"I know you won't be able to write me letters anymore, but I hope I can hear something from you once in a while."
"Yes, don't worry. I'll find a way to send you a letter."
"Just call me when the North Prince does something to you."
"Yes, I will be careful."
"Don't forget me."
"I will miss you too."
The Prince isn't that forward with his words but I understand them.
Time passed by so fast.
I just told him stories of what happened to me in the previous days but for some reasons, I can't tell him about Ren.
This body won't talk about him.
Is the Princess trying to avoid mentioning a man's name?
"Then, it's almost midnight, rest well, my lady."
He walked with me to my room he put his hand around my head and hugged me.
It's because I'm so small but at least I can hear his heartbeat.
"See you tomorrow."
He kissed my forehead and he stayed like that for a while before letting me go.
"Good night, Prince Zean."
I opened the door and entered my room.
I saw his shadow leave and I immediately went to take a bath.
"Tomorrow will be the start of your karma, North Kingdom."
"Good morning, Princess Irieliazy Xierienne De Fenuelle, the morning is as fresh as you," the maid greeted me.
I'm awake for a while now but I just sit comfortably in the window seat while looking at the garden.
Luisa arrived not long after the maid prepares my bath.
Pamela and Hilary, the two maids that are always with me, helped me in the bath while Luisa and Roelia, the maid in that the King gave me, prepares my gown for the coronation.
"Princess, we are happy to finally assist you in your duties!" Roelia smiles at me while she washes my hair.
Princess Irie does not like these two maids because they are very immature.
They act according to their likes and forgets the etiquette a woman should have.
They are not that good in household chores as well.
But this will be the first and last time that they will assist her.
They might get appointed to other royalties when she will have to live in the North Kingdom.
The scent of rose stick to her hair and skin.
The bath took a long time but it surely made her skin as soft as a baby.
Her hair is smooth as well and she looks so refreshed.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror while the maids take out the cosmetics and other accessories I will wear.
Did my eyes suddenly change?
It somehow seems fierce.
When we were in the cabin, I know my eyes were very sweet and cute.
But now that I stare at my face, I look so terrifying.
Like my eyes are screaming the only goal I want, revenge.
"Even kings might bow down in fear if you wear that expression, Princess. I trained you to look as sweet as possible to make the princes fall for you."
Yeah, I forgot.
The beauty of our eye color hides its character.
Pride and power.
We have that expression of a strong, fearless, and terrifying ruler in our eyes.
The sharpness can cut through everyone's soul.
They will tremble in the sight of our eyes.
They will bow down in fear.
Luisa taught me how to change my eye's emotions since I was a kid.
She said it's terrifying when a kid looks like that.
But she later said that it's for me to catch people's heart.
And yes, I thought I look sweet the moment I saw this face.
But even if I'm in this body, I still fear my own eyes.
It's as if the Princess is telling me to die when I look into my eyes.
It's as if she's the person in the mirror and me, the fake princess, stole her life.
"Princess, please raise your feet."
Hilary is holding my shoes.
It's a white cork high heels.
I was lost in the cloud that I didn't notice I am already wearing the cathedral train white ball gown that is styled with gold lace and gems around the torso.
This gown even has a cape that has a golden rose design on it.
I stare at myself but all I can say is that her eyes destroy the majestic look.
I closed my eyes and gathered all the cuteness this Princess has.
Am I acting fierce because I will face La Estella tomorrow?
If I continue to act like this, they will see through me.
No princess will look like this the moment they see her fiance.
"I am cute," I whisper as I open my eyes.
"Wow," I covered my mouth.
Her eyes changed back to the cutest thing I will ever see.
It fits her gown of gold and white.
My hair is styled simply with a low half bun which compliments my curly blonde hair.
She's so pretty.
I was pretty in my previous life.
But I had straight black hair and boring eyes.
"Princess," A voice called.
I was so mesmerized with my appearance that I didn't hear him.
"The most beautiful lady the world can ever create. I just wish I can see your purple eyes, Princess Irie."
I turn around and there is Prince Zean, on his knee while looking at me with awe.
I can't help but smile.
