The next few days went by in a crazy blur to get my party ready. Every year there was a big party but I overheard the maids talk about how my Father was demanding even better.

I drooled for an hour when I peeped into the kitchen and heard our Baker say that they were having one of the best cake makers in our land come just to prepare my cake. I heard mentions of chocolate both sweet and bitter. They even made a room nearby a prep and cooling room since they needed the entire kitchens space for the baking.

In the chaos and happiness that was going on, I convinced many maids and even knights to let me have tastes of batter and cookies. Our head chef was my biggest fan and I ended up too full for dinner a few times.

On the day of the party, I woke up to a screech. I popped up and heard yelling.

“WHAT IS THAT FILTHY THING?”

“HOW DID IT GET IN?”

“GUARDSSSS!!!”

“DON'T LET IT NEAR THE PRINCESS’ ROOM!”

Suddenly a gust of wind blew my doors in and I saw something small run towards my room.

What could…. “ZOE-ZOE!” I screamed.

I jumped out of my bed as my beloved Zoe from my past life came diving in. How could this even be possible? Am I dreaming? Could it really be her? Did she recognize me?

“I believe this is what you were missing?”

I looked up to see the Red/Orange eyes that had been bothering my mind the past few days.

“This was you?”, I asked with tears still filling my eyes.

“You're welcome, princess. Don’t be asking for favors though!”, he said as he rolled his eyes.

“ Thank you.” I said as strongly as I could.

He looked taken back a bit and chuckled. “First time I have been properly thanked in a while. Even though it was getting one dumb dog.”

Suddenly I heard people yelling as if they were headed to my room.

“Happy Birthday… and it’s Araleo by the way. But don’t be summoning me or anything. Just play your role.”

I turned my head to look back at him but he was gone.

...Play my role?...

I could not think too much before I saw my Father rush in with a sword at his side.

He looked down at Zoe and started demanding from the maids and guards behind him how it got in.

There was no way I was going to lose her again!

“ELLE LOVES IT!” I screamed over him.

He stopped and looked at me.

“This is best birthday present ever!” I hugged her then hugged his leg. He picked me up and I kissed his cheek.

“Daddy got me the best present ever!”, I tried to be as cute as possible.

He sighed and told the maids to clean the dog up.

As Amanda dressed I waited for Zoe who was getting cleaned up by some maids that were entertained by the fact that Father allowed me to have a dog. I got past the shock of having her back and started to wonder about my visitor. Did he say Araleo? I guess that was his name and now I know that he was indeed real. But if he really brought her here, then was it really him who brought me here? What did he mean that I needed to play my role? I mean being a princess was a role in itself but did he mean something else? I felt fear start to creep in as I thought about this stranger using me as a play doll. But as I saw Cecelia bring Zoe in my room I could not feel too angry since how bad could he be if he gave me my Zoe back.

Cecelia brought Zoe over and giggled as she played with the pink bow that the maids had put on her, “What would you like to name her? Something pretty like Annabelle? Or Lady?”

“Zoe-Zoe.”

She seemed startled a little by how fast I answered but she only smiled.

“Zoe-Zoe it is, Princess.”

Amanda seemed happy with everything and informed me that I was all dressed and ready for the morning.

Father was missing from breakfast to my surprise and afterward Amanda took me to the Garden since everyone was super busy with last-minute decorations. I did not mind being in the garden since it was a beautiful day where it seemed as if the flowers were extra nice. I was still overwhelmed with the happiness I felt with having My Zoe again. We got to play for hours and it seemed as she really did now it was me. I wondered if Araleo had something to do with that or if she just really knew. She stuck by me just like she used to and even though her new surrounding seemed to confuse her, she seemed sure of me. What was strange that she should have been a lot older by now? But in a way she seemed exactly the same. Maybe he got her from the exact same time? Either way, I had her now. After a while of running around and receiving my happy Birthday wishes from everyone that passed by I laid next to her and pet her wiry like fur.

I walked back with Amanda to where the gazebo was for tea before my nap and saw father there.

He was staring off into the distance but seemed to snap back once he saw me. He picked me up and placed me on his lap.

“Happy Birthday, Elle.” He said with the warm voice I got used to.

He looked uneasy at Zoe but gave a rare chuckle. “What a homely looking thing.”

“Zoe-Zoe is beautiful. The Maids made her extra cute too!”

“I suppose a little beastly thing such as yourself should have something like that.”

I stuck my tongue out at him. Has anyone told him how to talk to a lady?

I hopped off of his lap and sat across from him.

“Zoe is pretty. Prettier than daddy.”

“Is that so?” He said with a sly smirk, “I suppose I should get rid of it then.”

“No! Zoe stays!”, I said with my toughest face.

He sipped on his tea and a maid brought cookies which I got distracted by.

I happily had my tea time with my Father. The past month I had gotten used to my Father being around some even though he confused me.

The whispers around the place were that he was seen as one of the most bloodthirsty generals in the past 100 years and that he was quick with a blade. His strategies were seen as legendary to all but I could not see it myself. I did not see blood lust in his eyes. He was a bit annoying at times. He liked to tease me at times and it was if he was unsure about me. It was as if no one taught him how to be around kids. But overall he tried to give me everything. I found new toys in my room almost daily. I heard him ask Amanda each day on how much I was eating and if I was growing right. He seemed to at least care. I also noticed that no one in the palace was frightened of him. They saw him as the master of the house but those that had been there for years never seemed to fear. We had new maids recently that seemed uneasy but I would hear the others reassure them that everything would be fine. He was respected and I was happy but I hoped that I would never see him angry.