Invited to the After Coronation in Canopus

"Milla..." Chance muttered.

Princess Carmilla stared at Chance after hearing his whisper but after a while, she smiled widely. "See? I told you it's fine. Brother even made a new nickname for me!" she said, facing his butler, William.

The butler removed the hint of surprise in his face and smiled at the princess, "I suppose so." he said and smiled at her.

'She is seriously Milla. But how did she get here?' he thought and was still staring at her with a look of disbelief.

He walked towards the princess which made her put down the cup of tea that she was holding. 'What is the matter, Broth—"

The butler's eyes widened slightly, the knight stared at them with surprise but was still wearing a blank expression. They were taken aback when the prince held Carmilla's face, placing both his hands on her cheek.

'No, This is not Milla. She can't possibly come here as the princess, I saw her yesterday. The butler won't be so close to her if she just came suddenly.' he thought. 'Maybe she woke up in the body of Carmilla just like how I am in Charles.'

He glanced at the tea and saw his reflection, 'I don't look like myself, so how could she come to a body who looks exactly like her?' he thought. He let out a sigh and removed his hands. He knows she is not really Milla, but the face, name and voice are terrifyingly similar to her. The only difference is that Carmilla looks younger, of course, since she is sixteen years old while Milla is 22.

Realizing what he had done, his eyes widened, "A-ah, Sorry. I just cannot help but to adore the face of my little princess." he said as an excuse.

Carmilla rubbed her face and smiled brightly, "It is fine! Brother loves me a lot, huh?" she said and giggled. "Have a seat and join me for an afternoon tea."

For a short moment, he felt envious of the princess. Anywhere she goes, she is eventually loved. Not shy and timid, but not exactly shameless either. She is enthusiastic and lovable, brave enough to say and do what she wants. As bright as the sun.

The complete opposite of Chance.

Alec tapped his shoulder and he turned to him. He saw Alec signaling over the seat across the princess. Chance walked to the chair and Alec pulled it for him to sit, "Thank you." he muttered to the knight and sat down.

He sipped the tea and as he looked up, he met the eyes of the butler looking at him. Chance snorted quietly, 'Just before, in front of my chamber, he wouldn't dare to look at me in the eye.' The butler realized that the prince caught him looking and bowed his head.

Carmilla tugged her butler's clothes and chatted with him. William smiled while listening to the princess with Chance staring at them. 'I get it.'

The butler noticed the prince's stare, Chance looked at him in the eye, 'You like her, Am I right? You have feelings for my sister.' he said to William using his eyes.

Seeing the smirk on the face of the prince, William immediately understood what he was trying to say. He shook his head and bowed, 'I would not dare do something such as that, Your Highness. You misunderstood me.'

Chance let out a snort and nodded his head, 'Okay, okay.' clearly not a bit convinced.

"Hey, blank face! Are you still a mute? Don't you have anything to say?" said the princess, looking at Alec. Alec slowly shook his head as an answer, "Still boring as ever. Brother, that best friend of yours is only great with the swords but not with words." she said.

'Best Friend?' he asked, surprised. He took a quick glance at Alec then back in front of him again. 'This knight is Charles's bestfriend? I'm doomed. I didn't treat him like a friend. He must be so suspicious!' he thought. He looked at Alec again. 'But he doesn't seem to be bothered about it.' he thought, perplexed.

"My cat is wandering around the palace again! I still have yet to see her today!" the princess pouted, looking sadly at her cake.

"Wish came into my room earlier. He seems to like my sofa a lot." Chance said. The sad expression on her face disappeared and brightened up and looked at her brother. "Wish? What a beautiful name! You actually gave her a name, I would never have expected so."

"Actually, it's a he. Wish is a male cat." Chance said. "Really? You checked?"

Before he could make up any excuse, they heard a knock coming from the door. William went to open it and showed someone bowing with a sword in hand, "What is it that you need from the Royal Highnesses?" he asked.

The knight stood up straight, "I was informed that the Captain of the Knights was here. I have a message to pass to him." he answered.

Alec heard and appeared in front of the other knight, with Alec by his side, but not showing himself to the man. The knight faced Alec and bowed, "The King has asked for you. You are ordered to prepare for departure to join him in Canopus."

"This is the invitation to the ceremonial party of the coronation of the new King of Canopus. You are to go there with the Crown Prince." the knight explained.

"With me?" Chance immediately chimed in.

Startled by the sudden appearance of the crown prince, he bowed and raised his hands, "Blessings from the Goddess, Your Highness." he greeted. He nodded, "That is right. You and the Royal Knight Captain will head to the kingdom of Canopus."

'Like party, socialising and stuff? No way.' he thought. He would be too awkward and nervous if he ever tries to talk to others he is not close with. He'd be nervous around one person, what more if it is a crowd? He shook his head but only in his mind, he cannot show them that he does not want to. He has no choice.

"But is he not already in there? What would we need to follow?" Chance asked. Hoping that there would be no need to go.

"After the ruler of Canopus, King Lionel died, we formed an alliance with their family and the current king. For this alliance, it is only natural for the Crown Prince to be present at the After Coronation celebration." he answered.

''I guess I really have no choice.' he thought.

"I shall take my leave, Your Highness, and Sir Alec." the knight bowed and left.

"I see you will be meeting the Steins." the butler stated, which made him look, "Steins?"

William nodded.

"The Stein Family. The Royal Family of Canopus."