Albireo Garden's Maze.

Yesterday was exhausting...but it was fun. I get to know more about Orpheus, and I feel a bit more comfortable with him now. Turned out yesterday was his day off, and he really finished all the papers he needed to finish just to have a day with his daughter. That sounds unbelievable, but it already happened, so I have no choice but to believe it. 

And today...Helios is in front of me, and we're here at the Albireo Palace's garden. It's quite different from how the Callisto Garden and Antares Palace's garden looks like. Of course, they should have their own designs. But this garden looks really really amazing too. I think the most simple garden I visited is the Antares Palace's. 

There are paths for all the beautiful flowers, as if they're guiding you to the most beautiful ones. There's also a maze, and it's made of flowers. There's even a fountain a bit far from where this open pavilion is located. There's a wall of topiary plants to act as a sign where the garden's boundary is. It's really cool...

"This is your first time in this garden. What do you think?" Helios asked when he noticed me looking around the garden. I made sure to turn the 'amazed and excited' expression on to show him my best act. 

"It's beautiful, Brother Heli! Oh, and that maze...I'd like to try going in it!" I spoke, pointing at the maze not far away from where we are right now. Helios stared at me as he smile. His left elbow leaned on the table as he press his cheek on his palm.

"Sure, Ali. Then I'll tell you a story. When Zain and Aeli were still much younger than right now, they loved playing tag within that maze with me," Woah...the three of them are really close to each other huh? Well, it is also mentioned in the novel that they get along well with each other, but there were times that they'd have to fight each other just to find out who's going to hang out with Amara first. 

They're not like that to Alina, though?

Maybe because we're different from each other? Alina is just their half-sister, while Amara is their real sister. 

Oh, and Aelius always lose their battles because his magic isn't a destructive type. I mean, he can fight well than normal humans, but he's more into healing. He decided to train his body for fighting in order to protect himself. Being a doctor is not easy after all, even in a players versus players games, they always target the healers first. 

"Whoa! That seems fun!" I clasp my hands together and lean forward to him a little bit.

He just chuckled and continued staring at me. I turn my head to the fountain and examine it. It looks similar to the large one in the Callisto Garden, but this one is smaller. 

"W...re ...ry," Huh? I didn't hear that. I looked at Helios and tilt my head. 

"What was that, brother?" I asked. He shook his head and stood up. 

"Do you wish to go to the maze? I will let you point at which direction we should go, since I already know the way out of the maze," Oh. He's going to let me play inside the maze? Kinda exciting, I can't help but to smile genuinely at him. 

"Really?" I asked. He nod his head and I happily jumped down from the chair. 

"Let's go, let's gooo!" I stretched my arm at him and he chuckled before holding my hand. I walk like a soldier while humming happily and swaying my body. This is how excited kids acts sometimes, right? I read it from comics and novels. 

Helios chuckled. 

"You look really excited, Ali," For real. I'm excited. 

"Of course! I get to play with Brother Heli after all!" But this is not the reason of my excitement. It's simply because I'll be able to play within a maze, and this is going to be the very first time. On the outside, it looks wide, that's why I'm excited. 

"Does that makes you happy?" He asked again. I turned my head to him and smile widely as I nod my head. 

"Of course! I want to spend time with big brothers and Dad! Oh, I had a lot of fun with Dad yesterday! We had meat skewers and then he bought me new accessories and jewelries, and then we went to look around the plaza and I got to eat a looot of different kinds of sweets! And then, and then, we went to a luxurious looking restaurant and Dad bought me lots and lots of meats!" I was gesturing my other arm that's not holding his hand just to show him how much fun this little girl had yesterday. 

I admit. I'd be lying if I don't say that I had fun yesterday. That was the very first time that I hang out with a Father after all. Even though there are still doubts in my heart because of the novel I read, I still can't deny the fact that I can feel and see the affection that Orpheus and his sons have for this little girl. I can't even describe this feeling within me. I want to believe them but I can't let go of the doubts and thoughts that maybe they are scheming something. 

I wonder why...?

"It gladdens me that you seem to enjoy hanging out with Father, haha. Now, shall I carry you as we enter the maze garden?" He asked. I raised my arms and faced him. 

"Yes, please ~" I replied. He just nod his head before carrying me. 

He started walking and finally entered the maze. Right after we enter the maze, there are already two pathways. 

"Oh, brother Heli, you should uhm 'hush', hmmkay? I'll figure it out myself!" I spoke. I even pressed my index finger to my lips to tell him to shut up and let me do it. I am just acting that I know which way we should go, because kids have this strange mind that thinks they can do a lot of things. 

"Yes. Understood, little princess," he gives me a peck on my cheek and all I did was giggle. 

"Then, let's go west!" I said, pointing to the left side. He nod his head as he starts walking to the direction I said. After that, he went right again because there's no other paths at the moment. 

I watch our way as he walk, and I noticed how the grass here are glowing everytime he step on it. It's cool...I want to try it too!

"Brother Heli, can you put me down please?" I asked. Helios smiled at me and nod his head before putting me down to the ground. And right after he did that, I felt a strange feeling within me as if my whole body is a lot more lighter now...I also watched as the grasses glow when I stepped on it. 

