“Lady Liliana, there is a letter for you.”

Seated on the grassy floor under a tree, I looked up from the book I was reading and saw Diana standing over my shoulder. As the hot summer days gradually changed to become milder and the occasional cold breeze reminded me of autumn’s arrival, the weather had finally become suitable for me to sit outside and read.

Diana handed over a cream coloured envelope.

“Who is it from?”

I took the envelope from her and examined the front. In elegant letters, the words, ‘To my dearest sister, Liliana’, stood out in black ink.

“From brother? Why is he sending me a letter?” I wondered as I opened up the red wax seal.

My elder brother had returned to the mansion during his month-long summer vacation and had returned back to school around a month ago. Although he would write letters back to the family once a week, it was usually addressed to my parents and not specifically to me.

“Dear Liliana, by the time you have received this envelope, your birthday would have passed. I feel dejected from not being able to be by your side during the celebration, so at least please let me say it in the letter, ‘Happy Birthday, my sweetest sister’,” I finished, and a cold shiver immediately ran up my back.

If I had to describe my brother, the easiest person to compare him to was my mother. He was good-looking, charismatic, all-around perfect gentleman and with a hint of black-bellieness.

For example, even though he knew that I do not suit cute and sparkly items, he never fail to send me such gifts from the capital, resulting in my accessory box having an overwhelming number of cute, lacy accessories I hardly use, as well as my bed being overtaken by an increasing army of soft toys. Most of all, he liked to send items in shades of pink that clashed horribly with my hair colour. He has to be doing it on purpose!

However, just like my mother, everyone’s impression of him was nothing but the best, and people always praised him to be a well-deserving heir to the March even if he was unable to use magic.

“Lord Lawrence is as doting as always,” Diana commented as she sat down beside me.

I made a face. To me, it felt more like borderline harassment.

“What is the purpose of sending me a letter when he has already sent me a present before this?” I asked as I lifted up the book in my hands.

When he was not trying to be funny, he would send me books with great taste, like the set I had received for my birthday. It was a story about a commoner who was actually the long lost princess of a mysterious kingdom. On her 15th birthday, she discovered her lost heritage and started on a long journey back to her kingdom. On the way, she met a mysterious talking cat as well as a blind beggar who started to accompany her on her journey. Right now, I was at the part where they were stuck in the middle of a desert with dwindling supplies. It was a real crisis!

Diana shrugged. “That person’s mind is difficult to read.”

My eyes darted to another envelope in her hands. “Who is the letter from? Don’t tell me it’s from Sir Donovan?” I asked with a frown.

“No, it is from my parents,” Diana answered with a wry smile. “Are you still upset about what happened? I thought I have explained to you about the reason for the ‘hand kiss’.”

“Well, yes. But…”

After Aedus and Donovan had gone off, Diana had sat down to explain that she knew Donovan from when she was younger. Her father was a Knight in the same platoon as him so they were acquainted with each other when she used to visit the Knight’s training grounds.

“Even though my father has abandoned his responsibilities of a Baron and thrown himself into his dream of being a Knight, Sir Donovan still treats me like a noble lady. That was the reason why he kissed my hand when we met again.” Diana sighed and continued, “But you can say that he was in the wrong for not considering the fact that I am working as a maid now.”

While I did know that Diana’s father was a Knight, I was not aware that she had the title of a Baron’s daughter. I guess that explained why she knew so much about the other nobles.

From what I knew, it was not strange for lower ranking noble families to send their daughters to the household of high-ranking noble families as a way to learn more about etiquette, but I can’t help but wonder if there was really anything to learn at such a far-flung countryside.

And just a little, I felt a bit lonely about not knowing that earlier.

“Lady Liliana, I heard that you will be having a guest later. Do you want to get ready first?”

“Hmmm? Is it Aedus again?” My mouth turned into a thin line.

“I was not informed.”

After his first visit, he came another time during brother’s summer break. I could still remember brother’s dark aura when he heard Aedus calling me ‘Lia’. Needless to say, that day was spent with me being on tenterhooks. After he went back, Aedus would send letters saying things like, ‘let me know if you are being bullied!’ and, ‘big brother got your back!’. Although it was all rather amusing, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was anything he could do if I was really being bullied.

Well, since brother had returned to the Academy, it should be fine this time round.

I settled back on my spot under the tree and opened up my book.

“Are you not going to change?” Diana asked.

“It’s fine. There’s no need to,” I replied simply as my eyes continued down the page. Aedus was a person who does not like to put on airs, so dressing up in front him was only a waste of effort.

Diana looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding once. “If you say so.” Opening up her letter, she started reading as well.

