CHAPTER 276: TRICKED

When the locusts came to Orrivale, the streets looked deserted.

The locusts were large, the size of an adult palm.

The people stayed indoors, watching the locusts consume anything green. They were all aware that locusts had attacked the kingdom, especially since other areas in Amberale had experienced it first, but to actually experience it was a whole different feeling.

There wasn’t much crops in the fields to begin with since Wilson had already stated how the crops were to be planted months earlier on ever since the first sighting of locusts in the West.

That way, they could harvest the crops in time before the famine hit them. That was why there wasn’t much crops on the fields.

Even the crops in the Estate’s farm had all been harvested.

Aristia stood in her room, looking out of the closed window at the locusts outside.

"They’re finally here," she muttered.

Aristia placed her hand on her chest.

For some reason, her heart skipped a beat.

It was probably because the famine was the official start of the book.

In the book, it had all been a happy ending, but since she found out that the book didn’t match with reality, she couldn’t stop feeling uneasy, not knowing whether things would flow for the better... or for the worse.

She chuckled. [Haven’t I already said that I’ll live the way I want? It doesn’t matter if reality is different from the book now.]

Thinking back on the differences she had encountered in this world, first, she wasn’t adored by all like the book said.

But look at her now; the commoners adored her, servants didn’t tremble when she spoke to them, and nobles so longer saw her as that bratty princess... somewhat.

It wasn’t like she needed anyone’s validation. No, she didn’t give two f*cks. She was just comparing the differences from when she entered into the world till now.

[As for what will happen next, I can only wait and see if some events in the book will happen or not.]

She turned away from the window and left her room just before Adeline could come in.

"Oh," Adeline said. "I was just about to call you for lunch, princess."

"I know," Aristia nodded. She had left her room because it was almost lunchtime.

Adeline followed a step behind her.

Just as she passed by the door to Alaric’s room, his door opened and he came out, beaming at her.

Just opposite the corridor, Cassandra was approaching. She was coming to take Alaric downstairs to the dining room for lunch.

Two other doors in the corridor opened and Owen and Kai came out.

Together, they headed to the dining room.

Once they arrived at the dining room, each of them took their seats.

"The locusts are very big. Even bigger than my palm." Alaric said, stating his observation. Just like Aristia, he had also been looking out of his room’s window at the locusts.

Catherine nodded before saying, "And they have such a large appetite. In just a matter of minutes, they can devour a whole tree."

Wilson nodded too, "That’s why they’re dangerous."

He really couldn’t imagine what would have happened if Aristia hadn’t considered it two years ago. Or if he had just brushed her words aside.

Owen and Kai listened intently.

They had seen the locusts outside and the speed they consumed everything, and they were also wondering what would have happened if Wilson hadn’t listened to Aristia.

Kai’s eyes shone with admiration. The princess was so smart to think of this when no one else had!

Aristia just ate her food.

"The money gotten from selling the stored grains and crops in Orrivale when the famine starts will be given to you, Tia." Wilson said.

[Mm, free money. Who would refuse? But...]

She shook her head.

Wilson and Catherine looked at her in surprise. Even Alaric, Kai and Owen.

Aristia rolled her eyes at their expressions. [Geez, I like money, but it isn’t everything to me.]

"Papa, instead of giving me the money, use it to buy food for the commoners who won’t have money to buy." She said.

Just like in any other kingdom, there would definitely be those who wouldn’t be able to afford food. Aristia was just being kind.

Her words stunned all of them.

Wilson nodded after some thought. "It’s your money. If that’s what you wish to do with it, then okay."

"Oh, Tia. Always so considerate." Catherine gushed.

"Thanks, mama." Aristia smiled.

"I will be leaving for our northern fief next week." Wilson said.

Everyone turned to him.

Well, not everyone since Catherine was already aware.

"Our northern Fief?" Aristia asked.

"Yes. Because of the looming famine, I am also needed there." Wilson nodded. "I and your mother were considering all of us going, but we decided that it would be better if I went alone."

