27 First Trial 4

The moment I heard my name and saw Princess Tellusia around the Prince, I hurriedly went back to my tent where I found Lulu about to serve me the potatoes I harvested.

Lala greeted me with a smile when she saw me coming, "Congratulations, Miss! You're still a bride candidate!" She raised her arms on air happily as she runs towards me to give me a hug.

I smiled at her as I pat her back.

I shouldn't be too affected by what I saw. I was expecting to see the Prince surrounded by his candidates in the first place. I will keep on seeing the ladies around him until the trials are done.

"The farmers were the ones who judged, and they were happy to see that some candidates know how to take care of plants, " Lili held my hand while she bats her eyes to me with amazement, "You are clever, Miss!"

I nodded awkwardly at her, planting should be a typical knowledge. Not everyone's good at it, but at least they know how to dig soil, plant, and harvest.

And I should thank the gardener in the mansion later.

Lulu went to me as I sit on the hammock with the potato soup, the perfect food for this cold temperature.

"You harvested a lot, Miss. You can enjoy the soup as much as you want, " Lulu looked proud as she gave me the bowl.

The air was filled with different types of cooking. I took a deep sniff of the soup before digging in.

Even if there are a lot of delicious foods I smelled, I would prefer having the soup Lulu cooked.

Aside from being soft, she's a great cook. Even if she's still young, you can tell that she'll make a great mother if she wants to be in the future.

"Thanks, Lulu," I said gratefully.

I took the spoon then I turned to the maids; to Regin with a bitter face, and to Granny who just appeared beside Lulu.

"Please, warm yourself with the soup. I can't finish all of it, " I felt heavy as I look into the large pot full of potato soup.

Lili and Lala didn't hesitate and took bowls then served themselves.

Granny scolded them, but they all later had bowls on their hands, even Regin who looked like he was enjoying the warmth of the delicious food.

As we happily finish our portions, we heard the ladies who weren't able to successfully finish the first trial crying at the Prince's tent.

Some of them were threatening the Prince, some were begging him, and some were proudly telling that it's his loss.

Lili and Lala were talking ill of those ladies, while Lulu and Granny were pitifully judging their unladylike actions.

I noticed Regin staring at the field with a frown.

He just finished his soup, but the bowl was still on his hands full of scars.

I looked at the direction he was glancing and I saw the farmers preparing the soil we harvested from. They were all wearing thin ravaged clothes full of dirt and holes, and some even looked hungry as they stare at the different tents where the foods were being served.

I stood up and taps Regin's armor, he looked at me with his frown but he later changed his expression with his usual dull and sharp look.

I smiled at him softly. He looked like he cares about the farmers, and I know just what to do.

"Can you plant, Regin?" I asked as I tell my maids to prepare soup for the farmers.

"My parents were farmers, Miss, and I grew up in the fields." He answered as he helps Lili on putting the bowl soups on a tray.

"Alright, " I smiled and clapped my hands, "then, let's give them the soup and as they eat, we can do their job."

Lala shook her head, "No! You can't do anyone else's job, Miss! Especially if it includes dirt."

I shrugged at her response and took the tray from Regin while Lulu helps in filling a few bowls.

"Well, I won't work if it's not needed. But if someone tells them to stop eating and continue to work, I'll do their job."

I turned my head towards the farmers, and with a smile, I went into the fields where the soil became wet from all the digging, "Ma'am, Sir, please have some soup to warm up your cold afternoon, " I said as I walk towards the farmers.

Some looked at me with a smile, while others didn't bother raising their heads.

I can hear the murmur of the bride candidates that says I am being an attention seeker.

But, duh?

Everyone around the farmers is having a great deal of food, while the ones who took care of the plants they're eating are all starving and cold.

"Thank you so much, Miss." A young lady said as she reaches for the bowl with her hands soiled.

I smiled at her, other ladies around her age would rather have their nails done, but she has hers cut short and would rather plant than pick flowers.

"We are lucky today!" A middle-aged man running towards me with his friends, wearing bright laughter, "You are a blessing, young miss!"

I gave each of the bowls of the hot soup along with the Regin and granny.

