. He isn't joking.
"This is my fifth child. My second daughter, and the First Princess of the Ciera Empire, Alina Devi de Ciera!"
After Dad announced that, I was surprised by what I heard.
I heard the claps of the nobles, and their voice yelling with excitement within their voice. I turned to them and my face lighten up when I saw all of them happily looking at me.
"All hail to the First Princess!"
"Glory to the First Princess Alina!"
"Hooray!"
"Welcome to the Ciera Empire!"
They are sending me...welcomes?
They accept me?
Those people who were whispering insults about me earlier are all smiling widely as they raise their arms and yells with all their might. Dad's threat worked very well
The only ones that doesn't look happy about this is that person at the back. He's got light auburn for a hair color, and black eyes. He's staring at me coldly and blankly, I can also see a kid beside him, and the kid is wearing a hood, sussy.
My eyes widened when I saw Asher suddenly appearing behind the man!
He said something, and the man forced a laugh, said something to Asher and grab the child's wrist before he turned around. Who's that? I noticed how Asher glared at the little kid. Is he looking for a fight? He really should behave himself.
Anyway, who was that guy? Asher doesn't seem like he likes them.
I'll ask him later.
***