Tonight is the last night of the banquet. My Dad made a rule that one person can only attend one time. He even let the commoners to have a chance to enter the palace as well and that made me really happy. I saw a lot of our people happily eating the food served for them these past few days.
However, the last day is reserved for the nobility. And Dad changed the arrangement of the seats as well. Originally, there are only four tables to each of them but now there's one for me. And this is where the children of the nobles are arranged to sit.
Also...
Since the Imperial Knights Ceremony, I haven't seen Asher. He never visited my room even once too. I wonder where that guy is. Is it actually okay for him to leave me with my overflowing mana? Is he back to his duty of looking for the holy crystal?
"Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Highnesses, I am honored to be invited in this birthday banquet for the First Princess," Ohh...good timing. Sir Abel!
"It's nothing, Sir Abel. We will always be grateful for you," Dad answered. I stared at Sir Abel and smiled.
'Sir Abel, have you seen Asher?'
Sir Abel turned to me and blinked for a couple of times.
'Your Highness--he's hibernating,' Huh?
I tilt my head at him.
Asher is what? Is he an animal? It's not even winter yet? But well, that just means he's resting right? Like conserving energy?
'Ohh...please tell him to rest well,' I replied. Sir Abel bowed to us before he turned around.
'I will pass your message to him, Your Highness,'
'Thank you, Sir Abel!'
I saw Sir Abel chuckling.
'The princess is really adorable,'
Oh, that's why he chuckled. He found it adorable.
"Greetings to the astra--"
My eyes widened when I saw the nobles' reaction to seeing Sir Abel. They kneel down and was about to how deeply but Sir Abel spoke.
"Please, that's not necessary. I'm only here to celebrate the First Princess' Birthday Banquet. Just treat me like an ordinary person," Sir Abel really is a humble person.
A total opposite of his twin.
***
"Thank you for attending the celebration of my daughter's seventh birthday. This is the last day of this long celebration and I am hoping that everyone enjoyed it, especially my daughter! Now, let's have this last banquet and enjoy the remaining time together!"
The nobles clapped after my father's speech. I just hope that Asher is here too...
I turned my head to the first empty seat on the right side of my table, which is supposed to be Asher's seat.
"Sister Ali, are you alright?" Eli, who is sitting on the first seat on the left side asked, and that made Ziel who's sitting beside her look at me as well.
Woah, what the heck was my facial expression just now that even a five year old Eli thought I am not alright?
"I am alright, Eli, don't worry," I replied, and of course since she's a kid, a few words of confirmation like that is enough.
"Hehe, let's eat well!" She said cheerfully, and that made me smile.
She's really adorable.
"Ah, come to think of it, Princess. I haven't seen the Astra for days now," Looks like Ziel noticed it too.
"Hmm, Sir Abel said he's hibernating," I responded. Ziel cocked his head and looks at me with those confused eyes. I know right--in my world, hibernating can refer to people who are resting and conserving energies too, not just for animals during winter.
Plus, Asher is a human! He's a highest form of animal! Wait, he's not human but an incarnation of a God. Then--he's at the top of the highest form of animal!
"It looks like the Astra exhausted his power for protecting the palace for one month," That's right...
Maybe that's why Sir Abel is here, maybe Asher asked him to take care of it in his stead.
But, isn't he an Astra? He have a great amount of mana, right?
"I hope Asher's alright..."
"Missing me already, I see," I was startled when I heard Asher's voice behind me. Even the kids too!
"Asher!" Of course, he got everyone's attention. Just like how everyone almost kneel down and bang their heads on the floor earlier when they saw Sir Abel.
"Apologies for my delayed arrival, Your Highness," Asher said, giving me a proper bow and walked to his seat.
I heard everyone's chair moving and everyone stood up, facing Asher.
"No need to greet me, just think of me as an ordinary citizen," Wow, the fakeness. But look at him smirking like an arrogant jerk.
The nobles exchanged looks and their eyes landed on Sir Abel. Asher's twin brother smiled softly and nod his head. With that, everyone finally went back into sitting.
"What are you doing here, Asher? Shouldn't you be resting?" I asked. Even though he's really really annoying, I can't help but worry about him. He might be a powerful Astra, but maybe there are circumstances that makes him exhaust his power. Like...maybe activating his magic for a month?
"Who said I need rest?" Asher asked. The heck? Is he denying it? Or does he not want us to think that the great Astra needs rest as well? What the heck?
