Shorter than usual. For that, I apologise.

🎀

As the youngest princess, I was thankfully ignored by most. I didn't have the stressful duties my older siblings had, and I was free to do whatever I desired. While I was one of the only ones my mother was able to trap in her game of the court, I didn't face as much drama as my sisters would have, since I was the fourth of a line of princesses.

I didn't specialise in anything. I wasn't as crude as Eliot, intelligent as Freya, charming like Gavin, or anything like the twins. I was nothing interesting, something mediocre, a formality in the ballroom and the semblance of normality in my family.

So why the hell was it that I'm going after my ignorant knight?

I cursed under my breath as the gown I tried to stuff into my satchel rebounded and refused to fit inside. I didn't know how long I'll be out, and I needed clean clothes. I'd have left the packing to my maids but then I realised it'd be best to leave without fanfare. Plus, I didn't think I could face the judgment from the court, and then from the rest of the family.

I bunched up the woolen fabric, folding it and then sitting onto it unceremoniously. With careful fingers, I twisted around the covering flap under my rump, forcing it down and clasping the hooks together.

I let out a cry in success as I looked at my creation. The black leather satchel was something I had bought on my own, when I had sneaked off the grounds and entered the village dressed as a maid. It was embroidered with green on the sides, the hooks being made of bronze. Sure, the middle-aged merchant was concerned as to why a maid was buying such a handsome piece, but the gold that "spilled" on his station was enough to stop the questions.

To accompany the travel bag was a pair of brown leather boots, a lavender travel dress and a pair of linen wrist length gloves. I had to say, I looked great for a quest.

The quest. To find the annoying son of a --

I gritted my teeth and closed my eyes, counting to ten. My cheeks were ablaze, just thinking of the humiliation I would face if word got out what happened.

I could see my father shake his head at me in disappointment, while Mother would probably ban me from court. No one would want to be seen with the Negligent Princess who let the dark forces take away her guardians....

I shook my head. Dan was right. They knew how Heron was. I wouldn't be persecuted because of his own folly, would I?

Well, the annoying voice in my head nagged. He is the handsome Sir Heron. They masses will be more willing weep over the loss of a noble warrior than the loss of a minor princess.

"Princess?" a muffled voice interrupted my thoughts.

I snapped open my eyes, turning towards the closed door.

"Come in, Gia. What's up?" I crossed the room to open it.

The tiny maid kept her eyes fixed to her shoes. "Dinner is served. King Leonard awaits your arrival."

I froze in my tracks. I couldn't wear this! They'd know I'd be going somewhere....

And the only thing keeping me sane was the discretion.

I forced a smile. "Yes, of course, please wait."

With a flurry of skirts I somehow changed from the travel garb into something dinner worthy. Sure they'll know I'll be gone at dawn, but I'd rather not have anyone stop me.

👑👑👑

Day one of princess training: a princess is never late. Unless you come after the king. Then you're...screwed, for lack of a better word.

Not in Glamaia. In most nations, sovereigns and their families rarely dinner together. Father made it mandatory, since his first wife made it a regular occurrence. After her death and remarriage to Mother, he continued this tradition. There were no knights around, and no formalities were given. We were just a regular family for this four course meal. As if four course meals were normal. But that being said, I wasn't the only late one.

I was greeted by Eliot who sat besides Mother, his dark hair surprisingly-- there's that word again-- brushed. His face was masked as usual, and nodding along with whatever Freya was saying. A brief smile was given my way before she could notice, but her animated hand gestures and ranting was enough to tell me she was engrossed in another explanation of an experiment.

"Oh, did I mention how the chlorophosporus can also be used to--"

My father, King Leonard the Second, sat forward, grinning at the conversation. Mother, Queen Veena, was frowning in disapproval, seeing one of her tamer daughters be engrossed in such a topic.

"Freya, what did I tell you about speaking before the king so carelessly?" she scolded.

Freya paused her rant. I was surprised she stopped, she spoke so fast I thought her mouth would fly off.

