Aelira
Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!
What's happening here!?
My hands tremble as I pull down the tree branch with my abilities and then sit over it. The branch moves up again and stops at my balcony for me to step on before going back to its natural position.
This is my elevator system here. Well, at least I can experience modern luxuries too—though it looks more like a Mowgli thing….
As soon as I stepped on the floor, I crouched down and clapped my palm to my mouth.
Was—was that really that Kael!? The Kael from 'Ashes of The Crown'!
I can't believe it! No, this is not something to believe!
Argh.. my head feels dizzy. This is too much of a shock for me. To think that I'm inside the world of a novel… Aaahh!
Is transmigration inside novels true? I had a doubt the moment I heard this kingdom's name but—
NO WAY!
This can't be 'Ashes of The Crown'! That's a wrecked novel!
I grit my nails.
Judging by the fact that Kael is still a prince and Daven is alive— am I earlier in the time-line? There was never a mention of Kael visiting Sylvaris in the novel. Does that mean the original story is yet to start?
Oh god, this is freaking me out.
How did the original plot even start? I guess it started in a mountain, visualising Eryx's extraordinary skills and powers which he used to subjugate the wild beasts. I remember, this incident brought Eryx the title 'God of Akola'—because, the beasts were in the Akolan mountain range.
The news had spread rapidly all around the continent. But I haven't heard anything like that. I'm sure this is earlier in the story.
But what's Kael doing here?
"Aahh! Your highness! What happened to your clothes and face?! You're all covered in dirt!"
Sora bursts into the room and I have to jump at her sudden wail.
"No, your highness, why do you do this!" She frets all over my room, gathering towels and clothes and sobs endlessly.
"I'm sorry, Sora.. I'll take care not to get dirty next time.." I try to stop her from crying.
"You always say that, your highness!" She rests her hands onto her hips. "Now hurry and take a bath! You've a feast to attend with his majesty."
"What? A feast?" I say while stepping on the bathtub. Sora sits beside my tub and pours fragrance and soap liquids into the water.
"Yeah. It was a sudden one. I don't think anyone is invited outside the palace guests today."
By 'palace guests', you mean Kael and his envoy. Shoot— I was too distracted by the fact that I'm inside Kael's world, I almost forgot I even met him—in person!
"Are you feeling cold, your highness?" Sora looks at my face up close. "Your cheeks are turning red."
"Oh no, no! It's just… maybe the water's a bit hot today!" I laugh awkwardly.
Don't act like the fangirl, Aelira! You're a princess. Princess!
"Aelira," Alaric calls me as soon as I've caught his eyesight. He was talking to a knight beside the corridor. But he dismissed him and took strides toward me instead.
I gulped.
I knew he's gonna chew my ears out the moment he heard I snuck out again. But I half-expected him not to…
"You don't hear me at all, do you?" He asks, crossing his arms. He is in his royal tunic again. Maybe, for the feast.
"Uh.. brother… actually—"
His hand rose up. It's coming toward my face… is he gonna slap me!?
Pat
Huh?
Pat-Pat
He pats my head and sighs. "Why are you so reckless, my dear sister?"
I look up at his face. Bro, why are you so soft and scary at the same time?
"I've told you, you don't need to be gardening. The mud and all those things aren't good for you."
We continue to walk ahead to the dining hall.
"But father said I can do what I want!" I rebel.
"Haa—" He sighs again. "Father is too soft to refrain you from your doings. That's why it is me, your brother, here to stop you."
"Urgh, you're so annoying!"
This dude thinks I'll die again if I use too much of my regeneration ability. I really am pathetic. Sniff.
"By the way, brother, why are the Velmoran envoy and prince here?"
"Hmm?" He seems to have forgotten the fact that we're holding up a feast for some guests. Seriously, Alaric?
"Oh, you mean those hooligans of that good-for-nothing kingdom?"
What!
"Bo-bo-brother! You can't say something like that about a neighbouring kingdom!"
He thinks for a moment before saying, "Yeah you're right. I shouldn't call them hooligans. We're a diplomatic kingdom after all."
