Laverde's Young Lord.

PLEASE. 

Please stop staring at Ryna's brother as if he committed treason against the whole empire! Dang it, why are they all staring down and glaring at him?! He's a kid, for goodness' sake! 

So, it's been three days since I asked Diellzain in the library, and right after Aelius and Helios were done searching for the book they wanted, he immediately told them about the playmate thing and the two were NOT happy about it! Just why?! Is Kafziel a troublesome kid? But I probably know him more than you do?!

And now, that very kid is in front of Alina's family, and of course I am here as well. Orpheus is sitting on his throne, obviously. While I am sitting on his lap, with his arm on my waist to support me with sitting. Diellzain is standing beside us, on the right side and behind him is Aelius, on our left side is Helios. And guess what? They are all staring at Kafziel with those furrowed brows, serious, and cold expression! Why?!

Kafziel smiled, despite receiving such stares from Alina's family. Dang it, what's the problem of these three?

The kid placed his right hand on his chest and his left arm behind him as he bow to the Imperial Family--bruh did a 90 degree bow. Wow, how respectful are you? And why are these three still making that annoyed faces?! 

"Greetings to the Imperial Family. I came here right away after I recovered, due to the letter I received saying that the Princess requested for my presence. I am Kafziel Laverde of the Laverde County, it's an honor to meet Your Majesty and Your Highnesses," Wow, he's amazing. Even though these three are probably annoyed by him because of unknown reason, he can still smile and face them without getting nervous at all! That's so cool!

"Good morning, Young Laverde. I did hear from Ryna that you were not feeling good these past few days, I'm glad to know that you've finally recovered from your sickness," dear Orpheus, your tone says otherwise. You won't be able to convince anyone, even a literal 5 years old.

"That makes me happy, Your Majesty, thank you," Kafziel replied, he's still smiling so wide. From what I remember, Kazfiel is three years older than Amara, and since Amara is a year older than Alina, that makes Kafziel nine years old? I'm five after all. 

"So? Do you know the purpose why you're called here?" Diellzain asked. Hey, tone down that voice! It's called and sounds really mean!

"All I know is that the Princess asked for my presence, Your Highness. I apologize, however I have no idea of the very reason behind the request," Kafziel turned his head to me. He's not even taking off that smile, so I smiled to him as well, and that seem to surprise...him? I mean, his smile slowly faded away and his eyes turned wide! Was he not expecting I would give him a smile? And what happened to his beautiful smile?!

"Ah," the only thing I could say when Diellzain went in front of me with his left arm raised, as if he's protecting me from the kid! Stop and let me see the beautiful child!

"May I ask Your Highness The Princess for the reason of calling me to the Imperial Palace?" Kafziel asked. Trying to peek at me behind Diellzain. Can you go away, third pronce so I can see the pretty boy over there?

"Huh? I can give you the answer to that," Diellzain replied. No, you won't! I requested him here and I'll ask him myself!

"I'm quite honored that Your Highness The Third Prince is willing to talk to me, a mere son of a count," Wow, his way of words suddenly turned...uhmm...I don't know, I can't even explain it. His voice sounds different as well, as if he's teasing Diellzain.

"Hmph, if it weren't for Ali, I won't even look at your sorry face," What?! Why is he talking like that?! And what 'sorry face' are you saying?! Kafziel is absolutely handsome!

He's got lime hair and dark green eyes which compliments his hair color. He also have a beautiful slanted eyes. He even got moles under his eyes, on both sides! That looks really cute. 

"I'll have to thank the Princess, if that's the case," I think they've got some issues with each other. Something I have no idea about.

How strange.

Absolutely strange. 

Kafziel is even talking to the Third Prince like that? And he's being tolerated by these three who are only quiet, but still glaring down at him. I doubt they're glaring at him for the reason that Kafziel is talking like that to Diellzain, because they already have that expression before we even got here?!

"Nope, you are not allowed to talk to my sister," Huh?! What is this guy saying?!

"I'm guessing that it was the Third Prince who wrote that letter then?" 

"I wasn't!"

Uh-oh...seriously, why are the big brothers and Father just watching them? I feel like something wrong is going on, and they're not even worried about it? What the heck?

