Again, I woke up in the middle of the night because of something I dreamt of. I look around the room and outside on the balcony. I bet everyone in the mansion is already asleep, well except for the guards assigned to watch over us for tonight.
I closed my eyes trying to remember what my dream was about, but nothing came to mind. All I know is that it was very important, or it contained something important.
I sat up and looked outside the window, somehow I remembered how I met that boy for the first time. It happened on a night just like this. Again, I can’t help but wonder who was he?
I continued to stare into the darkness, not really thinking about something in particular. Just letting my mind wander by itself. I recalled the days I spent playing with the children while having our vacation. The spring was also amazing, we even got the chance to feed the bunnies.
Niveus and Blue took us to places deeper into the forest. I was looking for a particular place but there was no sight of a waterfall or even that cave in my dream.
Finnian started to laugh with us little by little. Well, not really laughing but I can hear him chuckle every now and then. Nix was uncomfortable at first, having his parents, especially his father, around, but as the days went on he became comfortable with him. Well, he was still William’s son.
I even saw how William is a loving husband and father, though he looks awkward expressing it.
This is the last night we are staying here, tomorrow morning, we will go back to the capital to prepare for my birthday the next day.
I sighed and lay down, although I felt a lot of happiness over the last couple of months, I can’t help but be anxious as to what will happen next. It feels like this happiness won’t last long. That all of these will be replaced with fear, sorrow, and even death.
Life is never that generous, if you’re happy now, something bad will happen later on.
*****
From a distance, Luke is lying on the back of a horse staring at the sky full of stars. After he found out that the princess and her family were staying around the area, he decided to stay and observe her from afar. After all, that’s what his so-called father told him to do.
He went to visit the princess earlier this evening and even left a note for her. With that thought, he laughed to himself.
“Stupid, babies can’t read.” He kept on laughing to himself, mocking himself for a stupid act such as leaving a note.
His laugh reverberated through the entire forest but not enough that it reaches the area where the mansion is located. He continued to picture the scenes he saw during the days he observed the princess. From her waking up in the morning to her closing her eyes to retire for the night.
The way she played with her family, especially with her cousins.
“Hmmm, her cousins,” with the thought of the princess’ cousins his eyes lit up wildly.
“Oh! That’s right! That man also asked me to do something during the banquet,” Luke smiled widely.
“Oh, this is fun. He told me to take care of something, and I’m so glad to have this opportunity to observe and set my eyes upon my next target.”
“I’ll start heading out towards the capital, this banquet is going to be fun. I am so sorry princess, I am going to ruin your birthday. Don’t worry this is for your own good.”
With that, he got up and headed in the direction of the capital, his insane smile and a twinkle in his eyes never leaving his face.
*****
I still can’t sleep, I kept on changing my sleeping position but sleep just can’t find its way to my eyes. It’s quite noisy outside as if the animals are very alert even at night. They sounded like they are being wary of something, or maybe of someone.
“Are Niveus and Blue checking the area?”
I looked at how the boys are sleeping soundly beside me. Ashwin kept on mumbling something in his sleep.
The five of us are sharing this huge bed, though Lucil insisted on us sleeping separately, the boys won’t just agree to it. They still want to play even before bed until eventually, they fall asleep.
It’s a good thing that they don’t move that much in their sleep and the bed is very spacious or they’ll roll over me. I’m still pretty small and could maybe die due to suffocation.
I looked outside and this time through the window and just realized that the maids left the windows open.
The cold wind kept coming inside the room and hopefully, that’s the reason why I could not sleep. So, I decided to get up to close the windows. Good thing there’s a couch beside it, just like how Finnian’s room was set up.
Okay, Flizeria! You can do this! You have done this many times, you can now easily jump down the bed without hurting yourself! Besides, the carpet is soft, it will soften your landing. Also, you’ve been trained to jump from a high place without hurting yourself in your previous life.
I inhaled, exhaled, and relaxed. Got into position and one, two, three! I jumped down the bed as carefully and as best as I could.
Thud. A perfect landing roll!
That’s what I wanted to achieve, instead, I landed on my butt, again.
“Ouch,” I whispered softly as I rubbed my butt.
“Good thing I am not a normal baby, people with imperial blood are stronger than regular people.”
“Hmmm, does this confirm that I am really of imperial blood?”
I got up and walked towards the window. I sort of forgot that people or even I am still confused if I am truly of imperial blood. The past few days were truly a bliss that made me forget to wonder who I truly am.
“Okay, time for me to climb up.”
I raised my hand and pulled myself up the couch.
“Climbing up is harder than jumping down.”
These baby arms are too fragile, I may hurt myself if I push myself harder.
“Okay, let’s try again.”
Once again, I tried to lift myself up, making my arms sore.
“Okay, never mind,” I decided to give up and sat here in silence leaning on the sofa.
The wind blew harder this time and something flew inside and floated in front of me so I snatched it.
“A piece of paper?”
I flipped the paper and saw something written on it.
‘Give me candies again, next time.’