I would rather be called an attention seeker than to watch these hard-working people who are planting the foods on our plates work with hunger.

"I would never let those low dirtbags take a taste of the plants I harvested. They're already lucky to have me in their pathetic land. " I heard a bride candidate said.

Some farmers felt embarrassed, while some threw her a sharp glance.

But nonetheless, we continued giving them soup until there was not a drop left on the pot.

We were watching them happily sipping with fogs coming out of their mouths as they laugh from the warmth they have taken.

"When I was young, nobles usually give us food, but as time passed by, they started calling us leechers, " Regin was glancing over the farmers, as his eyes began to be filled with nostalgia, "Until they stopped helping us, and even downgraded us."

I was watching him in dismay of what had happened, but then a bunch of the farmers' children suddenly rushed towards us with a wide expecting smile.

"Can we have more of the soup? Mother only got one bowl, and only our ill grandmother was able to eat." A kid with crooked teeth and all-white eyes said while holding his little brother and baby sister, "Please give my siblings soup, even just half a bowl!"

I saw Regin flinched from the begs of the kid, but my heart sank as I saw their mother running towards us with an embarrassed look on her face. Her eyes were full of shame as she runs towards us and kneeled before us.

"I apologize for what my son has said, Miss. You have given enough. We do not need any more soup. Please, forgive us, " she cried as she pulls her children to her chest.

The other kids with them frowned, while some don't even understand what is going on as their glances switch between me and the mother.

I saw Regin walked away with pain painted on his face. He knew we don't have anything else to give, then I heard the brides intentionally saying, "How pitiful and shameful, " as they fan themselves.

"They already received food, but they are still asking for more, what a scandal." Another one added.

I clenched my fist, why do people like these even exist? They all think that they're on the right side of the sun, feeling like they're the spotlight when in fact they're the darkness this world needs to eliminate.

"Well, if this can help, " I heard a voice speaking behind me, "Please, take it."

The faces of the children lighted up like a bulb in a tunnel. They all run behind me with smiles while saying their grace.

I turned around and saw the moss green hair and eyes looking at the children with kind loving eyes as she hands them boiled potatoes.

"Princess... Tellusia?" I whispered in shock.

She was just watching us earlier as if she's viewing a show, but now, she's here helping the hungry children.

"What? Can't I give what the people need, Amelia?"

She raised her brows at me like a teenaged brat, she sure looks like she's the same age as my maids.

"I didn't say that, I was just surprised, " my voice fainted at the end as her sharp glance over me darkened.

"Are you telling me I surprised you because I helped these little children? How rude!" She paused giving the kids boiled potatoes and turned to me, "Yes, I'm a Princess, and no, I am not like those women with dry short tongues and reeking mouths."

I suddenly felt my face burn up with embarrassment. It's not like that was not what I was thinking, but I didn't say anything. I just thought she was somehow, similar to those other brides.

Why?

Uh, 'cause she was mocking me when the Prince congratulated me with her devilish smile.

And I know, that was pathetic.

"I didn't say anything, Your highness, " I whimpered as I look down on the ground.

She continued giving the children the last dozen of the potatoes, but Regin suddenly appeared.

"Your highness, you are outside in the public, please refrain from saying such words to Miss Amelia." He said which made me raise my head. He was looking down on the Princess, without any hint of fear.

"Well, only she can hear that. My voice wasn't so loud, the kids didn't even hear me."

I sighed, you know what, this conversation's useless. I didn't say anything to the Princess, though I am guilty that I did see her as to how she described, but all is well.

She helped the kids, and that's it. No need to argue over such ideas.

"I am grateful for your help, Princess Tellusia." I said and bowed, "Congratulations on passing the first trial."

When Regin saw me, he bowed as well and congratulated the Princess.

After she finished giving the food, she turned to me and smiled, but unlike earlier, she was genuinely smiling to me with her lovely green eyes, "Congratulations too, Amelia. I would like you to join me in tea tomorrow after you finish your meeting with the Prince."

I nodded, "I am pleased to accept your invitation, " I said and reached out my hand for her to shake.

