The System sighed. [Fine. What do you want?]
It shocked Nina for a few seconds. Again, she wondered why the System sometimes sounded like a real human being.
"You're not a human, are you?"
[Are you?]
I shouldn't have bothered. Nina thought, irked by the System's sarcasm.
"First, let me see my—"
"Your highness?" A soft, timid voice called from behind her. Nina turned to see Amy.
Her face brightened. "Amy! Where have you been?" She said, walking up to her. Amy took a step back, her head bowed.
Nina's smile faded. Oh, that's right. I threw a disgusting fruit at her the moment I stepped into this world.
That makes sense though. The one time Manager Park threw his coffee and mug at me, I was scared of him for weeks.
She adjusted her stance, and wiped the smile off her face. "You've been absent," Nina said.
Amy bowed, shaking slightly. "I…I'm sorry, your highness."
"It's fine,"
[Never say that~]
Nina cleared her throat. "What is my schedule for today?"
"You're still recovering, your highness. You shouldn't—"
"That's not what I asked."
Amy flinched. Nina felt bad for scaring her, promising herself to make it up for her later.
Wringing her fingers together, Amy looked around the clinic, every where but Nina's face. "Her Majesty the Queen sent a message, it's about visiting your sister."
Oh shit! I'd totally forgotten about her! Nina panicked internally.
But outside she nodded. "And?"
"This came today," Amy took out a sleek red envelope and held it up to Nina's face.
Nina took it, opened it up and read what was inside. An invitation to a ball? She checked the senders name to see
Thalia.
Her blood chilled as she recalled the vicious snake beastwoman. Nina had no intention of seeing her again.
"I won't be attending this. Send a message back to her."
"Your highness, it's her birthday ball. You've never skipped it in a decade."
Nina's face blanched. A decade of wicked friendship. Of course. Did she expect this Orchid to have normal friends?
With a heavy sigh, she folded the invitation. "Fine. I will attend it."
"There's a meeting with the Mayor of Old City at 2pm today. And there's also—"
Amy went on and on, listing off meetings and tea parties, so much that Nina had a headache just listening to all of them.
By the time she was done, the entire day was full of events.
That's what this Orchid does every day? Goodness! And she still finds time to be evil? Talk about dedication to the craft!
Nina squared her shoulders and cleared her throat. She was used to choked up schedules, working long hours and getting very little sleep. This shouldn't be a problem for her at all.
"Let's go." She announced, heading to the door. Amy followed behind her.
An hour later, Nina was ready.
She's found out why Noctis watered her in the library. It wasn't just any type of water, it was one made for Beastblooms. Even though they were part beast, they still had plant characteristics. And plants needed water and nutrients.
Nina felt refreshed, like a true princess. The dress Amy had picked out for the day was a soft pink silk gown with thin sleeves that showed off her orchid marks and vines, and dainty sandals. Her hair was done in a sweeping braid, and her makeup kept light.
Nina looked at her reflection and smiled. I look the part now. She thought.
Amy led her to Princess Lotus.
The only thing Nina knew was that Princess Lotus fell into a coma before the book started, and it caused the kingdom a great pain. In the earliest chapters, it was clear how different Princess Orchid was from her older sister.
Nina grabbed the skirt of her gown, trembling with a mixture of nerves and excitement. She didn't know what to expect, and frankly she was a bit scared too. She glanced over at Amy time and time, but the servant girl's eyes were pinned on the floor like there was something interesting there.
Eventually, they arrived.
Standing guard outside Princess Lotus' room were three beastwomen. They looked menacing and kind at the same time. They bowed when they saw Nina and opened the doors. The doors needed all three of them to pull open at the same time.
Nina felt a snag in her heart, but couldn't understand why.
Shrugging it off, she walked into the room. Amy didn't follow.
"Wow," she gasped, her eyes widening.
The room was a circular room with a vaulted glass ceiling. In the center of the room was a bed. Vines and flowers curled around the bed, extending far and reaching for the pillars. Some of them even climbed high as the ceiling. The light here was warm and soft, not direct sunlight but something Nina didn't know.
Nina took a step closer and stalled.
There was someone else there.
Seated by the bed, was Lev. He wore simple clothes, a white shirt, dark pants and boots. His hair was combed and packed into a low ponytail. He looked mellow, and nothing like the terrifying General she had a run in with two days ago.
What is he doing here?
Nina inhaled softly and stepped forward. Closer till she saw Princess Lotus.
Princess Lotus looked like a fairy tale princess. Nina hadn't seen someone, not even in the real world, that was so beautiful and delicate. Her face was peaceful, a soft smile on her red lips. She looked gentle, like she was taking an afternoon nap and not in a coma.
Soft spores swirled in the air around her, white and pure, like flecks of star dust. Her arms had similar marks to Princess Orchid, instead of orchids it was Lotus. A few of them grew out of her skin, glowing a radiant white.
She looked like a vision frozen in time.
Nina swallowed, her hand going to her chest. She found her heart racing.
Lev took Lotus' hand gently, despite the very noticeable size difference between them. He looked like he could crush her hand if he wanted, but he held her like she was glass.
Like she was the most precious thing in the world.
In his world.