Chapter 10

Two months have passed and we've entered December—the last month of the year which is also my birthday month. Father and mother would always say that I love winter because I was born in that season. Maybe it's because of that or because I just love the coldness, the snow, and the warmth of being with my loved ones during the coldness.

The day to depart for our trip to the Northern Empire is tomorrow so all the maids at the moment are trying to double check if everything is prepared. On the trip, some of mine and Isaiahs maids, Captain Gabriel and the knights are joining to accompany us. I'm very excited to go to the North for the winter, it has been over a year since the last time we visited. I feel bad for leaving father behind but then again father has his own duties of looking after the empire affairs. Anyways, I'm hoping to make this a tradition again but mostly between me and Isaiah. Just like before mother passed away, we always went to the North during the winter season but now me and Isaiah will carry on that tradition. This so called tradition had started back when Isaiah was just born and we had to make a quick trip to the North since the Queen was pregnant. At first, we didn't know that the Queen was pregnant with Princess Anastasia since the letter was written in a way which made it seem like that something ominous was going to happen. Because of this my parents reacted quickly and brought us along to the North. It was my first time going to the North and the moment we entered the Northern Empire, we were greeted with the beautiful glistening snow. A sight I had never seen before and it captivated me. I remember clearly being amazed by the snowflakes—a vast amount of snow. "Do you love it that much?" I recall my mother asking me with her graceful smile. "Yes!!" I had said in my sweetest childish voice. These memories…I hope I never forget them and I hope I never forget how graceful my mother looked in real life.

Currently, I'm in my garden looking after my plants as Tulip is quietly following each of my movements. I watered all the plants and trimmed the ones that needed a trimming. With my hard work, the garden was looking lovely and pleasant to the eye. Since I'm done with the garden, I should go to my library to finish my pending homework and have it sent over to the professor to get some feedback. I already know they aren't going to say much and only praise me but still I'm going to be away for awhile so I need to hand in my homework beforehand. The whole trip to the Northern Empire has been kept a secret from everyone, only the Northern King and Queen know about our visit. From now on whenever we go there, unless it's actually for an event, it'll be kept a secret since anything can go wrong.

I make my way to the library when I catch a glimpse of Duke Denzil Astley along with Aspen. I abruptly stop as I examine them going in the main palace. Now what are they both doing here??? And once again Aspen is here too. My distasteful glare was so strong that suddenly both of them looked to the side and made an eye contact with me. "Oops I've been caught" I thought to myself as my face became flustered and I can feel my cheeks getting hot as the blood is rushing through my body. Both Duke Denzil and Aspen look at me and bowing down to show their respect. When they looked up, Duke Denzil had a smile on his face while Aspen had a rather indifferent look. They both look very similar to each other that anyone would rather take them as Father and son instead of brothers. Aspen was born into the Astley house many years after the Duke. Now that I think about it, I think I've heard from the maids that the late Duchess wanted a daughter but had a son once again. The couple were still very happy and celebrated his birth but unfortunately the duchess passed away, five days after giving birth. Their happiness had turned into grieving. Then not long after the late Duke passed away because of the heartbreak that was caused from the loss of his wife. From then on, the teen Denzil was given the title of the Duke, making him the head of the Astley house but another responsibility was put on him as well, which was taking care of his younger brother Aspen. The Astley family has been through a lot and still hold their title diligently and gracefully. They proceeded to go inside the palace as I went towards the library. I wish my library wasn't so close to the Main Palace, I always end up needing to greet people I don't even want to see. It just fills me with anxiety and fear but now it's starting to subside as I'm around more knights due to training. I have been getting monthly examinations by the Head Priest to see how I'm healing from my androphobia. So far there is improvement and they believe I'd be able to overcome this fear but the side effects would still last in my mind and body. By saying side effects, it makes it seem like it'd be something very severe but the only side effect that'd last is me despising the male race and constantly showing the displeasure of their presence. I won't lie but I've been constantly making the knights uncomfortable by making them feel like I loathe their presence…which I kind of do even when I know they've done nothing. I can't seem to let my guards down around anyone other than my loved ones.

After spending most of my afternoon in the library, me and Isaiah spent the rest of the day with our father. We ate dinner and had decided to sleep together in fathers room. The next day, we were woken up by our maids and got dressed. All the stuff was already put in the royal carriages and the only thing left to do was have us there so we can leave. Everyone was going to leave from the back of the palace so no one can see us, from there we would take a secret passage which led directly to the Northern Empire.

After about an hour of me and Isaiah having breakfast with father, we both departed to the back of the palace also where the small training ground is at. Father didn't come along with us since he had an urgent meeting with the boarder of administration. With our arrival, everyone was looking at us. I could tell there were some knights who I have only seen train a few times and they looked at me shockingly which was normal of people to react that way since I never show my presence to many people. My gaze immediately goes to Captain Gabriel who is approaching us.

"Ah the Princess and Prince are here! Are you both ready to leave?" The Captain says with a smile.

"Yes…but I wanted to ask if we can bring Dakota and Apollo along with us?" I asked with desperation. I really want to ride my horse during the trip to the North and at the North.

"I can't let you do that, My Lady! You aren't fully trained to ride a horse but in the future, you can bring Dakota and Apollo along." He said with strictness. I could tell he was trying to put a front of being a strict Captain in front of his Knights when in actuality, the Captain was a very nice and caring person.

Me and Isaiah got in our carriage, making ourselves comfortable. Immediately, the carriage began to move and I watched the knights surround our carriage from each side. It was going to take few days to get to the Northern Empire. Few hours into the ride, Isaiah laid down with his head on my lap and took a long nap. He looked so tired but cute at the same time. He reminded me of Tulip, who always fell asleep on my lap whenever I'd be reading my book in the garden. Sadly, I couldn't bring Tulip with me because I wanted father to have at least someone with him and I've asked father to personally take care of him. That why father won't feel as lonely with mine and Isaiahs absence.

