Chapter 1

Alice 

It was already time for the firework display when I arrived at the orphanage. After meeting Rembrandt, my father didn't let go of me immediately and subtly pushed me to entertain the man. And by the look that he gave me earlier, I knew that man had already become his prospect. Rembrandt, without a doubt, is handsome but his cold manner does not help matters.

“You’ve been spacing out since you came. Is there a problem?” Harriet tapped my shoulder.

I forced a smile and shook my head. “There’s nothing.”

The future remains hazy, and whoever my father wants me to marry, I have no option but to acquiesce. It has long been a family practice to arrange marriages among families of similar stature in order to maintain our title and position. Unless I wish to give up my rank and become a commoner, I don't have any independence. 

I heaved a sigh. It is still too early to worry about that.

"You're like a dark cloud bringing thunder but no rain," Harriet added. “So gloomy.”

I ignore Harriet's speeches and refocus on what's in front of us. My eyes landed on the bustling paths as everyone congregated there for the fireworks displays. Despite the chaos, I could hear the children's merriment as the personnel attempted to organize them. 

The servants placed three seats in front of the paths where we would be seated. I took a step downstairs, wanting to join in on the excitement when my cousins followed me as well.

"Children, be quiet! The Princesses are here!" one of the staff members announced, bringing the entire place to a standstill. 

I smiled at the staff and advised them to let the children be themselves; once in a while, let them do whatever they want and express themselves. Today they can be a loose thread or a broken cassette. They can yell and laugh as they want without being reprimanded. 

After we take our seats, one of the children runs after me, followed by a staff with an exhausted expression. The youngsters rushed up to me and hugged me tightly.

"Ianie, you stubborn kid. What are you doing?" the staff approaches me, trying to take Ianie from me.

"Princess, Princess. I just want to play, but sister Louisa is so bad," Ianie complained to me as she was about to cry. Children have a particular spot in my heart; they are my weakness. I understand that a queen should not disclose her flaws since it will only lead to failure. That's why I'm concealing myself as much as possible.

"I'm sorry for the disturbance Princess, Ianie is just so overly active. Come here, Ianie... I'll play with you," the staff, of which I don't know the name, utter as she concedes.

The child looked at me once more, then at the staff, widening her arms as if she wanted the staff to carry her. I laugh at the sight, remembering how I used to act like that. I remember running to my grandma every time my father reprimanded me and complained to her. Then she’ll scold him.

Good old days.

I wish she was still here with me right now. As I grew older, I realized that life is full of uncertainties; we never know when or how our time ends. Even though the palace had conserved the crystal light to assist the royals in living a little longer, it did not guarantee us eternal life.

"Alice, what time do you plan to go home?" Karina poked me on my left side as she asked the question. I guess she's already bored.

"Perhaps, after this," I said, referring to the fireworks display. 

I gaze at the man who is preparing tons of pyrotechnics a kilometer away. I tried to concentrate on something, but the children's voices were too loud. Some are fighting, some are getting impatient, some are sitting quietly, some are practically sleeping, and the rest are playing.

"Do you have a plan for tomorrow, Alice?" Harriet blurted out of the blue.

A little bit bored, I indulge her and told her about my plans, which consisted primarily of training.

Tomorrow, the royal knight will teach me archery, my least favorite sport. Last year, I perfected my sword skills and combat skills, but there were two things that I struggled with: the 'Death Card' and the 'Combat Hand Fan.' I'm fascinated by the combat hand fan, but I don't think I'll be able to make a career out of it.

"EVERYONE! Settle down! The fireworks are about to start," Lana, the chief, exclaimed as she stood on the main hall stairs, clapping her hands in a slow beat to catch everyone's attention and make her announcement.

In contrast, the children joyfully clapped their hands and screamed in unison the word ‘yeah’. One of the children even leads the other in shouting. "Fireworks...Fireworks...Fireworks!" making the oldie laugh at the sight.

My eyes settled on Lana, who was now scratching her head while watching the kids getting out of hand. I laughed at her perplexed expression as the kids became more agitated and began to chant. Even though it is pretty noisy, I have to get along because situations like this occur only once in a blue moon. 

My advisor often tells me that a queen should have a strong aura that could make regular citizens fear her, but I want them to rely on me instead of fearing me. I believe that it's better to build connections than mischief.

"All right, let's start the countdown," Lana spoke out immediately, cheerfully commanding. She then told the men in charge what they should do.

"3"

"2"

"1"

Following the countdown, several fireworks flew in the sky, producing a rainbow of colors. The children's raucous cheers contributed to the upbeat ambiance. Everyone was looking up, awestruck by the spectacular fireworks display, when I heard sobs from someplace. 

I looked around and saw the child a while ago, whose name I recall is Ianie, crying and covering her ears. I looked at my cousins, who were enthralled and busy watching the lights. I didn't mind bothering them. 

I look around, wondering where the staff that was attending to Ianie a few minutes ago is. I stepped up to the poor child, tapping her back to notify her of my presence. She looks at me and instantly embraces me; her body is trembling, as if something has happened.

"What's wrong?" I tried my best to speak softly,

"No-o fireworks p-plea-se," she replied in between her sobs, looking frightened at the magical view in the sky as she kept on shaking her head. What happened to this kid?

"D-dada d-died because of that," Ianie added while pointing out the sky. 

My eyes widened a fraction at her confession. That explains her fear; she has had a horrific experience. I hugged her tightly, gave her some comforting words, and carried her into the main hall. I couldn’t stop the fireworks because they were already lit. The only thing I can do is make her feel safe.

To have Ianie clutch on me as if her dare life depended on it and to have her cry on my shoulder makes me realize how vital my duty is even more. A wave of realization hit me. It dawned on me the fact that what is magical to me may not be the same for others. Then, I recall a famous maxim my grandmother used to tell us: "In beauty lies destruction, and in destruction lies action."

“Hush, Ianie. You’re safe,” I whisper in her ears a hundred times until she calms down.