Father's Day Off.

Yesterday, Orpheus came into my room, and that was the first time he did that. The reason for it is because he wants to me to come with him in the Central's Plaza. He even asked me if I already went there, and I told him 'not yet'. I can't reveal the fact that Asher already brought me there when I had a nightmare!

That's why, I'm being designed by these servants here. They're enjoying themselves as they put all those accessories on my head and to my dress. And the other parts of my body! I mean, an expensive necklace,beautiful earrings, a luxurious bracelet, and my requested ring that is gifted to me by Kalea---

I'm gonna drool just by seeing all these loots on my body.

"We need to make the Princess extra pretty today," One of the servants, Yuna said. They're exaggerating things, it's just a day hang out with the Emperor. But I understand why they are so dedicated with it. This is going to be the first day that Orpheus brings Alina out of the palace and hang out with her alone.

Even I feel a bit excited.

"You look unhappy," And this magician won't let me live in peace today as well. He's always here by my side and hides himself from the other people's eyes. I can't talk to him though, because it will confused the maids here. 

I just mentioned that I feel a bit excited and all he see from my face is unhappiness. I wonder if he's teasing me or what. 

I also prevented myself from frowning because it will surely offend these people here.

"Wanna use telepathy?" What? We can do that?!

"Nevermind, you still can't control your magic well," I avoided rolling my eyes because of this guy crashing my hopes down. I thought we can actually make it.

"Anyway. Get used to me hanging around you, because your complexion has changed ever since that stroll at the central plaza and I feel responsible for it," Really? I don't have any idea how he could tell the differences of it when Diellzain can't even tell. He never said anything about it yesterday when we were in the Callisto Graden's greenhouse.

"I'll bring myself far from you whenever you're with the Emperor though. His senses are really strong, he can definitely tell I am hanging around you two," Wow, Orpheus is amazing.

"Plus he can probably protect you even if I'm not there," he added. I stayed quiet as I listen to him speak. I can't give him a reply because of the servants here who are doing their best make me 'extra pretty'. They might find it strange of I suddenly spoke here out of the blue.

"So, today is your day to hang out with your father alone!" I looked at his reflection from the mirror and secretly rolled an eye. I made sure no one's looking, of course.

"Hate the idea?" He asked. I raised my brows as I pretend to yawn, just to answer his question. Although I also feel a bit excited...

"Pfft---that's why your face a while ago looks like you're about to throw up," Hey that's exaggerated. I don't look like that at all! I admit I looked bored a while ago, but I do feel excited a bit.

"I'll leave once you leave and head to the Emperor's chamber. I also need to visit Abel and ask him about the Holy Crystal," he spoke. I creased my forehead and looked at him from the mirror's reflection.

Holy crystal?

"Don't mind it. You know nothing about it anyway," if only he's just a normal human, I'd smack him in the face! Why is he always acting like that? He's really mean, but he's also nice! Hmm, is this what you call a tsundere?

"By the way, you look really...annoying with all those accessories," Wow...that's offensive for the maids here who did their best to put all those cute stuffs on me.

How irritating!

"Then don't look..." I mumbled. I'm sure he heard that even though I only whispered it to myself.

"But I want to," Of course, you do. That's how you're going to annoy this little kid after all. But I'm already eighteen, and was in my first year of college. I'm more mature that this jerk thought.

I ignored his words and close my eyes.

Are they not done yet with my hair?

Hm, I can't blame them though. This kid's got long wavy hair, so it won't be easy to fix it. I wonder where they got all that dedication to design her hair. I won't be able to have this much of dedication if I got a hair like this.

I'm already done taking a bath, but I am not dressed yet. They said it'll be better to fix my hair first than to wear the dress, because it'll get crumpled if I sit for a long time. Maybe it depends on the clothe's fabrics. But of course I am still wearing a dress, there's no way I would let Asher here if I am not wearing anything but a robe!

"They're almost done. You can take away that bored expression now,"

I don't have that bored expression! I don't even feel bored because he's here! All I feel is frustration for his nasty attitude!

I opened my eyes and look at the reflection of my hair. I don't know what they were pushing on my hair, maybe some hair pins or what, but after a few moments, Mina smiled at me.

"It's all done, Your Highness. Can one of you call Themis and the others to dress the Princess?" She spoke and looked at my reflection again.

"Thank you very much! You are all amazing!" I said with a cheerful voice. I even raised both my hands to fulfill my role as a kid. I heard Asher suppressing his laugh, and I really want to hit him. But, I can't do that. He's definitely making fun of my acting.

"We humbly appreciate your compliment, Your Highness. The Princess looks amazing as well," Mina replied. I realized that among all these new servants, Mina is like Themis. I mean, she probably was the head maid before Themis arrived.

