Chapter 6: Stargaze

"So li'l sis, what's your name?" Jasper

asked as he's still carrying me like a sack on

his shoulder. I groaned a bit as I feel

uncomfortable, just put me down so I can walk already...

"C-Claire Sienna" I replied

"That's a nice name. You're a Richafort now!" He gladly said.

Richafort huh? It feels all so new to be the

actual daughter of the Emperor, a father who doesn't even treat his child well! But I wonder how he treats the brothers, is it the same too?

"You"

I heard the other twin's voice which is

James, calling out to me. I instantly whipped my head to his direction.

"Y-yes?" I stuttered.

"You're doing fine after that?" He asked

with his gentle eyes. That? Oh, he must mean that incident in the cafe that time. Is he worried?

"Yes, I'm doing fine" I smiled and he nodded as a reply then continued on walking.

"Don't worry Claire, l'll kill that arrogant viscount for you! And that brat too! James told me everything about what happened" Jasper said proudly.

Kill?! They don't need to do that!

"N-no it's fine" I said, laughing awkwardly.

"Wow, are you eating well? You're so light! Like a puppy!" He exclaimed, patting my back softly, completely ignoring my reply. A puppy? Are you calling me a dog?

"Let's play fetch later" He said in excitement and I just slumped myself on his shoulder. Yup, he's treating me like a dog.

Just when we finally stepped out of the forest, we heard a slap sound. Like someone got slapped! The twins stopped on their tracks while I try to look around to see where that sound came from. I want to go down!

"Um..Can I go d-"

"Oh man, its brother" James sighed as he frowned and scratched the back of his neck.

Brother? Is it the Crown Prince?! I haven't seen him yet. I tried to turn my head, enough to see what's happening. There's a noble woman who looks upset as her other hand is gripping the the fabric of her dress.

"I had enough of you!" She yelled and instantly stomping away from the man she slapped. Is that him? I can't see clearly. But, did I just witness a break up?! I read it somewhere in one of the stories I read before. Well, looks like he has lots of lady fans.

The twins started to approach their brother

after the angry woman left.

"Hey big bro!" Jasper chirped as he calls his

attention. I wanna go down, please stop carrying me already, I can't see your big brother!

"Oh. Jasper, James, what are you two doing

here? Finished training?" A deep voice asked.

"We're on a break" James plainly replied and Jasper nodded.

"And..is that our little sister I heard?" The crown prince exclaimed as his voice filled with excitement.

"That's right! Her name's Claire" Jasper exclaimed as he pats my back and I just scowled.

"Jasper, that's not how you carry a child, especially a girl. She feels uncomfortable" He said and I instantly smiled in relief. Finally!

"Really?" Jasper then placed me down slowly and I sighed happily. I can finally stand! I turned around to see the crown prince and I widened my eyes.

Wow, he's so handsome! He got the Emperor's visual looks! So he's the eldest brother. I didn't noticed my mouth is open because of staring at him for too long until he spoke up.

"Your mouth is wide open, darling" He said,

smiling sweetly. I immediately closed my mouth as I feel embarrassed. Oh my goodness, I stared at him for too long. He's really handsome.

"It's okay. I get that a lot from the ladies. I'm

Noir, you're big brother" He smirks as he kneeled down to my level, gently patting my

head. I like how gentle and sweet he is, unlike those other two...A wild wolf who has no manners and the other who barely talks. Though, James is also okay as well since he's the one who saved me so I have to thank him for that.

"Start calling us big brother now, okay?"

Noir said as he smiles. But what I read about their information on the book, this guy's a sadist and the twins are crazy brutal as well so I should try not to get on their nerves. Act cute!

"Okay big brother Noir! Please take care of

me!" I said in a childish tone with my sweetest smile and sparkling eyes. Noir's expression looks like he had a heart attack, same goes for Jasper. James still has his poker face but I can see a little blush on his cheeks and it looks like he's holding his smile. I internally smirked because my charms got to them, heh.

"Yes! Of course we'll take care of you!" Noir

exclaimed with sparkling eyes. Wow, his

behaviour changed quickly. I guess he can be giddy as well, I'm safe!

"Wanna play with me, doggy?" Jasper

asked with a grin, showing his little canine tooth. And, no way, you treat me like a dog.

