CHAPTER 8

"The people in our nation are starting to worry because of the empty seat the previous king had left. I heard some rumors that the people are scared that their next ruler might become a tyrant. That really made me laugh for some reasons." Marquess Louis looked harmless, while uncle looked bored listening to him. Maybe he's already aware of their nation's current situation.

"That's why I need the Imperial Kingdom's help to calm their wavering heart. We don't need to convince them to accept the next ruler. We just want to make sure that they won't cause any conflicts before and during the ceremonies." Is he talking about their nation's people or a possible ambush?

We're in front of the food yet their talking about such political stuff. I tried to ignore their current topic since I'm not fully aware of what uncle need from them and tried focusing on my food.

Then I felt a warm shiver against my spine; I jolt from my seat at the sudden connection I received out of nowhere. Everyone looked perplexed at my reaction, even Hendrix stood up from his seat.

"Henrietta, calm down. I'm using my magic to channel my thoughts to you." It's uncle's voice.

I glanced at him, and he looked so composed, unlike me. I gave them a smile, giving the impression that I'm alright. "I'm sorry. I just thought that the food tastes specifically delicious tonight." What a lame excuse, Henrietta.

What is this anyway? Is this what they call telepathy or something?

"It is."

Don't read my mind uncle!

"Apologies. Anyway, the Marquess is asking a sincere request from us and based on our investigation. He really desires good things for their land. But I want you to be the one to make the deal with him. They have every knowledge we need regarding the foreign countries and resources that we can use to gain more information about the mastermind."

Now that I think about it, Talares Nation is like a friendly nation where different countries pay a visit. I've read that even a high-ranking noble from the neighboring countries paid them a visit because of their unexplainable hospitality.

"When will the ceremony happen?" I glanced at them as uncle asked the Marquess. Then I looked around, trying to observe everyone on the table.

The two princes were seated across the table while Hendrix and Arthur are seated beside me. Hold on, that golden haired prince, Rowan called him Aurelius earlier. I remembered that in the novel, Aurelius lived in Annaritas, but why is he in Talares?

Perhaps, is he an illegitimate child? This might be out of context, but that is somehow possible. There's no way that everything in that novel will change in a span of a month or so. It was only mentioned that Prince Aurelius who killed the evil empress came from Annaritas, but it wasn't mentioned that he's a royal prince of that same nation. Confusing, I know.

I see. I took my table napkin and wiped my lips. I think I'm starting to understand some things now.

"If you won't mind me asking, Marquess Louis can you tell us who the crown prince of Talares is?" The Marquess looked surprised with my question. Did he not plan on telling us who their next king will be?

Hah. I remembered it now. Why did I even forget their names? I might've been thinking too deeply earlier to not remember this specific fact. In the novel, Rowan was a duke and Aurelius was a prince. Though after the evil empress' death, Aurelius was crowned as the new emperor. Their not the real enemies, they were just the hero projection of that novel.

So I'm thinking that they'll play a big role in the future, but of course, not as someone who will kill me.

"Can all of the servants leave the dining area for a moment?" Wow. I wonder why uncle is letting me do this kind of things. Is this some kind of a test? Are you testing the future empress? I think Henrietta's future is getting in my head, I'm starting to sound so prideful.

I placed my elbows on the table, on either side of my plate then locked my interlocking my fingers together. I turned my head a little and looked at the two princes in front of me. If they're so worried of the nation's people and a possible ambush, then my hunch might be right. They must be planning to give the crown to Aurelius, an illegitimate child of the late king.

"You're worrying about a possible attack before and during the ceremony, right? If that's the case, then the crowned prince and future king of your nation must be Prince Aurelius or am I wrong?"

I hope I'm not sounding like a villain here. I'm just trying to start a deal, you know?

"Your highness..." He stuttered. I must be right. But then, that's not really a big deal for us, no? There won't be any negative casualties either, but no one can be so sure, we need to establish a heavy pact here or I might lose my life.

"We shall help you with everything you will need; before, and after the ceremony. In return, you will lend us any of your resources that we will need." Rowan looked so pissed. Control your temper, kid. Didn't you know? You died in the novel because of your aggressive personality and your nasty temper.

A moment of silence passed before I could hear the Marquess laughing at his seat. I think he found me amusing. Am I a clown to you, huh?!

"I didn't know that the princess had this kind of personality. I really thought that she was just a fragile princess, but you proved me wrong, your highness. I apologize for thinking like that." Don't you think you're talking too much now? This guy, really...

"I heard a lot of rumors inside the royal court resembling that of what you said. But everyone's really wrong about their assumption against the future empress." I didn't know uncle liked overhearing teas.

"But uncle! Don't you think their asking too much from us? Our resources are also the foundation of our nation. How can we agree with their terms?" As expected, Rowan the great will voice out his discomfort.

Why do you even talk too much when you can't understand that you need our influence?