Aristia was about to ask how long he would stay for, but Catherine beat her to it with her answer.

"He’ll stay for a month."

Aristia and Alaric exchanged glances.

Alaric just shrugged.

Seriously, Alaric. You hear that your father is going away for a whole month and all you do is shrug?

Aristia was dumbfounded.

But she also wondered how Wilson and Catherine came to that decision.

[How can they stay apart?] She thought, then she became horrified.

[Wait. When Papa’s back, because of how much they miss each other, they...] She didn’t want to think about it further.

She just knew that all the mansion’s residents would have to be careful, so that they wouldn’t walk in on... something that couldn’t be unseen.

Thinking about Alaric’s reaction, she narrowed her eyes. [He’s really so nonchalant about Papa leaving.]

She turned away from him and put on a smile.

"Okay, papa. I’ll go pack my things."

The table froze and everyone turned to her.

"Go... where?" Alaric asked.

Aristia leaned forward and pretended to be surprised. "You didn’t know? I and Papa are leaving for our northern Fief. Since Artsy is in the North, I can visit it."

Alaric’s eyes widened.

Aristia wanted to laugh, but she kept a serious face.

’When did we discuss that?’ Wilson and Catherine remained silent and watched her, wondering what she was talking about.

Owen and Kai were also confused because they hadn’t heard anything about traveling from Aristia. Unless she didn’t plan to take them along.

But even if she didn’t want to take them along, there was no way she couldn’t say it.

Owen watched Wilson, Catherine, Alaric and then Aristia. He suddenly understood something and a smirk formed on his face.

He lowered his head and pretended to concentrate on his meal to hide his smirk while shaking his head at Kai.

"W-why didn’t you didn’t tell me? I’ll come with you." Alaric asked, his eyes moving between his sister and parents.

Aristia shook her head apologetically. "No, mama can’t stay here alone."

Alaric shook his head, looking panicked. "Mama can. Can’t you, mama? Or she can come with us." His face was filled with horror, wondering how Aristia wanted to leave him and travel. And far away to the north! For a whole month?!!!

Seeing his reaction, Aristia sighed.

[Oh, so you don’t care about your father leaving for a month, but when it’s me, you want to come along.]

She couldn’t hold back her laughter anymore.

"Haha...!"

Alaric looked at her with confusion. What was funny? Why was Tia laughing?

He looked around at the table only to see his family and Owen and Kai stiffling their laughter. They were trying so hard not to laugh that their shoulders trembled.

Alaric thought about what had just happened before he finally realized.

"Tia!" He growled. "You tricked me!" He grumbled.

Aristia shook her head and wiped the tears at the corner of her eyes.

Alaric glared at Owen and Kai, then turned to Aristia and pouted.

"What?" She asked.

Alaric turned to his food without a word, sulking.

Aristia finally stopped laughing.

"Okay, okay, I’m sorry. I’m not really travelling anywhere. I was just kidding."

[But seriously, papa just said that he and mama decided that only he would travel to our northern Fief, yet Alaric still begged to go along with us.] It was funny, to say the least.

The rational thing to do would have been for Alaric to ask their parents why Aristia was talking about traveling when Wilson mentioned travelling alone.

But he literally ate everything Aristia said without thinking twice.

[He’s such a doofus when it comes to me.]

She turned back to Alaric. Seeing him sulking, her heart melted.

"I’m sorry, Al." She said, tapping his side playfully.

Alaric kept his pout on.

"Hmm... How about I feed my one and only brother?" Aristia said.

Alaric didn’t respond, but when she scooped some food from her plate, he opened his mouth.

[Yeah. I know you can’t stay angry for long.] She thought, smirking on the inside and trying not to laugh again.

While Aristia fed herself and Alaric, even dabbing his mouth with a handkerchief when the food spilled, Wilson and Catherine exchanged glances and smiled.

Owen and Kai just rolled their eyes.

Wilson thought about traveling for a whole month without his family, and his face fell slightly.

"But it’s really not going to be easy."