"Ali..." I creased my forehead and turned to Helios. What's with that surprised expression? Did I do something that deserve that kind of look, sir? I giggled and starts brushing the grasses with my right foot, and I felt really really amazed everytime it glows by the touches of my shoes!

That's really cool! 

"Brother Heli? Hihi, I feel so so so energetic right now! I don't know why!" I said. The truth is, even though I feel very fine each day, right now I feel much more better than those past days. I admit, there were times that I feel exactly this way...I think it was everytime I'm with Asher? 

"Ali, sweetie. Your hair..." He suddenly kneel down in front of me. The grasses that his knee touched glows as well, and there were white spots that floats away from it. He stretched his arms behind me and then carefully touched my hair, I just stared at him as he gently caress my wavy hair and take the tip of my hair before showing it to me.

"W-what..." It's glowing gold? What is that? Just the tip of her hair?

What's the meaning of that? I focused on my peripheral vision to check if Helios's hair is also glowing, but it's not. Then, why is Alina's hair glowing gold?

"Wowww! Even my hair is glowing!" I'm confused but I need to get my act together. I have to act like a kid, and these kind of strange occurrence surely will excite kids. I know of it. 

"T-that's right, Ali...that's amazing, isn't it?" He asked. I nod at him and smile widely while giggling happily. I noticed his strange reaction but I chose to ignore it. I'll ask Asher about it later. Come to think of it, where is he?

I thought he's only gonna distance himself from me when the Emperor is here? Oh, it's not like I want him here, just curious. 

"This is so cooool!" I said, running circles in front of Helios while trying to follow the tips of my hair with my eyes, I continued to giggle. I can feel his stares so, I stopped and grab his hand. 

"Let's continue, Brother!" I started walking, and I feel really really amazing because of these glowing grasses and the glowing tip of hair. Maybe my acting isn't just an acting anymore, because I feel like I'm so cool right now, haha!

Still, why is my hair suddenly glowed right after stepping onto those glowing grasses? I should ask Asher about it later, and maybe he can also visit this garden to check which type of grasses are these. 

THIRD PERSON

Helios stared at Alina's hair as he furrow his brows a bit. There are thoughts within his mind that he refuse to accept, but seeing the hair of his younger sister forced him to believe that his thoughts are right. 

'Should I tell Dad about this, or consult the Astra first? I don't know what to feel about this,' Helios thought as he lets his sister drag him within the maze. Alina's just going the way she wants and is cheerfully walking while holding Helios' hand. That's her best act. 

"Oww...a dead end..." Alina pouts her lips and looks at her brother. Helios stared at her for a moment before he smile softly. 

"No need to get discouraged, Ali. If it's not here, then surely it's the other one," Helios spoke, Ali still pouts and starts walking back to where they last came from. Helios just laughed at her and asked. 

'Of course, I know that. Logic, guy,' Clara thought, but still continued with her acts. 

"What's gotten you so upset?" Helios asked, following his sister because they're holding hands. 

"My win streak is now broken..." Helios creased his forehead and cocked his right brow.

"Win streak? In what?" The first prince asked curiously. 

"I was counting in my mind how many right guesses I got everytime we turn to another path, but now I guessed a dead end..." Alina replied, causing Helios to blink three times and suddenly...

"Hahahaha," Clara flinched as she look at the prince in front of her. Her eyes are wide open as she prevents herself from raising an eyebrow because of Helios' sudden laughter. But she also thought how handsome and gorgeous this guy is if he's a person who laughs more. 

"That's so adorable, Ali. That's why your face lit up everytime we take a turn...you're so cute," Alina giggles as she starts walking again while dragging her brother. 

'Actually, I only made that up, but was he telling the truth when he said my face lit up at every turn?' Clara thought. She prevented herself from chuckling as they continue with their maze game. 

Helios took a deep breath and forced himself to remove the thoughts about Alina's hair, and just decides to talk with his sister. However, he can't avoid glancing to the little girl's glowing hair as it sways while she walks. 

'Strange, that's so strange. I heard about these glowing hairs from the books, but this is the first time that I'm seeing it in person...and why Ali? What's...going on with her?' 

Helios smiled as he listens to his sister's stories about her yesterday's trip to the Central Plaza. He can't help but feel sad and guilty everytime his sister smiles widely while telling her stories. He felt like Ali's life has been hard not being able to see her family for five years ever since she was born, however he's also thankful to the servants that took care and protected his sister from the moment she arrived in this world. 

'This time, we'll be the ones that protects you,'

He glanced a one last look on Alina's hair before he stops walking. Alina paused as well and looks at him confusedly. 

"May I carry Your Highness again?" Helios asked, politely. Alina blinks for a couple of times before she answered. Although Clara feels a bit curios why he's talking to her like that, and decides to reply in the same politeness. 

"It'll be an honor, Your Highness!" Alina replied back, addressing his brother differently this time. That made Helios chuckle as he carries the little girl. 

"You didn't have to imitate my way of words," the prince spoke. 

"Hehe ~" 

***