Yes, yes, Alaric Sylvaris! Use your diplomatic brain!
"Instead, I should just kick them out of the palace."
Huh!?
He sees my shocked expression and starts to laugh. "I was just joking."
"Yeah.. you better be joking…"
He laughs more and drags me with him grabbing me by the shoulder.
Um— I didn't sign up for this peak tension moment, I guess? Hello?
We're sitting in the grand dining hall. With our father on the head seat and me and Alaric to his left. Across Alaric is sitting the blue haired envoy. Yeah, his face is also fascinating like his hair. I think this is the rule of fantasy worlds that every man will have the handsome trait.
And across from me is sitting…. Well.. the blinding beauty holder, Kael.
And about 'tension', I meant— yes, the death glares my yandere brother is shooting at the envoy. He looks like he might cry any moment if Alaric stares any harder.
"I sincerely hope the feast is to your liking, crown prince of Velmora." Father speaks up.
I look up at Kael, splitting my eyes from my plate. I've hardly looked at him since I entered the hall.
I'm afraid he might recognize me as 'Miss Gardener'.
"Yes, your majesty, both the palace and the feast are pleasant." Kael gives him a polite smile as he shows courtesy through words.
Oh my heart! I can't believe I'm watching the very character in real life, I spend hours crying for!
Then it happens— he turns to me. And before I can glue my eyes to my plate again, he speaks up—
"My apologies, your highness. I'm afraid I might've been rude to you." He looks me in the eye.
Oh for God's sake, don't tell me you recognize me!
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Princess Aelira."
"Oh my, the pleasure is mine, Prince Kael!" I can't tell you how afraid I am that my heart might burst out of my ribcage and land onto my plate instead.
"I'm really so pleased to meet the royal family of Sylvaris. Everyone is so loving."
Only if you knew…
"Yeah, because we welcome our guests with utmost 'diplomacy'. And we show our love without any 'politicalgain'." Alaric says. There's a tight smile on his face.
"Indeed, Prince Alaric. Though Sylvaris has been diplomatic for a 'verylongtime', we always thought of you as our greatest allies." Kael also has a smile displayed on his lips.
Alaric's smile hardens. "Indeed. It is just as the saying goes—Velmora always thinks beyond the height, the dragon soared the highest."
"That might be true."
Excuse me, Kael but I don't think that was supposed to be a praise?
So this is the matter. Velmora wants an alliance with Sylvaris. As it is before the original plot's beginning and the story never said of these two kingdoms being allies, it is most likely that this alliance will never pass. It is clear even in Alaric's words.
I don't think that even matters. Sylvaris had nothing to do with the story. It was Drakmore who was involved.
But what could have happened if we had accepted the alliance?
"Did you receive the roses, princess?"
I nearly jump when Kael suddenly comes behind me. We're out in the corridor. Father and Alaric are busy talking to the envoy.
"Roses?" Sweat breaks out on my forehead.
"Oh, I was told by the gardener that you were to receive some roses from her."
Haha, I'm caught.
"Which gardener, your highness? I don't recall if we have any maid-gardeners. Perhaps you're mistaken." I smile. Or more, I 'tried' to smile.
"Ah right, I also thought she wasn't a gardener. Maybe an imposter?"
I gulp. He's playing along. I'm sure of it.
"You sure are curious about the gardens, Prince Kael." I try to laugh too.
He studies my face. Not again! Then takes a step forward.
No please, sir, I'm already your biggest fan. Therefore, I ask you to stay away from me or… I might hug you now!
"To be precise," Not that husky voice! "I'm curious about the gardener, princess Aelira." And only then did I realise how close his face is to mine.
He took a step back and smiled like he's the nicest man in the world. You like to play along, don't you?
At the exact moment, the door to the dining hall opened and Alaric stepped out. And the first thing he did was… ahem, glare at Kael after seeing him talking to me.
Kael looks at him and smiles. I wonder if he really doesn't understand that the man in front of him is pissed?
"Aelira, go to your room." Alaric says to me and gives Kael one last hard glare before walking me to the princess's palace.
I'm sorry my poor Kael.