Imperial Palace, Vasilindro empire

Crown Prince's bedroom

Crown Prince's aide, Drake opened the door. Wine bottles were scattered around the room and red curtains blocking the sunlight to enter.

"Your Highness, it's time for you to wake up." He walked towards the curtains and flung opened it.

"Already?" He sat on the bed showing his naked upper body.

The maid who was sleeping with him woke up. She immediately got down the bed and wore her maid uniform.

"Thanks miss for your time yesterday." He winked at her.

"I-it's my pleasure Your Highness. I must get going. Have a good day Your Highness." She slightly bowed and hurriedly walked out of the room.

"Your highness when will you stop fooling around with ladies?" Drake came back after preparing for his bath.

"Don't worry, once I become the emperor I will stop it." He got off the bed and walked to bathroom to freshen up.

He sighed as he followed him to bathroom. he helped him getting dressed and drying his hair.

"So tell me did you find any information about my angel?" He started grooming his hair.

"Yes. I couldn't gather much because her personal information was very difficult to find."

"Whatever just tell me quickly tell me about her."

"Well um... she is actually a wanderer came to Xilan Kingdom in search of someone with scarlet eyes-"

"Why is she searching for scarlet eyes when I have have scarlet hair, from which royal blood runs in my veins."

Drake stared at him bluntly as he handed him the perfume bottle. "Then where is she now?" He rubbed perfume oil in his clothes.

"She is living in Verde in Grand Duke's second estate working as a maid."

"I see. Find out more about her because I am going to make her my empress."

"But Your Highness she is a commoner."

"I don't care. I am the Crown Prince and I can do whatever I want. Now get lost my aide and finish my work. Bye bye."

"Your Highness you must learn how to do it on your-" Crown Prince left the room without saying anything.

"... own. Sigh." Drake shook his head as he was worried about crown prince.

_________

"Where were you?" Teivel asked staring at her with worried look.

"I went to town to buy necessities." Akiara replied looking indifferent.

Both stared each other for a moment. Akiara shifted her gaze and started walking towards kitchen. She grabbed her wrist squeezing it tightly.

"If you went to marketplace then why is your clothes soaked in blood?"

"That is none of your concern. Please wait in your room. I will prepare the bath." She pulled back her hand walking to the kitchen.

Teivel clenched her fist. She looked sad while walking back to her room. Akiara entered her room and walked to the bathroom. She turned on the hot water tap which filled the tub. She came back.

"I have prepared the bath for you, miss Teivel."

Teivel followed her. She got her undressed and led her to tub. After her bath, she dried her hair, helped her wearing clothes and brushed her hair.

"I am going to prepare breakfast for you, miss Teivel." She walked away.

She grabbed her hand, "Wait!... why are you still speaking to me so formally?"

"..." She pulled back her hand walking away.

She clenched her hand. She was staring outside when Akiara brought snacks. She placed it on the table. Teivel got up from the chair and walked towards her. Akiara took steps back but she hit the wall behind. She slams her one hand on the wall. Her face came closer to hers. But she was looked unfazed and her eyes looked cold.

"Did I upset you with something?"

"... No."

"Then why do you... never mind."

"The food will get cold if you don't eat it now."

"Don't worry about the food. I just-"

"If you don't have anything to ask then please excuse me I have other chores to finish." She shoved her hand and walking out of the room.

"Sigh. She is so stubborn to deal with." She sat on her seat and started eating, "What's the reason behind her void eyes. Even her face does not even hold emotions either. I hope she tells me everything one day." She sighed again while eating.

_________

Later that night, when Akiara was doing dishes she felt guilty for behaving rudely towards Teivel.

"I must apologize to her." She said to herself.

She took the books and slowly opens her bedroom's door. She keeps the books on the table and the paper on the nightstand. She walked out of the room and headed back to her room. She laid on the bed and placed her hand on her head and covered her eyes. She took out her blue jade pendant she was wearing. Its shape was small sphere. She rubbed it against her fingers.

[Akiara's parents funeral

Akiara was staring at her parents tombstones silently. Flowers were decorated their graves. Her looked hollow and empty. Mizuho tapped her shoulder. She took her hand and gave her the blue jade pendant.]

Tears streamed down her eyes. She put it back inside her clothes. She curled up and closed her eyes. Next morning Teivel woke up. She noticed a folded paper on the nightstand. She took it and opened it.

"Teivel,

I apologize for my rude behavior. I hope you can forgive me. I bought some books for you to read. I hope you enjoy it."

"Her handwriting is quite beautiful." She shifted her gaze to the table. There were some books kept on the table. She smiled and got down the bed. She walked towards the table and took one of the book.

"Runaway Duchess." She flipped the front cover, "Its a romance novel. She never fails to amaze me."

She walked to wardrobe and take her clothes. She got dressed. She fixed her hair and headed downstairs. She slowly walked behind her and hugged her from behind.

"Mornin' Akiara!"

"Morning."

"What are you cooking?"

"Omelette rice."

"Omelette rice? What's that?"

"It's a dish from my home country that's eaten as breakfast."

"Wow! I'm so excited to taste it!"

"Yeah yeah. Why don't you sit on the dining room. I'll bring it there." She was setting it on the plate.

"Okay!" She waked away and headed to dining room.

Akiara also followed her to the dining room. She served her and sat beside her.

"Akiara... you know everyday is fun because you're with me. Thanks for being my friend." She smiled brightly with her eyes closed.

"... your welcome."

She averted her gaze. A small smile played her lips. Teivel noticed it. Her cheeks turned red.

She chuckled, "Did you just smile Akiara?"

"No I did not." She replied coldly.

"C'mon can you smile again please?"

"No."

"Hmph... you are so mean." She pouted.

"..." She continued eating.

"Just you wait, I'll make you smile again with that beautiful face of yours." She looked determined and continued eating.