Chapter 8

Or maybe not.

Trudging down the path leading to the imperial gardens, Amourora kept playing with a strand of her hair, twirling it around her finger again and again.

Maybe she shouldn't go.

But, the dinner was organized for her, to celebrate her recovery.

Maybe she could use this opportunity to get closer to her family. Although she has no definite plan as of now, she was still determined to change her family's fate, and it wouldn't hurt to be nicer to them.

On the other hand, growing closer to them will increase the chances of revealing her secret and exposing herself. She has to stick to the character of her eight-years-old self, or others would be suspicious.

For now, she can say her character change is due to shock, and she hasn't recovered yet. Then, she will slowly change from her spoiled eight-year-old self's personality. And she has to do all that without acting like her real age.

It would be quite challenging.

When people say 'act like your age' she is pretty sure they mean to act more mature, but in her case, she has to act more childish, spoiled, and haughty.

*Sigh*

"cousin... Your highness, you are here too? are you alright? I heard you weren't feeling well. " a shy girl's voice sounded from behind her.

This is... Avyanna!

Isn't she the daughter of her second uncle?

Her mother had passed away mysteriously a few years ago. And her father is busy assisting the emperor with military affairs and guarding the borders. Then this cousin has a more pitiful life... She wondered what happened to her later on...?

Avyanna had been summoned by the emperor to attend dinner. She was nervous since she usually ate dinner alone at her place. Maybe she had done something wrong, and the dinner was just an excuse?

She was hesitant to go, and she didn't know what to wear. Or how to behave in the presence of the emperor.

She was glad to have met princess Amourora on the way. She got really nervous and excited that words flew out of her mouth, before she realized. But seeing her cousin's blank expression, she regreted speaking recklessly.

"um... I..." why is the princess just starting at her like that? She fiddled with her jade bracelet.

Oh, right! Greeting. She forgot to greet her!

She instantly cupped her hands and bowed in greeting. "this subordinate greets her superior!"

She sneaked a peak at the princess and her maids. Some were looking at her puzzled , and some were looking down at her in disdain, the princess tilted her head in confusion. Huh? Did she do something wrong?

That's how her servants greet her. And the princess is superior to her... Right?

She lowered her head. Her back was starting to hurt, when will the princess ask her to rise? Is she angry at her?

Tears started welling on her eyes. Does her cousin not like her? Will the others hate her, too?

"ha ha ha ha"

Suddenly melodious laughter rang in the air. Avyanna stood up confused, was she laughing at her? But... She looked especially beautiful when she laughs, with her outfit... She looked like a water goddess.

The maids along with Avyanna were both confused, shocked, and awestruck by her actions. But they all smiled.

"Rosabella ?... Why are you guys laughing?" the third prince, prince Edmund asked. "Tell me, I want to laugh, too!"

"hm? Oh, nothing?" Amourora stopped laughing and wiped her tears. What she did was way out of character.

In the past, she used to look down on Avyanna, she purposefully ignored her and made fun of her. Watching her trembling cousin, she felt bad. But she couldn't help but laugh at how adorable her cousin was.

She looked like a little doll, it made her shy actions cute.

Just now, she cupped her hands and bowed, that's how men in the eastern kingdoms greet others. It's also how servants greet their master. If memory serves, Avyanna's mother was from the eastern kingdoms.

It was funny how innocent her cousin was, she couldn't help but laugh. It seems no one has taught this seven-year-old etiquette. Her mother's servants were from the east, and must have acted like that. Their location is quite remote, they might not have mixed with the servants here much.

"we were just heading to dinner." she put her haughty persona on and headed to the sunshine gardens with her nose lifted in the air arrogantly.

Confused, Edmund looked at her disappearing back. Then he turned to his cousin for answers, but the other was equally puzzled.

"oh, hey Ava." he nodded and left to follow his sister.

Did, did he call her Ava? That's not her name... Is he giving her a nickname? Does that mean they are friends now? Only friends and family call each other by their nicknames.

She smiled brightly and hurried to catch up with them and their entourages.