I woke up with my eyes wide in surprise.

Did I just had another glimpse of what's about to happen here?

Oh wait, I'm not thesame Clydeur anymore. He was just like the Empress in that dream, a serious looking prince, but I'm different right now.

And that girl with cherry blonde hair, Lady Mia. Clydeur fell in love with her?

Is that why I felt awkward with her the last time? For all I know, I felt awkward since she is the one who fell for me, just like what she said. Did we switched for a particular reason?

And on top of it: I saw Eldest there too!

She's the girl who volunteered to become my first dance. It was really her, no doubt. But I never thought that Clydeur himself was the one who gave her the name Lady Athalia.

But I'm confused. Eldest is already called by Lady Mia by that name. Is that her real name, or the timelime really changed and got messed up?

Blinking my eyes for a moment, I sat on my bed as I looked at the wallclock. It was already 8 in the morning. I remembered sleeping around 1 in the afternoon.

Did I sleep the whole day yesterday?

I shrugged my shoulders as I stood up. Seems like it, since I'm hungry now.

And as if on cue, the door opened, revealing Jamie with the tray of my breakfast. She then flashed her angelic smile at me. "Good morning your highness."

"Good morning nanny!" I smiled back. Shaking off those thoughts about my dreams, I need to focus on the present. "Did Eldest come back?"

Jamie froze from her spot as she looked at me. "Your highness, you don't know?"

I felt a sudden pang of nervousness surrounded me. "K-know what?"

She hesitated to tell me, but she gave in. "Eldest went missing."

What?

My eyes were wide as I stared at her. "Missing? Since when?"

"Since yesterday, your highness." Jamie answered, looking at me worriedly. "Don't worry, she must have gone to her estate to check if everything is alright."

I sighed as I sat on the couch. "Hope so." I mumbled to myself as I started eating my breakfast. Time flies so fast and I was already finished. It was already bath time and as always, Jamie would help me with it.

Since Eldest is missing in action, my studies are postponed. She's my tutor afterall, so I'll consider this day as a break.

"Nanny, what is Klydeur doing?" I asked while flipping into the next page. I'm currently reading about politics, royalty and aristocrats. It's still a pain in the head. Jamie seems confused as to why I chose to read such book, but she paid it no mind.

Jamie was busy preparing snacks for me when she stopped and answered my question. "The prince is currently studying with his mentors at the library." She then handed me a fruit tart, in which I gladly accepted.

Just one bite, I realized how delicious snacks could be. "Do you wish to see his highness?" Jamie asked, which I replied with a shake of my head.

"No need. He's busy with studying, so I'll busy myself by reading books." I answered, taking another bite from the fruit tart. Jamie then bowed at me before waiting for me to get finished.

I looked up at her again. She gave me a smile. "Is there anything wrong, your highness?"

"Is mama busy?" I didn't mean to ask about the Empress, but I should be wary. If she's around, then I should not do any mess that can lead to my death.

Also, I'm planning in practicing my magic abilities. Althou I'm only using a magic item, it was quite useful, especially that it's different from normal and usual magic items. Ofcourse, because it was from Eldest.

"Her majesty is busy handling the situations from the demands of the aristocrat nobles," Jamie replied. "Maybe it would be best if you go and ask her to spare some time with your highness?"

"I guess so—wait what?" I stopped midway when I heard her suggestion. I thought she was about to say, maybe it would be best if we don't bother her majesty for a while."

Jamie gave me a pleading look. "Her majesty seems on edge lately. Prince Klydeur tried to spare time for her, but her majesty is still the same," she then held my little hands. "Maybe you, your highness, will be able to help her majesty. You are the crown prince afterall."

I looked down and sighed. Everyone knows I'm the crown prince, but I know that Klydeur will be the chosen one.

Or maybe not? The Empress herself said that I am her successor, simply means that she considers me as the crown prince. Did I change the timeline somehow? Is it because I reincarnated in this world and became the pitiful prince who knows how the timeline would go?

