"What does it mean to be a family?" The princess asked staring at the brightest star from the cold palace.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

My fear has come, embracing me like a lover. I'm finally back to the very place I wanted to avoid—the Emerald Palace. Lucas escorted me to one of the many rooms in this grand palace as I prayed to the goddess that the owner of this place wouldn't cross our path.

"Here we are, princess,'' Lucas announced with chirpiness in his voice, bringing me relief. He opened the door. "Enjoy your study."

I nodded, giving a small thanks, and bid the captain goodbye before stepping into the room.

Here I thought that Aiden would be happy to see me—according to Lucas, the prince had been agitated in the past weeks for not being able to see me—but it was clear as the day, he was pissed off. Was he still hung up at the fact that I hadn't moved here?

He welcomed me with a glare that was eerily similar to his father's, malice aside.

"Good morning, brother," I greeted him.

In response, he ignored me, turning away with a pout. He's still nine years old, so it's unavoidable for him to act so childishly, which I much so understand.

A few minutes before the class starts a young scholar came in with a kind smile and briefly introduced himself and the lessons he'll be teaching: Language, Math, and Economics.

I decided to give Aiden some space and concentrate on the lessons. Throughout the lecture, the prince kept staring at me as if he wanted to say something. Perhaps he was too angry that he didn't say anything or he just didn't want to interrupt the lesson.

After a while, the young scholar stopped, announcing to have a short break, and excused himself.

"You," Aiden suddenly spoke giving me a quick startle. "You're wearing it."

Huh? "What? Oh, this." The prince was staring intensely at the golden ribbon that tied my hair. I touched it feeling conscious. "You gave it to me so I'll wear them as much as I can."

"Do you...do you like it?" He asked suddenly looking shy as he averted his eyes.

"...I don't wear something I don't like," I said and smiled. "I really like them. Thank you, brother."

I then took out the small object, it was wrapped in a patterned paper that Haisley bought yesterday at the market. "Here."

"What's this?" He gave me a confused look.

"A welcome back gift."

His eyes widened in surprise and immediately opened it. "Is it really for me?" He asked, staring at the handkerchief in awe. "Did you embroider this, sister?"

I nodded anxiously. Will he like it?

On a white cloth was a pastel yellow bunny with gold eyes laying on the grass next to a wooden sword. The eyes were made of gold thread that it sparkles now and then.

With unshed tears in his eyes, Aiden's lips quivered lightly as he gave a big grin. "I'll cherish it. Thank you, sister!"

A pleasant feeling of happiness and warmth filled me, leading me to smile wider and hug the little prince who couldn't stop looking at the handkerchief in his hands.

The rest of the lesson finished smoothly. My body slowly relaxes from being stiff as I quickly escape the Emerald Palace.

"Where are you going, your highness?" A maid asked.

I stopped, warily looking back. A sigh escaped from my lips realizing that it wasn't me being called but Aiden.

The prince who had been following me out of the palace, spoke indifferently towards the maid, "I'm going to the Garnet Palace with Princess Elaine. There is no need to follow me, I'll come back before dinner."

"Bu-But..your highness," the maid tried to argue but quickly was silenced by Aiden's glare. The maid couldn't do anything but lower her head. "Then I'll be waiting for your return, my prince."

Watching the opposite version of the crown prince I interacted with just a while ago made me shiver. I don't know why but there's something familiar about this version of Aiden. Maybe because he's the son of that man?

Ah, my heart quivered just now...

I ignored the death glare that his maid sent directly at me and continued towards my sanctuary. The Garnet Palace.

"Your maid..she doesn't like me," I said when we were out of earshot.

"She does." He didn't try to deny it. Aiden then mumbled, "I'll have to get rid of her somehow."

The prince was too busy in his own thoughts that he didn't notice how my face went pale.

How can this child be adorable and then be scary after? Is it because he's the son of the person who'll kill me? Like father like son?

Snow started to fall once again as I reminded myself to not be on Aiden's bad side or else I might be the next one he'll be getting rid of.

"Sister, when are you going to move?"

My body stiffened at Aiden's question. Avoiding his stare I tilted my head looking up at the snow falling from the cloudy sky. The thought of living with two lions under one roof made my heart shake in fear. I could already picture myself threading carefully every single day of my life while living in the Emerald Palace. I might lose my sanity before death claims my life.

I don't even want to know how Aiden would respond if I told him that I don't want to move.

It was either death or death.

With no other choices, I answered still staring at the sky while thin smoke escaped from my mouth, "Soon."

"How soon?" He asked persistently, impatience could be heard in his tone. "Since you still haven't kept your promise, I will personally ask father to let you transfer to Emerald Palace."

"..."

Did I make such a promise? I asked myself as I racked my brain trying to remember.

