- Ali Estate's Garden-
PRINCE ASHER was resting on the grass. He sit on the grass surface and rested his chin on his knees. His hazel eyes was looking at Natasha who was sitting next to her and his finger was fiddling with her silver hair ends. While Natasha was studying with her Basic Magic Usage Book. Natasha know this situation is not right. How come this is right, while she was on a mission to avoid the Prince. That's what she determined to do from the beginning, then how come she let Prince Asher sit leisurely next to her and even playing with her hair in their Garden.
To her defense, their closedness came naturally as they were studying Magic together every single day. This is definitely Father's fault for letting the Prince to study with me! That, and also she felt really bad for treating the Prince coldly from the beginning. Truth to be told, at this moment Prince Asher didn't actually do anything wrong to her yet. Well, not until at least she's 23 years old, when the Game setting begins and when he meet the Female Lead.
Natasha and Prince Asher started to become close during their lesson together with Baron Johann. While Natasha wield Ice Magic, Prince Asher wield Fire Magic. If this fact is known by Emperor Maximus, he will definitely be chased out from the castle and stripped off of his title as a prince and living as a Baron. Due to the history and the Monarchy of this Kingdom, Noble that was registered as a Magic Wielder, do not have any right to hold title that is bigger than Baron. This is actually what happen with Baron Johann.
"By the way, you haven't told us, how did you find out that you're Magic Wielder?" The book that had been covering Ace's face as he lay on the grass moments ago slipped into his lap as he sat up. Ace's actually have been resting with them from the beginning its just that he was lying down while Natasha and Prince Asher was sitting on the ground. Natasha casually removed the grass that was stuck on Ace's hair, from when he was lying down on the grass.
"Hmm..." Prince Asher then, nonchalantly produce a light of fire from his hand, thinking on how he should begin to tell them.
"It was a few month ago after my mother passing" The prince begin his story, while his hand extinguishing the small fire.
Natasha then remembers the background of Prince Asher, as she was going through Prince Asher's route while playing the game. Indeed, Empress Dahlia, Prince Asher's mother died when he was 14 years old. Which is really just a few month ago.
Since the Game setting begins when the Prince is already 23 years old, there were not much explanation on Prince Asher's childhood. The portion of explaining his childhood is only in a few texts in the game. Hence whatever Prince Asher about to tell them is also kind of new to her.
Then it occurs to her mind, as the canon Male Lead in the otome game, its a given to give this character a really dark and sad past. She does know that, his father and his brother really hates his guts. In the game, there were multiple time that his life was in danger due to the assassination attempt. There's also a cut scene, where he almost died and the Female protagonist was the one who heal him with her magnificent, healing magic. Must be the power of love thought Natasha.
"My little brother and I was sleeping in my chamber. Since at that time, Mother just passed away, i was taking care of him, since i really don't want to leave him alone" The prince continued. As soon as The prince was telling them about his little brother, Natasha's heart sank. Prince Theodore. At this time he must be 7 years old, now. Her heart sank, because she knows what will happen to Theodore later in the game and it will be because of the original villainess, Natasha Ali.
"We were sleeping. While Theo in a deep sleep, I am always on alert, since it was really the time that we are at our weakest moment. When I heard a faint footstep, i started to wake Theo up, and asked him to leave the room, without alerting the assassins that was waiting for their chances" Prince Asher recalled what did happened on the day that he realized that he is a Magic Wielder.
"There were 5 assassins was sent to my room. I did fought them with all my might, but I am just a 14 years old kid. No matter how strong I think I am or how skilled I am with sword, i will never be able to outdo 5 grown ups on my own. What I can do is fight mindlessly, wishing that i don't die before they get to Theo. As I fight, i realized that my strength slowly depleted and i felt immense fear that I will die before I am able to protect Theo. Then, that is when my sword burnt with with flames that was produce through my palm. then in a blink of an eye, the 5 assassins was burnt to death." He remembered at that time, the 5 assassins was burnt, by the time he was done, nothing was left of them, except for their ashes.
