9 What is life...

"Princess, the son of the Duke of Mills is here to visit."

Anne turned around from looking out of the window. She had been wearing a black dress and a big dark umbrella inside the castle, making everyone notice her depressive mood at once. She looked cute, but her eyes were vacant and in sorrow. For two days she had been wearing that outfit and even though she was stunning as ever, she moved like a ghost without making any sound through the hallways successfully scaring the servants with her sudden appearances.

"…"

She didn't answer…

"Princess?"

"Tia, what should I do with my life?"

"Princess?"

"The dogs outside are so beautiful but my fate is to never get near them… don't you think this life is so cruel for an innocent lady like me?"

"That… " Innocent?

"What is life without happiness, what is life without loyalty and unconditional friendship, what is life without a dog?"

"…"

Tia didn't know whether to cry or laugh, but something was about to explode inside her, and that may be a helpless smile.

Henry waited by the door, he couldn't help but cover his mouth from laughing out loud. He had wanted to visit her long ago, but she was refusing everyone.

He decided to show himself before she denied again his visit. "Master?"

"…" She looked at him without minding his intrusion then turned to see the sky outside again. "Why are you here, servant?"

"Master, I wanted to know how are you?"

"Living a life of denial and suppressed rage."

"…" He looked at her with a sigh and walked over to her. Then he touched her hand that was covered in a black glove. "There is something you must know."

She turned around with a bit of interest.

"There is a way to cure your allergy."

The umbrella she was carrying was thrown to the ground, her eyes were wide open and a bit of light illuminated her face.

"Are… are you telling the truth?" She was covering her mouth with her small hand not believing it. "Say it."

He nodded. "There is a medic wizard in the Kingdom of Forth, Wizard Druon, he is very capable, but he won't come if not invited personally by the Queen."

"Aunty?"

"Yes, I don't know why but father told me he is loyal only to Her Majesty."

Anne looked at the boy with new interest glinting in her golden eyes. The depressive mood she had, changed completely to a bright cheerful face. "This is amazing! I should go at once."

"But…"

"But?"

"His Majesty will not like it."

"Why?"

"They seemed to be rivals according to my dad."

"I believe you don't understand, Henry, let me rephrase myself." She took a step forward. "Why should I care about His Majesty's childish rivalry? Come on, let's go present this wonderful idea of yours."

"I… " The little boy was a bit hesitant, the King will surely blame him.

However, before he could go back, she took his hand and kissed him on the cheek. "Henry, thank you."

That was all he needed, the usually nonchalant kid was now showing the most impressive tint of red covering from his ears to his neck. He seemed to be so lost in his fantasy about his wonderful future with the cute Princess that he failed to notice that he had been dragged to the main hall.

"Is he alright?"

The Queen asked, Anne tried to wake up the little fool that kept daydreaming, but he didn't answer.

"Henry?" Anne pocked him on the cheek. "Henry, wake up. It is your time."

He didn't answer again but smiled at her. His vision was completely filled with her soft smile and her cute fingers that were pinching his face. It was a bit hurtful, but he didn't mind it.

"Anne, just what did you do to him?"

"I… I don't know… just a token of appreciation. Maybe he is allergic…"

"What? Oh My, call for a doctor… Anne, did you make him eat something?"

"No, I… "

"Did he drink something?"

"No, I... I kissed him on the cheek."

"That… *sighs* Stop it, don't call for anyone."

"But… aunty what if he became a fool, he is now starting to smile weirdly. Look at him."

Anne passed her hand before his eyes, but he kept smiling.

"Just let him be for the time being… he will recover in a while." She giggled. The sweet boy before them was just infatuated with her little niece. She should take more notice of this boy, he seemed like a quite interesting little prospect for Anne's future husband.

"My Queen? What is going on right now?" The King entered with a pressured pace, the servants had notified him that the Princess finally returned to her cheerful manners and requested his presence urgently.

"This… Anne, why were you looking for us?"

"I have the answer for happiness," she said in a direct and serious way. No hesitation could be seen in her beautiful eyes. " We must comply with this as the world's happiness depends on this cure, Your Highness this is urgent and any kind of personal matter should never be involved when the sake of the higher good is in our hands."

The little one was being serious, they had never heard her talk like that and for the first time, a good deed was coming directly from her lips without any roundabout ways.

The King was greatly satisfied with the maturity of his niece, and the fact that she referred to him as Your Highness, reflected the seriousness of the matter.

"Speak, Princess Anne."

"Before I provide with the answer, I need your word that you will do the necessary for the sake of the population. That you will do anything for the greatest good."

"I do," He was quite amused and happy to see her return to her little antics. He wouldn't have the heart to refuse any of her biddings for ridiculous they seem.

"You promise?"

"Yes."

"Then… we have to call Wizard Druon to the Palace immediately."

"…"