"I am not honored to stay beside with such beauty, but I hope you will give me the permission to walk you to the castle balcony for everyone to be blessed with seeing the Princess."
I chuckle.
I am not that used with sweet words they use in approaching me.
He held out his hand and I gave mine.
He stands up and kissed my forehead.
The maids just smile at us while Roelia and Hilary are almost crying.
They really can't get a hold of themselves.
Prince Zean accompanied me to the balcony but before even fully getting out, the King appeared with the first princess.
I bowed down to her.
She really looks like my sister if I do have golden eyes.
She smiled softly and kissed my cheeks.
"Fight," she whispered.
I look at her but she just holds the same soft smile as if she didn't say anything.
I mean, it's normal because she might think I am nervous or something and she's just trying to cheer me up but something is off.
The king approaches me and held my hand.
"Oh, if only you are my daughter, I will be proud to announce your existence."
The trumpets sounds and I took a deep breath.
Everything went by fast and I didn't even get to understand how the King announced how he found his 'daughter.'
I am stuck thinking about what will happen to me now.
If I was in my world, I would be slacking off or writing articles for the magazine club.
I am curtsying in front of the people, the gown looks lovely with how it flows.
"Rise, Princess Lorainne Emersyn Superio Luoie, the rose of the West Kingdom."
The king looks at me, I didn't know that they will change my name.
I stand up and smiled sweetly at the crowd.
They cheered and clapped their hands.
Everyone is rejoicing for the new princess.
The West Family claps their hand as well.
After the ceremony, the King introduced me to noblemen, dukes and other important people in a kingdom.
They threw a ball for me and there are a lot of people who attended because they are curious about me.
I feel tired but I have to look as if nothing bothers me, but the corset is such a pain as well as the heels.
I never wore heels this long and it hurts my feet.
"Your Majesty, may I have a dance with the Princess Lorainne?" Prince Zean suddenly appeared while we are having a talk with a Duke.
I don't feel like memorizing their names and I am tired.
"Why not, she's your beloved sister."
The King took my hand and gave it to Prince Zean.
I smiled at him but I know he noticed that I am tired because he smiled at me like he's pitying me.
"I am so tired!" I stretched out my hand.
We are walking in the garden.
The night's slowly creeping in.
He just follows me behind so I turned around and walks backward.
"I will have to leave later."
They announced the engagement before the ball started which is also why people keep on asking me about the Prince of North.
"I know."
He looks at the flowers.
I wonder why he always looks at the flowers when I talk to him.
Are roses more beautiful than me?
"Are you going to see me off?"
"Yes."
I slowly walk to let him catch my footsteps and I walk beside him but he's still looking at the flowers.
"Are you... sad?"
I don't know why I said that he's sad.
I wanted to say that he doesn't care that I am leaving but my mouth asked him if he's sad.
This body really still can control itself.
"Yes," it took him time to answer.
I know he's not sad.
If I look at the situation clearly with the Princess' memories, I can fairly say that the Prince doesn't have any feelings with the Princess.
He just acts like that because their families are good friends and they are childhood friends.
Princess Irie's father and Prince Zean's father once told them that they will get married and as kids, they don't know what that means but they promise to be married.
Which made them locked in the idea that they should get married even though they don't really love each other that way.
But I am not sure if the Prince does feel that way since he acts like he really loves Princess Irie or if the Princess really loves him.
I will just act the way Princess Irie will, I can't just change her character.
"Prince Zean," Princess Adelaide, Prince Zean's sister, appeared and smiled at us.
I bow and Zean just looks at her like he doesn't want her to come near.
"I am honored to be in your presence, Princess Adelaide Eleana Superio Luoie," I said to catch her attention.
I don't want to be stuck between siblings' fight.
"Rise," she said as she walks towards me.
"What do you want?" Prince Zean asks.
His voice is cold and it sounded as he wants to push his sister away.
Every royal family really have something between each member.
"I just want to have a girl talk with the Princess before she leaves, is something wrong?"
She looks so soft but when she raises her eyebrow and folded her arm, she looks like a villainess, I just wish she's not.