A comfortable silence stretched between us, only broken occasionally by the turning of a page. How much time has passed by? As I entered into the world of the hot and arid desert, my sense of time in the real world dulled.

“‘The Chronicles of a Lost Princess’... How is the book? Which part are you at now?”

I gave a forlorn sigh. “The main characters have finally managed to escape from the desert. However, they are now faced with the dilemma of who to leave behind as the boat they need to use for crossing the river can only hold two people at a time.”

“I see... What will Lady Liliana do if you were the main character then?”

“I will row the boat to and fro twice to get the both of them across!” I said passionately as I held up a clenched fist.

“Haha,” the voice laughed. “That sounds a lot that you.”

Wait.

I froze as I realised that it was not Diana whom I was talking to.

I turned around slowly and came face to face with a boy with neatly trimmed caramel coloured hair. His azure blue eyes that held a great resemblance to the clear sky behind him twinkled as he smiled and bobbed his head.

“Good afternoon. It has been some time.”

“Prince Charles?” I squeaked as I quickly scrambled up to my feet. When I cast a look to my side, I realised that Diana was already standing a short distance away with her hands placed in front of her indifferently. Did she purposely leave me sitting there on my own?!

While fuming in my heart, I turned back to Prince Charles and gave a curtsy.

“Good afternoon to you as well.” I tilted my head slightly. “Um, what is your Highness doing here?”

“I am here to visit you. Did I come at a bad time?” His eyebrows moved to form a slight crease in the centre.

“Not at all!” I shook my head vehemently.

Prince Charles gave a relieved sigh. “I asked them to keep my arrival from you a secret because I wanted to give you a surprise. I am sorry if I have startled you.”

“It really was a surprise…”

But this kind of surprises was probably not too good for the heart.

“Liliana, how can you let his Highness stand around like this?” A stern voice came from a distance away.

“Good afternoon, father,” I greeted. My father approached us slowly with Christian following close behind him. As Christian's eyes met mine, he lowered his head politely and I nodded in acknowledgement.

Right behind the both of them, four armoured guards followed them with stoic faces. From the familiar blue designs on the armour, they were most likely guards sent to accompany the Prince.

It seemed like my father had gone to greet the Prince before coming to my house together. That would mean that he was aware of the Prince’s visit prior to this. No wonder he was unusually around the mansion’s grounds today.

“Your Highness, let us head to the guest lounge,” father said as he held his hand out towards the cylindrical building ahead and started walking towards it.

“Sure.” Prince Charles smiled and followed his lead.

As we headed to the house, I sneaked a glance at the boy beside me. Did he grow taller? During the first time I saw him, he should be around my height, but he was now slightly taller than me. The last time I saw him was only close to three months ago, boys do grow faster than girls.

Even now, I could still remember the dread in my heart as I travelled to the Royal Palace. This time round, although my heart still jumped, I was able to feel much calmer than before. Was it because I had gotten used to slightly noisier days since Aedus and the four children started visiting me?

Upon entering the building, we headed straight to the lounge on the second level.

As my eyes went over the people seated on the sofa and standing around the room, a strange feeling started to rise in my chest. This was the first time I had so many people present in the lounge. Even when Aedus and the four children came to visit, they were usually seated in the indoor garden.

As Diana placed cups of tea on the table, Prince Charles smiled and asked, “It has been some time since I have last seen you. How have you been doing?”

“I am doing fine. How about you?”

“I have been busy with many things, but every day have been very enriching.”

“I see.“

“The weather's great today, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.”

“It is going to get cold soon. Please take care of yourself.”

“Yes, I will. The same to you as well...”

This is strange. This is definitely strange. Although the boy in front of me had his usual warm smile, the content of our conversation was not going anywhere at all.

Prince Charles seemed to realise the oddness of our conversation as well and scratched his face lightly.

“Haha… How do I say this?” To my surprise, Prince Charles’s eyes wandered over the place as he opened and closed his mouth uncomfortably like he had difficulty voicing out something.

Now that I notice, he seemed to have dark eye circles below his eyes. Was he having trouble sleeping?

My father watched the two of us quietly before he could not take the awkwardness any longer and gave a helping hand.

“Your Highness, you mentioned earlier you have something you wish to give to Liliana?”

Prince Charles’s shoulders jumped a little at his words.

Something to give me?

A faint blush started to appear on his face and his eyes avoided mine. “Yes. I have something for you.”

Placing a hand into the breast pocket on his coat, he took out a tiny blue box around the size of my palm covered with soft velvety material.

“Lady Liliana, this is for you,” he said quietly as he held out the box to me.

I took the box gingerly.

“Thank you. But what is this for?”

