Currently, we are at the meeting hall. Eri is also here, because she needs to know about what's going to happen. Actually, it was Asher who insisted for Eri to be included in the meeting. It's either he's tired trying to control my overflowing mana or Eri is involved with his plans.
Ziel is also here, and everything about the discussion we had last time has been explained to him. Excluding the dream I had, and the aura that Asher sensed. We are not yet certain if the creature that visited me in my dream was the dragon, so we have to keep it a secret.
"I am honored to be able to accompany the Astra with his investigation. No matter how much I wanted to refuse it, it would be disrespectful for the Almighty Astra," I heard my third brother trying to prevent himself from laughing. Seriously, why do you have so many enemies, Asher?
"You did not have to be so harsh, Kafziel. It's an experience," Asher replied.
"Indeed. I feel glad to know that the Astra is thinking about me,"
"How could I not? You're such an excellent knight,"
"Thank you for acknowledging my abilities. This is such a forgettable moment,"
"Wha--"
"Oh, pardon me. I mean, unforgettable moment,"
"That's right. You should remember this time and tell your future generations about it,"
What are these two doing in front of the Imperial Family? Plus, it looks like Ziel is becoming more and more brave when facing Asher.
"Pfft--" and my third brother is losing it. My second brother is just smiling as if he's enjoying the current situation, and my eldest brother is staying quiet and calm as if this is a natural occurrence. On the other hand, my Dad is watching the two with a serious expression.
"Enough, you two. We're here to have a meeting," I spoke. The two of them looked at me with a smile on their faces. I'm pretty sure those are forced.
"You should get along well with each other, since you will be the ones who are going to investigate the Hecate Kingdom," I added. My family nod their head to agree with my words.
"I apologize, Your Highness. I think we've bothered the Imperial Family," Ziel said. I nod my head and prevented myself from sighing.
"Okay then, we shall proceed with this meeting. It is already decided that the Astra and Ziel, along with a few nights will investigate the Hecate Kingdom after confirming if its outside of the barrier's boundary. However, we have yet to hear your plans, Astra," Dad spoke. Asher didn't tell me anything about his plans, and I didn't asked him either. I thought that he would eventually tell me like usual, but it seems like he wants everyone to be present before he share it.
"If the Hecate Kingdom is outside of the boundary of the barrier, it is most likely that they are not colluding with the dukedom. Still, we cannot conclude right away that there is no connection. It could be that the Hecate Kingdom receives something from the dukedom without knowing what their motives are," Ohh, makes sense. It could be that the Hecate Kingdom have no idea about their schemes at all and are just plainly receiving anything.
"It is also possible that the dukedom had spread bad rumors about the empire, and because of the lost of contact with them, they might think that we have decided to cut ties with them," Brother Heli added, which Asher agreed to. There are a lot of possibilities.
"Still, we have yet to know if the barrier reaches the kingdom as well. So we have to firstly investigate that," Dad spoke. We all looked at him. Does he also plan to do something? Oh, wait. I get it now.
"It's better for us to know the situation of the barrier first before we send our investigation team," I spoke, raising my hand. And it seems like they approved it.
"Right, Ali is so smart!" Brother Dae praised. I giggled and shook my head.
"I am simply observing, Brother! Also, it will be dangerous for Asher and Ziel if they directly go there without knowing about the barrier at all, right? So it is only right that we know the status of that barrier first!" I am not a genius, brother...it's just I'm older on the inside. Specifically, twenty, because it's been two years since I died and was transported here.
"That's right. But...who are we going to send in order to investigate it?" Brother Aeli asked.
"Abel," Asher spoke, and he looks proud. Is it really okay to send Sir Abel there?
"But, the Magic Tower will be left unguarded?" I asked. Asher smirked and crossed his arms as he lean on the chair.
"Have you forgotten that I can also create a barrier, Your Highness?" Wow, his voice sounded really proud, and arrogant at that. I knew it, this guy will never change. But, I wonder how long will it take for them to investigate the Hecate Kingdom once they've started?
"Okay, then Sir Abel should be included in the meeting as well?" My eldest brother asked, but Asher shook his head.
"There's no need, Your Highness. I can just smack it on his brain," Huh? Smack? You mean you're gonna use magic to give him the information, right? You sounded so impolite just now, dear Asher.
"For the time being, we should strategize properly on how we can investigate the kingdom without anyone getting suspicious," Ziel spoke, everyone agreed of course. Surprisingly, even Asher nod his head. Looks like he's in the mood to be serious right now. I'm glad he's placing his arrogance away right now.
