Prologue

'At the birth of a new life, another left...

The cry of the newborn babe, and the cries of the people surrounding the Queen's bed became one with the howling of the wind and the sounds of rain hitting against objects outside the palace grounds. No one knew if they should rejoice or mour--'

"Princess!" Pleading green eyes looked my way. We've managed to get the princess in her gown for today's festivity and yet here she is again, lying on her bed, her hair's a mess, and the skirt of her gown all crumpled! "I told you to stop reading already. Do you know how hard your attendants worked just to finish your hair? You have to make an appearance in less than half an hour!"

"You're really noisy today, Bon." she nonchalantly said, rolling to her side to reach the edge of her bed, crumpling her gown further. I can hear her maids behind me sighing their lives off. "Just when I was at the good part too..."

"Good part? You just started to read a new book!" By this time, I don't think I have enough mana in my body left to see my grandchildren.

The princess rolled her eyes as she got off her bed and handed me the book. I've been with her for almost all my life. I was an orphaned servant's daughter. When I was old enough to be given chores around the palace, her parents, the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Leonis, asked me to be the princess' playmate, and that's how I became the personal maid-assistant-neutralizer-tutor-sister-confidante-friend to her highness. I believe there's no one in the palace who can handle her whims more than I can. I know all her ticks and habits. All her hates and wants. All her fantasies and dreams.

And one of those dreams is coming true today.

Or so we both thought...

-----

"All hail the Crown Princess of Leonis!"

"Long live the Crown Princess of Leonis!"

Loud cheers and clapping filled the plaza when Princess Elara Faey Cozlen de Leonis stepped into the makeshift stage.

"Happy Birthday to our Cor Leonis!" others shouted.

Yes, today is Princess Elara's sixteenth birthday. On her twelfth birthday, she was announced as the Crown Princess, but until she truly becomes her title of Bellatrix Leonis, which is given to the Queen, she will be called Cor Leonis or the Heart of the Lion.

As the next in line for the throne, El has perfected her smile, her posture, where to put her hands, and even how to breath and how to tilt her head. She can even smile with murderous intent in her mind. She's convinced that to be a role model for the youth and a ruler that everyone loves but at the same time, respect, she should learn all there is to learn, and master all there is to master. There shouldn't be a gap that others can crawl into and take advantage of and ruin her perfectly planned life.

But I know for a fact that's close to impossible, especially for a princess who lives in a fantasy world created by the fictional characters and fictional life stories that she loves too much. Behind that beautiful face is a head full of daydreams and make-up scenarios. Just looking at her makes me want to shake my head at what she has planned in the coming days or hours.

I sighed again. I don't want to go back to the palace just yet.

After the short speech to celebrate the Princess' birthday, there was a showcase of magic by mages from the Magic Tower. Even Archmagus Hubert Gerwig participated. They made fireworks so vibrant and colorful that turned into confetti as the sparks reached the ground. They floated objects and even drew water from thin air to manipulate into sculptures.

Everyone was in awe. Even El broke her composure to clap and laugh.

When the showcase was done, Hubert offered his gift to the princess, who blushed and said she would open it back in the palace. And with the ringing of the bell, the five-day festivity began. There were merchants and craftsmen, and entertainers of all kinds in the plaza. Different restaurants and bars have opened their doors and placed extra tables and chairs outside.

"Thank you for being with us again this year, Bon," The King, Regulus Leonis Silvius Gallus Cozlen de Leonis, patted my head when they got down from the stage. Following him, smiling sweetly at me, is the Queen, Bellatrix Leonis Valeria Ceres Cozlen de Leonis. Since I lost my mother, and I didn't know my father, they have stood up to be my parents. I took the same classes as the princess and even ate at the same table as them.

There also came a time on my twelfth birthday, when they asked me if I wanted to be part of their family. I declined because I was my mother's only daughter, and I wanted it to remain like so. I was grateful that they respected my decision and have been supportive of my endeavors ever since.

Although I have the freedom to choose my own path now, I just can't leave Lily by herself. I know of all people that she will be a great ruler one day, but who will scold her if she reads past midnight? Who will remind her to take a breath occasionally?

"Bon! Happy birthday to you too!" El came rushing to hug me as soon as she was off the stage.

"Thank you, Princess..." I smiled and hugged her back. "Happy birthday to you, as well."

Yes again, it's my birthday today too.

"Let's go, I need to change into another gown." El linked her arms to mine, and we walked hurriedly back to the carriage.

