Princess Isabella sighed as she looked outside her window at the soaring birds. She had been doing so for the past couple of hours, trying to figure out what she could do to pass her time without a certain nosy advisor. Her eyes remained on the winged creatures as she wondered when she had become someone who cared about consequences.

Before she had been assigned an advisor, her life had been filled with the consequences of her own decisions which meant she didn’t have to worry about a certain advisor. She didn’t even have to please her mother, who barely expected anything from her. Her brother only bothered her when he was bored, and her father had been the only person willing to show her any kind of affection.

Her life had been simple with her weekly outings and the rest of her days filled with daydreams of a different life.

She had never asked for any riches or for respect which was not earned. She was different from her brother, and even from her mother, but now she had begun to resemble them more than ever. Ever since she had Elena enter her life, everything had changed. Some for the better but the rest was all negative. What did the princess really want and what was her advisor pushing her towards?

Princess Isabella asked herself this question when she already knew the answer to it. She was not a child working with incentives on her mind. She was a grown woman, who knew of expectations and hope. But she was still doing whatever Elena advised her to do. It wasn’t because she was obliged to, but because she wanted to do so herself. It was so contradictory in her own mind as another sigh escaped her lips.

But along with the several thoughts of her ever-changing life, Isabella also thought about the advisor who had been on her mind since morning. She believed that she had been harsh to the advisor in the dining hall when she had needlessly answered her in a harsh tone.

Elena’s question had been unexpected, but it wasn’t as bad as Isabella had acted it out to be. Yes, it was intrusive and unnecessary, but Isabella could have always refused to answer it. Elena didn’t seem to mind not getting an answer to it. But the princess could clearly remember the look of instant regret on the advisor’s face who was quick to take back her inquiry, but Isabella had reacted immediately to it.

Her thoughts were interrupted as soon as she heard several knocks on her door. Feeling as though she didn’t want to see anyone, Isabella remained silent, hoping that the other person would leave if they received no reply.

But the knocks remained incessant. Isabella frowned and as she stood from her chair, a voice halted her movements. “Your Highness, it’s me, Elena.”

Isabella frowned as she heard Elena’s voice through the door. It sounded oddly tired as if the other woman had just come back from physical labor. The princess frowned when she heard Elena’s voice again, but the words were incoherent which had her moving closer to the door to hear the advisor better.

“...if you don’t want to see me. I just wanted to apologize for stepping out of line. I should have known my place, your Highness. I am deeply apologetic.” Something about Elena’s guilty words brought an ache in the princess’ heart as she wondered if she should open the door and allow the advisor inside.

It wasn’t as if Elena had done something extremely horrible like involve her in some more schemes without her permission. Hm, oh well, we’ll let Elena handle that one herself.

Before the princess could make a decision, Elena’s voice drifted into her ears and this time it was smaller as the princess pushed an ear closer to the door. “I know you’re there, your Highness.”

Immediately, Isabella pushed herself away from the door with widened eyes, which was futile since the next thing she heard was Elena calling her out for it.

“I can see your shadow through the bottom.”

Frowning, the princess went to open her door and came face-to-face with the other woman, who still had her head lowered. “What do you want?” Isabella tried to play off being near the door and hearing most of what Elena had spoken but the advisor wasn’t born yesterday.

She kept her head bowed as she repeated everything she had said before word for word. “I understand if you don’t want to see me. I just wanted to apologize for stepping out of line. I should have known my place, your Highness. I am deeply apologetic.” The princess, who had heard the woman before, crossed her arms in amusement despite being upset with the advisor. There was something about Elena’s actions and demeanor which was approachable for the princess. She could trust her confident words, and her serene eyes.

“If you are so apologetic, then we can discuss your punishment inside.” The princess stepped aside as Elena walked inside the room with no retort. Her obedience didn’t sit right with the princess, who immediately closed the room door and grabbed the advisor’s wrist. “Are you alright?”

The princess’ eyes widened as she watched Elena fall to her knees loudly while keeping her head bowed in submission. “What are you doing?!”

“I was wrong, your Highness. I shouldn’t have let my curiosity get the better of me.” Elena’s words and her position on the floor disturbed the princess, who pulled on the advisor’s forearms, trying to get her to stand up again. “Yes, yes, I forgive you, Elena. Just stand up, please.”

As the princess pulled on the woman, Elena finally looked up and showed her tear-filled eyes. It wasn’t that the woman would’ve gotten this emotional over the princess not talking to her properly. There was something more to this situation as the princess frowned. “Why are you crying? What happened?”

Elena sniffed as she shook her head. She could not tell her what the prince had revealed to her in an unserious manner, as if discussing the princess was a past time hobby of his. He talked about her as if she wasn’t his own sister, and someone he was unfamiliar with.

It bothered Elena more than it should have as an advisor. She was just an advisor. But when the prince had mentioned the princess and the parts of her past Elena was unaware of, it sounded like he was almost glad that she had gone through such horrible situations.

“The princess’ biggest flaw is and will always be the loss of her virginity. Who knows who she slept around with to have caused such disgrace to our respectable and royal family. No wonder the King of Eresdia and the general of Drinla didn’t want her either. One’s a grey old widower and the other is a general who could be satisfied with any woman.”

The prince’s words resonated in Elena’s ears as she shut her eyes close just to reopen them with fresh tears.

Isabella couldn’t handle the advisor’s sorry state as she pulled on her arms with more force, and was able to have the woman stand on her own feet. “What happened, Elena?” She could only repeat as she guided the advisor towards her bed, allowing Elena to sit there, but the advisor shook her head and chose to stand instead.

