I slowly opened my eyes when I felt cold winds coming in my room. There was someone on the balcony… who's that?
"Princess, it's time for dinner," Ahh, it's Themis. I yawned and lifted my body to sit on my bed.
While rubbing my eyes, I replied. "Good evening, Themis… what's for tonight's dinner?" she chuckled and walked towards me, spreading her arms. I raised my arms and she carried me.
"We have roasted chicken for tonight's dish. The Astra will be joining you as well," Hah… first time he's joining me for dinner. Usually it's just me. I asked Themis and the others to eat with me but they said it's disrespectful to do that.
Why is it disrespectful when it's alright for me?
Anyway, since Asher will join me for dinner… it looks like he's already done investigating the items he bought earlier.
That was fast. As expected of Creo's incarnation.
"Here we are, Your Highness," Themis put me down and bowed to me.
"Thank you, Themis," she gave me a smile before she opened the door to the dining hall.
There, I saw Asher sitting on the chair on my right side. He's patiently waiting for me to arrive, and when he saw me he took a deep sigh.
What a jerk.
"Sorry for making you wait, Your Divine Highness," I said sarcastically.
"It's fine, Your Highness," he replied—trying to match my mood. Jeez, he won't back down easily.
"So? What did you find out?" I asked. He snapped his fingers once and suddenly, a golden barrier covered the two of us.
"We couldn't trace where those items came from. We were stuck at the border of the Central Empire and the Western Dukedome. I get the idea that maybe it's from the Western Dukedom… after all, they're not on good terms with the Central Empire," The Western Dukedom…
"You should always wear the necklace I gave you. It looks like our enemy decided to move again. That necklace will deflect dark magic right away, and will form a barrier if someone attempts to harm you," Asher said, pointing at the necklace on my neck. I repeatedly nodded my head at him. Now I am wearing a necklace over a necklace. I still have Mom's with me even after two years.
"That's all I have to say. Abel and I aren't done yet with investigating those items, so I'll be even more busy," Aww… that means I won't get to hang out with Asher now.
"But, if you need or want something, don't hesitate to call me. Even if it's something so unnecessary like purchasing cakes outside the palace," tch, unnecessary, huh.
"Or taking a night stroll in the plaza," I wonder if he's genuine about it or telling me to 'not call me if it's for something that'll waste my time'.
"Are you sure?" He turned to me.
"Do I look unsure to you?" He said, raising his right brow. He's actually serious.
"But, I don't want to bother your work—"
"My work is a bother," what the heck… that's an improvement! Before he was like...
'Oh, you are a bother' But now he went to 'My work is a bother'! Is this a character development?
"But it's for your sake so I have no choice," Err… he looks annoyed, but not annoyed at the same time. I don't even understand him right now. Maybe he only had a teeny tiny character development?
"Thank you, Asher…" I said, giving him a small smile. He must've been tired with all the work, huh?
"Ahh, by the way, Asher! You're my magic teacher, right? That means you'll be teaching me magic starting tomorrow?" Since he was absent on our first day yesterday, he can't skip our class tomorrow!
"Tomorrow… is your library day, right?" Ahh—
That's right! I forgot that the fourth day is my library day! I have to visit the Imperial Library for self-study! Like, advance reading and such ~
Hah, now that Asher has become busy, I'm regretting that we didn't get a personal knight for me during the third week of my birthday celebration.
But, I think I'll be accompanied by a bunch of knights tomorrow—though they won't be able to enter the library. After all, it's exclusive to the Imperial Family. So the only people who could enter were my family, Uncle Ran's, and Aunt Chan. Well, maybe the Astras are permitted to enter.
And I only found out about that a year ago... I thought the Imperial Family was open for everyone, after all... Didn't I met a strange boy in that very library before? He even mistaken me for a young lady of Odilia...
Well, anyways...
I could just visit the public library like before, or my own library, but there are original books in the Imperial Library that were not photocopied and published. That's why it's much better to visit it instead.
"Ahh, that's right… I totally forgot," should I bring the book Asher lent me and read it? It's my chance to find out everything about the Era of Luminal Genesis.
"You're planning on bringing the book with you, aren't you?" Err, he figured.
"It's fine. As long as you're not caught reading it," phew… thank goodness. I thought he wouldn't allow me to bring the book outside.
"Don't worry! You know how tight the security is in the Imperial Library," I'm sure I'll be alone in the library tomorrow, no one's gonna disturb me!
"Right. Don't forget to wear the necklace… oh, and the holy flower. How was it?" Ahh—
Dang it…
I forgot about the holy flower as well…
"Looks like the holy flower escaped from your mind. No need to worry though, I've been feeding it mana every day. It'll bloom soon," Woaaah!
Ah, that's right. I have no idea what the holy flower is for.
"What's the flower—"
"I'll be going now. See you tomorrow," and then he disappeared.
What a jerk.
***
Ahaha…
I did tell Asher that I'll be alone in the Imperial Library…
I didn't expect Dad to ask brother Caelus and Ziel to accompany me inside the library. He must've heard from brother Aeli about what happened yesterday.
"Brother Caelus, Ziel. Thank you for coming to the Imperial Library with me," I said, smiling at them.