"Sister. You better make sure that you have moved to the Emerald Palace before my birthday or else," Aiden said staring straight at me in seriousness before turning around mumbling words I couldn't hear.

Or else what?!

Or else I'll put my swordsmanship to good use!

Is that what he's trying to say? My hand immediately went to my neck as if it had been slashed by a sharp object.

Before my imagination continued to run wild and my complexion turned alarmingly white someone took my attention.

"If it isn't the royal siblings," Lucas said coming from the northern side of the estate. "Hmm? You're so pale, princess. Did someone threaten you again?"

"Threaten?!" Aiden turned sharply, eyes wide with a mix of anger and worry. "Wait..It happened not only once?! Who in the right mind would do that to you? To a princess!"

I stared blankly at the oblivious prince.

"Well, I might be wrong, Prince Aiden. The cold climate must have caused the princess's pale complexion. How long you've been out here?" Lucas said with a smile.

Aiden held my icy hands with his warm ones. "You really are cold. But, Lucas said again."

"Did I? You must have heard it wrong, my prince."

"I sure did hear you say someone threaten her again." Aiden looked at Lucas suspiciously. "You're—"

"Sir Lucas is right, brother," I quickly said interrupting him. Squeezing his hands slightly I asked, "Why are your hands not cold?"

Aiden stared down at our hands and like a snap of a finger his suspicion was buried away from his thoughts.

"My magic manifested while I was in the training camp and gained body enhancement." A proud smile was plastered on his face.

"Even if you are using your magic, prince, you'll exhaust yourself. So why don't we get out of here first before you two get sick?" Lucas suggested.

And so we did, with hands held together we slowly trudged our way to the Garnet Palace as the captain followed behind escorting us.

Magic.

An unfair distribution of power from the gods. It was already set in stone that Aiden would attain magic whether he liked it or not. With the already small percent of the population who were blessed with magic, this small percentage mostly consists of people with noble blood running in their veins.

From what I remember in My Fair Maiden, Elaine, this child manifested her magic around her teens. It wasn't something grand and powerful but it was described as somewhat useless. A passive skill that she hated.

"Why are you even here? Don't you have work to attend to?" Aiden asked glowering at Lucas after settling inside the warm parlour room.

"I have plenty of time to kill, your highness," Lucas answered. With a smile, he then gazed towards the person seated across from him—me. "Also, I'm always welcome here, right princess?"

With perfect timing, he pulled a white box with violet ribbons from his coat. A box that I very much was familiar with. The way the captain smoothly placed the box on the table and pushed towards me, one could say that we were doing something illegal here.

A smile slowly spread over my face as I casually took the box. "That is right. Visiting me unannounced but nevertheless is welcome to my home." I inspect the chocolates and with a small nod of satisfaction, I continued, "Just pay him no mind, brother. He is just here to tend his broken heart."

"How can you be so harsh, princess? Someday I will tell you every single detail of my story when I find my true love."

True love my ass.

"Please don't spout useless things to the princess, Sir Bismarck." Haisley placed our drinks and some confectioneries that were perfect for this winter season. "Prince Aiden, are you going to have dinner with the princess?"

"I will."

"Then I'll tell the cook. Please excuse me," Haisley said and left the room.

I tilted my head. "Aren't you going to leave before dinner?"

He looked down staring at his drink and spoke a bit softly that I almost missed it, "I change my mind. I want to eat with you."

And with that, I'll be having dinner with the crown prince. Let's just hope that something won't happen during or after the dinner. But then, I could already feel my stomach twisting in subtle pain.

"By the way, how was your training camp, your highness?" Lucas questioned as he stared at the sugar cubes before drinking his black coffee.

If I'm going to use my magic effectively I would like to avoid carbohydrates at all cause. He informed me back then when I saw him making a face just like he's doing right now, grimacing at the taste of his drink.

"It's just as what you and Mykel told me," Aiden shortly replied and doesn't bother to elaborate it more.

Out of habit, I took a chocolate and feed it to the little prince. Seeing his face brightens makes my stomach pain subsides and my heart at ease.

"Did you gain friends?" I asked.

"I don't think I could call them friends. It's more like an ally or supporter," Aiden answered thoughtfully. "I enjoy their company, those two."

It seems that he found some trustworthy friends. I'm glad.

"Did you know, princess. That the training camp is like a tea party but for boys, gaining connection and such. Young masters of high rank from different kingdoms would compete with each other in different challenges and also form a bond and acknowledgment from the noble children," Lucas explained.

"Sounds fun," I said sarcastically and took a sip of my hot chocolate. Who would want to interact with different people, more over with children? Those spoiled rich children.

Aiden who took my words the other way, said, "It is, especially after beating the other team."

Beating?! What kind of training camp does allow children to beat others to a pulp? Isn't that too violent?

Glancing at Aiden, I can't help but beg him silently not to look so pleased!