"Anyway. May I also suggest, we are not going to begin with the investigation yet, so I'd like to teach the Princess to control her mana. Now that there's a guardian who can take care of her overflowing mana permanently, there is no need to worry about it going out of control when training magic," W-what---
"You're going to teach me magic?" Suddenly, I feel so excited. I feel like my heart is racing so fast just by the thought of being able to use magic!
Asher stared at me, quietly. What's with him?
I tilt my head and smiled widely at him.
Why is he staying quiet?
"Did the Astra lost his tongue?" I noticed Asher flinching and then suddenly looking away from me before he answered.
"Yeah, well. Teaching magic is not really a big deal," He said, scratching the back of his head and then sighing.
Finally! Even though Sir Abel taught me magic these past two years, the only thing I can do was teleportation and telepathy! That's because my mana is so hard to control. Sir Abel also said that it's because my mana is overflowing that it became hard for me to control my magic. He stopped teaching me after I successfully did teleportation. Still, he warned me not to use it often because my mana flow is too messy and I might get stucked in a different dimension.
"I hate that expression on your face, maybe you should go now," Brother Dae is the only one who can disrespect the Astra like this. But, Asher disappeared right away without fighting back?
Wow, that's new.
"This meeting is adjourned. I will immediately contact Sir Abel to discuss the matter of the barrier. You are dismissed," Dad said, smiling at us.
Wait---
That jerk of a magician didn't tell us his plan at all!
Dang it!
***
"Good morning, Master," Oh, goodness, to be greeted every morning by such adorable creature. This is happiness ~
"Good morning, Eri. Have you slept well?" Eri flew towards me and kissed my forehead as she giggle.
"I slept well, Master! By the way, His Divine Highness left this for you" Eri said as she raise both her arms, and a ring suddenly appeared in front of me.
"Hmm? A ring?" What is this for? It is simple ring, without any designs at all. However, it has my name carved inside. And how is it transparent? What stone did he used to make this?
"His Divine Higness created this last night when you were sleeping. He measured the size of your finger and made a ring protection. He said that it will protect the Princess from bad dreams!" Oh, so it's like a dream catcher?
Goodness, I've only been receiving a lot of things from Asher, but I haven't given him anything at all. First is this necklace...I still wear it to this day. And then he gave me Eri as well, and now this. He even helped me with a gift for Sis Kae during our first meet.
Even if he say that he wants to rest from this job, I still can say that he's really diligent about his duty of looking after me.
Still, he's arrogant.
"Thank you, Eri," I mumbled and accepted the ring. I wear it on my third finger and smile.
"It is also a communication device, Master," Eh? Seriously? This ring? Wow, that's so cool!
"Does that mean that no matter where I go, I'll be able to communicate with Asher?" I asked, showing the ring to Eri. She nod her head.
"Even if you're in another world, as long as you have this. I'll be able to find you,"
I blinked for a couple of times when I heard someone's voice. Was that Asher? Eh? Did he say something like that to me before? I don't remember...
"Argh--"
"Master?" I can feel Eri on my cheeks.
Suddenly, my head hurts. But, it's bearable, so it's fine. It feels like there's something that wants to break free from my head that it started hurting...
"Your Highness, it's time to wake up!"
"I am already awake, Ryna!"
And then the door opened after I gave her a reply.
"The Astra said that he'll wait for you in the Magic Training Ground, Princess. We should make haste and not let him wait for too long," Ande spoke, Themis came in last with a tray of food. She brought me food, does this mean that I won't be able to have a breakfast with my family?
"Your Highness, His Majesty and His Highnesses took their breakfast earlier than usual today. It seems they will be busy for the whole day today, so I brought a food for you and Eri to eat in your room," I see. Hmm, my family is going to be busy again today. Well, they have their own duties to fulfill, so it's fine!
"Themis, Ryna, and Ande too should eat with us!" I declared.
"That's right! That's right!" Eri added.
"Understood, Your Highness. We simply cannot deny the offer. It is an honor to be with the Princess this morning,"
Hehe ~ it's been so long since I wished for Themis and everyone to eat with me. During that time, I still hate my family due to the fact that I am transported to a body of an ill-fated princess. But, now...my life has changed. Even though there are still circumstances, I am glad that I have my friends and family.
However, this is not the right time to celebrate for that. We have new problems, and things that we need to settle.
Not just my curse, there's this matter of the dispute between us and the dukedom as well, with the possibility of the kingdom being involved. I cannot let anyone or anything destroy this family that I love.
This time, for sure. I will live this life to the fullest.
***