Chapter Text
Words: 2478
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気づかず
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"Why, good morning, lovely princess," Curtis greeted with a bow as he stood just outside your chambers.
Surprised by his early arrival, you blinked in astonishment. "Curtis! You're here earlier than expected."
Curtis chuckled warmly. "Well, I couldn't resist the chance to see you. You look adorable in your nightgown. I don't mind waiting while you get ready."
Grateful for his kind words, you returned his smile. "Thank you." With that, you closed the door behind you and hurried to your wardrobe to prepare for the day ahead.
"This dress is adorable! But considering you're heading to the gardens, it might not be the best choice," Lilou remarked, assisting you in selecting an outfit. "And this one is too pink. Definitely not. Oh, and this—"
Ames interjected with a roll of his eyes. "Just pick that white one over there."
You sighed in frustration. "But won't that dress get dirty..."
"That's exactly why something like this is more suitable!" Lilou exclaimed, pointing to a light pink vintage dress, ideal for a day in the gardens or any outdoor activity.
Glancing behind you, you caught Macy giving a thumbs up, and a smile tugged at your lips in appreciation.
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"Lady Rosalie, forgive my curiosity, but you seem quite fatigued. Is everything alright?" Geron inquired, taking a seat on the couch opposite Rosalie.
With a nervous smile, Rosalie replied, "I simply encountered someone from my past, that's all."
"Ah, a former flame, perhaps?" Geron suggested.
Rosalie nodded, her smile tinged with uncertainty. "Possibly."
"Well, regardless, let's focus on planning for the next orphanage visit. Take a deep breath and calm your nerves. Everything will be fine," Geron reassured Rosalie with a comforting smile.
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"Wow, you're definitely pulling my leg!" you giggled, strolling through the garden with Curtis by your side.
"I swear it's true! I actually had a pet tiger. Sadly, it escaped..." Curtis insisted.
You laughed incredulously, turning to him with a playful expression. "How on earth did you manage to have a pet tiger? Keeping one in a castle must have been quite the challenge!"
"I admit, it was a handful. I definitely made life difficult for the servants," Curtis sighed with a hint of amusement.
You smiled and settled onto the soft grass. "Have you ever made flower crowns before?"
He glanced down at you with a puzzled expression. "Flower crowns? Well, actually, I have. Why do you ask?"
"You do? Perfect! Let's make some for each other," you suggested enthusiastically.
Curtis grinned and joined you on the ground. "I'll craft a crown as lovely as you," he vowed, gently plucking a few flowers to begin.
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"Luka, please, put that book down," Juleka sighed, casting a reproachful glance at her brother as she ate her breakfast.
"I'm almost at the end," he replied, his eyes still fixed on the pages. "I woke up early just to finish this."
"What's so captivating about it?" his younger sister grumbled, her curiosity piqued.
Luka hummed thoughtfully, finally setting the book aside to meet her gaze. "Have you ever pondered the idea of multiple realities?"
"Huh?" Juleka blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic.
Leaning forward, Luka explained, "Just imagine. What if there's another reality, parallel to ours? A world where we're not royalty, or perhaps one where magic is commonplace?"
Juleka stared at him, bemused. "You're overthinking things, Luka. Just put the book down."
"Ah, come on, Juleka. It's fascinating to consider," Luka chuckled, amused by his sister's skepticism.
Juleka sighed and resumed eating her food, pondering her brother's words.
"You know, there's a character in this book who bears a striking resemblance to you. From the hair to the eyes, even the shy personality, and her name matches yours," Luka remarked casually as he sipped his tea.
Juleka raised an eyebrow. "Coincidence, I suppose."
"Do you think so? Because there are also characters similar to Dad, Mom, and even... Princess (Y/n)," Luka continued.
Juleka's interest piqued. "Their names match too?"
"Mhm," Luka confirmed.
"And what about Curtis? Is there a character like him in the book?" Juleka inquired.
Luka shook his head. "No, not exactly. But don't you find it odd? It can't just be a coincidence."
"Why Princess (Y/n) though?" Juleka asked, intrigued.
"She's the main character," Luka explained. "And the character similar to me, Luka, is infatuated with her. In the end, when (Y/n)'s existence is erased, only Luka remembers her."
Juleka hummed thoughtfully. "Do you have feelings for her? I mean, in real life?"
Luka shook his head firmly. "No, I can't. She's engaged to Curtis. I wouldn't dare to develop feelings for someone who's already committed."
However, he couldn't help but mumble under his breath, "But there's just something about her that's so intriguing."
"What was that?" Juleka tilted her head, catching his muttered words.
