Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2: Prince Alistair of the Gem Empire "S-sorry?" How does he know though? "I have heard rumors that you have been chasing him. That"s good, I want him to marry you "I was screaming inside my head. Rumors my face! You're really very gossipy? How to back out of candidacy? Because I"m a volunteer in the first seat, that"s why I always regret it! "Uhm… My King? I have something to say? " I nervously said. I can feel my palms are sweating hard. "Oh Astraea, no need for formalities" He laughed. "You were so bubbly back then, why are you so bubbly now? Did something happen? I'm sorry, I am not very updated on what is happening inside the Empire. " "I'm not happy, this is good- this is again. I mean nothing much is happening inside the empire. " What about June? I was caught in the forehead. "I heard you almost drown. Was it true? " I stopped thinking what to say. "Or was- "Y-yes your majesty, it was my mistake. I will never do it again. " What the King hated the most is chasing for someone or ignoring for someone that might end up injuring yourself. He also hate lies, so if I lie today. I'm doomed. I bowed as he stared at me intently. Shit. "Why are you sorry?" "Because it was my fault your majesty. I have caused trouble to some people inside the palace. " I said with a calm voice. I need to be calm, back in the past I always lose temper. "But you were the one who was hurt, child. Why are you sorry? " I close my eyes to what the King said, its been so long. I always wanted to hear those kind voices from the King again. He was like my father. "I have promised my dear old friend that I will take care of their only princess." I inhaled slowly, my parents died from an accident. They were heading home that time, but it was raining hard. They went on a shortcut but they were too dangerous one, many trees were old. Some fell because of the force of the wind and there they died. I was young at that time, so the King took care of me. Then I met his son, Alistair Lament. The future King of the Empire. I really have no plans to be Queen case because of the promise and because I want something with him. I tried to be one. "There is nothing to worry about me, your majesty. I am fine now, you must take care of your health as well. "I said, I want to avoid that kind of conversation about my parents and past. "Oh, I am fine dear child. Do you remember the promise you made with my son? " Here we go again. How to avoid this too. "I don't remember any promises, your Majesty." I LIED, I'm so dead when he know if I didn"t. I need a reason! "I might have hit my head somewhere when I drown." I hope I can at least convince the king because I'm really dead. "Ohh is that so?" he nodded and arranged a seat. "I heard the news from him." I immediately looked at him. What? "Yes?" "I heard the rumors from Alistair, the rumors that you drowned I mean. He was worried. " He told me happy news as if I would be excited or happy. "A-ah I don't know." I said with my hand on my head, worried my ass! He didn"t even visit me. "W-what, I have something to say." I said tremblingly. I don"t want to disappoint him. "Anything, child." he said. "I want to back out of the competition." I nodded and said. I don"t want to see his disappointed face. I heard a loud sigh. "Hmmm… Sure." I immediately looked at him. "If you will tell me your reason, then I will consider your request." He got up and went to one of the sofas near the throne, the king has some comfortable room. This is probably his work room since there are many books and papers. "Sit down." I immediately complied. I've been standing before. "Now tell me child. What is your reason? " I took a deep breath and explain to him. "I want to study well your majesty. I am not fit to be the Queen of the Empire, I want to study archery and I want to be a knight instead. " I really had no plans to study politics before, I was blinded by love and decided to take what I am not good at. I took politics but deep inside I really want to be a knight. I know archery and swordsmanship, Dad taught me before he disappeared. He would always train me to be one since I don"t have a brother. I was a little rebel back in then, I don"t wear fancy dresses and wear fancy shoes. I always go out and play with swords. But when papa had an accident, the King took care of me and dressed me up to be a princess. Not that I don't want to but I really wanted to hold a sword again. "Instead of taking politics, I wanted to be a knight." I don"t want to be the Queen if it will end my life anyway. "But do you want to marry my son?" ‘If only he would marry and love me too" That"s what I would answer in my mind case… "I do not wish to marry the prince. I wish to be a knight who protects the prince. " I said confidently. *Door Opens* "Father I have something to-" My eyes widened and I covered my mouth. SH*T IT'S ALISTAIR! I immediately stood up and bowed to him. crap, did he hear what I said? "Greetings to the Ki- I mean Prince of the Gem Empire." I nervously said while bowing at him. I think I'm used to the old King I call him. "Astraea? What are you doing here?" he asked with a rough voice. "I invited her here, son. No need to be mad at her. Astraea you may sit down. " I immediately complied. I swallowed looking at the dear King. "What is it that you want to talk about?" he asked his son. I just quietly leaned back in my seat. "Oh, I thought she's here again because of- nevermind." He continued to speak. "Am I really gonna take all of these classes? There are so many problems of politics. And I don"t want to study magic at all. " Sense, on the other hand, overwhelmed the dear King. "Son, you can"t just focus on politics to be the King. You must learn to defend yourself. " "I already studied swordsmanship and combat, I can protect myself perfectly." It used to be arrogant. Wait he didn"t study magic? So is a wizard and a knight from before beside him? They seem close friends from the past too. But I don"t think they met yet, where did they meet? "Well, as long as you can protect yourself. You"re good. " Said the King once waving his hand. "Is that all? Astraea and I were just discussing something about the ‘Queen candidate". " I was humbled weakly as if I had been blinded. God, maybe he'll tell me everything I said?! The dear king is still very talkative. "Queen Candidate again? Did she beg you to let her win? " Cold he says. I bowed even more. Wow harsh, did I just notice? From the beginning, I lost, maybe he always hated and despised me from the very beginning. "Son, don"t go hard on her. You should be glad she didn"t ask any of it "Thank you dear father! His father is still very sensible while he is very rude. Why did I fall in love with this prince. "Really… That"s new. What did she request this time? " I saw the King laugh and smile. He's happy huh. "She backed out from the competition." "What?" To be continued...