"It is an honor to be chosen as the Princess' guard today," Ziel replied, with his soft voice. It's only been a week but it feels like I haven't seen Ziel for a long time.
"Right? I also want to see my dear cousin! Eli wants to come as well, but she's already returned to the Yukarta Kingdom," Aww, too bad I couldn't see Eli today.
Also… I really wanted to read the book, but it looks like I'll have to do it next time. Let's just read something new.
Hmm, maybe I should try searching for a book about magic?
"Only Eli went home, brother?" Looks like Brother Caelus will stay here to serve under the Imperial Family directly.
"Yup! I'll be under Bro Heli, and it looks like he's planning to appoint me as the Vice Captain too—I want to refuse him…" huh? Does Brother Heli have no Vice Captain yet?
"Why?"
"Well… let's say he's veeery patient," hmm, that means he's been waiting for brother Caelus to be a knight?
"That's why His Highness the Crown Prince didn't appoint a Vice Captain ever since he became the Captain…" Ziel said, making brother Caelus nod his head to agree. Wow… he's veeery patient, indeed.
Come to think of it, brother Heli's already a captain of his own squad two years ago, right? And he was only fourteen that time! Just how amazing can he be?
"Hmm…"
"Ahh, Ali! You don't have to keep entertaining us, you know? Please proceed with your self-study session," brother Caelus said, ruffling my hair gently. I giggled and nodded my head.
"Then, please excuse me! I'll go to the upper gallery!" I jumped down from my seat and waved my hand once to them.
Hmm, should I read about human development? Or holy magic? I wonder if there's a book about dark magic here?
I went to the second floor of the library and roamed my eyes. There are sections here for biology, microbiology, psychology, sociology… well, that's not what they're called exactly but it's all about those.
Ahh! There, at the end. It's the book section for magic! Hmm, I wonder if there are books here about dark magic or holy magic? I know I shouldn't be looking for a book about dark magic, but I want to learn more about it. As for holy magic, I'm a bit curious about it.
As I entered the magic books section, I noticed a middle-aged man standing there, holding a black book—hmm, what a suspicious book…
"Great morning, Sir!" I greeted, I gave him a proper bow and a smile. He paused from turning a page and looked at me. He's got brown hair and black… dull eyes. Is he alright? He looks reaaally exhausted.
"If it isn't the Princess," he placed his right hand across his chest and bowed to me. Who is this person? He's not familiar. Why is he here? Did my dad gave him permission to enter the Imperial Library?
"I've been waiting for you," Huh? What does he mean by that? Hmm, very suspicious.
"Oh, did you see me enter the library, Mister? Is there something you want to say to me?" I asked. He stood straight and looked at me, his eyes fixated on mine, and suddenly… he smiled.
My eyes widened as I saw that sinister smile.
"M-mister?" I called. He started walking towards me, and of course I backed away! He looks scary! And why is he smiling so evilly?!
"Princess. I've been waiting for two years…" huh?
I gulped as I held my chest. Who is this mister? I'm suddenly feeling so nervous. What's wrong with him? I continued taking steps backwards, but he just kept moving forward in my direction!
"W-what do you mean?" I asked. I'm nervous…
"It's been a long while, isn't it…?" No… no way… and enemy? I-I should be fine, I have Asher's protection.
As he was about to reach for me, a golden barrier appeared, covering me and deflecting his whole body away from me. Thank goodness I'm wearing Asher's necklace…
But, I'm still nervous…! Since a barrier was formed, that means he was trying to harm me?!
"Augh—" W-what now?
He holds his head and chest, and then grits his teeth, he looks like he's in pain. What's happening to him?
"Y-Your Highness… please, leave—URGHH!" W-what…?
"Princess!"
"Ali!"
*smack*
The mister fell down on the floor as Asher appeared through a strange portal and hit him on the back of his head.
"Asher…" I mumbled.
"Whereve you go, trouble always follows," he said after sighing, making the mister float and then—it vanished!
"Ali, are you alright?" Brother Caelus went in front of me and held my shoulders. He bent his body to match my height.
"I-I…"
That man… did he just say he has been waiting for two years? Could it be…? He looked like he was possessed, and he tried his best to keep his own mind with him. That must be the reason why he told me to leave.
"Her Highness must've felt terrified. Send her back to her palace immediately and… don't tell anyone about what happened here," Asher spoke, as if ordering Ziel and brother Caelus.
"Why not? The Emperor and the Princes—"
"I'll deal with it. Just do as I say and shut up, will you?" I turned to Asher and he looked mad. That mister definitely has something to do with what happened to me two years ago—no, not the owner of the body, but the one that possessed him.
"Really rude," Ziel spoke, as if he's not afraid of Asher at all.
"You have something to say to me? Shouldn't you be leaving now?" What's with him? He's suddenly agitated. Ziel just gave him a dead stare, which he ignored.
"Princess. I'll visit you again soon. Please, keep resting until then," Asher said before he disappeared. It looks like he couldn't control his annoyance because of that mister. What the heck…
"Ali, let's go…" brother Caelus couldn't even retaliate.
Who was that…? The demon king? How did he know I'll be at the Imperial Library today? And how did he enter this place? This is all so confusing. No way he'd know my weekdays schedule.
So, how…?
***