Strange Boy in the Woods.

It was only yesterday when Kafziel was announced to be my playmate. Both the Count and the Countess are in front of us right now to drop off their youngest child. They both look gentle. I don't know why they decided to come here though, they should be resting because they're probably tired from their long journey in the West. 

"We are honored that our son was chosen to be the Second Princess' playmate. Kafziel will not disappoint the Imperial Family," Please don't exaggerate things. He's just going to be my playmate, nothing more. Playing is fun so there's no need to overthink about things like disappointment and such.

"Hehe, please don't think too much about it, Madam! We're just going to play after all ~" I answered. The Count and the Countess stared at me for a moment before they smiled at me. 

"The Young Princess looks really beautiful, she's almost identical to the late Empress," I tilt my head and stared at the Countess confusedly. Her voice sounded like it's going to crack or something. Is she preventing herself from crying?

"Thank you, Madam! Madam Countess looks really pretty as well! And the Sir Count too!" I know I can call them just 'Count' and 'Countess', but I'm a kid who wants to show how respectful I am and how nice I am. That's why I'm addressing them like that. 

I know it sounds stupid, but they don't seem to care about it. 

"It gladdens me to hear that compliment from the Young Princess herself, who's definitely the most beautiful in this empire next to the Empress," The Countess replied. Hmph, wait until you see Amara Euniq de Ciera. Who's got silver hair and red eyes, with the five-pointed petals design of the Odilia eyes. She's like the combination of both. Maybe that's the reason why they loved her very much. 

I just giggled and said thank you to her.

"Countess and Count Laverde. My daughter is not yet introduced to the public, so I need you to stay quiet about the Princess," Orpheus said. His voice sounded so serious. It's really weird everytime he calls me his daughter even after knowing that my real father isn't him. 

"Understood, Your Majesty," The Count said. 

"And to correct you, Alina Devi de Ciera is the First Princess," Ohh...wow, I didn't even pay attention to that. And why does he need to say that? It's true that I am the Second Princess though? Speaking like that can hint that they're not considering Amara as the First Princess just because she died. 

"Apologies, Your Majesty. We weren't thinking before we speak," The Count was the one who apologized, when it was the Countess who made a mistake. 

"All good. However, I don't want this to happen again," Orpheus stood up while carrying me on his arm.

"You are dismissed. The Young Lord may wait for my daughter at they her playroom," The Emperor said. He doesn't seem very happy about this, I wonder why? I hope he's not thinking about unnecessary things. 

---

"Greetings, Your Highness the First Princess," Kafziel is a gentle and nice kid. He's always acting like a mature boy in front of me. Welp, even in the novel I've read, he's like that. Although, his attitude towards the third prince last time was strange. 

You know? As if they were best friends who used to teased each other or what so ever. 

"Ziel. Won't you act casually when we're playing? I'd really appreciate that," I spoke. He smiled at me. 

"Apologies, Your Highness. I think your father and brothers are going to kill me with their glares if I do that," I laughed because of his answer. Does he really think those people would do that for me? Haha...

Well, seeing their actions these past few days, I think it's not impossible. 

It's really weird though. 

"Hehe, don't worry! I'll defend you from them," I placed both my hands on my waist as I give him a smile smug. I heard him chuckle quietly before walking towards the box where the lego--no, these are definitely not called a lego, but it's similar, so let's just call it a lego. 

"I'm also against it, Your Highness," I twitched my lips and sighed in disbelief. This is an act, alright? An act.

"Alright, but can you call me uhm...just Princess? 'Your Highness' sounds really long," I replied. He smiled at me and lower down his head before looking back to me again. 

"As you wish, Princess," wow, he's really beautiful. 

I giggled before I spoke again. I'm glad he agreed, because seriously I can't get used to that 'Your Highness' thing. It only reminds me that I am an ill-fated princess who is destined to be verbally abused by my family and ends up dying. At least 'Princess' sounds just like a normal name in Earth. 

"Let's play!" 

Actually, spending time with Kafziel is a lot more better than with Alina's brothers. They ask you a lot of questions and it's really tiring to stay smiling in front of them just to keep my acts right. Also, Diellzain is so exhausting to deal with as he make a big deal about everything I say. Aelius and Helios are fine, because they just nod along, chuckles, gives me praises and compliments. But not Diellzain, he always has something to say about everything. Bruh's an overthinker. 

Additionally, I always need to observe them everytime we're together so I'm not enjoying my time with them 'that' much. It's almost been a week since I came here to this Palace and they've shown Alina genuine love and affection, which is really confusing. I don't even want to think about it anymore but it always appear in my mind everytime they're with me. 

I think I still need to observe more. 

What if they have underhanded schemes against me because I'm not the Emperor's daughter? I need to watch out. 

"Princess, are you okay? Your expression seems...sour," Uh-oh. Looks like my thoughts had affected my expression. I smiled at him as I start rummaging on the box of toys. 

"I'm sorry! Do I look like a bad girl just now?" I asked. Of course, that's how a kid should act, right? I hope I'm doing it right. Kafziel is a kid, so he probably would notice if I act strange in front of him, so I need to do my best. 

You can do it, Clara.

I hope he's not thinking that I don't want him here though.

"No, Princess. Actually you looked adorable, haha," he chuckled before helping me to pick up some toys from the box. 