Luka flashed a smile and replied, "Oh, nothing important. Just focus on your meal."
Unfazed, Juleka persisted, "I've been meaning to say the same thing to you since you got here."
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"Thank you for the lovely picnic, Curtis," you said with a smile, feeling a flutter in your stomach as he kissed your hand gently.
"It's my pleasure," Curtis replied, returning your smile. "Oh, let me fix that..." He reached up to adjust the flower crown perched delicately on your head, ensuring it sat just right. "There we go. Absolutely beautiful."
A blush crept onto your cheeks as you smiled gratefully at him. "Thank you."
Curtis chuckled softly. "You're always saying thank you. You know you don't have to."
You nodded, a smile playing on your lips. "Okay then. Until next time."
As Curtis waved goodbye and walked off, citing a meeting, you watched him go, feeling a sense of warmth and contentment linger in the air.
"He's the one. He really is!" Lilou squealed with excitement.
You nodded in agreement. "Yes, he truly is."
Ames groaned in annoyance. "You and your sappy feelings..."
"Hey! It's better than your sour attitude!" Lilou retorted.
You intervened with a chuckle. "Alright, enough bickering. It's time we send a letter to my parents."
Unbeknownst to the group, Luka happened to be walking by and overheard their conversation. Intrigued, he hid behind a nearby wall, peering out to catch a glimpse of your figure.
"Why is she standing there, talking to herself?" he mumbled to himself, puzzled by the sight.
Unaware of the prince's presence, you continued your efforts to quell the tension among your friends.
"Let's not leave Macy out of the conversation, and please, let's stop arguing," you urged with a weary sigh.
Lilou huffed in frustration. "This annoying guy just won't stop getting on your nerves, (Y/n)!"
Ames shot her a glare. "What do you mean!? You're the one who's always making so much noise, it's like nails on a chalkboard!"
Your patience wearing thin, you sighed once more. "Please, just stop."
"Perhaps it's best if we focus on something productive, like writing that letter," Macy suggested diplomatically.
You nodded in agreement. "You're absolutely right."
As you turned to leave for your chambers, Luka found himself left in a state of confusion. "Princess (Y/n)!" he called out impulsively.
Startled, you turned back to see the younger brother of your fiancé standing there.
"Hmm? Is something the matter?" you asked, curious about his sudden appearance.
Luka found himself at a loss for words. "Why did I even call out to her?" he grumbled to himself, perplexed by his own actions.
Luka fumbled for words, his cheeks flushing slightly as he attempted to find the right ones. "Oh- umm... Are you busy this afternoon? I would like to... uh, get to know you," he finally managed to ask.
You tilted your head in surprise, exchanging a quick glance with Macy, who nodded encouragingly. "Of course, Prince Luka. But I do have to finish writing a letter to my parents."
"That's absolutely fine. Perhaps we could meet after lunch?" Luka suggested eagerly, his determination evident in his tone.
As he gritted his teeth in frustration at his own persistence, you couldn't help but smile reassuringly. "That sounds lovely, Prince Luka. And please, feel free to call me (Y/n)."
Luka's expression softened at your kindness, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "And you can call me Luka, (Y/n)," he replied, feeling a sense of relief at your friendly gesture.
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"Seems like Mother is still fussing over me," you chuckled lightly, skimming through the contents of the letter from your parents.
Ames couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Of course she is. You're crazy."
Lilou shot Ames a disapproving glare and playfully swatted his head. "Stop it, Ames. She's not."
"I'm not," you mumbled, barely suppressing a grin at the banter.
"Ow!" Ames yelped, rubbing the spot where Lilou had smacked him.
Meanwhile, Macy observed quietly, a thoughtful expression on her face as she watched you compose a response to your parents' letter. "You need to learn how to find happiness within yourself, not us, princess. It's important for your well-being," she remarked gently.
You raised an eyebrow, considering her words. "While that's true, Macy, I believe it's equally important to find joy in the world around us."
Lilou snapped her fingers in agreement. "Exactly!"
Ames rolled his eyes once more. "She's right, but also wrong."
Predictably, Ames received another slap on the head from Lilou.
"Ow! (Y/n)! Can't you just get rid of Lilou!?" Ames huffed indignantly.
You shook your head, rolling your eyes at Ames's antics. "Don't be mean, Ames. Lilou's just looking out for me."
In the end, you penned a letter to your parents, detailing your current well-being, your impressions of Curtis, and the warm hospitality extended to you by the Prilux family.
Despite your parents' expressed concerns about your companions, you chose to focus on the positive aspects of your life in Prilux. You omitted any mention of disagreements or conflicts among your friends, instead emphasizing the camaraderie and support you received from them.
