12 years after (2)

The breeze of wind brushed her cheek. The combed hair now dances under the wind command beautifully though her bang messed her vision. The strong wind attacking the garden, It's lovely otherwise.

The palace's main garden that had been cleared for half a day because of them was soulless without any humans except them and their footmen and maids. 

She sat opposite prince Sawyer from the neighboring kingdom; Ferho Kingdom. They were currently waiting for lunch. Prince Alec was supposed to be with them, he was running late it seems.

So, they had a small tea session while waiting together. While she enjoyed the view, Prince Sawyer eyed her with interest. 

 "So... Why are you stimulating my curiosity?"

She was startled by the sudden accusation, the cup just barely separated from her lower lip, her gorgeous green eyes turned to the man in front of her. "Excuse me?" 

He smiled profoundly. A tiny confident buzzing inside him for no reason. "Looking at me in contempt, witnessing my embarrassment, and shrugging with a straight face, questioning my word choice, correcting my mischief like a mom... Are you sure you don't even hold a tiny hope-"

"Please prince, don't lower yourself to the likes of me. I'm just a mere duke daughter who still loves her family so dearly." She sipped her hot tea, shut her eyes in savoring the taste. 

The words were cut before it finished in full intention. Her eyes hid a blank stare while the mouth didn't even flash any suggestive impulsion.

The intention of her words was crystal clear. She didn't want to have any special relationship with the crown prince and she still loved to stay under the shelter of her own family and of course, the marriage talk should be forgotten. 

The prince opened his mouth in disbelief. His eyes wavered watching the straight face of the girl in front of him. His last unfinished word hanging inside his mouth couldn't be finished at the appropriate time and now he could do nothing but stare at her in a heavy heart. 

The lady's words were so delicate but at the same time like a knife cut his heart into pieces. She skillfully evaded the marriage proposal that he tried to bring casually. She was too sharp in sensing his intention. 

Then again the tiny smile hanging on his face. A bit amused. He adjusted his clothes. "Princess Elizebeth." Called him.

Elizebeth answered her with silence. 

His head swirling with every scenario that he schemed again and again before he decided to use the straightforward method when facing the hard strong delicate feather in front. "I-" 

"Please crown prince," she cut him off again. "Speak your mind at ease. I'll try to answer you without a lie but of course... If the question is too strong I will try my best to answer very meticulously." She put down her cup in so much grace. Eyes fluttering to the crown prince in a faint insincere smile. 

Of course.

She's THE Elizebeth. An adoptive princess of Shariz Kingdom. The girl was too perfect to be his opponent. The way she carried herself was too dignified.

She dared to speak her mind off even if he was the crown prince. The crafted words were so sly, he would never dare to refute them unless he wanted to have a piece from his father.

The relationship between the two kingdoms must be valued to the highest degree. 

"It was such a lovely day." Said him in defeat. Entirely gave up the idea. 

Hearing that, Elizebeth looked around her in so much delight. As the evening soon changed color, the strong sun ceased and the pleasant breeze came eventually. 

'It's lovely indeed.'

The smile changed its meaning soon subconsciously. Attracted the crown prince that was observing the lady in full interest. 

"She has a beautiful smile only if she is sincere." He said curtly. 

"It's a lovely day." She agreed. Nodded sheepishly. "Indeed." Her eyes strolled around her in humming. 

His eyes still locked on the lady's pleasant smile in front. "Not meant for me, unfortunately." Sighed him in pain. 

"Elizebeth," Alec called them from behind her. 

"Prince Alec." Elizebeth rose. She put both of her palms on her navel and bowed respectfully.

"Yo, Alec!" Sawyer raised his hand to him. 

"Stop with the formality, silly girl." Alec hugged her and rubbed her head. 

Prince Alec; the son of the king of the Shariz Kingdom. The sole heir of the throne and her adoptive brother. Very affectionate person and handsome. He has grown into a splendid man right under her nose.

Magnificent.

His gold short hair fluttered by the sudden gust of wind. The tall, broad chest man smiled at her, pious.

"Brother Alec. How's the preparation?" She mumbled as her hand was pulled by him.