"Thanks! Ziel is very handsome too! Oh, what should we play? I hope Ziel's not annoyed because I asked him to be my playmate, Ziel already seems so mature after all..." I only mumbled those few words at the end, but still loud enough for him to hear.  And I did that on purpose.

"I am not annoyed at all, Princess. In all honesty, I am genuinely happy that you chose me to be your playmate," I only wanted to befriend him because he's going to be Amara's knight in the future. Apologies for stealing your great knight, but I also want someone to protect me! 

It's all part of the plan, hahaha...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Just kidding, I thought of that just now. But it wasn't a bad plan, huh? Guess I'll add a Plan D?

"Hahaha..." I creased my forehead and tilt my head when the guy just laughed all of the sudden. What the heck is he thinking?

"Hmm?" He looked at me.

"Just now the Princess looks extremely happy. I wonder what's going on inside the Princess' mind. It's amusing to see how the Princess' expression changes every few seconds," Oh, you will never want to know what's going on inside this head, Sir Kafziel. You're going to end up being insane, so don't even wonder about that. 

"Heh ~ it's a secret! Oh...maybe it's alright to tell you? I'm just happy that I got to meet my Dad and Big Brothers, now I met a new friend too! I hope I can get lots and lots and looots of friends!" I even had to motion my arms as if I'm drawing on thin air just to show him how much friends this Alina wants. I think I'm great with adlib performances. 

"With the Princess' cheerfulness, kindness, wisdom, and adorable appearance, I'm sure a lot of nobles would want you as their friend," he replied. We giggled together and I feel like my worry about living in this palace disappear. 

I'm glad that he's actually helping me to ease away--not my boredom but my concerns! Ahh, I wanna kneel down in front of him and thank him verily, with tears of joy. Haha, this was never in my plan, I really just want to be his friend because he's Ryna's brother, but now there's a lot of ideas coming into my mind! I'm glad my brain juice has recharged. 

*slam*

I flinched when suddenly, Kafziel throw a block of lego to the balcony before rushing there without any explanation. What the heck? 

He leaned on the balustrade as he look left and right as if he is looking for something. And it seems like he finally found it because---wait, what is he doing?! He jumped to the wide balustrade of the balcony and then jumped down...

We're on the freaking second floor?!

"Ziel!" I yelled as I run towards the balcony as well, and right after I got there. I had a glance on someone, running towards the forest, and he has a long blonde hair! A kid with blonde hair?

I blinked for couple of times before turning my head to the door of the playroom. Should I run down there? But, I won't be able to catch up if I do. I need to talk to that guy, because that could be the magician, Abel! 

I looked at the balustrade as I feel my heart beating fast...

There's no other way then, I'll use the easiest way! 

I take off my shoes as I take five steps away from the balustrade.

I'm only five, so it won't be easy to jump on that balustrade without the running approach! So, I made a running stance before I start moving my feet, I closed my eyes when I reached the balustrade. 

I stopped running and quickly jump, placing both my hands on the balustrade to push myself up. And I succeeded! Dang it, that was nerve wracking. I think this body is actually strong! I stood on top of the balustrade as I look at the blonde kid.

"Wait uuup!" I screamed. Causing Ziel and the kid to look at my direction. 

I finally see his face. 

He's pretty, with yellow eyelashes and red eyes. 

"You! Wait for me!" I pointed to the blonde kid and right after I said that, I jumped off the balcony. My eyes widens as I saw how far the ground was!

Of course, it is! I'm a 5 years old! A short and small princess! Who said taking the easiest way is going to be a good idea?!

My impulsiveness and recklessness did!

"Your Highness!"

I closed my eyes, covered my ears, and pressed my lips together. 

Stupid. This was a stupid idea. Who said it's going to work? How did I not even think twice before doing this!? I actually forgot about this small body! I'm not 18 years old right now!

I can feel my heart racing fast as the wind brushes through my skin. All the memory of the past flashes in my mind, even the memory of when I jumped off the building. The stars were beautiful that time, and the wind was refreshing that I felt so relaxed. But right now...

Regret! Regret is all I feel! 

Can Ziel actually catch me?

That's right, Ziel!

I trust you!

I opened my eyes as I force myself to turn around mid-air to face Ziel. He nod his head and spread his arms, reassuring me that he's going to catch me no matter what. 

"It's okay, Princess! I'm here!" He yelled. I wonder why none of the servants outside are coming to the playroom or reacting to our voices? We're literally yelling?! That's so weird. 

As I get close to the ground, Ziel also positioned himself to an area where he's sure to catch me. And just right when I'm almost within his arms, I spread my arms.

I'm closed my eyes again because of nervousness. However, I suddenly felt like my body became more lightly, so I opened my eyes once again only to see myself...floating?!

I started floating and was put down on the ground properly. So, I stepped on the ground and turned my head to the strange boy behind the trunk of one of the trees. I saw how he put his hand down and turn around. He's the one who did that! Just like how Father did!

"W-wait!" But, he just started walking. 

"Hold on a second, please!" I added, but as he walk away, he also started to slowly...fade away? How is that possible?!

Dang it, I couldn't talk to him even though I'm already so close! I didn't know magic is annoying as well!

"Your Highness..." I gulped as I looked at Ziel. Oh, he don't look mad, but he's most absolutely worried based on the expression he's giving me. 

I made him worry, dang it. Why in the hell would a five years old suddenly jump off the balcony? That's definitely strange!

"I-I'm sorry..."

***