At the carriage, the princess smiled and waved at her subjects beautifully, but as soon as we were out of anyone's sight, she leaned back and sighed loudly.

"If only people could see you like this," I said.

"As if you would let them see me like this," she smiled playfully at me, "Hey Bon, have you heard anything from my parents?" I tried to look away, but she caught my hand immediately. She has been pestering me about something since a few days before her birthday.

"They don't discuss everything with me, you know."

"But I know that they discuss everything about me with you." It's true that when it comes to the princess, I'm the go-to person. And it's true that everything about Elara is discussed with me. I'm more like her guardian than her maid.

"True. But they didn't discuss whatever you're thinking of with me." I plainly said, because there was never really something to discuss. The topic didn't even come up when she met with the king and queen for the preparations for El's birthday.

"No worries!" she let go of my hand and looked out the window, her eyes sparkling, hopeful, "A surprise wouldn't be a surprise if you tell me," El shuddered in excitement and all I can think of was how to lessen the blow when she hears otherwise.

Back at the palace, I came out of the carriage first then held out my hand to help El come down. Of course, it was supposed to be a knight's job, or just basically any man's job, to assist a lady but my royal highness insisted that I do it because she wanted to keep her hands pure and innocent. When I first heard it from her, I almost choked on my own saliva and died right then and there.

The things inside her head can sometimes be... out of this world.

"Welcome home, princess..." her maids greeted in unison.

"Is my other gown ready?" she asked, and they all nodded.

The gown change wasn't necessary, but Lily believes that if her fate will be decided today, she needed to look her best.

The schedule for today is just a simple private luncheon with the family and palace staff. Tomorrow and for the rest of the festivity, there will be a ball where all nobles and aristocrats, and all eligible bachelor and bachelorettes are invited. Even the royals from the Kingdom of Cancri and Kingdom of Virginis were invited.

Donning a puffy light pink tulle gown with a short trail, Elara twirled in front of me to have my opinion. But everything looked good on her! What am I supposed to comment on? She's had plenty of compliments already from the other maids, my compliment would mean so little.

"Do I look beautiful in this dress, Bon?" she smiled my way.

"As always," I answered. With her soft curls reaching the small of her back, enchanting green eyes, soft features, and lush lips, who wouldn't call her beautiful?

I didn't spend my youthful days reminding Elara to mind the food she eats that could ruin her complexion, not to mention the number of times I had to prevent her from falling so she wouldn't even get a scratch on her beautiful, silky skin, and I surely did not go to the barn every morning to get her fresh milk to bath on just for someone to call her ugly.

I will personally deal with anyone who tries to demean my princess!

With one satisfied look in the mirror, Elara went out the door and into the throne room where her parents were.

"Mother... Father..." The princess curtsied low, and I did the same behind her. "I am ready for my gift." She said, and the two royals looked at each other confused.

"Uhm, Princess, didn't we already open boxes of dresses and jewelry from your parents?" I moved closer to whisper. She was so excited about it that she told me to open them yesterday. "Those were their presents." I even received new dresses and a few pieces jewelry of my own.

She waved her hands, "I know, I know... I mean my real present." She whispered back, trying to whisk me away from her.

"Your... real present?" the Bellatrix Leonis looked at me confused, and I shrugged my shoulders because I didn't know what she meant either. There's nothing she didn't have so what's this 'real present'? Did she read it in one of her books again?

"You know... as the future Bellatrix Leonis, I am expected to continue the family line, right?" What is she... Oh no. I started to have cold sweats and my eyes slowly widened. This is not what I think it is, right? "So, I was wondering if..." she paused, and I gulped. I was about to run up to her and cover her mouth with my hand, but she started walking forward, and it wasn't polite to run in the throne room. Continuing where she left off, she said, "... I will be meeting with my husband this week? Or maybe today if he's already here?" she even tilted her head and fluttered her lashes for an extra charming effect.

"YOUR WHAT?!" my exclaim harmonized with the king and queen, bouncing off the walls, and she flashed her pearly white teeth and perfect smile at us.

Oh, my heavens! I closed my eyes and massaged my temples.

'I didn't hear what I just heard. I didn't hear what I just heard.' I chanted in my head.

Everyone, it is I, Bonna Cranmer, sixteen years of age, personal maid-assistant-neutralizer-tutor-sister-confidante-friend to the Cor Leonis of the Kingdom of Leonis, and I just saw my soul fly out of my body.