Royalty’s Thanks

Ryza holds my hand, and I run through the people.

"Wait, princess!" One of the guards speaks as they follow us.

"Where do you want to go?" I ask as we run.

People see the princess and try to get her attention, but she doesn't stop running and dragging me.

"Let's go to the castle!" She turns to me as she runs.

The guards manage to catch up to us and begin to open a path to the castle entrance.

It doesn't take long for us to arrive at the gate and enter.

When we enter, Ryza lets go of my hand and takes a breather after the long walk.

"Why did you take me here?" I ask as I take in some air.

"I didn't see you the whole party. I wanted to spend time with you." She says. "By the way, where's William?" She asks next.

"I have no idea." I answer. " He must be looking for trouble."

"Haha." Ryza laughs softly. "Come on, let's go to the balcony. The view is really beautiful from up there." She speaks and starts running to one of the castle's halls.

"Wait for me!" I say as I start running after the princess. She is very fast!

Following her, I enter a salon very similar to the one I stayed in, but this one is different.

There are no corridors to the sides, like the room I stayed in. And the chandelier is also different.

Going up the stairs, Ryza turns to my right, which has a hallway with a door at the end.

Upon opening the door, I find myself in an extremely luxurious room.

With a bed probably King Size, in a subtle pink color, with a carved headboard made of dark wood and made of white leather. On the bed, several pillows are placed against the headboard, as well as a large blanket is arranged on top of the bed.

On the sides of the bed are bedside tables with large potted plants next to them.

To my left, a large white sofa, next to it, a large white cabinet with engravings and its edges made of gold.

On the floor, a beige rug makes the place more comfortable to walk on.

On my right is a window, and a little further in front is a passage to the balcony, which is partially blocked by thin white curtains.

"Then I'll want to open your presents." I say in a humorous tone.

"If you don't steal, I can allow it." She says smiling.

"Well, but if you don't like something, you can donate it to me. I'll gladly accept it." I respond with my thumb raised.

Ryza goes through the curtains and onto the balcony. The curtains move as the wind blows them.

I head to the balcony, and when I step through the curtains, I see the landscape of Legorius' kingdom.

I have the privileged view of seeing most of the buildings. Bigger, smaller, higher, and lower houses, and at the end, the great wall that surrounds the entire kingdom

People walking from one side to the other, the white party tents, the yellow light emanating from the square, the sound of food being grilled, people talking and laughing—all of this I can observe happening beneath me.

In front of me, I see Ryza, illuminated by the moonlight and the yellowish light that comes from below, with her hair flying and her dress blowing in the wind.

She leans on the banister and watches the people.

I approach next to her and also see the landscape.

"I don't think I ever thanked you for saving me." Ryza says.

"Saved?" I ask.

"Yes. If it weren't for you, I don't know what my life would be like." She speaks.

"No need to be so dramatic. You are a princess, after all." I answer. "When you grow up, you'll realize how silly you were for having that thought." I complement.

"How do you know?" She looks at me.

"I read it in a book." Lie, obviously.

It's normal for children to want to be free and have more independence, especially teenagers, and Ryza is no exception.

She is a girl who likes to explore the world and have fun like any other child, but she carries the burden of being royalty, which is not really a burden, it is more like a privilege.

As she is still young, she must not understand that she was lucky to be born the king's daughter.

When she grows up, she will gain more independence, and she will realize that I didn't save her from anything.

The most I saved was Foguinho!

"Do you want to be king one day, Light?" She asks.

"I don't know. I think it must be quite tiring." I say. "Come to think of it, your father likes to throw parties, so it shouldn't be that bad..."

"Hahaha. Isn't it?"

"I want to be the Supreme Mage, whatever comes after that is profit." I feel like a shonen manga protagonist saying this.

"That means... you won't stay in Legorio, right?" She questions with a little dismay.

"Yes..." A silence lingers in the air. "However, that doesn't mean I can't visit you." I complement.

"It is serious?!"

"But of course." I say.

"If it's like this, I want you to come see me at least four times a month!" It seems that royal blood is absolutist too...

"Calm." I respond with my palms raised. "I don't know if I'll be around all the time." I conclude.

"You'll find a way. Because you're Light." She says smiling affectionately.

What did she mean by that?

Am I that special?

A light wind hits my body while Ryza and I just contemplate people's actions.

I think it's time to give her my gift.

"I have prepared a gift for you." I say as I turn to her.

Ryza turns to me in surprise.

"T-Thank you very much." She says a little embarrassed.