"She's not a dog, Jasper" Noir said with a

disappointed expression as he eyed the energetic red head. Then Jasper tilted his head, asking why. Yes! Noir seems like the only nice brother he-

"She looks more like a squirrel"

What.

Squirrel?! I wanna scream no but I have to maintain my sweet innocent little sister expression or else they'll get mad at me for refusing them and kill me on the spot According to the book, these three brothers have one thing in common, they are crazy when it comes to killing the people they dislike.

Here I thought Noir is better! I glanced at James to see what he thinks about it. He's just staring at me intensely and this is so awkward. Was my charm not enough for him?

I approached him as he got surprised by my action.

"Do I look like a squirrel or a dog?" I innocently asked with my puppy eyes. It always works on Elina and Sage. Now, avenge me with good nicknames instead like angel or something...

He still has his emotionless expression but his left eye twitched a bit and then he turned his head away. "You don't look like those at all" He calmly said while glancing at me.

Yes!

"You look like a mice instead"

No!

Pardon? Why a mice?! I wanna riot. I just maintained my smile and just hardly giggled so I can show them I'm not disagreeing...

"Thank you big brother James!" I smiled brightly. Patience Claire, patience. Don't blow up here if you don't wanna get killed.

While the siblings are in the middle of conversing, a man approached them and spoke.

"Your Highnesses, Imperial Princes. It is time

to go back to your trainings"

A young adult with a butler attire said as he bowed respectfully to the royals. Jasper whined as the other two brothers frowned. Noir sighed and smile lightly at Claire who's confused on what's happening.

"Understood, we'll be there" James replied and the butler bowed again as he excused himself and left.

"Well Claire, your brothers are busy today. Let's spend time again in the next days" Noir said as he pats Claire's head.

"I know, Let's take her to her room

together!" Jasper exclaimed as the brothers started to think about it and agreed.

"Alright, come here doggy!" James said as he approaches Claire to carry her again which Claire doesn't want to experience that uncomfortable ride again but she has no choice but to let it happen. When Jasper carried the small red head lady, the raven haired prince noticed the uncomfortable situation Claire is in.

"Jasper, that's not how you carry a little

lady. Give her here" Noir said in disappointment as he opened his arms for Jasper to pass Claire to him. Jasper pouted and hesitated but he still gave Claire to his older brother. Noir carried Claire properly, like how an adult carries their child. Claire sighed in

relief as she feels comfortable now.

They began to send Claire to her room inside the palace. As they we're walking in the halls, there giddy aura disappeared when they saw someone. Claire noticed the change of atmosphere between her brothers when they stopped walking. She looks at the direction of their sight.

It's the Emperor with his advisor. Both of them also stopped when the Emperor made eye contact with his sons. Claire looked at the both of them and began to feel nervous at the eerie vibe going on between them. The Emperor then looked at Claire as she flinched and looked away.

"Hello, your Majesty" Noir said but not his

usual tone. Instead it's a stern one, as if he's

containing his anger.

'Your Majesty?' Claire thought. She's confused on why he addressed him that instead of 'Father'

The Emperor continues to stare at the three while his advisor gulped.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid we should be going

now" Miles said, breaking off the awkward silence. The Emperor sighed.

"I see you're already bonding with the new pest" The Emperor coldly said as he glares at the three princes whose eyebrows are furrowing. Even Claire who's mad because of the Emperor's words.

"She'll just become useless like you" He continued while eyeing Noir, words directly at him as he proceeds to walk and pass by them. Making Noir grit his teeth and look down, causing Claire to worry. Claire felt sad for her brothers who has to take their heartless father's words to them. Claire couldn't take it, she's so mad at the Emperor for not being a good father. As the Emperor passed by them, she yelled out suddenly.

"Papa!"

Everyone immediately looked at Claire with

shocked expressions. No child of the Emperor called him like that because of the brothers' hatred for their father. It's the first time for the Emperor to hear it coming from one of his children, which resulted him to stop on his tracks.

"D-doggy?" Jasper stuttered in confusion,

same as his twin. Claire covered her mouth, realizing what she just said.

'Why did I blurted that out?' She asked

herself.

