It's almost the end of December, about one month has passed when Kai left to lead the army to suppress the riot in Mermaid state.

December it's a festive month in Nauloria but barely anyone is in the mood for the festivities.

Currently, I'm staying at the Royal palace because in the Glass Home I started feeling weird and lonely and Empress Vivienne suggested that I should stay here for now.

Though I'm still keeping track of the Glass Home's budget and I manage it once per month.

In the palace, I have received more responsibilities like attending the morning audience, translating some foreign documents, scanning documents and saving them in the specialized database and also attending events with Empress.

I'm at my office that I was temporarily given. Since I finished filling the documents that I was requested to, I was working on the final assignment before I would have to write a graduation thesis.

My office space is decorated with vintage but sturdier furniture that gives off a comfortable feeling.

Professor was impressed by a research paper that I recently wrote that could have been considered as a graduation thesis, but of course, it was a passion project that I was interested in exploring the solution.

I believe that I could write a stronger thesis that would be useful for researchers in Nauloria. Not only I wanted to gain respect from the werewolf community as the researcher, but I also wanted to be recognized as a capable researcher by the sirens too.

Someone knocked on the door and I told them to come in.

"Your highness, I'm here to deliver your letter from Prince Kai." one of my temporary lady-in-waiting I have received. The Empress wanted for me to have a lady-in-waiting to help me out while I will be staying here.

"Oh, thank you. Here are the documents you can give to the Crown Prince." I handed her the documents after she handed me the letter.

I glanced at the beige envelope that contains Kai's letter that he has written for me. Usually, Kai didn't mind texting me but receiving a letter from him is very unusual. Perhaps the Mermaid state doesn't have a cellular connection or it's broken?

Nevertheless the less I opened the envelope.

My dearest princess, amidst the beautiful nature outside of the Mermaid state and chaos inside it, I wish I could be with you. I started to miss your gorgeous brown eyes, the way that you blush when you get flustered and I miss embracing you.

The beginning of the letter does sound like him. I smiled at the paragraph. It was silly but at the same time gave me warmth.

I heard that you are already taking up more serious responsibility in the Royal Palace. I hope that you aren't overwhelmed with work in the palace. When I first met you I didn't imagine that the role of the princess would be so perfectly tailored for you. You can't imagine how proud I'm so proud of you.

My heart starts fluttering at the second paragraph. To be honest, I never thought that Kai would be so supportive. Back then I was really surprised that he suggested the idea of pursuing the master's degree not only that he would talk about economics and politics based on his experience and that helped to get a deeper understanding of the topics. I was moved that he not only proofread my work but also praised it.

He was right, the research paper helped to prove that I was knowledgeable in the economic structure of Nauloria and helped me to prove that I was capable as the Princess of Nauloria.

I'm afraid that I will not be coming back very soon as I hoped. The more resistant merpeople get the more chaotic the situation becomes. I hope one day I can break this vicious cycle and come back by your side.

It seems the mermaids don't want to give up that fast. It looks like Kai won't be returning very soon. I just hope that the whole situation won't end up as the worst-case scenario.

I remembered that your birthday is coming up? Perhaps you already have a gift in my mind? I won't hesitate to get it for you, just write me a reply and I'll get you anything you wish for.

So if I reply that I want him back, will he return?

Though I should write a note somewhere so I can make my letter romantic enough so it would be on par with Kai's letter.

I wrote it down then I was interrupted by the knock on the door.

"Princess Evelyn, it's time to prepare for the state banquet." My lady-in-waiting once again informed me.

I almost forgot about the banquet tonight. We have a delegation from the Atlantic Ocean visiting the Royal Palace.

This is one of the events where I get to wear a tiara.

In the room I was staying there was already a makeup artist and stylists waiting for me.

My hair was made into an elegant updo so it would showcase my crown.

Since I will be representing the Naulorian Royal family it's only right that I will be wearing the traditional Naulorian robe.

The beige robe is covering my whole body except the neckline. The robe had very derailed gold and white embroidery of the falling sakura flowers.

To complete my look a simple design diamond necklace. The diamonds of this necklace are so brilliantly cut that it will sparkle in any lighting.

Then I headed to the main hallway where we are supposed to greet our guests.

When Empress Vivienne looked at me she complimented on how regal I look. Nevertheless, it was important to look very formal but also it was important not to outshine the Empress.

It was a simple rule that I didn't mind following. Since we both look about the same age even though Empress is older than me by five centuries meaning the clothes for age category doesn't exist.

I can understand that people will misunderstand my intentions if I dress that outshines the Empress. Though there are still a lot of good options after the Empress chooses the dress for the event.

While standing beside the Empress and Crown Prince standing beside the Emperor, I gracefully greeted the delegation. Since I'm the princess of Nauloria, I don't have to bow to the King and Queen of the Atlantic Ocean.

I kept my cool when the photographers were rapidly taking pictures of the royal family.

"At the beginning of the invention of the camera, one picture was enough for the newspaper, now they need an infinite amount of pictures of us." The Emperor sighed as Empress Vivienne chuckled. I smiled at the Emperor's sentence and the delegation also joined in the chuckle.

The state banquet ended successfully.

I was about to leave the banquet but I was suddenly approached by the hooded figure.

I was almost standing in defending mode. Then I could see it was the face of a teenage girl, she looked very frail and the scent told me that she isn't a siren but a mermaid.

"Please help us, the Naulorian army blocked the trade routes and portals. The only portal left unblocked has an entrance to the ocean but it's currently surrounded by sharks." The girl desperately said.