But she stared at me like I was doing something foolish, "What does that suppose to mean? Ladies don't shake hands here, Amelia. We do a curtsy," she said and bent her knees and placed her leg behind her gracefully while holding her skirt.

She was like a flower blooming in front of me as she curtsy. I was hesitant to do the same, so I stood frozen as I let out fake laughter.

"I see, " I looked at Regin who was staring at me as if I disappointed the gods, "I will see you tomorrow, Your highness," I said and run off towards the tent.

Why didn't I do a curtsy, when I know how to do it? It's because...

I only noticed that the Prince was watching us talk. And I tried to shake her hand which the noble ladies don't do, especially a Princess.

I embarrassed myself.

And what if I got outbalanced as I do a curtsy? What if I fall face flat on the ground?

"Miss, we will be leaving, please go to the carriage and wait," Granny said as she helps the maids fix the tent.

I took one last glance at the Princess. She was walking to her carriage as well with her hair flowing with the wind.

I thought she was like the other girls. I thought she was just going to laugh at others, call them names, and think highly of herself.

I was wrong to think that, but after what happened to me, after what I heard from the brides, it'll be better to be surprised than to expect.

I can't put myself out there thinking that everyone is kind, loving, cheerful, and honest when I myself isn't like that.

I was sitting in the carriage while reevaluating my judging skills, when suddenly, someone opened the door.

"Are we going to leave now?" I asked while looking outside the window, without looking at who was with me.

"Please, wait for a little while, Amy."

I turned my head quickly when I heard the voice who said that.

The Prince was there standing outside with the door a bit closed behind him, "Congratulations, Amy. I knew you can do it."

He smiled at me gracefully with a soft laughter following, which sounded like heaven to my ears after a long day.

"Thank you, Your highness, " I said as I try not to smile too big or my freaking gums will show. "But, can I ask why the farmers looked like they are receiving insufficient foods?"

I know I am in no position to ask this, but he's the Prince.

His eyes looked away from me then he watched the farmers work with the cold temperature under the sun.

"The land master is the one to blame. Their workers should receive adequate amounts of necessities, but he might be cutting out low."

"Isn't that illegal? Shouldn't you do something about it?" I asked with my voice a bit higher. I can't believe it, demons do exist everywhere.

"We can do something if there was enough evidence, Amy. All we have seen and heard was that he was taking the farmer's portion. But we have to caught him on act." He looked at me with anger on his eyes, he's also devastated for the farmers, and I know he wants to help them.

"Then..."

"I'm sorry, Amy. But this matter doesn't concern you anymore, " he said then he looked away.

We went quiet for a short while.

I know it doesn't concern me, but still. They should act now, or else there will be a lot of consequences.

But I also know that he's working hard. That's why he doesn't even take proper rest at night. I can't say words when I don't fully understand the situation.

"I saw you and Sia talking. I am happy that you two are already acquainted. I also heard you'll be joining for tea?"

He said to lighten up the mood once again.

I smiled and nodded, "Yes, your highness."

But, did he call her Sia? He did, right? That means, they're close friends.

How close though?

Close like they know each other for a long time? Close as if they've spent time together? Close as they know things about each other that no one else knows?

Ahh! How close?!

He smiled and turned outside, "Sia is a great person, Amy. You two will be friends, I am sure of it. She can be a little... uh, " he snorted and looked a bit undecided, "... cheeky, but she is a nice person."

I watch him as he glances over the Princess' carriage which was about to leave.

He looked bothered with his frown and saddened eyes, then he let out a heavy sigh, "She's only fourteen, she's the youngest among all of you. And I see her as a little sister, " he said then his eyes landed on mine, "She's just like a sister to me. And I'm sure she feels the same, Amy."

I wasn't sure how to respond with what he said, and I don't even get why he said those words.

I just nodded my head before he left.

I watched as he climbs to his carriage, and before he closed the door, he gave me a reassuring smile.

But the moment we arrived at the mansion, I heard that a member of the ex-residencia was caught, and the Princess Tellusia was being held as a hostage on the other hand.

Her carriage was found in the middle of the forest, opposite to where we should travel.

Her maids were spared, but her knight was taken along with her.

And the next morning, Prince Forest didn't appear for our meeting.