An Empire and Five Kingdoms

“Ah stop crying! Hey you!” I saw the other child trembling in fear as he saw the blood.

“I-it was his fault not mine!” The bully immediately ran away from us and I was left alone with this crying child.

“That kid, I’ll remember you!” I am never good at dealing with crying children, it was my hardship during my life.

“There-there!” Next thing I did was half singing the phrases “Pain, pain go away!” I suddenly froze, I sang the wrong one, even in my previous life, I am not good with nursery rhymes. My son and daughter knew better than me.

“Mom, that is rain, rain! It’s sung to make rain go away!” My daughter told me off when I tried to make her younger sibling stop from crying.

“Geez why nursery songs are confusing?” I told her.

“Have you not learned it mom when you are young?” I can’t answer back. I have no memories of singing this together with my mom or dad, that is when I felt so pitiful before my children.

“T-thank you…” Oh, it works!

“Let’s call a servant and treat you, I only wiped the blood.”

“I-it’s okay, I will look for my brother, sorry to bother you.”

“I see, then I shall part now.” Seeing that the child can go find his brother I think I no longer have to involve myself further. I stood up and took huge steps away from him.

“W-wait, what is your na---”

The servants have been searching for me, and informed the arrival of the royal family.

“Greetings to His Majesty, the king and the royal highness the prince.” As etiquette I’ve done a well perfect courtesy that even my etiquette teacher praised me on how great I am with the lessons.

“So you are the rumored princess of Marquis Schauss.” Remarks by the King, the presence of the royal family which was never mentioned in the original game is the only contingency for my plan to survive and save my family. If there is royalty within the Seok Kingdom, why did the original Arissae seek the position of Crown Princess in the Nam Empire?

“If only the prince’s engagement was not settled, I would definitely have chosen the little lady instead.” As if he read what’s on my mind, the King gave out the answer.

“Your highness, I am afraid that is a subject we should refrain from as many ears and eyes are around us.” Daddy, who is cautious but not intimidated by the royal, replied calmly.

“Well, it is an open discussion, but I am not saying that I regret having the princess of Jeon as my in-law.” The king refers to the Princess sent by the Jeon Kingdom as a sign of their alliance with the Seok Kingdom.

“It would be nice to have the young lady visit us in the palace from time to time, since Selena is a close friend of the Queen, she will be glad to see you.” the king with tender eyes glances at me, upon mentioning the name of my late mother, I know many of the nobles who attended have set their attention.

It’s a clear declaration that the family of Schauss is favored by the royal family, the wealth and prestige of the Marquis Schauss is incomparable to other ducal houses. This is what I learned, that even in other kingdoms, our family of Schauss is well known. So the fact that I am a Crown Princess candidate for the Empire happened.

In this continent, almost half is occupied by the Nam Empire who leads the five surrounding kingdoms, namely Seok Kingdom, my home which is the oldest but small one compared to the others, the Jeon Kingdom which is the center of military forces and most elite knights came from, Jung Kingdom where the temple resides supporting the empire behind, Tae Kingdom, a conservative country with enriched arts and culture. We also have the newly established Jim Kingdom, which is located along the sea where commerce and trades from overseas is the main economic income. Lastly is the animalia or Min Kingdom, the King of the beasts which is in peace treaty with the Empire and other Kingdoms. Their kind was saved from extinction and the slavery was abolished, for now there is a limited interaction as they have been in the territory for about two decades.

This is a fantasy world which is built through the imagination and mix of modernity of Earth, and honestly I was able to adapt fast because of the similarity. This is now my reality as a daughter of a loving family. If this is only a game and faith plays on me, I would still do my best to keep my neck away from the death flags. The current me, won’t be a villainess destined to be doomed.

I will live a healthy, wealthy and fabolous life as a rich noble daughter!

The party ended and we had a private dinner with the royals and some noblemen. It was a rare opportunity that the king insisted on having dinner at the mansion.

“It was unexpected but I hope your Highness forgives the humble preparation of your servant.” Daddy is actually looking forward to having dinner with only our family but his plan was ruined by the King who wanted to spend longer by sharing a meal with us. