Last Hang Out.

I touched the pendant of the necklace that's hanging on my neck. Ever since Asher gave me this necklace two days ago, I've been feeling really amazing. Everything felt very light and I can sleep right away every night just by closing my eyes for like three or five minutes. Not just that, this necklace prevents me from getting harmed!

One time, I almost fall while running towards Orpheus, but suddenly this necklace glows and I found myself floating! Also, when I was about to hit my head to the edge of the huge cabinet at the hallway, this necklace created a barrier all of the sudden! Dang it, that Asher is really amazing.

He said it's only a charm against the dark magic but it can do lots of things!

Anyway, I sent a letter to Ziel yesterday, asking if he could hang out with me today. I've been bored these past few days because Alina's brothers aren't at home, saying they're all busy. It's understandable since they are all princes with duties, and it's actually a good thing for me. I haven't seen Asher these past few days as well, and I have no idea where he went. Maybe he's got some new tasks again, and it's the very reason why he gave me this necklace. 

Oh, wait...

Maybe he got tired trying to annoy me everyday and decided to finally leave me alone? That's why he gave me this protection necklace? Wait, no! That can't be! Even if I hate seeing that guy's face all day, I still need him to remove this curse! Dang that magician!

"Princess?" I quickly turned around when I heard a familiar voice. My face lighten up when I saw who is the person that approached me.

"Ziel!" I run towards him and spread my arms. His eyes widens when he saw me rushing towards him.

"Please slow down, Prin--"

I throw myself at him when I finally reached the guy and wrap my arms around his shoulders. How I miss this person---he's the only one in this empire that I could talk with properly and nicely. He's my son now, huhu. I'm tired dealing with Alina's brother and that jerk magician. I feel like crying after not seeing him for a long time. The only one who is actually nice to me! The only one who don' have a bad reputation in the novel!

"P-Princess? Is there something wrong?" I pulled away from him and hid my arms behind my back. I got carried away and actually hugged him. He might think I am being strange or what.

"Hehe, nothing! Oh, are you not busy today? You could have just refused the invitation if you have something to do," I spoke. We started walking together towards the Callisto Garden. Yup, this garden again. Like I mentioned before, a lot of scenes happened in this beautiful garden.

"I am not so busy today, Princess. The truth is, I was planning to send you a letter as well when I received the one you sent," Oh. Looks like we've got the same mindset!

"Really? Haha! Maybe our brain cells are connected, hahaha!" I laughed. I heard him chuckle and tilt his head as he peek at my face. 

"Prince Aelius has been 'flexing' about the Princess's knowledge about Chemistry. It looks like Your Highness got some potential to be a chemist?" No way! Chemistry and I are incompatible! Wait...

Did he just said 'flexing'?! 

"Haha, I don't know that much...and, where did you hear that word, uhmm...'flexing'?" Dang it. Was it Aelius? Or Diellzain? There's no way it'll be Kalea or Asher! Those two princes are the only ones who have the capability to spread that word!

"I heard it from the knights. One of them said that Prince Diellzain ordered them to start using the word 'flex' instead of 'show off'," FU--

Calm down. Calm down, Clara. 

I forced a smile at him and just nod my head. Dang it, doesn't that Diellzain notice how informal that word sounds?!

"There's also 'yummy', 'yep' or 'yup'," I nod my head at him, while trying to keep this forced smile on my face.

"Haha...let me guess. Brother Aeli was the one to spread those words?" I asked. Acting as if I've got nothing to do with those words he mentioned. Dang it...

"That's right, Princess. May I also tell you a guess?" I tilt my head and looks at him confusedly. I wonder what it is?

"Were those words created by the Princess?" Guuhh! How did he know about that?!

"H-huh? I-I don't think so...this is my first time hearing those words," I replied. Turning my head away from me. I didn't really plan to look away from him, but my head did it anyway. 

"But the Princess looks really bothered after I informed her about all those new words? I think there's also this word 'nope' instead of 'no'?" Tch. I see. Despite being a good actress in front of Alina's family, I still can't prevent myself from being so expressive. Being a kid have pros---but of course, it has cons as well. 

"Ehehe...w-well, hmm," I mumbled. 

"Does the Princess hates the idea of her words getting spread outside the palace?" He asked. Can he read minds? Or maybe because of my face again? Wow, he can become a psychologist in Earth if he lives there. 

"Hmm...it's because I am not yet introduced to the public, so...I think it's a bit...I don't know..." Orpheus said that I won't be allowed to be known by the other people outside the palace grounds yet. I don't even know how they can hide me from the other nobles when a lot of staffs here have already seen me. 

"Hmm? Really? There are already rumors about the Princess though," Eh?

