19 Last day with them

I didn't move an inch even after Aiven guaranteed that the Prince won't use his power. I was more concerned about these guys' mental health.

I'm sure they needed therapy after that.

"Kristina was our best friend. We met through our teachers when we were three. We grew up together, but Kristina was a scholar. She came from a poor family, and after her death, her only family, her old father, also passed away. It was really tragic. That's why my mother had to give me as much attention as she can, it did traumatize me. That's why Nevic was born around 8 years after me."

I just watch Aiven regain himself, he had to be quiet for a while with his eyes closed. I didn't say a single word, I knew he was trying not to get stuck in the same fear and loss.

Aiven asked me to leave him for a while, as I was closing the door he was just sitting on the couch with his face buried in his hands.

I don't know if he was crying, or if he was just sad.

And I know I am not good at consoling someone, and I think he is not the type to let others comfort him.

Before they called for breakfast, I walked around in the garden. I wore a thick navy blue cloak with a large red rose design on the chest.

The wind is getting colder every single day.

After finding out about the Prince's powers, I can't imagine getting him angry.

But with what I did, after running away, what if he will get furious and punish me?

I mean he doesn't look like someone who will kill just because his candidate runs away, but what if?

Will I beg for my life? Will I cry? Will I be afraid? Or will I just accept the consequence of what I did?

I saw fog coming out of my mouth when I sighed, the sun's already up but the temperature hasn't improved.

I rubbed my hands together, I forgot to wear gloves. Just like that day, when he held my hands and put them inside his pocket where I can feel his warmth flowing inside my veins.

I miss his cheerful smile.

I miss his warm voice.

But was it all a facade?

Is the Prince still greatly affected by Miss Katrina's death just like Aiven? Is he still mourning?

"Miss, breakfast is ready, " I turned my back and saw Justif smiling at me.

I nodded and proceeded to the dining hall where Aiven and the kids are already waiting.

"Amyyyyyyy~" called Janette while running towards me wide smile.

I bent my knee to catch her, then she proceeded to me with a warm hug.

Ordelline and Cassidy went on and followed her. Their little tails were wagging as they tighten up the embrace.

Ah, I'm gonna miss these kids.

I was about to break the connection when suddenly, all three of them started crying and shouting.

"Don't leave! No!" Yelled Cassidy as she held my sleeves.

"Please, stay here!" Cried Ordelline, while she rubs her face on me.

My eyes widen with what Ordelline was doing, but before I can even react all three of them rubbed their faces on my arms.

I saw Aiven standing up with a furious expression, but Nevic suddenly stands up, making Aiven bump on Nevic's chair.

"No! She's my sis! She's my playmate!" Nevic yelled with tears on his eyes, then he pulls his sisters away from me, "No! She's my playmate! Stop!"

Everyone aside from Aiven and I were laughing as they watch the siblings fight over me while crying badly.

For me, this is one of the saddest thing I ever saw aside from watching Your Lie in April and Hotarubi no Mori e.

I know even though I only spent a couple of days here, children tend to get close to people when they rarely see other kids.

And from what I observed they don't have other playmates aside from each other and me.

Aiven took the triplets away from me and gave them to their butlers to send them to their seats, while Nevic was wailing while hugging me.

"Come on," I whispered to Nevic, "I'm still your playmate even though your sisters claimed me too." I patted his head and hugged him.

"I'm sorry, but they will have to remove their claiming scent away tomorrow before you go back. The Prince will be furious to know that candaenians were the reason why he can't track his bride."

Aiven said as he pulls Nevic back to his seat.

I stood up and sat down as the maids serve breakfast, while the children were wiping their tears.

"Aiven, what if he found out that you're helping me hide?" I looked down on my lap, "Will he get angry? What will he do?"

I just realized how bad it is. I dragged Aiven into this trouble, and I'm sure it's like betraying the Prince.

He's hiding something that the Prince's looking for.

"Don't worry, I know you can tell him how you end up here, Amy. I'm sure he'll understand if you honestly give him the real reason."

Aiven looked so relaxed and sure and basing from how he looks like, I think he's already fine, unlike earlier.

After breakfast, I walked around the garden with the kids, while Aiven went back to work, but after a few minutes, Justif said that Aiven was calling me.

I went to his office and saw him sitting with his papers, just like any other day.

His eyes were fixed on his papers, while his hand was holding a pen.