Prince Zean clicked his tongue and I know he's about to say something bad so I interrupted them, "That's fine, Princess. Prince Zean, please let us have some time alone."
He looks at me but for a second he looks like his eyes were cold and scary but maybe it's just my imagination.
How can such sweet calm eyes show that kind of emotion?
He kissed my forehead before he went inside the castle.
I just stand there smiling at the Princess.
Oh my, what if she goes berserk and tells me to leave her family alone and things like I am fake and everything?
Maybe I shouldn't let Prince Zean leave.
I didn't know that I was staring inside the castle that long, "My, you missed my stupid arrogant brother that fast?"
She laughs but it doesn't sound like she's trying to bully me.
I look at her as she sits down on the bench.
She really is beautiful like a goddess.
The goddess of the sun, yes, it's perfect for her.
"We take the road we are not familiar with as long as the signs say that it's the way," she looks up at the stars.
Is she trying to test me if I know that quote and tell her who said that to know if I am smart?
"Sometimes the mirror does not reflect the best of us, it always shows the flaw we try to ignore," she added.
Is she trying to tell me something?
"Princess, whatever happens in the future, please know that I am your friend. You were still a baby, and you might not even remember him but you had an older brother."
She looks at me and her tears started streaming silently.
An older brother?
I don't remember him.
I sit beside her and watches her tears roll down her sophisticated face.
"He's my fiance, we were betrothed before the moment I opened my eyes in this world. He loved you dearly, whenever he talks about his baby sister, his eyes would glimmer. He always tells me to be good friends with you when you grow up. I didn't know he was leaving me a request."
She covered her mouth as her lips tremble.
"When I saw you at the throne room while you talk to my father, you really look like him. But your eyes are kinder and sweeter. I can't help but see him in you."
She's looking at the castle like she's searching for someone.
She's alert and it makes me feel like we are being watched.
"He died because of a disease before you turn one. But that's not the point here," she wipes her tears and sniffs but she doesn't look sad anymore.
"Be careful. Don't trust anyone. Not even us. I can't tell you anything yet, but I hope you will not rely too much on the West. Stand on your own, fight on your own, you have no choice but to depend on yourself if you want to take back your land."
I look at her confused.
She still sniffs and is wiping her tears even though her voice sounds serious.
What is this?
Is she trying to let the person she's searching for earlier see that she's crying because of my brother even though she's talking about something else?
"The north, don't trust them. You should have a plan on your own in case things go dangerous."
She stands up and turns her back from the castle.
"Irie, don't trust any of the kingdoms. You have your own people, you will find them soon, but for now, play safe."
She bows and kisses my cheek, "Learn when to run and fight."
She smiled before leaving and here I am, left with words I can't understand.
I wasn't able to say anything or ask anything to her because it felt like I need to listen to her because time's running out and someone is watching us from somewhere.
It sent shivers down my spine now that I think of how tensed the atmosphere was.
"Princess," someone called and I almost shrieked but thank god I was holding my skirt and I threw my fear on it while gripping it tightly.
Though I might've shaken a little.
"Did I scare you?" Prince Zean walks towards me and he stops in front of me.
I look up to him, "What were you and Princess Adelaide talking about?"
He looks down at me with cold eyes, I know, I saw that but suddenly he looks calm and sweet like before.
"My brother..." my voice is shaking.
Keep a hold of yourself, Princess!
You're strong!
You shouldn't fear this guy.
"Oh, I am sorry."
Somehow, my voice sounded like I am about to cry and he sits down beside me.
"I didn't know I had a brother."
I have to pretend.
"I didn't know..." I lowered my head.
He can't see this face, a face of disbelief.
They are using us!
They are using me to take over the north and if they will ever take the Northern Kingdom, they will have the Southern Kingdom as well and I know that they won't give back our land if that ever happens.
He consoles me until the ball ended.
Now that I know the game, my excitement fired up again.
It's like an action movie where the main character is being played by so-called friends.
I can't tell the knights or my maids about this.
They will surely confront the King and we will be killed if that happens.
I have to play safe.
"Princess, be safe."
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