The three stayed silent, each with a different line of thoughts. Angelina was focused on her painting, and Avyanna drank her tea and admired her aunt's talent, nibbling on a pastry every now and then.
As for Amourora, she kept thinking about her past and how to change it. Should she tell someone about the oncoming famine?
No. Nobody would believe her.
But, the famine would be in two years...
But, she's just a little girl. Nobody would believe her. They would take it as a child's meaningless babbling. And when the famine arrives, those who didn't believe her wouldn't apologize for not taking her seriously and ignoring her.
No. They would say she cursed the empire. They would bury a child alive, but they won't fight their pride and admit their mistakes.
Not all of the ministers are righteous and clean. She knows. She met a lot of people like them in her life, that's why she preferred to stay closer to children in her past life.
But, This wasn't about her, it was about her whole kingdom. And some of the ill-prepared countries as well.
Should she tell them she's from the future... No. No, no, no. They would think she's a crazy lunatic!
But, if she didn't tell anyone...the famine will wipe out thousands of people.
If she wants to save her people, she would have to take matters into her own hands.
And she has to save her mother too. Her mother seems better than she was in her last life, but she can't leave the matter alone. She has to know what her mother's illness is. But how should she do that?!
She should visit her father? He always finds solutions to her problems.
Even if her problems this time weren't about not having enough dresses, toys, or jewelry. Or if the imperial kitchen didn't make her favorite strawberry cake the way she liked it. Even if her problems were bigger than her enormous play place and more important than her birthday banquet.
"your royal highness, it's absolutely gorgeous!"
"it's the most beautiful painting I have ever seen!"
"it's breathtaking!"
"her royal highness is quite talented!"
A group of maids gathered behind her and admired her work. Hearing their praises, Amourora hopped off the swing and came next to her aunt.
"your royal highness, the painting is clean and flawless, and the vibrant colors make the picture lively and pleasing to the eye." Lauren complimented politely.
Even her aunt gazed at the finished painting in satisfaction.
"what do you think?" Angelina asked.
The maids didn't speak as they knew the question wasn't directed to them.
"... It's really pretty! I-I don't know what to say. " Avyanna quickly answered as soon as she realized the royal princess was talking to her.
" I look like a doll !" Amourora had gloated.
The maids giggled and her aunt rolled her eyes. That girl didn't know how to compliment someone without complimenting herself in the process!
No one knew that Amourora literally meant it.
She loved the picture. The brilliant colors, detailed flower petals, perfect lighting, along with the amount of time and effort spent on the picture, gave the picture a warm, cheerful and nostalgic feeling.
Her aunt was more than talented. It was no easy feat to come out with something that's both perfect and pretty in a short amount of time. She even added her own unique touches.
For example, the dress Amourora's wearing is pink, but in the painting, it had black butterfly sleeves, and from the neck line to the waist, a light Lilac color. And the layers of her dress were a gradient of purple, starting from the palest shade and getting darker with each layer.
And instead of golden accessories, her hair had white flowers, Lilies, roses, and orchids. Truly stunning.
It's surprising how a simple picture can make you experience many complex feelings.
The painting reminded her of her innocent childhood. Sweet and beautiful.
She smiled smugly, but her heart shifted uncomfortably. If one carefully observed the eyes, like, deeply focused on them, they would notice their glassy look. It truly looked like a porcelain doll. Gorgeous and pleasant, yet so lifeless.
Is that how she used to look as a child...? No, she's just being too paranoid.
"I will name it 'childhood'!" Angelina declared.
"no, name it 'a thousand and one flower'." Amourora suggested.
"are you referring yourself as a flower?" Angelina giggled.
"the most beautiful flower there is !" Amourora playfully stuck out her tongue. "I look prettier than all of those flowers combined! Right? "
That earned her a chuckle from Avyanna and the maids and another eye roll from her aunt.
"it's true!" she insisted childishly.
"alright, if you insist." Angelina smiled at her helplessly. "run along now, I have a party to organize."
After they exited the garden, Amourora whispered to Avyanna "she made us sit until our backs stiffened then kicked us out! She's so mean! "
Avyanna giggled "but her royal highness was nice, she treated us to tea."
"mhm." she shrugged her shoulders. "Where do you want to go next?"
"huh? Um...ehh." her cousin doesn't usually converse with her, so naturally, she'd be flustered and at a loss of words. Avyanna played with her fingers and stuttered. "um, I heard that you, you had a play place?"
"yeah." Amourora asked because she wanted to walk her there, and then make her way to her imperial father. But, now she feels obligated to spend more time with her.
"it's really fun! come on, I'll show you!" she took her hand and skipped to the play place.
Her father is probably busy anyway. And even if she met him she wouldn't know what to say. In addition, she wanted to visit her play place and play together with Avyanna. That was one of the things she didn't do on her last life.