155 Ch. 154: Forbidden Magic

"You look tired, your highness," Elias notices, his loyal butler Chester pushing him into the sitting room.

The ornate room, which had seemed dull and lifeless all week, suddenly seem to brighten a tad as he is rolled right to the side of my couch as opposed to being seated on the opposing couch across from me. The proximity is comforting. Most maids and servants are required to stand a certain distance away from all imperial family members, which can feel incredibly isolating at times.

I know, I know. I said I wouldn't see Elias again until my 12th birthday when he begs for forgiveness with a nice present. But this princess is also a loser with no friends so I have to make do with the few I have while Emma is off on assignment and I'm stuck in a fugue about the tea party yesterday.

"Didn't your mother ever teach you not to tell a lady that?" I snap, before latently recalling that Elias' mother died at birth and could be a huge source of trauma for him.