Sneaking in

It wasn't long before Lia was back to snooping around the library. However, it was for a good cause.

The next day, Lia decided that she needed to find another recipe to make for Prince Noah in order for him to escort her into the library. So in her mind, being here while being strictly forbidden, was acceptable. In fact, she found a different way to get into the library after she found out that her dear brother decided to lock the doors. Even picking the lock with her many hair accessories did not work, in fact she even managed to break one. She had many, so she knew none of the maids will notice. But the fact that the accessory itself was quite pricy, made her feel rather guilty.

She managed to ditch her maids, it rather was easy to fool them, except from Jennett who always stayed by the princess's side, never turning her back on Lia. However, after a few requests that only Jennett could carry out, she finally left her side. Lia admitted that she didn't like to snoop around, and having Jennett next to her, eased her worries and her growing anxiety.

As for the locked library, Lia figured out how to climb through the small vent on the left side of the hallway which she discovered after circling the library like an animal in wait for its pray. She was delighted to find out that nothing in the library changed, meaning the books. The prince probably lied about the misplaced books because Lia, as Susan, had great memory and direction. Not to mention some of the isles were named.

Today has just been filled with adventures and good fortune, she managed to find an easy recipe that could make her double the delicacy. She still remembered the little promise she made to herself to share the next batch with the kitchen staff. She quickly wrote down the recipe on a piece of paper, her messy handwriting was hard to read to any other that wasn't her. She folded it, placing both the paper and pen into her mouth, holding it between both lips, as she hurried through the library to return the book. She grabbed the sides of the bookshelves to pull herself upwards to reach the vent, which happened to be right above her head. It was extremely stuffy and small, not to mention on her first trip through it, she came across countless spiderwebs. Lia just hoped that the spiders died with lack of food in the vents, instead of them now inhabiting her hair. She shivered at the thought. She quickly climbed through, backwards in order to be able to get out properly and not fall head first on the floor.

Lia was covered in dust from head to toe, the guilt she felt from her ruined and dirty dress couldn't be any different from when she accidentally fell in mud while running around the garden. She also occasionally covered her nose to prevent herself from sneezing and making any loud noises. It would be terrible if she gets caught by a guard, they would definitely lock the vent and then proceed to scold both her and the maids for letting her play in such small spaces. Her mouth has been watering, she couldn't tell if it was because of her own expectation of the baked goods she was about to make, or the fact that she was holding things in her mouth like a dog. When she felt the end of the vent, she carefully grabbed the sides as she searched for that small dent in the wall. Her foot lightly searched for it, trying her best not to slip. Lia's hand had already began to grow worn out, in fact, one of her arms already began to shake from supporting all her weight. She was halfway through to the ground when a voice startled her completely.

"What the-" Lia hit her head against the vent, unconsciously letting go of one of the sides to rub her head. It was her brother who startled her. Somehow he had a gut feeling that it wouldn't be the last time he'd see his sister snooping around the library. Maybe it was due to their identical blood, but he could tell that they both shared a common interest in books. Although her taste strayed in the opposite direction. Romance books were not anywhere near his standards. He preferred battle strategies and magic books. Lia was in the middle of slipping when her brother reacted without thinking. His eyes widened, dropping his precious books on the floor as he reached to catch her with his hands own two hands.

Lia landed on the floor, right on top of her brother. She didn't even want to look at him, she couldn't possibly imagine how scary his face would look like if she glanced back at him. Both her paper and her pen were scattered on the floor, along with her brother's books.

"Thank you brother dearest, bye!" She quickly said, grabbing her paper and taking off in the direction of her room. She kept on running for some time before she reached her room, and to her surprise, she didn't even stop once to take a break. It was the adrenaline in her little body from the fear yet excitement from getting caught doing something she wasn't supposed it. It thrilled her, she admitted it. She was always such a goody two shoes and now for the first time, she really felt like a rebellious child.

What an improvement, she thought as she closed the door behind her. It was a blessing in disguise, being able to run without once taking a breather. She dropped her paper on the bed, along with her half-dead body. Only after a couple of seconds of heavy breathing did she realize that she managed to drop her pen at the crime scene.

A quick glance in the mirror told her that she needed to change as soon as possible if she wanted to make it to the kitchen on time and visit the grand library on the same day. Lia had already wasted a lot of time meeting her father, and not to mention breaking into her brother's private library. She quickly took off her dusty dress and put on a new, fresh one that she found in the closet. Still tired and out of breath, she grabbed her paper and made a run towards the kitchen, hopping her little legs won't give up.

The kitchen maids were all delighted to see their princess back. The first time she had visited them, they were all in shock that a royal stepped foot in such a place as this. They completely agreed at the fact that it was a one-time thing, so to see the princess back in the kitchen, managed to brighten up their day. It wasn't a secret that the Empress had visited them, but not only did she praise them, but also gave them gifts. Utensils, aprons, uniforms, and supplies that they might need, all as a thank you. They almost felt indebted to her, and what other way to pay off a debt than by taking care of her child.

Everyone rushed to the small kitchen, bringing the ingredients and supplies that the princess had requested. When Lia walked into the small kitchen, she had visibly noticed that not only did it look cleaner and polished, but the kitchen itself has more utensils and many other high ranked supplies that were not there before. She smiled when she saw that. These people that urged her to do whatever she wants, had also taken care of her behind the curtains. She decided to make cookies in a large quantity like she had originally planned just so she could repay everyone for their kindness and their help.