The Emperor didn't turn around and just continued to walk away with blonde haired

adviser. Leaving the siblings with no hesitation. Claire just smiled so she can show that she really said that on purpose so it won't be awkward. Jasper just laughed as he rubs the nape of his neck "Wow, that's silly of you to say that"

"Never mind what happened, lets take you to your room now" Noir said with a gentle smile and proceeds to move on. But Claire can feel that her brothers felt hurt by their father's words earlier. She doesn't know how their relationship turned out like that. When they finally got to her room, Noir placed her down.

"Good bye, squirrel~" He cooed as he rubs her her head gently.

"Let's play tomorrow, doggy!"

"See you again, little mice"

The brothers are obviously oozing with softness around them when bidding their good byes to the young red head. Claire just waved them good bye with a sweet grin, trying to hold her pissed off expression because of their nicknames to her. As soon the brothers closed the door, Claire sighed.

"This is one tiring day" She said to herself

as she goes back to her bed, letting herself

fall in the soft sheets and blankets.

She may be feeling tired but at the same time, she felt good meeting her brothers. Her long lost brothers that she didn't experiente what its

like to have siblings but now she has. They may be wild but Claire still thinks it's fun to hang out with them sometimes.

Claire started to get sleepy as she tucks

herself in the sheets with her eyes slowly

flickering.

"I miss the people in my village...especially Elina, Sage and Josh. I hope they're okay" She mumbled to herself as she hugs her pillow, finally falling asleep. The red head breathes peacefully in her sleep while thinking of the people who's special to her.

Night came as the sky is now filled with stars, sparkling. The little princess still peacefully sleeping, out of nowhere, a hand caressed the sleeping princess' scarlet strands. It was the same man who saved Claire earlier from falling to the river. The man with fox ears and nine tails, it's none other than Kyu. He looks at his little master, peacefully sleeping.

"Hang on, Your Highness. We'll meet properly someday" He said softly as he smiles. After that, he left by going outside of the room's window. As if he's going to talk to someone.

A bright lamp, lighting around the dim room

while the Emperor is working on a few paperworks on his desk. The man sighed and he stopped working, as if he noticed someone.

"Reveal yourself...keeper"

As soon as he commanded, the nine tailed fox appeared in front of him, looking displeased.

"You haven't changed, Emperor Kenneth" Kyu smirked as he crossed his arms, his red eyes filled with rage when looking at the man in front of him. The Emperor glared at the fox as he stood up.

"As I thought, you raised that child that I don't know of..." He coldly said as Kyu began to frown at him, not amused.

"And using that woman as a sacrifice" The Emperor continued making Kyu glare at him intensely, his tails standing up as if he's ready to attack.

"What happened to you?! Killing your own

wife as if you never loved her" The fox ranted with his hands clenched into fists.

"I don't remember marrying a woman like

that, and I don't remember having that weak

child" The Emperor sternly said with his golden eyes fuming. Kyu gritted his teeth while looking down. Kyu just couldn't control his anger as his eyes began to glow bloody red and instantly pouncing on the Man.

Instead of his claws touching the Emperor, it

was a woman's arm instead who swooped in

his way of attacking Kenneth. But it's not just an ordinary arm, it's an arm with white dragon scales.

"Long time no see, Kyu" The woman said with no emotions in her tone but her Azur blue eyes says danger. When Kyu saw her,she slowly put his guard down. The Emperor just stares at the fox who is now looking down in defeat. The girl dropped her guard down as well, successfully protecting her Master.

Kyu recognized the mysterious girl in front of him.

She's the Emperor's keeper; The white

dragon, Serene.

"You better halt these actions of yours towards me" The Emperor said as he smirked lightly, looking down on him. kyu's glowing eyes slowly turned back to normal and sighed frustratedly. He carefully stood up and turned around, ready to leave.

"That wasn't your full strength earlier" Kenneth added as he glares at kyu's back. Kyu chuckled and turned his head to look at him.

"I may have the huge urge to kill you but I already promised to my master...that I will never hurt her Family, no matter what" Kyu coldy said as he vanished, leaving the two behind. The Emperor started to think about what he said, But the dragon interrupted his thoughts.

"Your Majesty, it is time for you to rest" The short white haired girl said with concern. The Emperor sighed as he rubbed his temples. Still having the same slight headache ever since he met Claire. He has no idea why he started to feel that way when seeing the little girl, that's why he doesn't want to go near her.