"I won't force his highness to do so," Jamie continued when she received no response. She then took the plate and spoon I used to eat snacks earlier. "There will be another time as to when her majesty's schedule is free."

Before she can leave my room with the tray, I quickly spoke. "No wait," raising my hand to catch her attention as well, I took a deep breath.

"I'll go see her."

Jamie looks brightened, now I see her true intention. She really wants me to go to the Empress. But the thing is, I don't know the reason why.

She then helped me get dressed in a better clothing. It wasn't that hard since I'm a boy. Unlike being a girl, I might even spend half an hour in preparing.

Jamie insisted on escorting me all the way to the Empress' palace. I agreed since even if I tell her not to, she'll still insist. My nanny can sometimes be troublesome.

While were on our way, I practiced myself on how I'll talk to her. Especially by calling her 'mama'.

Cringy. I've never been the type to call my parents that way. I'd rather call her mother or mom. But since I'm Clydeur and a child this day, I have to get accustomed to these changes.

Eldest isn't also here to advice me. So I have to be cautious. Not just towards mama, but also towards other nobles that I might encounter.

"Prince Clydeur!" A cheerful voice of a female kid got my attention. I was surprised when a familiar cherry blonde hair showed up infront of me.

"Uh," I was too speechless since she's too close. Too close for comfort here! I'm a kid, a mere kid, but still!

"Milady, is there anything you need from me?" I managed to ask barely as I took the initiative to step away, distancing myself from her.

She didn't seem to notice me being uncomfortable since she just smiled at me brightly. "My father requested for an audience with her majesty the Empress. I'm with my father today but I got bored waiting. I went out to go somewhere when I saw you walking, your highness!"

Yeah, no wonders. This girl infront of me is Lady Mia.

Isn't it a bit of a coincidence? I had a dream about her, Eldest, Klydeur and the Empress. Then here we go, Klydeur being busy in the library so I didn't meet him this whole day yet.

Then Eldest went missing in action. Maybe she have things to deal with or something?

The Empress is also busy with the nobles and aristocrats, according to what Jamie told me. So I also didn't got a glimpse of her except if I enter the palace office where she is.

But surprisingly, the one who I didn't bother looking for showed up infront of me.

I awkwardly nodded at her. Jamie also have an awkward smile on her face. Nanny can't scold Lady Mia since she's a noble, but still, such disrespect to a prince like me.

My comfort zone seems crushed instantly in just this one day.

If Eldest was in this position, I wonder what will she do?

As Lady Mia continued blabbering almost things that I can't comprehend, I felt hands placed in my shoulder. Looking up, I saw nanny looking at me with concern.

She knows how much I hate people like Lady Mia. It's making me uncomfortable.

Unlike Eldest, Ladi Mia is pure worst. Eldest knows her limitation and boundaries, but Lady Mia doesn't seem to realize her mistake by now.

"Also, prince Clydeur, I got to see the painti-"

I cut her off. She froze as she stopped her sentence, blinking her eyes at me.

"I do not wish to be disturbed, since I have matters to talk about with my mother." There we go, I already said it. And I clearly messed up! I should have said 'mama' instead of 'mother'. I sounded so mature!

If she's surprised, it surprised me as well. She have this scared expression on her face. I wonder why?

Did I just look like the original Prince Clydeur? Did I look intimidating? I mentally grinned.

Even better.

"If you'll excuse me," I bowed at her before walking past her. Jamie followed behind me. "And also, Lady Mia." I halted from my tracks and turned to look at her.

She flinched, but still answered. "Y-yes?"

"You aren't allowed to wander around as you please." I told her with a straight face. "If you don't want to get lost within the palace, then stay put in your place."

With a triumphant grin, I continued my walk towards the hallways with Jamie following me, leaving behind a surprised Lady Mia.

I bet even Eldest would be proud of what I just did today.

____