"Excuse me, i-is Cora around?" She asked shyly at one of the kitchen staff. The tall man bowed with a smile.

"I will bring her to you, young miss," He said.

"O-Only if she isn't busy, I do not want to disturb her!" Lia quickly called out before the man left. Cora rushed in just a few minutes later with an overjoyed smile on her face. A little part of her thought that the encounter with the princess was just a dream, there was no way someone with such a high status would ever set foot in here. But yet here she was, patiently standing in the middle of the room, awkwardly looking around as some workers brought more ingredients in the room. In Cora's eyes, the princess was the light in the darkness and it seemed as if she glowed in that shabby room.

"Princess Lia!" She said happily, catching her attention.

"Cora! I still remember my promise to make a cake together but would you like to help me make cookies today?" She asked, excitement in her eyes hoping that the girl would say yes. Cora's face brightened with yet another smile as she nodded. As if she could have it in her heart to reject the princess.

* * *

"Thank you for all of your help, please take one," Princess Lia said, smiling brightly as she walked around the room with countless of cookies nicely arranged on a silver round plate that she held in her tiny hands. People crowded around her, each taking one. She would never get used to being looked down on, not with any particular reason but simply because she was short and small. Susan was tall in the passed, well above average for women. She'd often times be looking straight or down at people.

"They are chocolate flavor cookies, very soft and they feel like they are melting in your mouth when you eat them!" She explained. With her knowledge of baking from her other world, as well as the recipe from the desert book, she was able to combine and create cookies that tasted divine, that were literally out of this world. The suspicion could be seen on some of the worker's faces but she didn't care. She had an alibi from where she had gotten the recipe. Speaking of her alibi, she felt a little guilty for leaving her brother behind and not asking if he was hurt in any way. He did break her fall in his attempt to catch her and yet she just ran off. For all she knows, he could be laying in a hospital room right now with a broken bone.

The kitchen maids all chatted with each other as soon as the cookie hit their mouths. All of them were so happy and excited, thanking their princess and inviting her to come again whenever she wanted. Lia made a promise that she would, especially since she felt as if she broke the ice between them although unknown to her, there was no ice to break.

"Here, I said I would give your basket back, didn't I? And take some more cookies, share them with your sister!" Lia said, placing more cookies in the basket.

"Thank you so much, your highness!" Cora was on the verge of tears. Lia brought her own basket that she requested from Jennett, she quickly packed her cookies, she didn't have much time left.

"I was meaning to ask but at a more suitable time when there were fewer people but...are you alright? The bruises on your arms and legs..." Lia asked with concern. Was Cora...perhaps being bullied? Lia couldn't imagine that the work they have been giving her would make her legs and arms black and blue.

"Thank you for your concern, your highness but I just tripped down the stairs yesterday. My body is easily bruised so I am not surprised I got so many bruises out of it!" She said laughing it off. But behind that smile, Lia saw something else. Being a CEO herself, she could tell when others weren't treated the same and in her work place, everyone deserved a chance to voice their ideas and opinions.

"If that's what you say. Make sure to eat plenty of nutritious foods for your health!" She said, deciding to drop the conversation and not wanting her new friend to feel uncomfortable. Lia was no idiot when it came to bruises, doing fencing classes in her past life gave her a lot of them. Her knowledge of old bruises and fresh ones was at its highest level. Lia also wasn't fooled easily, she had an eye for catching on to lies.

"But if someone does bother you, don't be afraid to speak up. I am here for you, you know?"

"T-Thank you, my lady!"

Lia was soon on her way to see Prince Noah in no time. She also made sure to pack extra cookies in order to gain favor from her brother, Prince Ethan, with who she was yet to have one single conversation, but before that, she had one final destination. She made sure to check the time before heading back to her brother's library to make sure to catch him before he leaves for his studies. She didn't want to disturb him because she knew how it felt needing to stop a book half way just because someone came to talk. As she arrived, she knocked on the door and patiently waited for it to open, it was about the same time he would leave for his studies. Not to mention, she wanted to check if he was fine or was she at the wrong destination and not the hospital.

"What is it?" He asked annoyed as he brushed his hair aside. He wasn't planning on seeing his sister again after what happened but fate her other plans. It appeared she came to him all on her own this time.

"Payment. For not getting mad at me...and for catching me when I fell." She said bravely as she reached out into her basket and took out a cookie. He looked at it with an odd expression on his face.

"I don't eat sweets. Cookies are for children."

"Say's who?" Lia snapped. When Lucas opened his mouth to answer her, she shoved a cookie in his mouth. His face went from shock to disgust to...happiness? He had this weird look on his face, his eyes were glowing while his smile was flat.

"Now brother dearest, I'll be on my way, hope you have a pleasant afternoon." She said smiling cheekily with a satisfied look on her face. Guess he is still a child after all.

Prince Lucas was left speechless after his sister skipped through the hallway happily. The aftertaste of the cookie was still lingering in his mouth, he had never tasted anything so sweet and fluffy at the same time. He hated to admit that he liked it. But his sister's audacity to shove food in his mouth managed to surprise him. Children were usually scared of him, he never smiled at them or tried to act sweet. He was always being himself but it usually made them run the opposite way. Emilia was different in his eyes.

It felt so odd to him, to finally have a sister. He and his brother don't get along that well, and his father is too busy looking after the Empire to make time for his sons, but Lucas was sure that he could if he really wanted to. And now there was someone to make his days a little bit interesting.

"Sister..." He muttered to himself before returning back to his library.