She felt so conflicted and enraged, but also saddened for the princess. There was nothing that Elena wanted more than to beg the princess for forgiveness. She had this odd feeling of being the only person in the princess’ corner who didn’t want the worst for her.

“Your Highness, I will never ask or say anything to you that would upset you again.” The princess remained frowning as she watched the woman wipe at her eyes aggressively. She was confused as to what had happened to have Elena react in such a way. She was fine in the morning when she had left her to the prince. And then she came back from there in this state...

“Did the prince say something to you?”

As if getting caught in a crime, Elena’s eyes widened, and the princess became certain that her tears were due to the prince. “Did he make you cry?” The answer was confusing to say for Elena since the prince did say things which brought forth her tears, but it was also because of the princess that Elena was weeping. “Did he say something to you? Was he harsh with you?” The barrage of questions kept flowing from the princess’ mouth as she stared at Elena with clear anger and concern.

The advisor didn’t understand what to make of the other woman’s reaction since her tears shouldn’t matter to her. But the princess’ genuine worry brought fresh tears to Elena’s eyes which she tried to suppress but it was futile. “You must tell me what he did so I can go to mother about it! I shouldn’t have sent you to his study. I should have refused when he spoke of his horrible idea in the first place!”

“Your Highness.” Elena sniffed as she stared at the princess, who had rambled with clear rage, but immediately softened her gaze when looking at her. Elena’s feelings now resembled an oasis in the barren fields of her heart. She felt mad to be seeing such a sight when she knew that she could not quench her thirst from it.

It was just an illusion because the princess was caring and generous. What she was not, was a woman like Elena. Someone who preferred the same sex.

Clearing her throat and her mind from her inappropriate thoughts, Elena addressed the princess. “I have been taking my duties as your advisor in a half-hearted and emotional manner. Please allow me to properly care for the princess and prepare for your future.”

Isabella was stunned as she heard Elena’s sudden change in discussion. “What do you mean?”

Elena had heard everything the prince had said, and from all of it, she assessed one matter which was grave for the princess if it was unaddressed. If there was no suitor for her, she would either have to live in her brother’s shadow for her entire life or she would have her fate tied to any man that the prince or the Queen would prefer. Or any man that could come up to claim the princess. And since there were no nobles present in Naja, the princess’ fate could take a dire turn.

These worries filled Elena’s heart as she answered the princess. “Soon, Oanez and I will have an audience with the Queen regarding the Geraldian Queens and how to build trade relations with them on their visit to Naja.” Elena paused as the princess frowned, before continuing with a clear resolve. “We will propose the appointment of someone who handles social and political affairs regarding other Kingdoms and royals. A similar task as your brother’s.” But it was not like the prince’s work at all. He only managed the gardens and the revenue it generated. What Elena and Oanez wanted the princess to be able to do was to manage all relations with other kingdoms. This was a greater and far more difficult task, one which the princess could do easily.

“Will that responsibility be given to the prince as well, since I heard him mention how he was going to meet the Queens himself?” Elena shook her head immediately as she disagreed with the princess. “Oanez and I believe that this duty should be given to you, your Highness.”

The princess’ eyes widened as she stared at Elena speechlessly. This was not something she had expected. All she wanted was to leave the castle and pick oranges, while also visiting the orphanage. But now she was becoming a candidate for a political position in the Kingdom just because she had an advisor now.

“My brother would never agree to such a thing.” Elena could understand the princess’ concerns since Isabella would have power over the kingdom’s relations with the outside world. This was a crucial responsibility, and the princess had never been assigned to anything that held importance in the Kingdom.

“Which is why we requested to discuss this in front of the Queen. I believe she will agree to this, especially if Oanez also vouches for you, your Highness.” The princess frowned when she heard Elena’s formal tone and address, as she shook her head before correcting the woman. Before everything, she wouldn’t have allowed Elena to refer to her as anything other than her royal address but now that they were closer, she couldn’t handle it. “You can call me by my name when we are alone. I dislike that address.” Elena frowned as the princess continued. “I don’t believe that I deserve to be respected only for being born into royalty.”

Elena smiled as she heard the princess’ words, while also seeing her displeased expression. “This is precisely why you deserve to meet with the Queens on the kingdom’s behalf. You are kind, caring, and charming. You don’t possess the arrogance of a royal either.” Isabella’s cheeks darkened as she heard Elena’s sudden compliments. She didn’t expect the advisor to begin listing off traits which she had not been told of before.

“Stop.” The princess cleared her throat as she looked away from the advisor. “I understand your point already.”

“Then will you agree to this if the Queen approves, Isabella?” Elena had been careful in speaking the princess’ name as if she could damage it somehow if she spoke it carelessly. It was a name she had been given permission to speak. A name which her brother was tainting.

Isabella was certain that she had heard her name from her father once when she was in her teen years. After that, everyone referred to her as your Highness, or your majesty, and her title as ‘princess’ which bothered her more than anything. If she could have one desire fulfilled, Isabella was sure that she would ask everyone around her to call her by her name.

But seeing how careful Elena was in using it, Isabella was also fine with just this. With just Elena having permission to call her in such a way. Her eyes softened as she gazed at Elena before she nodded her head. “If it is what you want.”

It was exactly what Elena wanted as she remembered back to the prince’s question.

“Who do you think told the two rulers of the princess’ misadventures with another man?”

The answer to it was clear enough for Elena, who just had to take a guess. But even then, the prince had blatantly admitted to it with a glint of mischief in his eyes, and a smirk on his lips.

“Of course, it was me.”