"I'd discussed the terms with Demien and Kyle. We'll finalize the paperwork by tonight or maybe around the next morning. Which day do you prefer?" 

She moved her lips to say something, but she closed back again. "... Next morning. I know you are extremely worried about my departure soon, but please take a breath. I'm not planning to go missing forever." She sighed heavily. 

"Your safety comes first. Your safety comes second. Your safety comes third. Your safety comes fourth. You are the princess of the Shariz Kingdom. Do know your place, princess." He flicked her forehead softly.

A soft sigh gusted without them comprehending it. It was from Prince Sawyer that has been isolated without them knowing it. The sigh gusted past his lips once again when the adoptive siblings communicated attentively without him understood anything. 

"Hello! I'm still here you know." Sawyer waved his hand at both of them. 

Both Elizebeth and Alec turned to him, blinked. The pure reaction showed that they honestly have forgotten his existence. 

"What are you still doing here?" Alec asked, wrinkled his perfect forehead, the walk ceased. 

"Man, that's cold." He delved his fingers inside his pocket's pants. 

"I thought I told you your father is waiting for you?" 

"Really?" Elizebeth covered her mouth.

The king of Ferho kingdom was time management obsessed and if his own son didn't show how to manage the time properly, she doubts he'll survive to see tomorrow. 

"What the… what the heck, Alec? Where is he?" He moved unsettlingly on the grass. His face turned pale and his hair's neck spiked.

"At the east annex." Told Alec without an ounce of guilt on his face. Showed the direction with his chin. 

"I ought to… damn. I kill you!" Sawyer hollered as he ran a lightning speed to the direction Alec showed. 

"What's the topic once again?" Alec smirked at him yet continued their talk back again. 

"The authority letter to enter the partner kingdom which was totally rejected by me days ago and also to increase my knights. Also was rejected days ago. No! I want neither." 

Alec tried to retaliate but he had no chance to do so. 

"Except for your preparation to meet the mythical beast and acting like a proper prince while conversing with them. I don't want anything. One of them is my cousin. Half siren named Logan." She simpered, looking amused with her own long paragraph essay. 

Alec looked bemused. The garden was lovely, the breeze was ideal and his mood was euphoric. None could penetrate his pure mind and cause trouble as long as he has a piece of mind. 

"My cute sister. This mission is dangerous." 

"Hence why I have my knights plus papa's knights. If we increase more people on board, I am afraid it would not be a secret mission anymore." She resumed her walk to the palace to have lunch with her father, Demien, and Kyle too. 

"Betty. This is not a child play." 

"I am not playing anything." She snapped.

Alec tends to control her action most of the time. Usually, she let him be, but not this time. She had a definite plan. Additional members of the group will burden her. 

Alec locked his mouth. The remaining walk was fast and silent. He was obviously angry. He's posturing and shooting a laser to every living breath that passed by them. Though he still paid attention to her surroundings, he didn't raise any issue like he always did. 

"Here!" Demien waved his hand to them once they entered the main dining room together. 

Both of them walked to him, the cheerful atmosphere mixed with their heavy atmosphere and consumed the entire dining room soon after. As soon as they took their seat side by side, Demien whispered to Alec while Kyle wriggled his brow to Elizebeth. Asked her wordlessly. 

"She doesn't want any of our plans." Snitched Alec loudly. 

Elizebeth gritted her teeth, narrowed her eyes to him in a second. 

"Beth that…" Demien; the sharp-looking big brother of her tried to form a word. 

"Lize. You are an independent lady. I know, we know but-"

Elizebeth squinted to him, preventing him to speak further. 

"Father!" The trio asked for the final bosses in desperation. Maybe their fathers could change her decision.

Callisto smirked at the food in front of him. "Out of respect, I conceded my rightful spot as a father figure. She can make her own decision." He patted her head as support before focusing back on his plate. 

"What has been stated by king Callisto." Duke stroked her head too. 

She smirked at them in victory. Callisto knew her plan too much, to go against her order was unlikely. The duke had immense trust in her.

The result was obvious.

Both of the fathers were on #TeamElizebeth.