My eyes blinked couple of times before my eyes widens. There's no reason for Ziel to lie, because it won't benefit him at all. But, who would tell them about me? Orpheus clearly told the Count and the Countess that they should keep quiet about me. I don't even know why they have to keep it a secret. Orpheus is the Emperor, and everyone's scared of him. He can just carry me like Rafiki carried Simba and then announced that Alina is his fifth child. But...hmm, it's very suspicious how they haven't done that yet. 

"Are you for re---I mean, is that true? N-no lies...?" I asked. He stared at me for a while before he chuckled. 

"The way you speak is really strange, Princess. However, there's no lies within my words, Your Highness. It's honestly strange, because I know that my parents won't defy the Emperor's orders, that's why it confuses me how the words about the Princess have spread across the nobility," Across the nobility, huh? Dang it. 

"Did my brothers told everyone where those words came from?" I asked. Ziel shook his head. Hmm...who would spread information about the Emperor's illegitimate daughter then? 

"Then, Ziel! What were the rumors about me? I want to hear it!" I spoke cheerfully. Acting as if it actually favors me that there's rumors about me. But, no! I bet those rumors are all negative!

"Uhh, well..." See? His reaction says it all!

"Hmm? Something wrong, Ziel?" I asked. Let's pretend that I have no idea about what he's thinking at all. Because I don't want this li'l kid feeling guilty about making me 'sad' because of the rumors.

"N-nothing, Princess. The rumors mostly involve how the Princess looks like, and how old is the Princess...hmm, I didn't hear much. I apologize, Princess," Yup. That's a great decision, Ziel. White lies are not bad. 

"Aww, I see. By the way, I remember you saying that you were planning to send me a letter as well. Do you want to tell me something?" Let's change the topic before the atmosphere gets awkward. I'm pretty sure getting more into the 'rumor' topic would only gather negative energy here. 

"Yes, Princess. I would like to apologize for not being able to stay by your side despite my words that I will ease away the Princess' boredom. I should have told the Princess earlier that I am training to be a knight," Oh, that? I already know about that, sweetie. I even mentioned it to Aelius already. Haha...

"Wow ~ really? That's really amazing! So, Ziel's dream is to become a knight, huh? I wish you the best!" I replied and run in front of him as I starts walking backwards. 

"A-are you not upset about it, Your Highness? I'm always absent during play time and..." he paused. He looked really surprised because of my reaction. Was he expecting me to throw a tantrum? Well...I think, that should be the right reaction, no? I'm only five years old after all, and I should be more immature, right? 

"Hm? Of course not! Ziel can do whatever he wants and it's fine for me! What's more if it's training to be a knight? I'll be so proud of you!" I giggled and lined up with him again. We're just walking here at the Callisto Garden. Just strolling around is not bad at all. And just talking casually like this is like the best thing to do with a friend! 

Who knows? I never even have friends in my previous life, so I have no idea what to do with friends. For me, just hanging out with them is enough. Simple things like this will forever be etched in my heart. Plus, Ziel's very nice too! 

"Princess is only five years old, but she's already so mature. Now I know why my sister loves you very dearly," he spoke. Hmm? Ryna does? I know that she loves Alina, but not as much as she loves her dear brother. 

"Hehe ~ I love Ryna very very very much too! This much!" I spoke, even motioning my arms in the air. He chuckled and nod his head. 

"I think I love big sis more than the Princess does," he said, giving me a small smile as if he's trying to tease me. I furrowed my brows and pout my lips, crossing my arms while walking sideways. 

"Really? I think I love Ryna more! She took care of me since I was a newborn baby!" I retorted. He 'hmph'ed playfully and close his eyes while smiling. Let's just go with the flow with this kid.

"However, Princess. Big sis also took care of me since I was a baby, and I am four years older than you, that means big sis took care of me for a long time than she did with the Princess," he explained. I let out quiet grunts, and that made Ziel chuckled. 

"Additionally, I am Sis Ryna's brother," he added. I twitched my lips and took a deep breath. 

"Well, understandable. Ryna loves me differently than the love she shows to Ziel," I spoke. Ziel smiled at me and nod his head. Looks like he's given up now. Anyway, how did our conversation ended up in who loves Ryna more? Dang it.

"Your Highness, I also want to tell you something," Hm? I creased my forehead when his expression slowly turn serious. What is he thinking, I wonder? It looks like he wants to say something very very serious. 

"What is it?" I asked. Tilting, my head as I peek at his face. He's a lot taller than me so I literally have to stay looking up to him. 

"Princess. I am leaving to Elda Region in order to train. I think we won't be able to see each other for...quite a long time," Heh?

Wait, what?!

I think we haven't had a enough fun time yet, though?! No, because as far as I remember, this is only our fourth time meeting? And the third time was when he asked permission to talk with Ryna? What the heck?! And you're already leaving?! This is why you're almost got no screentime in the novel! Dang this guy...

Are you an introvert or what? 

Jeez, you better come back as my male lead. 