After that, he asked a favor from Duke Henry, to protect him and his brother. Since he knows from the royal record that Duke Henry's father was a Magic Wielder, who actually have contributed a lot for the Kingdom, behind the scene. Duke Henry agreed to protect him, without any question. Which he was really grateful for that. Little did he know that Duke Henry's daughter was also a Magic Wielder. To his advantages, The Duke offered him to have a Magic Lesson and then the rest is history. While he lost in his thought, unexpectedly, he felt his body being embraced. Initially taken aback by Natasha's sudden embrace, he quickly reciprocated and returned the gesture. He then felt that his back was patted ever so soft, by those small hands.
After listening to what Prince Asher told them, she cannot help but felt sympathetic towards him. Without thinking she started to embrace the Prince. Natasha think that, Prince Asher does not deserved anything that ever happen to him. It is too cruel that, whatever happened to him was just a tool to move the game's plot, as she realize now, this is reality. Even though in her previous life, it was just a game but this is her reality now. All those people in that game is real. The death and sorrow of these people are real. Then her tears began to stream down her cheeks.
She also cannot help feeling guilty, as she know what happened to Prince Theo and the original Natasha Ali was the caused. Determination that stronger than ever, she vow to not hurt anyone that were innocent. As long as she live as Natasha Ali, she vow to protect anyone who was or will be hurt because of this stupid villainess.
Ace who was spectating since earlier, decided to join Natasha and Prince Asher in a hug. He wrap his arms around both, Natasha and Prince Asher. He was actually tearing up a bit while listening. Eventhough Prince Asher was younger than him by 2 years, Ace realized that his friend, is dealing with so many things with that small shoulder and body. He admire Prince Asher as he is able to perceiver and proud to be able to call Prince Asher a friend.
After a few moment, the three of them then let go of each other. As Prince Asher gently brushed away the remaining tears from Natasha's cheek, Natasha, in turn, was drying the tears from Ace's face and then give him a really strong slap.
"Argghh!! You wench" Ace then reciprocated, by pulling Natasha's ears. "Ouch!" Natasha knows that, this is actually not the time to mess with her older brother that was drown in emotions, however she cannot stop. Maybe, this is how it felt like having a sibling. She never get to experience this in her previous life. This is why she is grateful that she was reincarnated in this family.
Seeing the situation in front of him, Prince Asher cannot help but laugh. Asher really admired the Duke's family. It was just a lovely family. He cannot help but regret and despised being born as a royal family. He hates it more that he was born as Emperor Maximus sons. He just want to runaway and leave everything. But he have to think about Theodore...
- A few days later, in the central of buzzling town -
ACE WAS suggesting for the the three of them to go out to town. Well, the 4 them. They were joined by Prince Asher's little brother, Prince Theodore. Its for a breather, after what they have gone through.
Prince Asher was holding Prince Theodore hands tightly, while walking through the buzzling crowd. Ace says that, there are a festival going on for today, hence they decided to check it out. There were a lot of people. There's a lot of stall open as well. They make sure to visit any of the store that caught their interest, enjoy this rare time to the fullest.
"Dear brother! look...look!" Prince Theodore cannot contain his happiness seeing all type of stall, toys and food that he never saw before. He was pulling and dragging The Prince hands everywhere.
Prince Asher only follow suit and entertained by how happy his brother look. He is also feeling grateful that his brother can genuinely laugh and smile, after the horrible month that they went through after Mother passing.
Ace was observing the two brothers from the back. He then whispered to Natasha "Why you never call me dear brother?".
Hearing that, Natasha was frowning in disgust. "Do not even suggest or dream of it."
"Hey, you can say whatever, but I am still 2 years older than you. Accept that fact, dear sister" Ace then proceed to pinch Natasha cheeks strong. "Ouch!" Natasha then responded by pinching Ace cheeks even stronger.
While the 4 of them walking they heard a loud slapping sound. They tried to look for the source of the sound, then they notice a huge crowd surrounding a few people. They then heard again the slapping sound and started to rush to the crowd.
