79 War Traditions

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Xavier sighed as he looked at the princess's picture on the table.

"Looking at your face does soothe my mood a bit. I suppose I could write back... but only to let you know that if you write so loosely to me again, there will be consequences… you little brat." He smiled as he continued to stare at the picture of the lovely princess.

Xavier began to write and soon after awaited for dawn to arrive.

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"Princess, it is time to get inside. Say your farewells to the young master. You can carry on the conversation tomorrow afternoon." Marina commanded as she walked up to the princess and Isaiah.

"Very well. See you tomorrow, Zay!" I smiled as I waved.

Isaiah smiled back and waved.

"Till tomorrow, Amie."

As we walked back to the Emerald Palace, the sky began to change colors into a soft orange; the sun was slowly hiding behind the mountains. I gently squeezed Marina's hand.

"I overheard cousin Hansol and a few imperial guards talk about the war. It was today, wasn't it?" I mentioned in a low, mellow tone.

Marina's eyes grew. She looked down at me and stopped walking. She bent down to one knee, looking up at me while holding both of my hands.

"His majesty and the grand commander will conquer and convert that country in no time, Princess. You have faith in them, right?" Marina smiled as she continued to hold my hands, this time- squeezing them gently.

I smiled and nodded.

"Isaiah was telling me about the Giodivonian tradition today. He told me that mothers, wives, and daughters make a handmade emerald-colored craft for a knight going off to war. The color of the gift will declare their success and victory in war. It will also secure their safety and guide them back home. That is why his older sisters and mother gave the lieutenant an embroidery handkerchief. He told me since the decision to go to war was on a quick whim, they spent all night embroidering the handkerchief." I explained.

Marina nodded and looked down at me.

"Yes, that is indeed correct, Princess."

"I may be late since war already started, but can I make something for daddy and uncle Ezra? Can you teach me how to make something? I do not know how to knit or use the needle and thread to embroider a handkerchief."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea! When I was a young girl, my mother would teach me how to make bracelets out of embroidery thread. It is time-consuming, but the final results are gorgeous. If you are willing to learn, I can teach you tomorrow. I will need a lot of thread, though." Marina suggested.

I quickly nodded and smiled.

I remember I made many different types of friendship bracelets when I was young from my previous life. Why did I not think of this before?

After my bath, I was tucked in and laid comfortably in bed as I listened to Marina read away.

"Marina, for the bracelets, can I choose another color? I want to use emerald green, black, and gold for daddy. He loves black and gold. As for uncle Ezra, I want to use emerald green with white and silver. Those are his favorite colors. Can we?" I questioned, looking up at her.

"Of course! Having more than one color will surely stand out! Fortunately, since it is a small gift, we can send both of them in the letter once they are finished. What do you say?" Marina smiled.

I nodded and laid back on Marina's arm.

She continued reading with an animated voice.

I wonder what happened to that black book. I am confident I was not dreaming.

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Three days have passed. Besides the usual daily tasks, I have been working hard to finish up my chevron bracelets for daddy and Ezra. With such a busy schedule, I only have an hour to work on the bracelets. Sometimes, Marina and I would take turns working on the bracelets. This is hard work with these small hands.

"Aaaaaaaand done! Nanny Marina! I finally finished both of them! Do you think daddy and uncle Ezra will like them?" I asked as I held both of the bracelets up in the air.

"My, oh my, Princess! These bracelets are precious! The colors are elegant! The gold and silver make the bracelet look extremely valuable. But overall, they will love it more because our precious princess made it with so much love." Marina replied as she examined both of the bracelets in her hand.

I must admit, It was easier than I thought after remembering the steps. They did come out good. I would not have expected a 5-year-old girl to have done this. This is next-level craftsmanship, after all.

"Can I write my letter now? I want to send off the bracelets as soon as possible!" I said with excitement.

Marina smiled and nodded as she gathered the needed materials by the vanity.

"Nice work, Princess. I am certain his majesty and the grand commander will be more than thrilled when they receive the bracelets you worked so hard on. I will send this letter off. Get in bed, and I will be back shortly." Marina explained as she placed the stamp on the melted candle wax.

I nodded and climbed up to bed.

I got on my side and looked at the pale moon through my french balcony doors.

I wonder what daddy and Ezra are doing right now. I should ask Han han if he has any news on the war from today. How long do battles usually last anyway? They must have finished a while back since all of daddy's knights are the best of all of Giodivonia. It is a small country, after all.

"Princess. I have a surprise for you." Maria came back with her hands behind her back.

I sat up and tilted my head.

"Here, Princess. It is a letter from his majesty."

My eyes grew large in size from the excitement. I crawled out of the covers and quickly took the letter.

It is about time you sent me a letter, you bastard! After countless letters, you finally wrote back!