CHAPTER 255: NOT A BAD THING

After dinner, the family returned to their rooms. Aristia, Alaric, Owen and Kai walked upstairs together.

Just like in the Capital, their rooms were on the same floor.

"Princess, I’ve gotten better at using my magic. His highness said today that he’ll take me to see a mage. He’ll help me practice my magic."

"Alright."

"I may leave in the morning and not be back in the mansion until evening." Kai said. Wilson had told him that he would make arrangements for him to be trained by a mage he knew in the East. He could stay there for an entire day every day.

He really didn’t want to leave the mansion for that long, but he knew that he had to.

"Then, I’ll return to my room." He said, bowing lightly.

Aristia nodded, moving to enter her own room.

Owen and Alaric went into their own rooms rooms.

The members of the Grand Duke’s household all retired for the night, leaving the mansion quiet.

***

The streets of Orrivale was a sight to behold during the Spring festival.

Unlike the flower garlands hung across the houses in the capital without the presence of trees, the East had trees that added a lot of color.

There were many varying shades and tones of the leaves, from yellows and browns to pale green and even purple.

Coupled with the different flower garlands hung on the houses, it was the real picture of colorfully beautiful.

Aristia and Alaric attended the festival. Kai didn’t want to go outside even though Orrivale wasn’t his former Fief. He just didn’t want to risk chances of being found by his father.

Owen, on the other hand, just didn’t want to attend, and Adeline was asked to stay behind.

Only Aristia and Alaric attended the festival. They had large flower necklaces hung on their necks and followed the group of children they met the previous day.

The children also had flower necklaces hung around their necks, and the girls also wore flower crowns on their heads.

The festival was loud, colorful, and... well, just as chaotic as Aristia had expected.

Just like always, wooden stalls displayed baskets of berries, dried herbs, and freshly baked bread, and the air smelled faintly of pine and roasting meat.

Millicent bounced in front of them. The girl was just a ball of energy. She pointed at a stall with flower garlands.

"Princess! You have to try these crowns! They’ll make you look like a spring queen!"

Aristia couldn’t resist raising an eyebrow. "And I suppose I’m expected to bow to every petal, too?"

"Of course not! They’ll bow to you." Alaric and Millicent said at the same time in an obvious tone.

Aristia paused, staring at the both of them.

[What the hell was that? And what’s that look in their eyes?]

Alaric being obsessed over her was normal, but Millicent? They literally just met the previous day, so why was she acting like an obsessed fan?

[That’s right. She took the initiative to approach me yesterday and seemed persistent even though the other children clearly disagreed. What captured her? Could it be my beauty? Of course it has to be.] Aristia just couldn’t resist.

It was a bit creepy to have Millicent acting obsessed over her so early, but Aristia thought that there wasn’t much of a big deal.

[This is a story, after all. Plus, she’s just a kid. It’s just harmless admiration. It’s not necessarily a bad thing.]

She shook her head and pointed to the top of her head. "What about this one? I already have a flower crown."

Millicent shook her head. "It’s not colorful enough for you "

"...."

With a small sigh, Aristia tried the flower garland Millicent pointed to.

Millicent clapped. "You look amazing, princess."

Aristia glanced at the other children, each of them captured by something the festival offered.

Killian, Julian, and Lilian— the triplets— chattered non-stop, sometimes finishing each other’s sentences, sometimes arguing over which flowers looked better. They were so energetic, Aristia wondered how their parents coped.

[Oh, right. They’re usually out with other kids their age.] She thought, looking at the group of eleven children. [They probably aren’t with their parents for most of the day.]

But looking at them, Aristia felt a slight shiver.

[It’s crazy how children born together complete each other’s sentences.]

She smelled the scent of roasted meat. Deciding to buy some, she walked to a stall that sold it.

"Hello, Mister. I would like to buy some roasted meat. How much for each one?"

"Six coppers for two. That’s three coppers each." The stall owner answered even without seeing the face.

[Food is cheaper in the East because of their fertile land.] Aristia thought.

He was an old man with a lean frame. Hearing the voice, he lowered his head to see her.

His eyes widened slightly on her features.

"Your highness, the third princess. It’s my pleasure to meet you. How many would you need?"

"Um. Thirteen."

"Right away, princess." The old man nodded.

Once the meat was ready, he wrapped them all, thirteen pieces of roasted meat.

Aristia took out the coins about to hand them to him, only to hear.

"No, no. Your highness. I won’t take the money." The old man shook his head in refusal.

He’d heard of how the princess had provided a home for children with no homes and was deeply moved by her kindness.

He glanced at the group of children behind her, but he didn’t show his surprise.

When Aristia saw that the old man insisted, she didn’t insist.

"Then, thank you, kind sir."

"It’s my honor, your highness." The old man said. Even if not for her, but her father, the Grand Duke and Imperial Prince was a good Lord.

The children collected the roasted meat and left the stall. They stood, looking around until Millicent offered.

"Princess, let’s sit down over there. You must be tired." Millicent offered, pointing to a vacant spot at a corner.

[I’m really not tired, but sure. I’ll sit to eat. Hmm, I just rhymed.]

The children gathered stone slabs lying around in a circle and sat down eating the food.

"Princess, I heard that there’s going to be a famine." One of the girls, Imelda, asked.

"My papa said it’s because of locusts." Celeste added.

Aristia nodded.

Her answer made the children mumble.

"But there’s no need to worry. His majesty and his highness, along with other noble Fief lords are handling it."

The children nodded wordlessly. They had great trust in the king and his brother.

Time passed just like that. Alaric looked at his pocket watch.

"It’s time to go, Tia." He said, nudging Aristia.

The coachman was expected to arrive at the parking spot by this time.

Aristia glanced at him and nodded. She got up, dusting her dress.

"We’ll be leaving." She said.

The children all showed a bit of disappointment.

"Will you be coming out tomorrow, princess and prince?" Taylor asked, cleaning his hands on his clothes.

Alaric and Aristia exchanged gazes. Alaric’s face was unsmiling.

Aristia turned back to the others and shook her head.

"Okay." The children sounded obviously disappointed, especially Millicent.

But Aristia couldn’t say anything else. It was obvious to her that Alaric didn’t want to. Throughout the time, he had been secretly sulking.

Seeing that Aristia said no, Alaric’s face brightened considerably and he held her hand.

"But we can escort you to your carriage." The one that had introduced himself as Gabriel said. He stretched out his hand like it was a sword. "Consider me your knight."

"He wants to be a knight." Noah explained.

They led Aristia to where the carriage was already waiting.

"Goodbye, princess. Goodbye, prince." The children waved as Aristia and Alaric entered the carriage.

The pair nodded. "Goodbye." The carriage rode off, leaving the children behind.

Aristia leaned back on the carriage’s plush leather. Things had been great so far. She was sure it would remain that way.