Kenneth sighed and started to stand up "I'm

going for a stroll in the garden"

"Shall I come with you, your Majesty?" Serene asked while slightly bowing her head.

"No need, I'll be alright" He replied as he took his nightwear coat and proceeds to leave his room.

I slowly opened my eyes as I softly groaned.

It's night now...I wonder what time it is. I sat up and glanced at the clock beside me sitting on the bedside table. It's already 11:30pm?! I slept that long? Well, I did really got tired earlier for meeting my brothers. I looked outside the window of my balcony and saw the stars.

My eyes sparkled as miss gazing at them back at the village. I wanna go out and start star gazing, the garden here is the perfect place to relax at this kind of nights. I grabbed a shawl that's placed in the couch. I carefully peeked

through the door, to check outside if there's anyone guarding. Yup! No signs of guards whatsoever. I left my room and started to go to the garden

As I reached the place, I immediately look where the fountain is. I remember earlier while exploring the garden, the fountain has benches to sit on and I thought it'll be the perfect spot to stargaze. While looking for the fountain place, I finally found it! But I see someone sitting on one of the benches and it's someone I did not expect.

It's the Emperor!

I widened my eyes and quickly hid in a bush that's near me. What is he doing here? thought I was the only one in here... I slowly peeked to see what he's doing. It looks like he's gazing at the stars too. I wanna join him but I'm nervous that he might kill me for ruining his peaceful time. While deep in thought, a voice made me

flinch..

"Come out or die"

No way! He noticed me?! I quickly stood up from the bushes to not anger him furthermore as I smiled cheekily.

"Hi papa!" I exclaimed with a grin and approached him. Just keep calm and act cute, don't step on a land mine.

"Don't come near me, pest" He hissed as he glares at me with cold eyes. Oh how I wanna scratch your face...

I just ignored my thoughts and just laughed.

"Okay, if that's what papa wants" I sat on the other bench which it's behind him. I just wanna stargaze alone and it's just that I'm alone with him out of all people. I looked up as I start to admire the sparkling stars in the starry night sky.

Elina once said, that if good people die, they become a star who shines. If that's true, then is mom also up there? I decided to take a small glance behind me to look at the Emperor, he's also looking up but I can't tell what his expression is. It's like he's in deep thought.

"Why are you staying up this late, pest?" He

suddenly asked, making me turn my head back to where I was looking.

"I wanna stargaze with papa!" I said with soft giggles. He stayed silent and didn't answer. Well, this is awkward. Aren't you affected by a little girl's cuteness? Especially if it's your daughter? Oh yea, he doesn't treat me like one...

I shook my head to stop the negative thoughts and start attempting to warm up to my father.

"Papa, do you know that when good people pass away, they become stars?" I said with a sweet tone which made him scoff in disbelief.

"I don't believe such nonsense" He replied.

"But I do! That's why I like stars. I bet mama is there too" I said with a light smile. I check his reaction and he's mumbling something which I can't hear. Then suddenly, he started to slightly groan.

I widened my eyes. What happened? Is he hurt? I started to get worried when he held his head as if it's hurting. He's having headache for some reason and I don't know what to do. He may be a meanie to me but he's still my father! I quickly went to him with a worried expression "Papa! What hap-"

"Get away from me!" He said with a deadly

tone which made me flinch a little and back

away. Is he mad? He lowered his head with his teeth gritting.

Oh no, what to do? Think Claire, think! What did Elina do when I had headaches before...

That's right, She gave me medicine and pecking my forehead to ease the pain away. I don't have medicine with me so I guess try kissing papa's forehead??

I looked around to check if anyone is here. When it's clear, I gently grabbed his forehead and tip toed. I quickly pecked on it and smiled.

"Please don't be hurt, papa!" I said with grin while my eyes smiling.

His eyes are widened as he freezes on his spot to look at me. As if he can't believe I did that. I also can't believe I did that too, please don't be mad at me for doing it. He still didn't say anything so I assumed I made the wrong move??

Am I gonna get killed for touching his head without permission?!

I laughed awkwardly and just scratched the back of my head.

"Hehe, I'm getting sleepy now, papa. Good night! Let the pain go away!" I exclaimed as I hurriedly rushed out of the place.

What were you thinking, Claire?!