“This is meant to be your birthday present. Unfortunately, I was unable to complete it earlier to pass it to you on your birthday.” He gave a sad expression that resembled a small animal.

For some reason, the reactions Prince Charles had today were all adorable and unlike what I had seen previously.

“Can I open it now?”

He nodded and looked at me anxiously.

What kind of present was it for him to have so much difficulty giving it to me? Could it be something embarrassing? I swallowed a lump in my throat. I felt like his nervousness had spread to me as well.

With care, I took off the top of the box.

Inside the box was a hexagonal crystal pendant around the size of my little finger attached to a golden chain. Golden wires wrapped around the pale yellow crystal in a spiral, securing it in place.

I took out the pendant and held it up against the light.

“Beautiful…” I breathed.

As I turned it around slowly, iridescent flecks in the colours of the rainbow flashed across the interior of the translucent crystal. I had never seen a stone of this colour before.

“Excuse me. May I take a look?”

Diana unusually showed interest in the pendant and stepped forward.

As I held the pendant in front of her, her grey eyes narrowed meaningfully as she glanced over to Prince Charles and back to the crystal.

“Isn’t this great, Lady Liliana? You received such a wonderful gift.” Diana’s voice gave off a hint of laughter as the corners of her mouth moved up slightly.

“Thank you for the present!” I gave a brilliant smile and bowed my head in the direction of the Prince.

Prince Charles gave a sweet smile. “I am glad you like it.”

“The crystal is really beautiful. Is it a rare stone?” I asked curiously.

Upon hearing my words, the faces of the people around me changed.

What was with this reaction? Was it a mineral that had a special meaning? It is not like it is a diamond ring! The truth is, for a moment I had wondered if it was an engagement ring. But as expected it was not, because Liliana had never received an engagement ring from the Prince in the light novel.

Or was it a stone so rare that it was it supposed to be common knowledge? But I’ve never studied about geology!

“Instead of saying it is rare… It should be ‘one of a kind’?” Father gave a wry smile.

“Is that so?”

I guess I need read up on geology after this.

“The crystal has a Protection spell cast on it. If you wear it close to you, it will automatically cast a barrier when you are attacked,” Prince Charles explained.

I looked at the crystal lying on my palm. It felt quite amazing that something that tiny had such a function.

“I hope I won’t have the chance to use it then,” I replied jokingly.

Prince Charles gave a troubled smile. “Well, it is just a precaution.”

“I wish to thank you for giving such a thoughtful gift to my daughter.” The corners of father’s lip curled up into a genuine smile and the crease between his brows lightened.

Out of the blue, the sound of a conversation between a child and a man floated up through the open window.

“Hey, you. What are you doing here?”

“Um, I-I’m sorry!”

“Stop! Don’t run!”

The voice of the man should belong to the guard left at the doorstep. However, the voice of the child sounded oddly similar to Sally. Could it really be her? I thought the children were all busy helping out with the harvest?

“Diana, can you go down and take a look?” I hurriedly asked.

Diana bowed and excused herself, “Please pardon me.”

Father just frowned as he watched Diana exit the door.

A while later, the door was knocked on before Diana opened and entered. This time, a small figure peeked out from the back of her skirt.

The girl with strawberry blond hair tied into two pigtails looked at the people in the room with frightful eyes. When she saw me, her blue eyes lighted up.

“The child had wandered near the building. She says that she is looking for Lady Liliana to return something to her,” Diana said calmly. “Do you have something for Lady Liliana?” she turned to the child hiding behind her and asked gently.

It was not the first time Diana had seen Sally as the four children had come over a few times since I first invited them. However, it was the first time my father see her so I was unsure of how he would react.

I stood up and walked over to the young girl.

“Sally, I thought that you need to help out with the harvest? And what is that you have for me?”

“My father said that I am too young to help out so I was left behind.” She took out a square book from her back and passed it to me with two hands. “I-I wanted to return the book I borrowed.”

“Ah, I see. Have you finished reading it?” As she had felt left out that the other children could go to school, I have been teaching her some words in my free time and lending her some of the picture books I used when I was young.

Sally nodded and beamed, “Yes! I have finished reading it!”

“That’s great. Read it to me the next time, alright? I have some guests today so I will play with you another day.”

Sally lowered her head. “I am sorry for disturbing you.”

“You are Sally? I have heard about you from Aedus.”

I turned my head back to see Prince Charles smiling as he stood up and walked over.

“You know Brother Aedus?” She asked curiously.

Prince Charles laughed. “Did Aedus ask you to call him that? He did say he has always wanted a younger sister,” he mused. “I am Charles. If you don’t mind, can you call me Brother Charles as well?”

