Ardis Kingdom's Precious Princess

"A woman loses her value if she's not to be wed off in her 18." Professor Bartram said.

That is what this country holds for their honor, keeping to their death's motto—such a shame.

Princess Asteria munched on some desert her maids prepared for her as she looked at the professor and his boring lessons, instilling all the kingdom's value in her mind for the hundredth time.

She heaved a loud sigh, "Boring. Can we skip to another lesson? I feel like arguing if you keep on belittling women like that."

She said irritatedly while sipping her tea, hating how conservative and misogynist her kingdom is. She focused on the tea and slurped deliciously, "Hmm, thank goodness I have good tea here."

"Excuse me, Princess Asteria? These lessons are needed and strictly advised by the king. You need to learn all of these as you're about to embark on marriage-"

She rolled her eyes, "Yeah yeah."

Professor Bartram tried to maintain his elegance as he's tested like this every day by the princess. He's unsure how to survive this kind of attitude every day. "Out of all my students, you're the most-" He sighed, "Alright, let's skip another lesson, But watch your manners, princess. Act more ladylike, please, for you and fo so that the king will stop nagging about me lacking in teaching."

She glanced at the window and couldn't help but notice all the trees swaying as the wind brushed past them, the sun clearly showing up in the sky. Sunny days like this should not be spent cheaply. She has to make the most of this day! Thinking of a plan, she smirked.

"Hello? Are you listening, princess?" Asked Professor Bartram, flashing her 'good girl smile'.

"Yes, yes, continue, professor. The lesson is interesting now."

He nodded, finding it a bit suspicious, yet continued, "The Ardis Kingdom, tamers of dragons long ago, yet ever since the dragons have gone extinct, they lost their title. And only dark mages could summon the dragons." He continued on and was curious why he didn't hear any remarks from the princess anymore.

When he looked back, he could only see the opened window, along with a note in the princess' handwriting saying, "I got a whole world to see"

He sighed, facepalming himself. That's it. He's going to quit. All his 20 years of working for the royal family, it's Princess Asteria that is the hardest student to teach the most!

"Princess! The king is going to behead me!" He yelled out the open window.

On the bustling streets, a loud beating of the drums echoed across the area with the knights paraded across the whole kingdom, along with the loud yells of the common folks with big smiles on their faces as they celebrated this special day.

"Step aside for the knights!"

Children were giggling loudly as they ran around, some commoners giving a show in the alleys, and stalls with vendors giving discounts to the citizens.

There's never a quiet day for Harthwaite, the capital city and heart of the Ardis Kingdom. The royal family of Dutroux has been busy preparing for their wonderful and beautiful princess, Princess Asteria's 18th birthday.

"I would die to see the princess, even for once!" Some random lady exclaimed happily as she went to buy eggs by the stalls.

"Well? Princess Asteria never shows her face to the public, but rumors always tell how beautiful she is!" Another woman agreed.

The street vendor nodded, "Her beauty alone got all the suitors to come from all across the world!"

"But you know, I heard some of the royal maids say that she has a bad temper and a bad student!" Another woman whispered as she drew her cloak closer. "Oh, and she likes women!"

The street vendor looked at the cloaked woman exasperatedly, "No way! Where did you hear that?"

The cloaked woman looked left and right and put her finger on her lips as she muttered, "I'm close to the maids. But don't tell anyone that."

The women's mouths dropped at the news and started gossiping to themselves again.

The cloaked woman, smirked as she drew her cloak closer, and found her companion. She grabbed her horse's rope as they walked away from the busy crowds.

"C'mon, Vita. Let's go. Chancellor William might have noticed I disappeared again." She ushered.

Her companion heaved a deep sigh, "Princess….what you're doing will get me beheaded someday."

"No one will get beheaded if you stop calling me with that name in public." She said naughtily, "Again, call me Asteria when we're outside."

Vita sighed, "You really need to have a personal knight, your highness. It's dangerous on your own, especially now that you're sneaking in the streets."

Princess smiled at her, "I have you, and my brothers for rescue."

Vita frowned, "I'm just concerned about your highness' safety."

"I'm alright on my own, no need to be worried." They both climbed on the horse and Princess Asteria drove the horse herself. That's right. It's the kingdom's precious princess herself.

Princess Asteria "Ria" Elysia Dutroux.

She had mastered the art of strolling in disguise in public and freely walks around as if she were not someone important.

She could even go to the taverns and dress up like a man, drink beers, and won in bets. Well, she does it secretly to give to the poor families as she realized that since she's labeled as the spoiled brat bratty misunderstood character who only wanted the best for her brother the male lead but ended up getting used by the king and destroyed by the mistress. She wants to change that and this act serves as her not to feel guilty.

Back at the castle, after the princess's disappearance from the royal scholar, there has been an ongoing search for the princess session around the castle.

"Have you seen the princess?"

Asked William Adkins, the chancellor of the kingdom warily as his eyeglasses fell from his eyes. The sun is up, and what a wonderful day it is for the Ardis Kingdom- except for the panting guards and sweating maids who have been busily looking for Princess Asteria.

What a fine day it is and she has done her specialty again - which is running around the halls and making almost everyone in the Ardis Kingdom search for her - which they thought. They never find out that she had been busy strolling outside with her maid.

After a few minutes, she was instantly back at the castle with her maid and acted as if nothing happened. She knew every crack and crook that is perfect for a hiding place and taking advantage of it. As soon as she disposed of the cloak she was using, she hid by her favorite spot. On the shelves of books in their library on the second floor.

"Princess Asteria, will you stop running now?" She heard William Adkins ask.

She smirked, well, not wanting to be seen by anyone now. Standing up, she was ready to enjoy her leisure time when a voice stopped her.

"You're really proving the rumors, Ria."

The voice commented. Princess Asteria rolled her eyes, knowing that voice all too well. She looked behind to see a blonde-haired man smirking at her as if he outsmarted her.

"Surprised to see me hiding in your not-so-perfect spot? I know you too well, my dear Sister."