I stayed in my room for straight five days. Taking those lessons almost made me get sick, but what made me lock myself up in my room is because of Eldest.

She's kidding right?

Afterall, she is just a playmate. Our playmate. And I don't think Aureus would even let her become my tutor.

Or atleast, that's what I thought.

When I came to the Empress by myself, it was surprising for me. I never knew a time would come that I'll be the one to visit her. But I'm in a more surprising situation due to Eldest who voluntarily wanted to become my tutor.

"I don't see anything wrong with it." Aureus nonchalantly said as I sat on her lap. "Eldest is an effective tutor. She's bright and wise. You might learn more in her than those pests."

By means of pests, those teachers you also hired yourself?

"But mama, why do I have to take those lessons?" I whined with a pout. She just stared at me.

"Don't you want to sit in the throne where I sit?" She asked as she rested her elbow on the armrest of her throne, with her hand on her cheek. "Supposedly, only one can be my successor. You are the eldest, so you are my successor."

I stared at her in awe and surprise. I never knew she'd consider the fact that only one can be her successor. But I am surprised to hear her say that I am her successor.

I am touched.

"Mama!" I hugged her, which made her caught off guard. "Thank you mama!"

Aureus seems to be lost at words. "What are you thankful for?" She asked in confusion. "Being an Emperor and all."

"It's because you chose me as your successor!" I beamed with a smile.

She didn't bother to respond and instead, patted my head. "And to become my successful successor, you'll need Eldest as your tutor. From tomorrow onwards, you'll be under her care."

I pouted. "But mama, won't I have any break?"

Aureus blinks her eyes. "You can make your own schedule if you want." I stared at her, still surprised. "But make sure you balance your education and break time."

"Yes mama! Thank you mama!" I beamed as I gave her a peck on the cheek. Her reaction was a bit.. priceless.

I can sell it in a million dollars if I have taken a picture!

Her eyes wide and stared at me, lips slightly parted as if to protest, and it seems like it was the first time someone did such thing to her. She was able to compose herself again and said, "You're being weird and affectionate today."

"Yup! Because it's been days since I last saw mama!" I replied. "There's also few days left before our birthday. Are you coming?"

She didn't respond. I looked back infront and let her pat me until it was time for my last lessons with the teachers.

And now here I am in my room, waiting for the most awaited day of my life. Yet there is no consideration if Aureus will make her appearance in our birthday.

What should I even expect?

And that's the story of my 5 days journey on being locked inside my room.

It rendered Jamie worried for me, but when Eldest talked to her, it seems like she knows what happened already.

As a kid in this world, I really feel like a real kid whose having such responsibilities at such a young age. But what's more to it is Aureus who seems like she isn't visiting us in our birthday.

Just imagine saying it to Klydeur. He would absolutely not be bothered at all, but sooner or later, I'll be surprised to see him crying silently as well.

The Empress must be really busy. No wonder my lessons and responsibilities at such a young age is already harder than I thought it would be. Both Klydeur and I have same responsibilities afterall.

"Your highness.." I heard Jamie's voice as the door opened. I can feel her staring at me, as if thinking, 'Oh no, his highness is stressed!'

"I know you are still tired, so to ease up your mood." She suddenly laid something on the edge of my bed. I was about to shove it away when I heard it purr.

"Meow!"

I quickly sat on my bed as I smiled widely. "Kuro!" The little kitten jumped in my arms as I hugged him. "Kuro, I missed you!"

"So all you need is a fluff ball to be able to smile again." I scoffed when I saw Eldest leaning on the wall infront of me, with her arms crossed.

I rolled my eyes at her. "Whatever." She's also a problem. She told me many times to start our lessons but I declined. I don't know, but I feel suddenly awkward.

"Your highness!" Jamie looked at me, as if telling me not to say it again and apologize.

No way I would!

Eldest chuckled. "It's not big deal, Jamie."

"But..!"

In the end, Jamie sighed in defeat as she took her leave. Eldest then floated in the air, sitting in an invisible chair. "Still don't plan telling anything to whitey?"

I almost choked on my own saliva. "W-whitey?"

"Yeah, you're twin."

Raising a brow, I asked. "What should I tell him then?"

"About your mother not attending your birthday." She stated in a matter of fact tone. And wait, how did she even know!?

"How did you know?!" Is she listening by that time? Ah wait, maybe it was just noticable to my mood today? "And mama still haven't said anything about it yet!"

Eldest shrugged her shoulder. "Yes, yes. But your birthday is somewhat bothersome for her." She then mumbled something in which I didn't hear.

"What?"

She shooked her head. "Nothing." With a smirk, she pointed a finger at me. "You and whitey are really clueless, huh?"

"Don't call him like that," I frowned. "Where's your respect?"

She then held her chin for a moment. "Hm, aren't you disrespectul to me too?"

I raised a brow as I patted Kuro's head. "How come? I'm the Empress' son so obviously, you'd respect me. But you? Who are you then?"

Eldest seems to be annoyed to hear my words. As if she's offended. "Yes, yes, you are the crown prince. But I am more than that."

"Yeah? Like what?"

She snapped her fingers and the wind swirled around us. "In accordance of my name, I am Eldest the Eldest."

I blinked my eyes before it turned into slits. "Are you on drugs?"

"Are you stupid?" She tilted her head on the side. "Well ofcourse, kids are still dumb and stupid."

"Well, we are not!"

She rolled her eyes. "Any kid can be like that."

I pointed my finger at her with an annoyed expression. "Aren't you a kid too?"

"Yes, yes, but I'm not any kid." She even emphasized and quoted the word 'any kid' using her fingers.

"And I am also not any kid!" I retorted, huffing out a sigh. This conversation is nonsense, so I chose to change the topic. "Who was that brunette girl anyways?" Even if I already know, I still need confirmation.

Eldest crossed her arms. "An Imperial Princess from Florida Empire." Correct! "She is also one of the trusted alliances of your mother. And she's a wench." Her last word seems to give me shivers.

My forehead creased in confusion. "Why so?"

"Because she seems wrong," she answered flatly. "And I never expected that I'll feel this way after a long time."

"I guess that's how puberty works."

She looked at me in disbelief, mentally asking what the hell I said. "Say what? Puberty at such early age? Aren't you too young to know that?"

A vein seems to pop out of my head. "Young you say?"

"Why? Aren't you?"

I suddenly stopped. Oh right, she doesn't know that I am reincarnated, and I am old in the inside. "Nevermind." I replied as I focused my attention on Kuro.

But then, I felt her staring at me. When I looked up, I grinned at her. "Done staring?"

She blinked her eyes and looked away. I stiffled a laugh at her reaction which is cute and priceless. She gave me a glare in which I ignored. "You're growing huh?"

I regained my composure and asked, "What?"

"You don't say your name anymore. Instead, you use 'I' now," gone the frown and the glare as she smiled at me. "That's even better."