Chapter Seven: Change Of Plans

Time flies by when you're busy. It seems to for me in this world. The days got hectic super quick and today it was the day of another ceremony.

The last past days were bearable thanks to June. He made sure to not leave me alone while his majesty was anywhere near where I was. Even during meals, I didn't bother attending and June made excuses for me. The excuses were acceptable since I was really busy and who wouldn't know it better than his majesty.

Mathel helped with selecting a poison while informing me of various kinds. We even managed to select one that we wouldn't be easily caught with. That would make his death seem natural.

But oh well. We forgot just one thing.

June and I was standing alongside his majesty while he was giving a speech. I did feel nauseous again just by being near him and hearing his voice. But I tried to keep my calm thinking it will soon be over. I kind of stared at Michael whenever I thought of running away or felt suffocated. He was easy to spot from the crowd.

The same white hair as mine and that so called expressionless face. I did write he was emotionless but didn't expect to see him like that. And those eyes. Those red eyes looked so beautiful even from afar. I wondered how mesmerizing it will on closer inspection. I might be mistaken as well but there was a hint of amusement hiding within his expression. Maybe the world adjusted that line and made him have a good poker face?

Making me realize something. He was sold and forced to go to war by his mother. Even though he was betrayed. He never expected anything from her in the first place so he didn't care. - I remember writing something like that and things kind of don't add up.

Ashley is here. It's strange how he still became a hero. Or am I the one forgetting some details.. Or did I mix things up with another story?

As I pondered about him as a distraction his majesty took his seat and said, "Now the names that are called, may they respectively come forward." Which indicated my role to begin. June was going to handle the others while I rewarded the war heroes. I wanted to call Michael's name first but I had to be patient.

"Kyle Orwein, please step forward," I said strongly. I couldn't afford to be weak right now.

Among the knights and a group of mercenaries, a blonde haired man came forward. He had a sturdy build. Even though he wasn't showing much skin, the part that was revealed was covered in scars. Didn't seem to be that old. Scars from the war so it seems. Only his face didn't have even a single scratch. He wasn't a noble man and yet he walk seemed more elegant than of any noble.

As he stood in front of me, I got to have a better look at his face. He was a pretty good looking boy. I was standing a few steps higher than him so I even got to see the way his eyes glimmered with just a little bit of sunlight hitting his face. Bet, he was popular with the ladies. Because, I was almost drawn in to those light violet eyes that he had in his possession. I tried my best to hold in my grin that would prove to be very inappropriate for a princess right now.

I gently pinned a badge on his attire to his left and smiled at him. He was unfazed while I felt overly cautions. Why does he smell like dandelions? It's making me so distracted. As I was about to present some papers to him he decided to speak, "Can I go back now, your highness?"

"Uh.. You still have yet to receive the title and-"

He interrupted saying, "I would like to decline, your highness."

His response left me speechless. Honestly he had everyone speechless that we didn't bother noticing some rudeness in his speech. I looked at June in confusion. He was just as surprised as I was and decided to take over this matter, "Then if you ever change your mind, you can be granted it later. There have been a lot of cases such as this."

Kyle nodded and bowed. He turned around to leave when suddenly he stopped and came back, "Could I just recieve the money, your highness?"

Gosh, this guy sure was different. And here I thought Michael was supposed to be the only one rejecting his reward today. "It will be provided after the end," I replied as softly as I could and he went back among the crowd. He sure blended in quick.

Then it was the son of the duke from the Weinzkor family. He wasn't like the last one. He had some expressions on his face to see and surprisingly he also denied the rewards and just took the badge. Maybe I should have called upon Michael first afterall. Started feeling guilty that he was supposed to be the one to do that but now it won't be his original thing.

I suppose my disappointment was showing because June seemed a little uneasy. I smiled at him to reasure him. The long waited time came so I just couldn't help but genuinely smile, "Michael Ensthed, please step forward."