"Don't you think you're thinking too highly of your nation?" I'm going to attack you back until you learn how to think properly. "And to correct you, it is only my term, not the Grand Duke's. If you'll think about it carefully, we're only asking a little from what we're willing to do for your family. We can quickly obtain resources without asking help from your family and just ignore whatever happens to you and your nation. But because we wsnt to prevent damaging casualties and a ruined reputation of your bloodline and nation, we will lend everything we have to help your family. If you wish to not cooperate with my terms then feel free to leave." I might've gone out of line, but what can I even do to make him sit properly and think?!

"Aren't you just using your power to make us feel that we're helpless?" Woah. That's some dark turn.

"Look here, Prince Rowan, I don't mean to sound like I'm a mighty human since I am not like that. What I'm trying to make you understand is that we will protect you, your brother, your family, your bloodline and your nation. And all we're asking is for you to lend any resources that can help us back. If you'll just think about it carefully, we're not forcing you to lend every resource you have. Just an ample amount of what you can lend to us is enough. Now, I would like to apologize if I ever offended you or if I ever said something that might have hurt you. I did not mean that in any negative way."

Ah... The life of a crown princess is so rough. "If you'll excuse me, uncle, Marquess." I may sound rude but I need some fresh air after this heated conversation.

I bowed my head before marching my way out of that suffocating dining room. If you'll ask me, I think I did the right thing to lecture that brat. But because of that, I didn't had the chance to eat properly. How bothersome.

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It was still a few hours before bed time, so I decided to stay on the Rose Quartz garden, where I usually have tea. I like this garden the most because of the various types of roses thst's planted in here. And the breeze feels a lot different than the other gardens inside the imperial palace.

I could hear my stomach rumbling,so I sat on one of the chairs. I should get some snack later before going to bed.

I swear, I wasn't trying to fight him. Maybe I just got upset because of how he thinks about us, like we're taking advantage of them. But I can't blame him either. Oh, well. He shouldn't let his ego eat his rationality away.

"Ah, your highness. What are you doing here alone?" I almost jumped out of my seat; I felt too surprised when someone spoke behind me. I suddenly want to curse at anyone. Please, just once.

"Can you not sneak around or at least call my name before speaking behind me? I mean, I think my heart will burst out because of what you just did!" I exclaimed, my eyebrows creasing together and my lips pouting.

"I apologize, your highness. I was just on my way to the kitchen when I saw you here alone." Keita sounded apologetic and unaware that he really surprised the life out of me.

"Alright, I accept your apology. I'm just trying to relax. You should get going," I said, heaving a soft sigh.

He seemed to notice my lack of energy that he leaned closer and gave my head a gentle pat. "Don't stress yourself too much, Amy. You might get sick." Am I still surprised? Is this why my heart is beating weirdly? Or is this kid acting too close? But he's right, somehow, he is.

"I understand. Go now, let's see each other tomorrow." I smiled then waved my hand at him.

I forgot that he's supposed to be older than Henrietta. That explains his height. Why am I not growing like them? This is unfair.

I flinched when I heard the bush beside me rustling. I turned my head, observing it then I quickly stood up when the bush moved again as its leaves made rustling noises.

Is there some kind of an animal there? Maybe a cat?

I took careful steps, approaching the bush, so I could clearly see what's going on in there. I stopped in front of the bush and curiously stared at it when it stopped moving. Then a snake slithers out of it and it halt in front of me, its head looking up, as if its ready to speak with me.

I'm not entirely scared of snakes, but I also don't like nor hate them. "Why don't you go back in the garden or forest, so no one can see you?" As if this snake can understand me.

I crouched in front of the snake, taking a clearer image of it. It looks like an albino-type of a snake because of its white body. It has a purplish glow, maybe because of his purple-like scales on his stomach. His eyes looked pink or light violet. I can clearly observe him because of the bright light coming from the moon.

"Are you harmless? Or will you bite me if I touch you?" I'll be stunned if this snake speaks. "Who am I kidding? You can't understand me, right? But I think animals have a different way of interpreting us, humans, no? Anyway, you look pretty. If you have nowhere to go, will you like it if I keep you?" I even held out my hand to the snake.

Someone might think that I'm going nuts if they ever saw me talking to a snake. But to my amusement, the snake slither up to my hand and wrapped itself around my arm. It didn't seem like it'll bite me anytime because of how gentle its body feels around my arm.

"So you understand me." I couldn't help but smile when the snake hissed, as if it was agreeing with me.

"You're here." I quickly stood up and hid my arm behind me when I heard Rowan's familiar voice.

"Oh. Hey." Well, this is awkward.

He looked fidgety and shy. I can see his ears turning red from here. Am I blessed with night vision too? Awesome.

"I... I'm sorry for how I behaved earlier. I'll do my best to change this behaviour of mine. Goodnight." And then he runs away. How cute.

I don't really want him to change since I have nothing to do with any of them. He just needs to learn how to control himself, so he won't get killed in the future. Like what I'm doing. Simple, right?

Anyway, I should head back inside. I need to find a suitable place for my new friend.