"Go on and listen to me. We'll begin the lesson I promised you. I don't have time to chit-chat because they suddenly sent me a lot of work." He said with irritation in his tone with his forehead furrowed.

I stepped back while waving my hand, "Oh no, if you're busy, that's fine." I said as I was about to open the door to leave.

"No, Amy. Just sit down, no need to leave. It's fine, I just want you to be serious."

Aiven's eyes were focused on reading the papers and signing them.

I know he wanted to teach me, and this will be the last time I'll get to spend time with a brother like him.

I immediately sat down, but he handed me a paper and a pen, still with his eyes set on the documents.

I stood up and took them, then I sat on the edge of the couch, with my butt clinging on the edge because their table has to be foot far from the couch.

"Amy, pull the chair beside the bookshelf and sit in front of me, use my desk to write."

Since he looked so strict like a professor, I didn't speak nor question what he said and just did what he asked.

"Alright," he began, and finally he looked at me, but it was just a quick glance to check if I was ready, "There are seven kingdoms, I heard that you already know about that, so we'll move on the levels of power. Level A is the highest, and E is the lowest, which are humans since they don't have powers. But the official lowest level in this world is level D. Most of the children starts with a level D power, some can grow and acquire higher levels. But only the King, the Prince and a knight were able to pass level A."

I jotted down the five levels and wrote my name under the unofficial level E. Then I wrote the three people under level A.

"Moving on," Aiven immediately added.

I wanted to ask about this knight, but I'll do it later. Aiven needed to finish the lesson early to do his work, so I'll just listen and write.

"We use Gathrins as a currency. Each kingdom has a different currency, and you can read that in the book I'll give you later. Next, our etiquette is similar to human's early periods. Women are sadly viewed as a material for the house, and men do the work and are higher than the ladies. But don't worry, the castle, with the help of us captains, are working to equalize both gender, just like in human's current period."

Aiven told me a few more things, just like the different positions in the castle, the different status of the villagers such as a pauper, a noble, a servant and such.

After that, we had lunch.

He left right after he finished to continue his work, which is why I'm left with the kids again.

When I entered their playroom, I saw the triplets holding swords while Nevic was holding a staff.

They were all looking at each other, alert on whatever they are supposed to play.

"They're having a duel on who you're supposed to spend the whole day with. And surprisingly, they are all against each other, Miss."

Nevic's butler said with a chuckle.

"Then, let's see who's going to win," I said with a smile, but I want to spend the whole day with all four of them, it'll be much fun if Aiven can join, but I know his job is important.

The four kids suddenly started screaming, they all advanced, then they started attacking each other.

But they all ended up crying because they hurt themselves in their play.

Nevi hit his face with his staff, Cassidy tripped while running, Ordelline swayed the sword too strong and ended up falling down, and Janette got scared with her sibling's scream and proceeded to cry.

We all comforted the kids until we all agreed to storytelling.

They all seated together with their stuff toys on the carpet while I was sitting on their little chair.

"Once upon a time, there was a girl named little red riding hood," I started.

When I was a kid, the first version I read was when red riding hood was eaten by the wolf, but when I learned there were a lot of versions made, it became my favorite.

It's a flexible story that can have multiple endings, it can be a horror, fantasy, romance, and a lot more other genres.

After giving them the typical happy ending, Nevic jumped with a smile on his face.

"Let's go to the village!" He said with excitement on his eyes.

The triplets looked at each other with sparkling eyes then nodded.

"Let's see if we can catch the big bad wolf!" Ordelline said.

I looked at Justif who was standing beside me, "Can I go out?" I asked.

"If you stay low profile, you can go out, since no one can track you until these little masters own you, Miss."

I smiled, then this is a perfect opportunity to have fun with the kids! And I also haven't taken a good look in the village.

Good thing it's cold, I can get to wear a cloak with a hood.

It covers half of my face if I pull it down, this means they can't see my face.

After a few minutes, we were all ready to go out.

Justif also told Aiven what we're about to do and he just said that we have to be careful.

"Let's go!" Nevic runs to the carriage, while the three girls were with me.

Janette was holding my hand, Ordelline was clinging on my skirt, but Cassidy was running after her brother.

"Please, be careful, Miss," Cassidy's maid cried while running after her.

I can feel my heart beating fast, just like the day I decided to embark on an adventure.

This is the last day I'll get to feel normal in this world, tomorrow, I'll go back to the mansion to prepare for the first trial.

And whatever happens after that, it'll be an exciting question.