A Surprise Get-Together

“Can you repeat that? Who is here?”

Sakura grumbled groggily while being lifted up by Daisy to get dressed. Over Daisy's shoulder she can see that the sun hasn't even gone up halfway to even be awake at this time.

“Your friends are here. They came to take you out to have some fun.”

“That's what I thought I heard… I was hoping I heard wrong. Why are they here so early? it doesn't even look to be 7 am…”

She yawned and rubbed her eyes. The sleep about to take over her until Daisy removed her nightgown.

“Now now your highness! We got to get you ready so you don't miss having fun with your friends!”

Daisy happily put a green blouse on Sakura, a white lily embroidered on the cuffs and collar. The buttons are made of genuine pearl that was crafted with delicate care. After buttoning up the shirt Daisy helped the half-awake Sakura to wear riding pants. The color of garnet while the material was smooth to the skin and showed of great quality. The buttons were made of pearl as well with a more simpler design.

“Where are we going? You guys rarely let me wear pants.”

Sakura was more aware. The grogginess going away when feeling the pants material fitting perfectly on her. It was a pleasant surprise for her since being in this world for years she can count on one hand the amount of times she was allowed to wear pants. Whenever she wanted to just wear pants she was always told it was not something a princess should wear too often, it was unbecoming.

‘I was always told that each time I had asked. But like I thought-’

She lightly kicked out both of her legs and felt comfortable with the way it felt.

‘I can run with wider steps and don't have to worry about laying on the grass with a bit of wind accidently raising the skirt. I can just spread out without a care in the world.’

She joyfully skipped around the dressing room and out to her room until she heard giggling and a sigh a few feet away. She turns and sees Ivy walk in the room with a tray and Daisy giggling in one hand while the other holds a pair of boots.

“I see our highness is enjoying themselves. I'm glad.”

Daisy happily lifted Sakura with one arm and the boots still held in her other hand. Carrying Sakura to her bed she then smoothly placed her down and then helped her wear thin socks and boots.

“Does it fit well on her highness?”

Ivy walked over after putting the tray down. On the small snack table in Sakura's room. Daisy gets up and allows Sakura to walk around the room, trying to get a feel of wearing those boots for the first time.

‘Hmm~ not bad. It isn't too big or small, it fits perfectly without the back of my ankle scraping on the boots with my steps.’

“It seems to fit me perfectly.”

She said while jumping around to see if it will begin scraping the back of her ankle or not.

‘Surprisingly so. They are the best pair of foot wear I have.’

“That is good to hear. It was worth searching high and low for those shoes.”

Ivy held a subtle smile of content Daisy happily clapped her hand.

“Now your highness. Please have a light breakfast before you go.”

“Thank you Ivy.”

“Anything for our Princess.”

Daisy answered and handed her a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice. Taking a sip and feeling the refreshing sweet drink go down her throat she was content and took bites of an omelet Ivy cooked just for her.

‘At the beginning I didn't really like it much because it was an egg white omelet. I thought it had a bland taste but after having it a few more times I got used to it and even began to like it.’

Taking another bite she turned to Daisy and spoke to her after finishing that bite.

“Daisy.”

“Yes, your highness?”

“Who specifically is here? You didn't tell me who of my friends are visiting.”

“Ah! Silly me.” Lightly smacking her head she gave a light laugh and began calling out the names by memory.

“The Two youngest of sir Gabriel, the sons of sir Seraph, of Sir Ariel, of Sir Azrael and sir Uriel. And—?”

Daisy was struggling to remember the rest.

“There… There are quite a few more.”

“I will tell her the rest before you end up frying your brain Daisy.”

“Hehe”

Daisy responded with a cheeky smile.

“The child of the elven rulers and the dwarf monarch's grandchild. And last but not least the children you have under your care. Azazel and Amar.”

“!? They actually decided to join in with the others?”

Taken aback from what she heard, she truly didn't expect Azazel and Amar would go on an outing with her, much less with so many others tagging along. This mindset was from all the times Azazel and Amar bid her goodbye whenever any of the others showed up to spend some time with Sakura.

She certainly did not expect them to agree to hang around with a whole group but at the same time she was excited to see how this would go. She hoped to get Amar and Azazel to open up to more people and get to see more of the world by going on outings with her and the others.

“Yup! It was Nolan who decided to invite the two. He knew how much they mean to you so he invited them.”

“Nolan..”

That's when she recalled that since the incident of her revealing so much to the adults, she has not met the other children for a while. She always denied their visits or playtime; yet only Nolan kept sending requests to meet.

‘He was always the one who sensed when I was in disarray… maybe that was why he was always killed off before he could do anything to help with the turmoil of emotions.’

“It appears that they all have finally arrived.”

Ivy had received a call through a communication crystal impeded in an earring she was wearing. It was a product created recently when Sakura gave that idea to the dwarf emperor in a meeting they had a few days ago.