“Would that really be okay, Prince Charles?” I quickly cut in. Even if he was joking, because Sally was still at an impressionable age, she was really going to start calling him ‘Brother Charles’ if this went on! I don’t want to imagine what will happen if it was found out she was calling the Prince of the country so affectionately!

“Prince?” Sally’s eyes went round.

“If you are the prince, are you here to save Lady Liliana from monsters?”

Sally! What are you saying!

While my mind went into full ORZ mode, I gave a chuckle as I covered my mouth. “Hahaha. Sally, are you still going on about me being trapped in a tower by monsters?”

“Prince Charles, it is just the imagination of a young child. Please do not mind her words,” I continued smoothly.

To my surprise, Prince Charles just smiled and patted her soft strawberry blond hair.

“I hope I can become a prince who can save Lady Liliana from monsters,” he said softly.

“But because I can’t be around her all the time, I need your help to protect her. Will you help me?” He held her small hand as he looked into her eyes.

Sally nodded excitedly. “I will! I want to protect Lady Liliana as well!”

Hah… The Prince was really kind to go along with a child’s words like this.

Behind me, I heard a deep sigh that echoed mine.

I turned back and saw my father looking at the scene with a wry smile. No doubt he was thinking the same thing as me.

Just as I was going to turn around, something froze me to the ground. For just a moment, eyes burning with animosity pierced through me. However, it lasted only for a second. Before I could take a good look, the storm that raged beneath the eyes had returned back to calm waters.

I became confused. Who was the animosity directed towards? Could I have seen it wrong?

“Sally, your father will be worried if he returns and finds that you have disappeared,” Diana reminded as she patted her back.

Sally nodded obediently. “Okay. I will go back now.”

After the young girl had left the room, Prince Charles and I went back to our seats on the sofa.

Prince Charles looked much happier and relaxed as compared to before.

With a confident gaze, he took out a rectangular flat leather case from his pocket.

“The truth is, apart from passing you the necklace today, I am here to hand this to you as well.”

After opening up the case, he showed the contents to me.

“Tickets to… ‘Princess Cecilia and her Knight’?”

“Yes. They have adapted the novel into a theatrical act. Would you like to come with me to the show next week?”

This world also had the concept of adapting popular novels into other forms of media?

I nodded fervently. It was ‘Princess Cecilia and her Knight’! Plus it was going to be my first time watching a theatrical act!

Ah, but…

I glanced at the golden-haired man sitting beside me who had a serious look on his face.

“The location is not too far from here,” father said he leaned towards me to study the ticket. “Very well. If you are interested then you may go.”

“Thank you.” Prince Charles smiled. “I will make the necessary arrangements to ensure Lady Liliana’s safety.”

“No, there is no need for that. As the town is within our land, we will make the arrangements for the security.” Father looked at the pepper-haired man who had been standing a distance away. “Christian, I will leave it to you to make the necessary arrangements.”

“Certainly, my Lord. Please leave it to me,” he replied with a hand over his heart.

Father looked at the sky outside before asking, “Your Highness, if you plan to reach the next destination before the sun sets, it should be about time for you to leave.”

Prince Charles gave a disappointed expression. “You are right. I will make my leave first then.”

Looking at me, he explained, “Although I would like to stay longer, I am currently out on a visit around the country to see how the harvest is going so I am only able to stay here for a while. If I do not reach the next town before night falls, the minister bringing me out is going to make a big fuss.”

Father gave a wry smile. “You will see Liliana again next week. Please resist until that time comes.”

“Haha. That’s true,” he replied as the sides of his face became slightly rosy.

After saying farewell, I was once again left alone with Diana in the house.

I sank back down into the sofa and held up the crystal pendant against the light. The iridescent flecks sparkled as the I changed the direction.

“Congratulations, Lady Liliana,” Diana said as she observed me from the windowsill.

“Hmm? For what?”

“For getting a date with the Prince.”

I studied the smile on her face. Yep, she was definitely teasing me.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but it was most likely Lord Aedus who suggested that.”

Only Aedus would know that I like ‘Princess Cecilia and her Knight’. Plus, in the light novels he was always the one secretly helping the Prince and the heroine get together, so it was probably him trying to play cupid.

Too bad he got the heroine wrong though.

Diana raised an eyebrow. “You do remember that the both of you have an engagement, right?”

“Of course.” There was no way I could forget something that could determine my life and death!

“I feel sorry for the Prince,” Diana said flatly after a while.

“I don’t understand what you mean by that,” I replied casually before I turned to focus on the pendant again.

The crystal's pale yellow colour looked similar to the warm sunlight shining through the windows.

A theatrical act and a chance to go to town...

“I’m really looking forward to it!”