3 years old

After a lot of begging from me and using my technique number 2, upturned dewy eyes, mom finally yielded and gave permission for me to go with dad.

We are now standing in front of the front door, about to head out to the palace.

"Lisa, I'll do my best and come back quickly. I'm sorry..."

"It's fine, my dear. Lucas will keep me company today and I just hope you don't overwork yourself. Please take care of our precious Alterisa, okay? She's very energetic and smart, but no matter how bright she is and how much she say she wants to help, she's still our precious treasure so don't put too much pressure on her."

...Am I really that energetic?

...

Okay okay, yes I think I do run around much more than the normal noble children but this is me holding back you know?

"Of course love. I will do my best so we can eat dinner together."

"That sounds lovely, Al."

Dad hugged mom really tightly and started stroking her head.

Then when I thought they separated... he kissed her... and they got raunchy yet again! L-Lu-nii and I still here you know?!

I wanted to cover my eyes but due to being shocked from their deep kiss, I continued staring at them.

"M-My dear... Alterisa and Lucas are still here... And don't you need to go soon?"

"Hehe, you're right. Then I'll be off, my love."

"Have a safe trip, dear."

"Alex, I'm counting on you to help my husband and daughter as well okay?"

"Of course, ma'am. I shall assist them to the best of my ability."

"Thank you."

Dad then picked him up and carried me in one of his arms to the carriage with Alex in tow.

I waved at mom and Lu-nii as their figure got further and further until I couldn't see the anymore.

-------------------------------------------------------X------------------------------------------------------------

As we rode to the castle, I was having fun looking at the passing scenery from my dad's lap with sparkling eyes.

"Waah" and "Oooh" were the only things that came out of my mouth as I feel like regressing back to a child. I can hear dad chuckling at my demeanor but I didn't mind him. To my defense, I'm still technically a child so it's fine, hehe~

Okay, I can't help it! I lived most of my previous life in a city, so looking at this fantasy world is really awe inspiring.

But what made me wow-ed the most was when we arrive at the castle.

I-It's so freaking huuuuuge! I've never seen a castle even in my previous life, so this is the first time seeing a real castle.

It's so breathtaking. It's so big, white, grand and majestic. Really I have no words to describe how awe-inspiring this is.

A guard greeted dad with a deep bow, full of respect and a little... fear? Wow, dad's so different than he's at home. I got why he's called the Ice devil now...

We then proceeded to dad's office. Every time someone we saw someone, they would freeze and stared at me for a second with a blush on their faces. It was only until dad glared at them that they snapped out of it and bowed.

This time though, I think I know why they froze like that. It's definitely because dad is still carrying me in his arm!

I've begged him to put me down several times but he just doesn't listen! He just mumbled something about protecting his beautiful sheep from wolves...

...Yeah, I don't understand either.

Anyway, right after we arrive at dad's office, Axel went somewhere. Does he have a different workplace?

Then when we entered dad's office, I was stunned.

On his desk were mountains of papers stacked on each other. I looked at it with wide eyes and opened mouth.

"D-Dad... Do you have to finish all of this today?"

"...I come early and go home late because I can't."

Dad looked tired even before he started.

Wow... I guess it's a good thing I decide to help huh. Well, I know that I might not qualified to do a prime minister's job but I'll do what I can.

"T-Then let's start now so we can go home and eat dinner with mommy."

"Okay."

Dad smiled at me. Then Axel came bringing a small stool and table.

"Young miss, please use this."

Oh, how thoughtful! As expected of dad's trusted assistant.

"Thank you very much, Axel-san!"

To my smile, Axel blushed and replied with a smile too.

"You are very welcome, young miss."

Unknown to me that dad shot a glare at him for a second.

Well then, let's go to work!

-------------------------------------------------------X------------------------------------------------------------

A week has passed since I started helping dad with his job.

I would like to say, I did a great job helping! Though... I think dad and the people in the palace were overreacting a bit...

To put it simply, the documents that dad had to process were written in such a messy way. Especially the accounting ledgers and request forms from nobles.

Are you sure the people who made this got the qualifications to do their job?!

Because of that, I made a proper accounting ledger format that I learned in my previous life to sort out the budgeting problem dad was having trouble with and made a proper standard form for requests.

