Chapter 7

The latest trouble she had caused was at the empire's founding ceremony. The ceremony had started with joyous cheers after hearing the emperor's speech. The mood had been great until that incident had occurred. Duke's successor, Alden, who was also Sofia's nephew had brought up the topic of the princess' upbringing. He had badmouthed her nanny, Julia, who had brought her up. Unlike how she would reply with cuss words, that time she had slapped him with considerable strength that three of his teeth fell out. After that, all kinds of rumors had been spread about the princess and the Duke's heir. Even at that moment, Sofia had enjoyed seeing Monica further ruin her reputation with her own hands.

Right now, she was mentioning that very incident to provoke her. However, she failed to do so as Monica had never really been bothered by gossips and rumors which was partly thanks to the fact that she didn't attend enough events to hear all that gossip about her.

"Yes, it's been a while. It's especially been a long while since you have visited me."

Monica tried to get back at her for not ever visiting her whom she was apparently calling a child dearly right now.

"Yes, though I also don't remember last time you visited me. You should visit me often"

She didn't back down either. She meant that princess herself never visited her stepmother either. Monica picked up the tea cup that the servant had just poured for her.

"I suddenly remember a story I read once. A lady had married a man, they both had a baby together. Then one day, the man left his wife for another woman. The lady was reminded of the man whenever she looked at the child, so she abused him. When he grew older, he killed the old lady. Why do you think he did that?"

She meant that Sofia is the mother and the child learns from the adult. Sofia didn't expect Monica to keep going as she would always ignore such comments.

"It is obvious, he is an ungrateful and unfilial child. Poor mother had to go through such pain to raise him"

Monica chuckled and put her tea cup on the saucer.

"Maybe you understand how the mother felt much better than I will but your majesty got the answer wrong. He didn't mean to kill her. The lady had grown weaker and the only thing she taught him was how to beat a person. He was a filial child that learnt and did what his mother had taught her."

Sofia's forehead wrinkled slightly but it was just for a short moment. Monica was referring to her position as the Queen while also declaring war. So far, Monica had never eyed the throne. She didn't even participate in politics.

Sofia smirked.

"I see. Child, I know you love to read books in your room but you should grow up and learn more about the world through experiences"

She was mocking her by calling her a child

"I will"

"You should also look for a partner now that you are at a marriageable age. Young ladies should marry early on and become a mother. As you get older, it gets harder to bear a child. Your father will help you find the best match"

Sofia was smiling brightly. If a person saw for the first time, they would think she is a lovely mother. Her façade was perfect; it was a result of years of experience. Monica scoffed internally; this was her true intention. She was here for pleasure and was having the time of her life by telling her that she was being sold off.

Monica wanted to cuss at her or at least give a proper comeback but she couldn't as she hadn't come up with a suitable plan to avoid the arranged marriage that was being planned on without her consent.

"I will be happy with whatever father decides for me. I realized that I had been relying on father too much and even now. I decided to be a proper princess"

Monica said that in a melancholic tone and wiped her fake tear off of her eyes. Sofia was laughing internally at this point. She was sure that even if she wanted to do something as an heir apparent, it was too late; she was a step ahead.

That's right, Monica was the heir apparent but since she never stepped in the political world, most believed Harold will be the one who would eventually inherit the throne.

Sofia stayed for over an hour. She kept talking about the current hot topics among noble ladies, however, she would mention marriage once in a while. She talked of arranged marriages and dysfunctional households. She didn't hide just how much she wanted her marriage to have a bad end. Forget about bad end, it wouldn't even have a good start if it went as, it was being planned by the mother and son pair.

Monica was drained after talking with her. An hour wasn't much; socializing could take up to more than three hours in case of events but she wasn't yet used to it. She would usually leave the events (that she barely attended) after staying for twenty minutes.

She came back to her room and Alissa brought in a change of clothes. Monica changed into a more comfortable attire. Something was bugging her constantly in her mind. She was forgetting something but whatever it was, it shouldn't be as important as a plan to cancel the engagement.

She kept wondering what to do. After some time had passed, she finally moved from her spot.

"Sitting here like this will solve nothing."

She went out of her room to look for Jason. She needed to meet the emperor and consider his offer. She found Jason in the yard where he usually trained. However, he was not alone, Alissa was with him. They looked like they were in a serious discussion.

"Princess?"

Monica got distracted as a voice called out to her. It was the voice of a little kid.

"Are you really the princess?", the little kid asked as he pointed his chubby little finger at her.

The little kid had red eyes for an instant that turned back to brown. Monica squatted and patted his head.

"I am Princess Monica Jeanne Edgar. Now, tell me little one. Who are you?"

She needed to know who this kid was and how he got here.

"I am Ali! Aunty brought me here. She said if I get lucky, I can see the princess!"

The kid looked happy. He reminded her of the children she met in a village when she was out in search of a rare plant she needed for her potion. Those children looked at her with same sparkling eyes when they saw her while saying she looked like a princess. She thought her lazy and luxurious lifestyle reflected on her face.

"Who is your aunt, Ali?"

"Aunt Ali!"

The kid joyously stretched his arms in the air.

…

Quest unlocked: Whose real name is Ali?

Monica let out a small hysterical laugh. Two energy sucking monsters in a row. She was too tired to deal with a child right now.

"For now, come with me. We should find your aunt"

Monica was speaking very gently right now unlike her usual self.

"Mommy told me not to trust strangers!"

He joyfully rejected the princess.

"But I am a princess. I am not a stranger anymore"

This time the child ignored her words even though he kept smiling and staring at her. Monica sighed.

"You little devil will have to come with me!"

"You must not be a princess then. Strange."

"What do you mean?"

"Mommy said princesses are elegant and only use decent words"

This was humiliating for her. She sighed once again.

"Princess...and Ali?"

Alissa who came running as soon as she noticed the princess saw that she was not alone.

"You're the Aunt, Alissa?"

Monica realized that both are probably Ali.

"I'm sorry princess! He must've been rude. I'll take him away this instant!"

Alissa grabbed his hand but he resisted.

"No! I want to see the princess!"

"You are being rude to the princess Ali!"

Alissa was trying to drag Ali away as he was not willing to leave.

"She is not a princess!"

Alissa gasped and kneeled down. She also pulled down Ali with her.

"I AM SO SORRY PRINCESS! PLEASE FORGIVE HIS RUDENESS! I BEG YOU!"

Alissa teared up.

"She called me a devil! She's not a princess even if she looks like a princess!"

Ali started bawling. Monica sighed.

"Alissa, get up. Bring the kid to my study"

Just then, Jason approached them.

"I came here cause heard Ali cry but princess how can you be so cruel to her"

Unlike his normal self, Jason interpreted his own opinion based on what he saw.

Alissa jumped up at that moment.

"How is she cruel? I and Ali deserve to die!", Alissa cried out.

Monica sighed again.

"When this play ends, come to the study"

She just walked away; she couldn't deal with anymore drama.