Okay, kidding. Just kidding! 

"Princess?" Ziel called. I almost flinched when he called me. 

"Is the Princess upset? We didn't have much time to hang out after all, and now I am leaving for another region..." the guilt on his face makes my heart melt. 

"I am not upset, hehe ~ however...I'm quite saddened...but, we have this whole day to hang out! So, let's make the most of it!"

--

I placed the last flower to the flower crown I am making for Ziel. I know it's going to wither after a few days but, who cares? It's not like he'll keep it with him. This is just for formality, because he's already leaving and I've got no gifts to give him. 

"Dooone ~" I held the flower crown and show it to Ziel. Ryna was the one who taught me how to make flower crown, and she said that she learned it from her little brother. What a sweet brother, making flower crown for his big sis. 

"Wow, that's really amazing, Princess. I also made one for the Princess," and when he showed me his creation, my eyes widens. Why the heck does it looks beautiful than mine when we used the same flowers?!

"Woah...we used the same flowers, right? How come yours looks beautiful..." I mumbled and stared at the flower crown he made. Hmm, how does it look so different than mine? I narrowed my eyes and clipped my chin. 

Oh, wait. I think I know it now. It's not really hard to notice. 

"Ahh! It's because of the pattern you used!" I spoke. He nod his head and smiled at me. 

"The Princess really is a genius. I used six cilium flowers first, and then four tara flower, after that is the trefoil plant, two of them. And then one..." I cocked my head and stared at him, I already know those flowers, because like I said, those are the same flowers I used. 

Cilium flower are like eyelashes of a human but is gathered together to produce a thumb sized circle. Tara flowers looks like stars, but their petals are so soft that it spreads out, while the trefoil plant---well, that's a normal clover plant. 

"I also used one odilia flower, Princess, and then starts with the pattern," Odilia flower? I creased my forehead and looked at the flower he showed me. Wow...

It's similar to the design of Alina's eyes! This is my first time seeing this...

"Wow...where did you get that, Ziel?" I asked curiously. Because even in the novel, there's no such flower! If there is, then it would've been so famous that I would want to see it right away after coming here!

"It only blooms within the Temple of Ciera, Princess. In the Holy Garden. They also use this as interior design at the Ciera Cathedral," Holy Garden, huh? All of the places he mentioned sounds really important!

"Is this your first time seeing it, Princess?" He asked. I nod my head repeatedly as I stare at the flower he called 'Odilia flower'. I'm sure it's named like that, because it's similar to the eye design of the Odilia's. 

"I'm glad I showed this to the Princess before I leave. Would you like to wear my flower crown, Your Highness?" He asked, holding the flower in front of him. I giggled and nod my head. 

"It's an honor, Young Master Laverde!" I replied. He chuckled. 

"Please refrain yourself from addressing me like that again in the future. If Prince Diellzain hears it, he'll definitely snap on me," Really? You're exaggerating, sweetie. But that confirms that they've really got issues with each other.

"Hehe. Then, does Ziel wants to wear the flower crown I made?" I asked. He nod at me as he lower his head, as if he's going to get coronated by me. 

I snickers as I raise my arm to put the flower crown on him. However, I suddenly feel my head getting really really light...huh?

Why does my vision became blurry as well...?

"Princess...?"

Wait, what's happening? My body feel heavy, and my head's starting to hurt. 

"Ash..."

This is bad. I feel like I'm going to faint...

"Princess?! Y-you're pale!" Am I allergy to a certain flowers? But, no...I've been strolling here at the Callisto Garden for how many times now. And I never experienced this...

Could it be the odilia flower?

My body feels weak that I ended up letting go of the flower crown and fell forward, toward Ziel. 

I closed my eyes and everything is really dark. What is this? I should still be sensing a few lights because we're in an open space?

"Princess Alina! P-please, wake up! Big sis! Lady Themis!" 

Ziel's panicking...

My head hurts but I can't even produce any voice to scream. What the heck...?

"Go away," Ahh, that voice. Was it Asher?

"You...Astra's Asher?" I felt my body getting carried by someone. And it's most like our dear magician. He probably sensed my mana and teleported here. And it seems like Ziel already remembered him.

It's so dark...I can't open my eyes. My body feels numb, heavy, and weak. And my head hurts like hell. And I feel like a huge amount of energy is getting sucked out from my body. What is happening?

"Yeah, that's me, nice meeting you and bye,"

Asher's voice sounds really scary and serious. Is he mad? Was it my fault? I want to apologize to him, but I can't even open my eyes and mouth. Just what is it now? Why am I experiencing these things? Just...what is this curse that Alina had?

I feel really really weak...

'Of course, you will. I did say that you're going to be my sacrifice,'

Who's that? Was it the same person who gave me that chocolate drink and pretended to be Asher?

No way...

My consciousness is...fading...

***