When dad and Alex saw me working, they froze for a second and began showering me with praises and started calling me a genius and prodigy.

"My daughter is a such genius! She's truly my and Lisa's angel!"

"How amazing! This will solve all our problems, increase the accuracy, and allow us to find any misdeeds more easily! My lady, you are truly a prodigy like what madam and sir Altair said."

Aaaaand... News about me being a genius spread around the castle like wildfire. At this point, everyone I meet in the palace know about me and bowed to me like I was some bigshot. And they still blushed and stutter when I walk past them, talked or even just smile at them even though I've gone here several times already.

Even the King and Queen know about my achievement and said they wanted to see me. Well... I'm gonna be seeing them either way since the king also wanted to engage Alterisa with his son in the game. That was actually why Alterisa was able to get engaged to him that easily.

But I thought this was supposed to be when I'm 5 years old...

Hm... Oh well! They just wanted to meet me so there's no need to fear!

I'm now on my break and I'm exploring around the castle. Dad, being the doting father he is, told me to rest and leave the rest to him after I was done sorting one third of today's work.

And before I realised it, I arrive at the Palace's garden.

Wow it's so beautiful! The gardener here really deserves a pat in the back.

I ran around the flower garden like a child (which I technically am, so no shame).

"Hehehe~"

Ah~ It's so beautiful! The wind is really refreshing too~

I then remembered a girl in a dress usually twirled around when she's in a flower garden and imitated it.

Hey, this is pretty fun! I can totally relate to those flower girls now~

I continue to play around until I saw someone from the corner of my eyes. I froze and stared right to the eyes of a certain little boy around my age.

"..."

"..."

Well uhm... this is awkward.

Hold up...

Blonde hair. Golden yellow eyes. Cute face (and he's blushing right now for reasons God knows why). That outfit. Walking around in the palace...

"Geh..."

D-D-Don't tell me... H-He's... Alexus?!

Crap! I wasn't supposed to meet him until much later. Oh no... Although I do plan to get along with the capture targets, I didn't think I'd meet the main capture target right now...

...

Alright, I'm off.

I curtsied and then run off back to my dad's office. Nope, this is not running away. I'm just uhm... retreating! Yes, this is a tactical retreat.

Oh God... That was a real surprise. My heart wasn't ready for that.

--------------------------X--------------------------

[Alexus's POV]

I am currently on my break from my lessons right now. I am only 4 year old boy, but as the crown prince, I have the responsibility to gain as much knowledge about the world as possible. I need to learn how to rule the kingdom, and become a befitting king and ruler for my future subjects.

However I must admit, it was hard to meet the expectation of the people. I have no problem working hard for my people, but I am still human.

Many called me a genius and a prodigy, but my body was still that of a four year old. That's why I would visit the palace garden to wash away my fatigue.

My mother, the queen, loves flowers so father gifted her with the garden full of her favorite flowers. Lilies, Daisies, Orchids, Tulips, Daffodils, etc. Multitude colors of the flowers covered the garden, causing it to look like as if it was enchanted. It's now one of the most beautiful place in the entire kingdom.

I always feel at peace whenever I come here since my mother often take me here to relax on her days off.

And as I was walking to that garden, I found a beautiful fairy.

Shiny silver long hair with a shade of violet. Mesmerizing innocent violet eyes. Beautiful pale skin and that Goddess-like beauty.

She twirled and swayed around the flower garden, laughing happily as she did.

What a beautiful voice...

I started staring at her unknowingly as my heart beated faster and my face getting hotter. I just can't take my eyes away from her.

But then, I snapped out of my daze when she suddenly stopped twirling and stared at me with a surprised expression.

Her beautiful eyes stared right into mine and my heart skipped a bit. I felt nervous for the first time.

"Geh..."

Geh?

After she said that, the fairy curtsied elegantly and run off somewhere. She was a really fast runner, contrary to my expectation from such a small and frail looking body.

Even after she disappeared from my sight, the image of her smiling as she was surrounded by flowers was still clear in my mind. Rather, my mind was full of her and my heart felt incredibly warm.

Who was she...

That was the only thing I regret. Failing to get her name. But I will not give up. I want to meet her again, even just once.

And when I do... I won't let her go ever again.