14 Forget About Me

After we had breakfast, Aiven asked me to meet him in his office after he goes back from work.

And now, I have to spend time with these little siblings of him because they won't stop yelling whenever I try to go back to my room.

I just want silence, kids.

I slouched my back as I lazily go back to their playroom. I hate socializing, but I have to do this. This will help me show my gratitude to Aiven if I play with his little devil siblings.

Nevic's butler greeted me by the door of their playroom. He bowed and smiled at me before opening the door which leads to hell.

The moment the door creaked, I can already sense the danger and the suffering boiling from within.

Then, I saw the toys scattered around like a tortured soul.

The laughter of the kids while throwing each other the pitiful dolls made me want to creep back into my room, never to be seen again.

Anyway, joking aside, since I grew up alone and socially awkward, I never played with anyone unless they try to play with me first.

I have my toys all perfectly arranged in my room with my other anime figurines along with my books and other stuff.

When I was young, I'll just take the toys I want to play and neatly take them back to where I took them. I was a very orderly child back then, and now that I watch these kids play, I kind of pity the younger version of me.

I didn't know I wasn't able to laugh as loud as these kids are until now. I didn't know I was lonely until I saw them enjoying each other's company.

And I wonder if Mom didn't die, and Dad didn't leave, will I be able to enjoy my childhood as well? Will I have a sibling like them?

"Miss?" A maid called me from behind since I was blocking the doorway.

I apologized and entered the room, and the moment the kids saw me, they all called my name and ran towards me.

Nevic was the first one to jump at me, then the three little girls began pulling their big brother away from me.

"I hug her first!" Cassidy yelled with a teary eye.

If I had a sibling, will I be a good big sister? What will I do if a situation like this happened to me? What will my Mom do? What will my father do?

"Amy~~" Ordellia whispered as she pulls my skirt.

I bent my knees for the kids to reach me, then I pat their heads.

Nevic hugged my neck tightly then stuck his tongue out to his sisters. I wonder how their maids and butlers even survive a day with all of this mess.

The triplets asked me to have a tea party with them, while Nevic tries to snatch me away from them whenever the girls had to go and take their teacups from the cabinet full of their toys.

"Nevic, your sisters will get sad if I suddenly leave," I whispered to Nevic as he pulls me towards a door connected to another room.

He didn't answer and just continue to pull me, then he looked at me when we stopped by the door. I guess he can't reach the doorknob.

I looked back and saw the girls still choosing which teacup to use next, then I opened the door for Nevic.

Well, I already had time to play with the triplets, maybe I can play with Nevic now.

The butlers nodded at me as we went inside, assuring that they will handle the situation about the girls.

Nevic shut the door closed behind me, then proceeded to pull a chair to a bookshelf.

The room was just a reading room. There are couches and tables, with four large bookshelves and a fireplace.

Nevic carefully chooses a book while taking a glance at me. I snorted with the thought that he may be choosing a book for me to read.

I was expecting that Nevic will be asking me to play sword fighting with him or roleplay a war. But here is the kid who was sent bouncing by a large person last night.

"Nevic, do you love books?" I asked as I walk towards him.

He nodded then pulled a thin storybook. He jumped down of the chair then pulled me to sit down with him on the couch.

"Mama used to read that for me," Nevic said as he gives me the book.

"Is this your favorite?" I asked then I read the title, "The tales of the seven kingdoms"

"No, Aiven loves that story. Mama said if I read that, I will become like Aiven." Nevic shook his head with his eyes stuck on the book.

I giggled with his answer. He's just like any typical little brother, they always want to be like their big brother.

"Alright, let's start." I cleared my throat as I sit back and relaxed, but a loud knock disrupted our reading.

Nevic grumpily walks towards the door with his heavy little footsteps. He opened the door and his little sisters came rushing towards me.

They sat down around me and Cassidy even pushed my arms upwards to let her sit on my lap.

Nevic stood in front of me, like a little jealous mister, he stared at me with narrowed eyes and pouty lips.

I smiled then I stood up while carrying Cassidy, "Why don't you sit down with them, then I'll sit here," I said as I go to the couch in front of them.

"Cassidy," I softly called the kid on my arms.

She looked up to me with wide beautiful red eyes, "Yes?" she replied.

"Can you sit with your sisters?" I smiled.

She didn't say anything and went down to her siblings.

The maids came and helped the kids arrange themselves and even gave them pillows to comfortably sit.

Nevic was still grumpy, but he was sitting in between his sisters, who were leaning their head on his shoulders.

"We will prepare tea, Miss," a butler said before we started reading.

I nodded and opened the book.

I looked at their serious faces, waiting for me to start.

"At the beginning, the world has a single land with only a large lake in between."

I began reading with a voice similar to the daycare teachers I had before whenever they read as a story.

"The land was divided into seven. Each land has a kingdom, with a king, a queen and their people. The first kingdom was Alpha, with people who have fire powers. There are those who produce fire with their eyes, mouths, and hands. Some look like dragons with scales, tails, and horns."

I stopped, is this story real? I looked at Nevic who was focused on listening. I wanted to ask him, but he's still a kid, he might think this story is true.