Then they saw, one noble and 2 children around 5 and 7 years old, was down on the floor with the bruises on their little face. The noble man stood with his hands placed firmly on his hips.
"You filthy children try to pick pocket me, a noble? How dare!" Says the Nobleman loudly.
"We did not! We just walk near you!" The older kid was responding. Standing firmly in front of the smaller kid, with her small body, hands spread wide. In a protective stance.
"How dare a commoner, look at a noble straight in the eyes. I think your lesson is not enough!" He then lift his hands trying to beat the children again. The children flinching, scared of what will comes next. Then a girl who looked about Natasha's age quickly run in between them, and then wrap her hands around the two children, ready to accept the impact instead.
Before the hand that was lifted get to the children, Ace quickly block it by grabbing the nobles hand in the mid-air.
"What the...! Who dare..." The noble then taken aback by Ace's face.
"I dare! I Ace Ali the son of Duke Henry Ali, dare to stop you from hurting this children. " Ace replied firmly.
"M..my Lord. This is not what it looks like. This filthy children are..."
"The only one who's filthy here is you. Now, get lost before I do something you regret" Threatened Ace. Truth to be told, Duke Henry family was really well known in the capital. People would see Ace and Natasha and they will straight away know they're the children of the Duke. Especially with that striking Silver hair and Pale blue eyes. The only trait that belong to Duke's Henry household.
While Ace dealing with the Noble man, Natasha was taking care of Prince Theodore. Prince Asher was helping out with the children. The noble man, finally walk away from the scene and the crowd dispersed not long after. Only left the 3 Children and them. The girl who was about Natasha's age, then bow to the 4 of them.
"Thank you my lord, for helping us commoner. We will never be able to repay you in our life time"
"That's quite alright we do not need this to be repay. This is our responsibility" Says Ace. The girl then lifted her head. For a moment, Ace's does not know what came into him, but he was gazing at at the girl's face for a moment too long. The girl have a long strawberry blonde hair with a pair of light brown eyes. Even she was covered by dirt, there's no way of hiding her beauty. For a moment Ace unable to speak.
Realized that her brother was just being love struck, Natasha hit the back of Ace's head to get him back on earth discreetly, only Prince Asher able to see. And as usual. It works. Ace then clear his throat. Prince Asher struggled to hold in a laugh. Natasha then crooked a soft and friendly smile towards the girl.
"My dear brother is right. This is nothing for you to repay. Though it would be our pleasure to know your name and these lovely's children name" Says Natasha.
"Ah...my name is Alyssa My lady. This is Ella, she's 7 years old and this little one is her brother, Calen"
"I see."
"My lady, I am really sorry but i think its time for us to go. We do not want to waste your precious time any longer. once again, thank you for helping us"
"Of course Alyssa. Please do take care of yourself and these little children."
"I will my Lady." After bidding their farewell, Alyssa and the children continue to walk in a opposite direction. Now only the 4 of them was left.
Natasha then look at her older brother's face. "Get a hold of yourself. That girl is too good for you" Natasha said to her brother. Ace then blinking his eyes looking at Natasha, nervously.
"Whh..what..whatever do you mean" The 3 of them can't help but laugh seeing how nervous he looks.
"Cat got your tongue?" Teased Prince Asher.
"I bet it was a cat with light brown eyes." Natasha continued. Then they laugh again. Ace then pulled again Natasha's ears.
"Ouch!"
Seeing that, Prince Asher then pulled Ace's hands from Natasha's ears, trying to stop Ace from pulling Natasha ear any further. He then brushed Natasha ears softly, and his hands lingering on her cheek, for a moment too long. Though, his action was suggesting his real feelings towards her, but it seems like, to Natasha it was nothing and she was treating it as their normal everyday interaction. Honestly, he felt a bit disappointed.
"I think it is our time to go as well. Its getting late." Suggest Natasha.
"Yeah. Let's go." Replied Prince Asher.