"Hey, just because you're a powerful incarnation of a God doesn't mean you don't need rest," I replied with my forehead creased while glaring at him. Asher turned to me with a cocked brow as he blink for a couple of times.
"What?" I asked when he stared at me for a looong time without saying anything.
What the heck is he thinking?
"Haha..." What the heck, he stayed quiet for a few minutes and then laughed out of the blue.
"Your Highness really care about her people a lot," Ziel spoke, smiling at me. Well, this Astra here is my power source, so he should not exhaust himself and leave me for a long time.
Heh, that's right ~
"Well, Asher might be immortal and all, but I think he still needs rest," I held the fork on my left hand and the meat knife on my right hand. I carefully cut the meat in front of me.
'I'm not you people though, but I can't believe Your Highness is worried about me,'
His pride is taller than Mount Olympus.
"I agree with Her Highness, dear Astra," Ziel spoke, facing Asher as he smile. I saw the glimpse of Asher's annoyed face before he force a smile to Ziel. Seriously? Ziel's being genuine with you right now!
"Thank you, Young Lord," that's the only thing that Asher said.
"Das rhight! Big Bwojher Ashtrwa shoud resht!" Oh my goodness my dear cousin, so adorableeee! She even pointed her fork to Asher!
"Eli, you know you shouldn't speak when your mouth is full, right? That's disrespectful. Also you don't point your utensils to other people like that," I spoke, gently, patting her head. Eli blinked for a couple of times before she giggle and nod her head.
AHHH SO CUTE!!!
She chewed on her food and then swallowed it down before she replied.
"Understood Sister Ali! I'm sorry Big Brother Astra!" Then she smiled widely.
My heart---my heart!
It's going to explode.
'Stop with those expressions, you're gonna kill your family,' Huh?
What expressions?
I turned to my brothers and father only to see them staring at me while, while blushing? What the fudge?
'What expression?' I asked. Ziel did say that my expessions are easy to read. Dang it, I really need to practice controlling my expressions!
'You admiring Lady Eli,' Ohh...
I see.
'They said that even admiring your dear cousin, you're still adorable,' I prevented myself from slapping my forehead because of Asher's report.
"Everything that the Princess do is surely adorable," Ziel spoke, chuckling. What the heck, even him? I mean, I do admit that this face of mine is amazing. I should be grateful for my Mom and Dad.
"I can't agree more," I glared at Asher for agreeing with Ziel. He's not even glancing at me! What's wrong with him? Is he simply trying to make his image good? Or no, he's definitely trying to tease me right now.
"Stop it..." I mumbled as I continue with my food.
'Shut up,' I said personally and telepathically to Asher.
'Hey, I'm complimenting you,' He replied. I mentally rolled my eyes.
It's obviously fake. He just want the people here to say he's nice! Well, he is--sometimes, when he's in the mood. I don't even understand his personality.
"I agree too! Sister Ali is really gorgeous!" Eli said cheerfully, I chuckled before facing the little baby.
"Of course, Eli is amazingly adorable as well," Eli giggled cutely and I can't help but smile at her. She's really a cutie! I love her so much!
'I've got a news for you,' Oh, news?
'Remember, Carlix?' I stayed quiet and continued eating. Trying to entertain the guests that are sitting here with us. These kids are getting awkward with me right now.
'What of him?' No one from my family mentioned Sir Carlix, and Asher stayed quiet about him as well and chose to avoid my questions involving Sir Carlix. It seems like he was trying to figure out something first before he inform me about it.
'Well, turns out he's possessed by our enemy. That enemy being the one who tried to sacrifice you,' WHAT THE HECK!?
How did that guy even managed to possess a person?
'How was Sir Carlix? I mean, his soul?' I asked. What the hell is our enemy thinking? No, what is he planning to do in the first place?
'You're worried about that? Well, I managed to save him at least,' Don't tell me...was that the reason why he's been away these past few days? It looks like our Astra is very busy. I thought he really is resting.
'And the enemy who possessed him?' Knowing it's the one who tried to possess my body back then...my blood is boiling! But, I'm still powerless against that guy so I can't do anything about him right now!
'When I was confronting him, a person saved him. That girl's wearing hood and I couldn't see her face, but her mana was extremely familiar. Familiar and disgusting,' Huh...
'So he's not alone then?'
"Y-Your Highness, how was your day today?" I turned to one of the kids who asked that question. Wow, they're been quiet all this time, and now that a lot of us are done eating they decided to speak. If I'm not mistaken, that's a Viscountess' son, Young Master Eric.