"Informal dinner, right, Mother?" she blinked blue eyes behind gold rimmed spectacles at her innocently.

We had to remind her this every day it seemed. She didn't like it, and why would we change the only dinner rule after literally twenty-five years?

I was ushered to the table, my place next to Freya but across from Eliot. Father's grin broadened and he grabbed my hand to place a kiss on my knuckles.

"There's my lovely girl! You're growing up too fast for your old man," he chuckled. Father was a benevolent king, with a heart full of love for his nation. Laugh lines at the corners of his sea green eyes crinkled as he glanced at Mother. "Isn't that right, Veena?"

Mother's blond hair, immaculate while mine rarely was, was up in a high bun held by a decorated ruby comb. Her beautiful face, where a smile graced her lips once a blue moon, kept its perpetual frown as she looked over me.

"Why are you wearing that horrid colour, Demetria? Orange looks hideous with your complexion," she scolded.

Eliot snorted while Freya grew quiet. She curled her fingers around mine in sympathy, being subject to Mother's criticisms as well.

I flushed murmuring, "I apologise, Mother. I'll take your words into consideration next time." She wasn't a hard woman on me as she was on the others, but I hated it when she said things like this.

"Oh, Veena, don't say that. She looks lovely. Besides, if she looks too lovely, some barbarian male would sweep her off her feet, and I'm not ready to have in-laws," Father tried to alleviate the tension. He was always ready to flatter. At the same time he's such a Dad.

Mother scoffed but said nothing. She glared at the three empty seats near the head of the table, where the eldest usually sat. Although dinner technically started a quarter hour ago, the three weren't here yet and that irked her.

Day two of princess training- never come after the queen. Then you are truly late.

I drummed my fingers on the table, counting the gold stiches embroidered along the wine red table cloth. I needed to find out more about sirens. If I had to get Jacob back before he destroys my reputation, then I had to figure out who took him first. Who would know?

I eyed Freya, who was now discussing preparations for the upcoming arrival of the bachelor king Darius of Pluora, a neighboring nation. This was the first diplomatic meeting in decades with Pluora who had been closed off to the world until recent. I had no interest in events like these.

Freya could help, right? She was one of the smartest ones in the family. She knew about fields that no one in the nation can understand. She could have something up her sleeve, maybe give me a serum or.....a weapon?

No that'll be a mess. I might blow up myself in the process.

Father seemed oblivious to the siren-Jacob issue. That's good. Let's leave it as so for the time being. He was aging, and I needn't not worry him. Much. Would be survive a heart attack, like the one Amancio feigned earlier?

Mother wouldn't have anything to do with magical creatures of legend, and definitely not Eliot. That boy hated anything to do with magic.

He hated talking to others too, not like anyone would be willing to tell him anything about sirens and the Hope Bar...

Hope Bar. A place of interest.

"What's the best way to get information?" I murmured to myself.

Not quietly enough, though. "Gossip." Eliot answered, speaking to me for the first time.

Gossip! A gossiper would know! But the gossiper of the family wasn't present. I doubted anyone else, Father included, would know or be willing to tell me...

I turn toward the young prince to say more but of course, he pretended I didn't exist. He usually clung to his one word answers but not when he's in diplomatic situations. Then he goes through great pains to tell a lord their nose looks like a shriveled turnip or a princess's hair looks like some rapid animal.

"Where on earth are they?" Mother finally growled between gritted teeth. "Don't they know how rude it is to keep their king and queen waiting? Those insolent--"

"Yes, Mother, we are well aware," drawled a deep male voice, amusement oozing from his tone. "That we are rude and disrespectful to make you all wait for our celestial presence."

A scoff. "Don't be a smartass, Gavin. It's unbecoming of you. It's your fault we're late either way."

A high pitched squeak strained our eardrums next. "Xael! Don't curse at dear Gavin! It's unbecoming of a lady to curse."

Looks like the three finally joined us.