He stood out from the crowd because of such an unusual hair. He soon made his way towards me and stood proudly. I was having doubts about him. Kyle seemed more like an emotionless character than Michael. Why is so many changes occuring? Or did I ever change the male lead's name to Kyle? But then again the appearance doesn't add up.

He sure didn't take off his gaze from me. Soon some whispers and chatter could be heard from the crowd. I suppose it was normal to notice that we both shared the same features except for our eyes. After I was done pinning the badge he also uttered those same words, "I would also like to refuse, your highness.."

This time it wasn't much surprising to hear since I knew he was supposed to be like this. I finally let out a sigh. Now it was time to act, "Shouldn't you at least let your sister talk, Michael?"

He should have figured that out by now even if he didn't know before, right? I patiently waited for him to respond while the crowd got even busier, trying to comprehend what was happening. I kind of wandered why his majesty was oddly silent about this but I didn't dare to look back. Michael grinned. Though before he could talk, another person stole the spotlight.

"Couldn't you guys have waited for me to arrive? Feels like the ceremony will end soon," Aaron said as he made his dramatic entrance with the celestial priestess. I just guessed it was Nyla since she was covered the same way like last time. Just this time it was a silver black cloak. June came closer to me amd whispered, "Were you informed of this beforehand?"

I shaked my head in denial. Seems like even June didn't know about it and seemed kind of pissed. If one thing Aaron aced at, it was to piss us off without putting any effort. June maintained his expressions and responded to Aaron, "We didn't think your arrival would be delayed so much, Aaron. At least you are here now, aren't you?"

Aaron understood what June was trying to say but couldn't because we were in public. Resulting in him not meeting with June's gaze. He looked at me instead as a plea for help. His attention was switched rather quickly to Michael. "Huh? He resembles Liliane, don't you think so too brother?" He asked harmlessly. Getting us back to where we were. I basically couldn't help but grin, "Awfully identical, aren't we?"

Aaron sure was making my act a lot easier. He laughed, "It's as if you two are long lost siblings. Too good to be a coincidence."

"You got it!" I praised while clapping my hand which got everyone but me and Michael a little more than dumbfounded. Since I didn't get much sleep last night, my eyes was a little teary. I sure as hell wasn't just not going to take advantage of it. I held onto Michael's sleeve and rubbed my eyes a little for the dramatic effect, "I thought you were dead, Michael."

I buried my face in his chest to hide my face. It's not like I could cry right here and now. Sure could be better if I did but I lack such skills. I believe he caught on too but what happened next was just out of the plan.

He literally had tears running down his cheeks. I saw when I tried to steal a glance making me feel dumbfounded as well. I thought you were emotionless!

"I... Sister.." He was literally crying. He hugged me and snuggled his face on my shoulder. I patted his back instinctively. When we let go of each other, I could see the bewildered expression on everyone's face. Though Nyla seemed to be smiling. Just one person wasn't at all shaken by any of this. But he sure was fuming with rage. Even without looking at his majesty, I could sense his glares at my direction.

Just the thought of it had fear sipping inside of me slowly and I kind of understood why I was able to handle being around him. It was because he didn't show that disgusting side of his or any hint of it. The rest of his behaviour was the same as always and I was always uncomfortable around him even after all those years anyway. I guess I got used to it so I didn't notice. My body started to tremble and Michael was the first to notice that. Within seconds, everyone started to scream and so did his majesty making me jolt in fear.

I looked back and witnessed a once in a lifetime scene. He was in flames. Black flame to be exact. He was screaming so loudly in pain and yet it felt like music to my ears to witness his pain. While the knights tried to do something about it with pouring water on him, it didn't make the flames go away. Soon the crowd stopped panicking and stood in silence like us. I soon lost my balance but dropped down on while Michael and June tried to grab me from both sides. I suppose exhaustion was finally kicking in and the sudden rush of relief triggered it.

Oh yea, which reminds me. We forgot that plans never go as they are supposed to.