"Brother..." I called. Diellzain faced me and gently smiled at me. 

"What is it, Ali?" I don't understand this guy. Few seconds ago, he was glaring at Kafziel, and now he's smiling at Alina. 

"Can I talk to Sir Laverde?" I asked. His face crumpled and quickly faced Kafziel. He's probably glaring intently to the guy, who's still smiling at him as if this beast of a third prince isn't torturing him in his mind. Looks like he was satisfied to see Diellzain like that...

"Just call him Laverde or whatever, Ali," Diellzain said, going back to where he was standing a while ago. He's being rude to Kafziel, don't you think? Even if his status is lower than you, you should still respect the person!

"Greetings, Your Highness the First Princess. It's an honor to meet you," Kafziel greeted. 

"Hi! How are you?" I asked. And it seems like he wasn't expecting my response. Was it because I only said 'hi' to him? Well, it really is improper for a princess to greet other people like that, huh? But Alina's family doesn't seem to pay attention to it, and are tolerating every actions I do and every words I say. If the Alina in the book received the love of her family, she would be spoiled by these brothers and father. 

"Hey, my sister asked you," Now it's Helios. Kafziel flinched and bow to us. 

"Apologies, it's just the Princess looks exactly like the late Empress that I was stunned," Ohh, so that's the reason why? 

"Well of course, she's Mom's daughter after all. Now, I believe our princess has asked you a question?" Why is Aelius involving himself?! Just stay quiet you all!

"Ah, yes. I'm alright now, Your Highness. Thank you for wishing me a full recovery from my sickness," he smiled at me and I feel like I was shot by an arrow in my heart because of how beautiful he is! How come all people here are gorgeous? Is this a reminder for me that I'm in a fictional book?!

"That's good to hear. Oh, and as for the reason I called you here uhh...well, can we become playmates?" I was finally able to relay my question without any interruption from anyone. Alina's father is staying quiet, so I turned my head to him and was shocked to see how dark his expression is!

Kafziel's been facing the Emperor without getting scared at all from this serious, dark, and cold expression?! 

"Daddy, your face is scary..." I mumbled. The man flinched as he shake his head and look at me with sparkles and wide smile on his face. Why is this man so different from the book? Even the way he treats his sons is different. In the book I read, it does mentioned that Orpheus loves his children very much, but he's not the showy type. Unlike this one who teases his children and show them how much he loves them.

What if I'm in a different dimension than the one in the novel? 

"Apologies, my dear Alina. Dad is just watching the Young Lord carefully to know if he deserves to be my Princess' playmate or not," Wow, so cringe. I always feel chills down my spine everytime they call me their princess.

Still, their actions towards Alina really is different from the one mentioned in the book. A lot of things are unfamiliar too. But, it's understandable, since the story started when Amara was announced to be alive. 

Hmm, I wonder what will happen once Amara arrived here? I still have a lot of years before she arrive, so I need to ready everything. I need to make a plan for when Amara has arrived in the palace. 

"Hmm, but the Young Lord is Ryna's brother, and I love Ryna..." I pout at him and lower my head. Acting as if I was sad that they're acting like this to Kafziel. 

"Alright, I've decided!" Huh? Why is he suddenly saying that? Decided what?

"It seems like my daughter here wants you to be her playmate, and because she admire the Lady of Laverde, I will allow you to be my daughter's playmate. Not a bad idea, since I and my sons are going to be very busy soon," He just decided that right away? Wow, this man's strings are so easy to pull. I didn't know Alina's cuteness mode is actually going to work. 

"To be the Young Princess' playmate, I will do my best to ease away Your Highness' boredom and make her happy all the time," once again, Kafziel had to bow. 

"Thank you, Daddy!" I kissed his cheek and nudged on it while wrapping my arms around his shoulder. The man chuckled before giving me a peck on my forehead. 

"Thanks to you as well, Sir Laverde!" I said with a wide smile. 

"Please just call me by my name, Your Highness,"

I giggled and nod my head. 

"Right, then I shall call you Ziel!"

Hah...my brain juice is running out. I don't even want to think about anything now because all these nonsensical things that's happening around me is just making me confused and always ends up overthinking every night. 

Seriously...I'm suddenly so exhausted. 

***