A long time had passed since we have left the Southern Empire. I had woken up due to coldness and when I looked outside, I'm greeted with the glistening snow of the North. After waiting for so long, we have finally entered the Northern Empire. I immediately cover Isaiah and myself with another blanket. Isaiah was deep in sleep so I decided to not wake him up while I enjoyed the heavenly scenery alone. I wondered how mother would've reacted to see such an exquisite view. I bet mother would have loved it. As I enjoyed the view with my whole heart, we had arrived at the small palace which appeared pretty big if you ask me. Nevertheless, I'm impressed at how magnificent the palace looked. The knights guarded in the front open the gates for us, happily greeting us which wakes Isaiah up. As we went in the palace, the view of the garden fills my eyesight. It truly was pretty…I'm speechless. Even in this winter, the flower looked so lively and bright.

"Are we here?" Isaiah asked sleepily as he looks out the carriage.

"Yes!" I excitedly say as I'm admiring the garden and the palace itself.

"Sis, don't forget the King and the Queen are visiting us tomorrow." Oh right! They are coming to visit, I really hope the Princess and Prince don't come along. I won't know how to act otherwise.

"That's for tomorrow, so for now let's freshen up and explore the palace. How does that sound?" I look over at Isaiah with excitement.

"Yes lets do that!" Isaiah matched my excitement as well.

Once we settled down, the maids lead us to our rooms to freshen up and eat dinner. During dinner, me and Isaiah decided to share the same room since both of us were unfamiliar with the place and somewhat felt scared. At this moment, we both were missing father at the max level. I don't remember one moment, me and Isaiah have been away without our parents. The reality was dawning on us that it feels lonely being without father. We both were feeling grateful for having each other on this trip or else we wouldn't even have survived a day here. The rest of the day was spent roaming around the palace which we also did the next day until the King and the Queen arrived. To my luck, the Prince and the Princess didn't accompany them. Isaiah and I greeted King Mallick and Queen Audrey on behalf of our father as well. The time we spent that day was very comforting and helped us relax in this new environment. The rest of the day was spent with the King and Queen; they both left after eating dinner with us. Before leaving, they informed us that they'll try to visit as much as they can so we won't feel lonely.

Few days have passed since we have arrived at the Northern Empire. Me and Isaiah have still sticked with our training and then would spend the other half of the day exploring the place around the palace. We had also discovered that we can clearly see the Northern Royal Palace from our palace which meant it wasn't so far away from here. Today was our last day here, I wanted to go into the snowy woods for a quick walk with Isaiah but Isaiah was taking a nap after the harsh training we went through in the morning. So here I am, walking through these snowy woods without anyone knowing. It has been around 20 minutes since I've left the palace. If I go a little further, I'm pretty sure I'll be trespassing the royal palace. Just as I'm thinking that, I hear the sound of horses…there seems to be two horses coming this way. Mhm this is strange, I didn't think anyone would come here…or did I already trespass into the royal palace?? I come to a full stop and control my breathing so those people won't catch onto my presence. I can hear them appearing closer and closer. I glance up to see who it is and at first I could only see the back but when he turned around, I'm shock in my place. Is that…Prince Haven? He looks way too much like the King. Oh my, that's definitely him and the person next to him is probably his personal knight. How unlucky can I be to have met the Prince like this?? "Ok Irene, stay in your place like a statue and control your breathing!"

"The feeling of horseback riding while snowing is always the best. Don't you agree, Edwin?" Prince Haven asked with a smile on his face.

"Yes I agree, Your Highness." Sir Edwin responded with a slight smile.

The both of them silently admired the view and after a minute or so they slowly started to leave. As my legs were falling numb from squatting for a long time, I moved a little but unknown to me, there was a bush which I accidentally touched. In the silent environment, that slight noise sounded so much louder. "Oh my, I'm for real going to die." I thought to myself. Instantly, I heard the prince pull out his sword and put it toward my direction.

"Whoever it is, come out and show yourself!" Prince Haven yelled. The only thing I could do now was to divert their attention to a different direction and run for my life. I do no want to come in contact with him. I'm not even close to him. I quickly pick up a small rock without making any further noise and throw it to the right of my direction. I watch the Prince and his personal knight make their way towards the right side of me. I instantly get up and run away. I didn't worry about them hearing me run since the foot steps of the horses concealed my steps. I'm glad they were on their horses or else I wouldn't have been able to escape so easily.

I did not expect to come across the Prince this quickly! From the looks of it, he still seems the same way as few years ago but he has grown taller and it makes sense since he's 5 years older than me. Still his green jewel like eyes are indifferent as it has always been…. Ah that reminds me, I need to talk to father about annulling the engagement that is set between me and Prince Haven. Few months ago, I found out from father that there was in fact an engagement between me and Prince Haven also Isaiah and Princess Anastasia. That information had caught me off guard but decided to just ignore it since when the time comes, I will annul this engagement whatsoever. I don't have any problem with the Prince but I can not see myself being married. I just want to live my life with father and Isaiah.

After that encounter, I was left restless and couldn't wait any longer to head back home. The whole journey back was pretty decent since the only thing me and Isaiah wanted was to be home with Father and Tulip. Even after having a wonderful time in the North, being home is the only comfortable and relaxing place. Once we arrived back in the Southern Imperial Palace, we were greeted by our father. We both instantly got out the carriage and hugged our Father with big smiles on our faces.

"We missed you, Father!!" Isaiah and I both yelled.

"I missed you both as well!" Father said back.

Finally the trip that was long planned with mother had taken place successfully but the only thing missing from that trip was…mother.