Then, I turned to the butler who assisted me last night, "Is this story based on the real thing?" I asked.

He smiled at me and nodded, "Yes, Miss. Everything on that book is the history summarized."

I nodded with amazement, then, I should continue reading to know what this world's history is.

"The second Kingdom, Beta, has people with water powers and they own most of the water in between the land. The people usually have scales, fishtails, or gills on their necks. Then, the Charlie Kingdom, with gravity-powered men, they can fly, or make things float. The fourth kingdom, Delta, controls the earth's powers. People of this kingdom can mend the ground, and they usually have skins with dark colors and rough skins like stones and trees. The Echo Kingdom, those who have air powers follows. The men of this kingdom can control the wind, they can make tornados, cut through things, and suffocate people and animals. Foxtrot, the kingdom who manipulates speed and accuracy, has enchantresses that can send anyone running with the speed of light. Most of its people have beauties that are undeniably dangerous."

I paused for a while, I wonder where these kingdoms are. Are those other bride candidates from these kingdoms? Before I can even drift into my thoughts, Nevic cleared his throat to wake me up.

I shifted my eyes back to the book then began to continue, "The last Kingdom, a kingdom that wasn't supposed to exist, happened to be built. A man from an unknown background created a group where different people from different kingdoms can live together in peace. It started the inter-breeding of the different races which grew the group into a small community until each kingdom decided to adjust their territories for this group and gave them a piece of the land. The last kingdom, Gathrin, from the word gather, was built in the year 0154, with a leader named Lodel Lorcan."

I looked at the butler who helped me, then he nodded, "That is our Kingdom, Miss, Gathrin. We don't have only one race, but we are mixed. And the royals, such as the King, is from unknown blood."

I still wasn't able to process that I am standing on a single landmass, with only a single large lake in the middle.

After I read the rest of the story, I immediately went out to go back to my room.

Gathrin, this is where I am right now.

At last, I don't have to feel so lost. For now, I know this place's name.

I walked back and forth in my room until I heard a loud voice speaking, coming from the kingdom's castle on the other side of the village.

"ATTENTION, DEAR GATHRINS! WE ARE HERE TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE SEARCH FOR THE BRIDE CANDIDATE NAMED AMELIA SNOW IS STILL HAPPENING. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN HER, YOU ARE ORDERED TO REPORT TO THE CASTLE. AND WHOEVER BRINGS HER BACK WILL RECEIVE 10,000 GATHS!"

I suddenly felt a cold rush, they are still looking for me? Why? They can just leave me be and pretend that I was disqualified from their bride contest.

A soft knock caught my attention, the door opened and the same butler last night entered.

"Master Aiven has arrived, Miss." He said.

I walk towards him, "What's your name?"

I don't want to keep calling him 'the butler who helped me'. And it seems like I'm going to be in his care while I stay here, I might as well call his name.

"I am Justif, Miss."

He smiled at me and bowed, "I apologize for not introducing myself last night."

"That's fine, and what was that loud voice earlier?" I pointed outside where we can see the whole village right after a few acters of trees.

"It's the castle's speaker, Mister Fort. It seems like bringing you back will cost fortunes now."

"Gaths? Is that your currency? Is 10,000 a large sum of money?"

Justif nodded, "It's equals to my whole year salary times five, Miss. You can buy a house and lot with that money."

I gasped, "Woah, that's huge."

Why would they give a large money just to bring me back? They kidnapped me, but why do I feel like the ones who kidnapped me in this situation is Aiven with that price?

Are they going to lose some of their greatness if a bride candidate disappeared? Will it cost a downfall?

"Miss, Master Aiven is waiting."

I shook my head from thinking then I followed Justif to Aiven's office.

When I arrived, I saw Aiven having tea while reading some papers.

"Hello," I smiled as I enter the room.

Aiven threw a glance at me and gestured me to sit down.

"Miss Amy, have you heard what Mister Fort said? They are placing money on your return. That means that the Prince is worried about you, won't that sway you back to the castle?"

I shook my head, "No, I'll have fun until the last day of my stay here. I won't let the oppurtunity of enjoying outside the mansion go."

"But you can't go out still, since they are looking for you."

I threw Aiven a glare, "Do you want me to go back? I thought we already had an agreement? If you want, I can work for you, no pay."

Not until my feelings for the Prince disappears, I won't go back, and I'll do anything for that to happen.

Aiven giggled then sighed. He rested his chin on both of his fists, then he stared at me.

"Miss, if the Prince found out about you working for me, I will be fired from my work. It's better if you stay still. And if you don't know, the Prince hasn't taken a rest since last night."

I flinched with his words, the Prince didn't rest? But he's working the whole day! If he won't rest, he'll be unwell.

"And all of the brides are already getting irritated because he denied meeting any bride until you get back to the castle."

I am feeling like Aiven's guilt-tripping me now. I even narrowed my eyes at him, "That's not going to work. The Prince can live without me. He has a lot of ladies to entertain him, he'll forget about me soon."

And when he chooses a bride, I'll be sent home, with no memories of what happened then I'll continue living my life just like before.