What Is Love?

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

I giggled as he held me in his arms.

What a thought. HIM!? Love me?! Are we talking about the same trash man? Bain, as much as you are sweet- you are blind. Are we talking about the same person here? You mean the tyrant emperor who hunts down countries and murders everything in sight for his own enjoyment? The crazy bastard who almost killed his newborn child? THAT MAN?! I get it. He is your man-crush. You look up to him. But now, you are getting out of hand with the lies.

As we got closer to the lake, I could still see Bain look around and alert.

What is up with this man? Too much coffee this morning?

We finally arrived at the lake. I could see maids layout a large blanket underneath a large tree.

"Should we call for his majesty?" asked one of the imperial maids.

Bain looked at me and tilted his head. I nodded as a sign of confirmation.

"Go ahead. The princess is ready."He answered.

"What a gorgeous day. Don't you agree, Princess?" Bain questioned.

I looked up at the sky. The blue sky was dotted with white fluffy clouds that drifted lazily.

I gently smiled and nodded.

Bain sat me down on the picnic blanket as we waited for the trashman to arrive.

"His majesty has arrived, Princess." Said one of the imperial maids.

They quickly began to unpack the picnic baskets. To my surprise, they were all desserts from homemade fudge to french macaroons. My mouth began to water.

As I sat down, I could see the trashman walking towards us with a butler who held an umbrella underneath him, trying to keep up with his pace and a few palace knights.

That's strange. The trash man changed his outfit. He is wearing fitted black slacks with a white, fitted button-up, long sleeve shirt. It really suits his tall, built figure. He's always dressed up in royal attire aside from his training outfit.

He casually walked towards me as he fixed the buttons on his sleeves, looking like a supermodel walking down the catwalk. A gust of wind blew towards the side of him, gently blowing his thick, black hair in slow motion.

The sun was shining down on his pale, milky skin, giving him a shimmery effect.

This man is glowing. Is this a movie? Does he naturally have a Snapchat filter on at all times?! Where can I get one?

Forget that! How can anyone look like a supermodel with minimal effort?! Why do you, of all people, have to be so damn good looking?!

He brushed his hair back using his fingers as a comb, exposing his forehead as he observed his surroundings.

"You, and you… Stay. The rest of you can spread out and keep a lookout. As for the rest of you, I only need one server. You can stay. The rest can go back to the imperial palace and continue your tasks." He commanded.

They all quickly bowed and left.

He crossed his arms awkwardly as he stood tall near me.

I tilted my head as I looked up at him.

There are benches, but they are quite far away from here. Do you just plan on standing there awkwardly as I eat my dessert? Is he waiting for an invitation? Are you too good to sit on the floor?

"Uhm, daddy? Can you please sit down next to me?" I asked as I looked at him.

He looked away for a few seconds. He cleared his throat and looked down at me.

I smiled at him and patted the ground next to me.

He awkwardly approached the picnic blanket and sat crossed legged, about 2 meters away from me. He sat up with his back, straight as an arrow. Having both arms on his knees.

I began to laugh as a result.

He side-eyed me and raised his eyebrow in confusion.

"W...What are you laughing at?" he questioned.

"You, daddy! Why are you sitting like that?! You look like a soldier! It is just us here, daddy. Relax and enjoy the good weather!" I giggled.

I could tell that this man does not know what it's like to 'relax.' When was the last time you even had a day to yourself aside from yesterday? Even then, you were tense and always on guard during the festival. It must be tiring to be paranoid. Being an emperor is a tough job.

He cleared his throat once again, as a sign of embarrassment. He slowly stretched both of his arms behind him, placing his hands on the ground to support his posture.

Finally, you look like a human being.

I got on my knees and crawled next to him. I could see him side-eyeing me in confusion.

"Can you tell the maid to leave? I want to be alone with you." I whispered.

He looked at me with a neutral expression and nodded.

"You there, leave but stay near enough if I need something." He commanded as he pointed at her.

She bowed quickly and left.

Finally, we are alone. I mean, the guards are still nearby, but at least they are minding their own business.

I sat near him and began to eat my dessert again. I would occasionally glance at him, only to see him looking out into the lake.

Life is just not fair. How can this man be my dad? His appearance is unreal. The more I stare, the harder it is to believe that this man's beauty exists. Every facial feature looks as if it was carefully studied and sculpted by God himself. Now that I think about it, If my calculations are correct, he is maybe 23 years of age? Young people from my world would be fresh out of college, trying to get a stable job, or out partying. Yet you have this young man who did not ask to be of royal blood, let alone a prince who conquered the throne at the age of seventeen to only deal with blood, death, and war. Guess that is normal in this world.

"Make sure to drink something, along with your dessert. You got a stomach ache last time you ate sweets without a drink." he commanded.

I looked at him in shock. Does he remember that? That was months ago! Wait. How does he know that? I got my stomach ache way after dinner during that time.

"I had the maids pack honey milk for you. Here, drink this." He explained as he served me a glass of milk from a jar.

"Thank you, daddy." I smiled as I grabbed the glass out of his hand.

He looked out to the lake once again. This time, he looked a bit distraught.

He kept opening and closing his mouth as if he was trying to find the right time to start the conversation I would assume he attempted during breakfast.

I averted my eyes away from his direction and quickly stood up. I walked towards the lake to avoid his 'announcement.'

I knew I had to leave him for a bit. I do not want to talk about his plans for leaving. I want him to just stay here and avoid having this conversation. I know I should not care. After all, this man and I are not on good terms. Sure, we get along sometimes. If I am lucky, he even throws a couple of smiles my way. However, something about him being gone… just seems unpleasant. I do not know this feeling. But what I do know is that I do not want him gone.