'That's for sure. Plus...that girl is only a little kid,' Eh!?
"My day was alright, and it had become even more enjoyable because of this birthday banquet! I'm happy to be able to eat with everyone like this, it's like we're a big happy family!" I replied. My answer was perfect for the kids here who wants to approach me. Now, a lot of them are talking--
"Wow! So, am I family with Your Highness then?"
"Right! Right!"
"Your Highness is so kind!"
"Everyone in this Empire is a family," I responded and smiled at them. They all stared at me for a moment before they clapped their hands.
"Your Highness is so beautiful!"
"I agree!"
"Your Highness the Princess is always nice!"
"She thinks of everyone as family!"
"We're family!"
The kids here are so adorable and energetic. Huh, the innocents will always make me feel relaxed. Although there are some who are just staying quiet with annoyed expression. I can tell that some of them do not like being here with me.
"Can we have a commemorative photo with Your Highness?" Sometimes, Ziel knows when to speak. The kids agreed with his idea and now they are asking me to take a picture with them.
I can feel the gazes of the adults since our table is the most noisy out of the five tables. Well, kids are kids, of course we'll be this loud.
"That's not a problem. But, let's do that later after the banquet dinner, shall we?" I asked.
"Yesss!"
"Yaaaay!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Goodness gracious. We're just staying quiet earlier and now everyone is so clamourous. I couldn't even reply to Asher!
I feel like my night will be extremely tiring because of this commemorative photo that Ziel thought of. But, I'll prioritize my baby Eli of course!
Who's looking really happy right now while talking with kids on the same age. She's so adorable I feel like crying.
Anyway, I really need to talk to Asher personally. Since he's back, he'll freeload in my room again, right?
***
Right. Of course, he will freeload in my room again. Look at the guy munching at the cookies given to me by my Themis.
I took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling of my room. I'm currently lying down on my bed, feeling the exhaustion of the last birthday banquet celebration for me. The one-month birthday celebration has finally ended and my days are back to normal.
I will miss this month, and I will never ever going to forget this.
But, ugh, I'm really tired. I just want to shut these eyes but I need to talk to Asher.
"These cookies are always amazing, who baked these again? Morias?" I nod my head. Right, Morias--Morias whose name is always familiar to me yet I don't remember him at all.
"Yes, Your Divine Highness," I replied, rolling my eyes as I sit up on my bed.
"I shall see that guy and ask him to give me the ingredients and tell me the procedure on how to do these," Woah---
"You're interested in baking now?" He looked at me with that disappointed expression. What now? He looks really annoying with that beautiful face making that kind of expression.
"No, I'm just going to procure it with magic," His Divine Highness always rely on his magic to do everything. But, well, if you have powerful magic, why not use it. Heh.
"Anyway. Aren't you going to tell me something?" I asked. He then stopped eating and crossed his legs and arms as he face me.
"Right. Our enemy is doing all he can to lay his hand on you, and he's got an accomplice. I don't even know who that little girl is, but for him to use a kid...I'll definitely make him suffer in Azrael's realm," Azrael's realm equivalent to hell in my previous world. Seriously, this is so infuriating.
Now, it's not just my curse, someone wants to kill me too? What the heck is the problem of this world with me? Did the Goddess of Fate ignored all my prayers? Why do I need to suffer from things like this? If Asher is not here, I would've been possessed and sacrificed a long time ago, no?
"Seriously, just what is he planning to do? What did I do wrong for him to target me?" I asked. Asher stared at me and didn't say anything.
What now? Is he contemplating if he's gonna tell me about it or not?
"Well, you've got some unique power right there. That's why," Huh? Unique power? Me?
"What unique power?" I asked. I mean, I am cursed, is that a unique power?
"I still need to confirm that. Even your family had no idea about it yet--well, your first brother might've been aware, but he hasn't approached me about it yet," Huh?
My big brother knows about it? What is it?
"Anyway, it's late. You should rest now. I'll stay here, so you can sleep peacefully," then he snapped his fingers. I nod my head as I feel the drowsiness visiting my mind.
I'm pretty sure he's making me sleep again using his magic. He's been doing that for this whole month, maybe he wants me to really sleep peacefully, huh?
How nice of him...
"Goodnight, Asher..."
I said before I lay down on my bed and yawn.
"Yes, sleep well and have a sweet dream, Princess,"
***