Daisy held Sakura's hand and smiled down at her.

“Then your highness. I believe it is time to see how your training has gone.”

Sakura nodded and looked ahead. Raising her hand and releasing a bit of mana from her body, a dark vortex begins to appear in front of them. Rather than the usual corrupted appearance she has always seen in Sakura's memories. The one she created was like a shadow, yet the edges and swirls of grey revealed a portal appearing before them.

“bye bye Ivy.”

Sakura turns toward her and lightly waves while Ivy returns the wave.

“I shall be waiting for your return, your highness.”

Taking a step into the portal. Sakura closed her eyes with a flinch. Sakura has gone into portals created by other people and all that, but for some reason when passing her own portal it feels like a moment of vertigo occurs, which is why she closes her eyes each time she passes the portal she created.

Opening her eyes she is now before the entrance of her palace from the inside.

“Kano!”

Sakura runs to the young man who stands before the entrance. Seeing her action and noticing the momentum wasn't slowing down, he had readily tilted down while extending his arms. Sakura naturally ran to his open arms and allowed him to scoop her up, positioning her automatically to a more stable stance.

He was tall, around 6 '1, his built buff from training so he had no difficulty holding her with one arm while giving her ample space to look around.

“I see you have fully awakened your highness.”

Kano has this past few months fully just allowed Sakura to do what she wishes. He would automatically carry her with no hesitation.

“Yeah. I heard Nolan planned this.”

“Yes. Sir Nolan had discussed with me where he was planning to take you and the safety precautions placed for your utmost protection.”

“Always count on Nolan to take precautions and pay attention to the littlest details so everything will go well. Hehe~ he is becoming more and more like Uncle Seraph.”

“As the future high minister, I can never be too careful when it comes to our future ruler.”

A boy who was reaching adulthood walked toward the two. He was tall and lean. His head reached to Kano's shoulders.

“Nolan!”

Sakura was overjoyed to see the young adult. He was already fifteen yet was as tall as an average man in Amanda's world. He was becoming the spitting image of his father. Yet his eyes held a more gentle look like his mother.

“I see you use your guard as a trusty carriage like always.”

Nolan gave her a pointed look, in return she gave a wry smile. He can only sigh at the sight and chuckled when knowing he can't truly scold her when she gives him that look.

“Well it is fine when you're still young enough to be carried. But remember when you reach a certain age you must come to a stop with having Sir Kano carry you around.”

“Understood Nolan.”

She dejectly nodded to his words.

‘When he nags like this he reminds me more of papa Raphael than uncle Seraph.’

“The others are waiting. They can not wait to finally play after so long.”

His words held no deep meaning, she knew he wasn't trying to make her feel guilty for ignoring them for a while. Yet she did hold that feeling in her heart.

“They do not hold a grudge with you Sakura.”

“!”

Nolan's expression displayed he knew what she thought. He reached out and she looked at it. His fingers are long and almost flawless; Reaching out to the hand after a moment of pause, she can feel those perfect hands had a few scars and bumps. Ones she can tell from years of training and hours of writing.

However the sensation wasn't gross or stiff. It was warm and soothing to her. Taking her hand he pulled her to him and he carried her the way Kano did just moments ago. Something she did not expect from Nolan. Of all people she knew, she felt he would be the closest to last on the list of people carrying her.

“You worry over the most strangest things.”

“...”

‘You wouldn't think that if you knew what the adults know. I have no choice but to worry, I don't even know if my time here will even make it past my teens with the changes occurring.’

“Sakura.”

“... yes.”

Nolan lightly patted her back and smiled.

“I know that things are happening. My father hasn't told me, but I can tell. Changes are occurring in our lives not because we are aging, but because of something more. I can tell. And I'm not the only one who sees it.”

“!”

“The others see it too. They worry for you Sakura. They can tell the things the adults speak in hushed tones have something to do with you. But they aren't worried about it affecting their lives; What they are worried about is you being affected by it. They worry if it has a negative impact on you and they want to be by their side to support you through it. So don't feel bad about us being there with you. We want you to know we are. And this small outing is for you to understand that.”

Sakura felt her emotions scattered around in her head and didn't know how to respond. But Nolan looked at her and smiled in his usual reassuring smile.

“You don't have to say anything. Just accept our care. You don't have to tell us anything, we just want you to know we are beside you in bad and good. That we will do anything we can to reassure you, because we all love you.”

Sakura felt tears in her eyes but just decided to lean her head on him and nod. She let out a small laugh.

‘Man… I really am getting more emotional by the day. Just hearing him say all that and I feel myself crying all over again.’

Nolan can feel a bit of dampness on the spot Sakura hid her face on. But he did not bring it up and just let her feel what he said and know that she did not have to worry about them, that they will always be there.