She had no grudge that Themis took over her position when we got into the Alphard Palace though. And she's really nice and kind too!

"Hehe ~ that's because everyone made me beautiful! I'll tell Dad about it!"

Some of them giggled at me while blushing, while some of them just smiled to me as if their were moved by what I just said. The way they look at Alina is the same as how the maids in the Antares Palace does. Looks like this little girl is accepted everywhere.

Hmm, does the Alphard's maids really loved Alina in the novel? Oh, yeah, they do...well not for long, because when Amara arrived, she was cast away. Amara really is a pretty girl as well, with long silky silver hair and red beautiful eyes. Although unlike Alina who got the same eyelash color as her hair, Amara got a black eyelashes too, just like Orpheus. She really inherited the eyes of the Ciera. 

In this world, people with the same hair and eyelash color is rare. And also, black hair color is also rare, because the common hair color here is brown. The reason is because black is a distinctive color that only the family of Ciera should have. That's why the author made it this way.

"Your Head Maid is making her way here," Asher spoke. I immediately turned my head to the door of this room, waiting for Themis to arrive.

And when the door opened, I felt excited that I jumped off from the chair. I even heard Mina saying I should be careful but I just glanced at her and giggled.

"Themiiiis!" I called as I spread my arms. Themis looked surprised when she saw me running towards her, and just when I was about to reach her, I feel my feet tangling with each other!

Kyaaa! I'm gonna fall on the ground---face first!

"Your Highness!"

"Princess!"

I closed my eyes and waits for my face to kiss the ground, but I feel nothing at all. I slowly opened my eyes and realized that I am...of course, floating. And the only one who can do this is...?

"Really. Your Highness mustn't rush like that, or you'll hurt yourself," Asher spoke. I looked at him sitting at the end of my bed, and I also noticed that everyone's looking at him now.

"A-Astra!" All of them were about to bow---on the floor!

"No, no. Stop that," Asher's voice reeeeealy commands authority that everyone stopped on their tracks of giving him a bow. What, what? Does this mean they respect this jerk---I mean, incarnation than the Emperor? Of course, they should...he's an incarnation of a God after all. Still, a veeery arrogant and mean one.

"I simply came here to check on what the Princess is doing. I'm glad I arrived on time," Lies, you've been there since I woke up!

Well, thanks to him, I was saved and my pretty hair that everyone worked hard for is also saved!

"I'll be leaving now then," and then he...he's still there?! I narrowed my eyes at him and he just smirked at me. He only made himself invisible from the servants, but he's still there.

Is he actually introvert?

"Shall we dress you up now, Your Highness?" Themis asked. I looked at her with cheerful expression as I nod my head and throw myself at her. I heard her chuckled when I did that.

"The Princess really adores you, Themis. My daughter is always like that as well everytime I came back home," Mina spoke. I don't know why but my reaction is...

"Mina have a daughter?!" I asked, surprised. Mina nod her head at me as she smile softly.

"That's right, Your Highness. She's three years old," Wowwww...that's why she takes care of me very well too! It's because she's already a mother!

"Woah ~ I'd like to meet your daughter someday. I'm sooo sure she's as pretty as Mina!" I giggled and smiled widely at her. I can see Asher from my peripheral vision staring at me. Probably trying to examine my soul again. Or maybe he's thinking how I can do all these acts without getting cringed by myself. Of course, I do get that feeling! But since I'm back to being a kid now, I can act like a kid!

"Thank you very much, Your Highness. If the Emperor would allow it, I'd really like to invite the Princess to my humble abode," she chuckled at the end of her sentence. Oh right, Mina here is a Marchioness, and her name is Aramina Luandall. I didn't know she have a daughter though. I just read her name on the Odilia's book, she was one of Mom's lady-in-waiting when they were young.

"Look forward to it!"

---

"Wowww! It's beautiful here!" Literally! This isn't the place that Asher and I visited when we came here few nights ago!

There's a wide and spacious area, and there's a fountain in the middle. There's even a metal fences around it to make sure than no one's going to get close to it and have an accident. There are also benches around the fountain, but a bit far from it so the people won't get wet if they rest there. 

But, how come no one's here? Am I just inagining things?

"Dad, dad. Are we the only people here right now?" I asked. He smiled at me before he bend his knees to carry me, I raise my arms so he won't have a hard time picking me up.

"Yes, dear. I posted an announcement yesterday that the whole Central Plaza will be closed for today because of an important occasion," Eh?

...?

Eh?!

He literally closed off the whole place just to hang out with me?! How am I going to enjoy this place if there are no people around?! And what kind of an emperor would lie to his people just for this?! You don't do that!

"B-but...there's no occasion right now, Daddy. It's bad to lie to your people," I said with a furrowed brows and pouted lips. He looks at me, smiling.

