K took a step in front of me as the carriage came to a full stop. A handful of soldiers halted in their steps, and, two of them, opened the door of the carriage. The blue lily emblem of the carriage already gave me the answer on who was about to show before my eyes. 

Slowly, the young girl, whose wavy dark blond hair shone in the sun’s light, bowed to me. She was the youngest daughter of King Lucien, who ruled over the Western Kingdom. Princess Sophie appeared to be a naive and frail girl, but, once you get to know her better, you’ll quickly change your mind. As naive as she looks, this girl’s appearance hides her cunning character. 

Never in history has someone of her rank come to the Imperial Palace without a reason, so I tried to come up with a response. If I am the one she’s looking for, then I assume words had reached her ears of my ways to prevent disasters. 

‘Princess Sophie, whom do I have to thank for this unannounced presence?’ my words were sharp 

In return, she greeted me with a smile: ‘I have to ask for your guidance in helping me out with a curiosity. Words have spread and reached even the ears of our Kingdom of the marvelous plans that you put in action, and I have come to see if the rumor is true.’ 

In response to her reply, I hid my face while laughing. She is the type of person to sugar-coat her responses to get things done her way, so I was expecting it. 

‘I’m afraid, now, that you've come too far, we can’t dismiss you, but I’m sure you’re well aware that these kinds of visits aren’t expected like this.’ 

As if she was a small child, Princess Sophie rushed to my side and clung to my arm, her eyes sparkling like those of a puppy. Her charms always worked on me, and I hated myself for letting her get her ways. I glanced to the side, avoiding to look at her. It couldn’t be helped when she stared at me like this. 

‘I knew you were always the best! My father always talks so highly of you, that I find myself envious of you, to the point I expected you to greet me coldly and make me leave because I came unannounced, but you truly think of your people, like rumors say!’

Before I opened my mouth to respond, K, who stared icily at the girl the whole time, came with a sharp response, silencing her. 

‘Be mindful of your words. Her Highness doesn’t lower her ears to listen to ridiculous rumors that spread without meaning.’ 

Under so many eyes, I knew it wasn’t the best to have K act this harshly, so, when our eyes met, K came to a stop with his response. 

‘Ah! I’m sorry, I was only so thrilled to see the truth with my own eyes, I had exceeded my limits, I hope you can pay no mind to the words!’ and, not even a second later, she changed the subject. ‘Where you headed somewhere?’ Sophie asked. 

Quick to find a way to see how I work, Princess Sophie purposefully asked this question, knowing I would have to ask her to come: ‘Yes. I suspect you’ve come all this way to see how I’m handling the prevention of the disasters. You can come with us if you’re interested.’ 

She jolted, as if she wasn’t expecting me to make this suggestion. Her eyes sparkled again, and, if there weren’t people around us, she would have hugged me. 

‘If you allow me to have this honor, then I shall be thankful!’ 

‘It’s our pleasure to have an honorable guest overseeing our measures. It’s as if Heaven allowed for this meeting to happen, as we were heading towards the Western side of the Capital to resolve some matters.’ 

My eyes twitched when I had to lie under everyone’s eyes. It was only right to keep up with the courtesy, but I’m sure she was aware that I wasn’t pleased in making her come with us. 

‘You can order your soldiers to head to a chamber and rest. Let’s take my carriage. It’s no use to make a grandiose appearance.’ 

‘This is such a humble idea, no wonder commoners are on your side, Your Highness! Let’s proceed as suggested.’ 

Inside the carriage, her absurd questions came to a stop, as she stared outside the window all the way to our destinations. It was as if she was aware that it was no use to put me under the spotlight when we were alone.

As we arrived, all commoners turned their heads to look at the view: it wasn’t that common for them to see the Future Empress and a Princess from another Kingdom to walk casually on the Capital. 

The carriage came to a full stop not too long after, and K opened the door. As he offered his hand to help me get down. I accepted his gesture with a bright smile. The courtesy didn’t happen again, as K didn’t care to show formalities with someone he doesn’t need to protect. 

My smile faded as I looked towards the small house that belonged to the lady that threw a pebble at me. From our first encounter, I knew she was someone easily to anger, determined to protect her work as if there was no tomorrow, but now, she stood on the ground, with her back to the ravaged crops. Her eyes were red, and her cheeks stained with tears. 

‘What has happened here?’ I asked, coming to her.