Your letter served as a reassurance to your parents, painting a picture of contentment and fulfillment in your new surroundings, while subtly steering the conversation away from any potential worries they might have had about your social circle.
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"Mom? I don't like the maid..."
You whispered timidly, your small frame surrounded by the grandeur of the Utheria Castle, with maids and servants bustling around you. This was when you were just 5 years old.
Your mother let out a gentle sigh and knelt down to your level, her comforting presence offering solace. "Which maid are you referring to, my dear?"
"The one who always gives me food," you murmured softly, clutching your beloved teddy bear tightly to your chest.
"Orlena? Sweetheart, she's a kind maid. She helps ensure you receive a good education too!" Your mother's soothing voice was accompanied by a tender stroke of your cheek. "Think of her as a friend, won't you?"
You glanced down, nodding hesitantly. "Friend..."
"That's right. Now, I must attend to some matters. Stay here, alright? I'll ask Orlena to keep you company," your mother assured, her words imbued with maternal warmth and reassurance.
After the Duchess departed, leaving you alone in your room, fear gripped your heart, and you found solace in the comforting embrace of your teddy bear.
"You'll be fine, princess! You're strong!" a voice echoed within your mind, urging you to find courage amidst your fears.
But you couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of weakness that engulfed you. "I'm weak..." you admitted, your voice trembling with uncertainty.
"Yeah, you're weak. So you need to be stronger," the voice persisted, its harshness amplifying your insecurities.
A tear slipped down your cheek as you grappled with the conflicting emotions swirling inside you. "You just have to stand up and be strong, (Y/n)," another voice whispered, the weight of your doubts pressing heavily upon you.
"I can't," you confessed softly, tears staining the fur of your loyal teddy bear, a silent witness to your inner turmoil.
"Wipe those tears off your face."
The sharp command sliced through the air, causing you to startle as you hastily brushed away the evidence of your vulnerability.
"O-Orlena..." you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper, acknowledging the stern figure standing in the doorway.
"It's Lady Orlena to you. Didn't I make that clear?" Her tone was as cutting as her gaze, devoid of any warmth or compassion. "Don't make things difficult for me, young lady. I'm only here for the paycheck."
You nodded meekly, not fully comprehending Orlena's reference to a paycheck but understanding enough not to question it.
Orlena stood before you, a woman in her 50s whose harsh exterior belied the pain she carried within. Strands of white streaked her once-dark hair, and her eyes, once filled with warmth, now glinted with anger and resentment. Her husband had abandoned her, her children had fled, and she bore the weight of her loneliness and bitterness like a heavy burden.
And in her solitude, she found solace in directing her pent-up frustration and disappointment towards the one person she deemed powerless to resist – you, the little princess.
"You know, you're really annoying. The Grand Duchess summoned me to look after you, and do you know what she said? She mentioned that you're having difficulty considering me as a friend!" Orlena scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain. "Hand that over," she demanded, snatching the teddy bear from your grasp with a harsh grip.
You gasped in shock as you watched her forcefully take hold of the cherished toy.
"Friends are the ones who support you and stand by you. Friends are the ones who bring joy to your life. I, for certain, am not your friend," Orlena declared, rolling her eyes in exasperation. With a callous gesture, she flung the teddy bear into the nearby trash bin, heedless of the distress it caused you.
"Do you know who your friend is? Yeah! That one in the bin! That dirty little bear is your only friend," Orlena continued, her words laced with cruelty.
Tears welled up in your eyes as you watched her dismissively gesture towards the discarded toy, emphasizing its insignificance in her eyes.
"Now, I'm going to sleep in your bed. And remember-" Orlena began, her voice stern.
"I won't w-wake you up. I a-also won't tell anyone," you interrupted, your voice trembling with fear of provoking her further.
"Exactly," Orlena affirmed, nodding curtly before turning to make herself comfortable on your bed.
With a heavy heart, you made your way to the trash bin, your footsteps heavy with sorrow. Gently retrieving the teddy bear from amidst the discarded refuse, you cradled it close to your chest, finding solace in its familiar presence.
Your only friend in a world filled with harshness and loneliness.
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↳˗ˏˋFun Factsˊˎ˗ ↴
➳ Happy you had sad trauma.
➳ Lilou, Ames, and Macy are invisible...? What do you think they are?
➳ Princess Luka is reading a fanfiction called 'Oblivion'!
➳ Lady Rosalie had a past lover.
➳ Princess Juleka is worried about Luka.
➳ Orlena is not the only maid that caused you trauma.
➳ Who's your favorite character at the moment?
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気づかず
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