"But we do have an occasion right now. A father-daughter occasion," he looked really proud saying that. Should I just go with the flow? And that sounds really really cheesy. I have no idea how he can say that kind of thing. 

"Hehe ~ a very exciting occasion indeed! Oh--Daddy, are those people here right now your subordinates?" I asked. Because despite not having many people around, there are some who are guarding some stalls. Maybe they paid the owners of those stalls just so they can do this...

Are you for real?

"That's right. So, you don't have to be shy about wanting anything---we can even buy everything here including their stalls if you want to," I forced a smile at him and wrap my arms around his shoulders while nervously chuckling.

"That's not necessary, Daddy..." I mumbled and pressed my cheek on his. He hold me gently, with his other hand on my back to support me.

How come it feels so warm? If ever they are acting, I'd still be grateful. Because my parents on Earth never even holds me like this even if it's just an act.

But...why is it that there's something within me, wishing these people to genuinely love Alina? Is it because I pity her for having such miserable life and fate? Or is it my personal desire? 

Still, I can feel the gentleness and realness of their action. This is really confusing.

"Oh, dad! What's that? Looks yummy ~" I spoke, pointing to the barbecues. I already know what it is though, meat skewers, right?

"Those are meat skewers. Do you want it?" I nod my head repeatedly right away. I will never get tired eating barbecues! You can give me dozens and I'll still eat it despite being full!

"Just...just one, Daddy...for you and me! Oh, maybe we can buy for big brothers too?" Hah, can I take that back? I don't want just one barbecue for myself...

Huhu...I want more, maybe ten? 

"Not a problem, my little princess. Are you sure one is enough for you?" He asked, as if he could read my mind! Are they mind readers? Are magicians really capable of doing that?!

"Hmm...m-maybe three?" I said, raising three fingers as I shyly looks at him. He chuckled and give me a peck on the cheek. 

"Just three?" I nod my head.

"Alright then, Your Highness," I laughed as I raise both my arms.

"Yaaay!"

---

After finishing my last meat skewer, Orpheus wiped my mouth using a handkerchief he got from one of his servants. We're now in front of a jewelry store---speaking of jewelry, I'm wearing Kalea's gift, and it looks really pretty. It's a silver ring, but the body has tiny diamonds attached to it, and there's a shiny diamond on it's prong. Since I promised Kalea that I will treasure it well, I can't sell this now, huh? What a shame...

"Ali already have plenty of jewelries. However, let's purchase new ones for your sixth and seventh birthday, shall we? And let's have a huge party on your next birthday," He's looking at me as if he's guilty about something. And I know exactly what kind of thoughts are in his mind.

'We weren't there for your five years of birthdays, so we'll give you a memorable birthday next year'

Yup. I can see it in his eyes. I don't know if they're acting like this because of the guilt or because they really do care about Alina genuinely. I'm confused. I want to believe that their affection for Alina is real, but there are suspicions within me. Doubts and fears.

"Dad. Can we celebrate my birthdays normally? I mean...just us, I-I want to celebrate my birthday with the family first..." I spoke. He looks at me with surprised eyes, but it turns soft right away as he chuckled.

"No worries. Your sixth birthday will be held just within the Alphard Palace. However, we can't do the same thing on your seventh birthday," Huh? Why not? Can't we just wait for Alina's 18th birthday before throwing a huge party? It's the debut after all. I think they call it coming-of-age here. Still, 1, 7, 18th birthdays are all important occasions.

"Haha, 'Why not?', Your face shows me your curiosity, my daughter. There is a significant reason behind why it is important to celebrate your seventh birthday, however let's not bother with the more complicated details. It's because your seventh birthday will be the time that you are introduced to the whole Empire, sweetie," Hmm? I look around the Central Plaza and suddenly realized something. 

That's why we're the only people here, because I am not yet known to the other people. I'm amazed how they could hide it so well when we have tons of staffs within the four palaces. 

"Dad...uhm, why do we need to wait for two years before I go out?" I asked. He looks quite shocked because of my question. I already have an idea why they can't show me to the other people yet. Probably because they're still working about Alina's identity. Since the Empress told Orpheus that Alina is not his daughter, he's probably still trying to confirm it. Don't they have DNA tests here, though? Or maybe something similar. 

"There are...certain circumstances, my dear princess. But, you need not to worry about that. Your brothers and I are going to take care of it," How are they going to take care of it? Alina's father is from another Kingdom. Are they going to threaten them or what?

"I'll look forward to it, then, Dad!" I giggled and held his hand tightly. 

He ruffled my hair as he chuckled. 

"Let's get inside?" I nod my head repeatedly before dragging him towards the store. 

***