RUMORS ABOUT the war being into fruition has spread across the empire and many people were beginning to believe that it will become a reality, some of them fearing for their lives and livelihood. Others have been quite calm about it, not worrying whether it will be true or not since they know that Vlatka won't be defeated that easily. They were smart enough to think that it is just a rumor and since the emperor has not said anything, it means that it either came from the nobility who liked to gossip or from the enemies. However, since no proof was said otherwise about the whole situation, the rumor keeps growing and spreading like wildfire. But that soon ended when an announcement spread across the land from the emperor himself, in a form of a poster to bring the rumor to its end. "Step aside! I'm going to read it to everyone!" One man yelled as many people push themselves to the announcement board. One man yelled back, "Why do you get to read it?!" "Then how about you read it?!
IT IS a sunny day and there are many clouds in the sky, the weather is perfect for having a tea outside; which is exactly what Alesteria did. Alesteria was smiling as she drank her tea while her face expressed a serene glow and Klaus stood beside her, serving her pastries and sweets. "Would you like more, your highness?" Klaus asked as he paused momentarily while holding the tongs provided. Alesteria looked at the plate in front of her, nearly empty with a little bit of cookies left, as her eyes drifted on the plate Klaus has. It was macaroons. "Yes please." She is by the balcony of her drawing room, which is at the second floor of the palace overviewing the gates and the entrance to her palace. She decided to position the drawing room there instead of the third floor, which the main palace and the prince's palace drawing rooms are as it is traditionally placed there to keep visitors away from the people resting on the second floor, mainly for servants and maids. Alesteria deci
"SHE REALLY didn't show up." Ich mumbled as he stared at the street while he sat near the window; his room on the second floor so he has a clear view up to the end of the street. He sighed as he remembered his words, a conflicted expression on his face, while he looked at the distance. 'I shouldn't have said that.' He thought as he regretted his words. 'Why did I even say that?' Ich is confused at himself. He thought he would welcome Alesteria again after not seeing her for such a long time, for seven whole years of wondering where she is and if she is well, looking forward to the day they can finally meet again. 'What do I expect? I told her not to visit anymore.' The circumstances when they met is not ideal, but they did meet again and he was happy to see her all grown up; healthy and energetic as she did before. 'What if... She doesn't want to come here again?' Ich hate to admit it but Alesteria is a cute child before, but now that she is starting to mature and grow up, he c
EARLIER THAT day, Alesteria went to Xerxes as everyone waited for her there, their expressions are a mixture of both amazement and wonder the moment she stepped into Xerxes' office; Klaus is following her as he stayed behind her. "Ales!" Aldrich hugged Alesteria as soon as he saw her while Aimilios patted her head, both of them seemed very pleased with the outcome of the issue with Hydrexion. "Good job, Ales! We know you can bring that bas---brat to his rightful place!" Aldrich said as he continues to hug Alesteria. Instead of feeling happy with his praise, Alesteria deadpanned while still in Aldrich's arms as she recalled his past behavior. 'Aren't you against me handling this, Aldrich?' She asked in her mind as she stare blankly at Aldrich's happy face. 'But you seem happier now that Enzo is gone.' "You did a good job, Ales." Alesteria's eyes trailed to Aimilios, who has a soft smile on his face as he kept patting her head gently. Alesteria keep on staring at Aimilios withou
"YOUR HIGHNESS, are you sure you won't get in trouble for going out of the palace again?" That was the tenth time Klaus' concerned words were ignored as Alesteria went to each vendor of various materials and items, looking around to see if they got anything new. Right after Alesteria went out of the palace, going to the passage where most merchants deliver food to the palace kitchen, the trip to the central market has been easier than it seems as Klaus noted that they didn't ran into a single knight. He will tell his majesty about that later. Klaus' attention went back to Alesteria as someone tried to peek through her hood, which Klaus immediately glared at making them scurry away Klaus instantly moved closer to Alesteria. "What if someone recognizes you?" He asked as he pulled Alesteria's hood even more to hide her face. Even with the cloak on, Alesteria is still pretty as many people keep turning their heads as she walks by. She is wearing a yellow dress with a simple design
"SO, UHM, why are you here, Ich?" Ich glanced at Alesteria with his eyebrows raised, his expression clearly shows how displeased he is as Klaus just watch them silently; his eyes never leaving Ich as both of them are still wary of each other. "Why? Are the central market off limits?" He asked sarcastically, his voice seems like there is venom dripping from them. Klaus sneered at Ich; his eyes sharp. "Don't talk to her that way." Ich turned his head to Klaus, who is glaring at him as Klaus' intimidating aura didn't work on him. Instead, he just smirked at him to annoy the knight even more. Ich's smirk irked Klaus, even more than he already has, as he added Klaus' hostility towards him with his response. "I will talk to her however I want." Alesteria couldn't help but facepalm at how Ich acted towards Klaus that will inevitably trigger him, since both men have huge prides that neither are willing to back down. After their little scene in front of a food stall, Alesteria must for
"ALESTERIA, YOU can't keep quiet forever." Alesteria glared at Ich, her eyes sharp like a knife as Klaus was silent beside her, not daring to open his mouth or intervene for the fear that Alesteria would be annoyed with him like how she is with Ich. What he doesn't realize is she already is. "Want to try me?" After the incident and being kicked out of the cafe, they decided to just walk around the capital square; where there are fountains and a lot more luxurious stores are open. This place is only for those who can afford it, as one would say, but the scenery and calmness that the capital square exudes is far different from the bustling central market. It is also the best place to talk as there are fewer people around. Ich shut his mouth after Alesteria snapped at him and Klaus doesn't know if he will help him or not, but decided not to as he turn his back on the man and walked next to Alesteria. 'I mean, he is not at fault. However, he handled that the wrong way.' Klaus thoug
"FIRST OFF, I would like to lay this down and say that the reason I didn't come back fast is because the Fairy Queen is keeping me from meeting her. Basically, avoiding to meet me to keep me there longer." Alesteria laughed at Parie's words as she nodded fondly, her eyes into crescents as she remembered how the Fairy Queen adored Parie. To the point where Parie would be gone from weeks on end because she would deliberately avoid meeting her to keep her in her palace. "She hasn't change, has she?" Alesteria commented after laughing. Parie crossed her arms and pouted. "I don't think she'll change even after a millennium." Klaus paused for a moment, turning to Parie as he curiously asked. "Is the Fairy Queen like how the books depicted her?" Alesteria and Parie simultaneously shook their heads. "Not even close!" Alesteria has just gotten out of the bath and Klaus volunteered to dry her hair for her, which is why he is present in their conversation whilst Alesteria already sent t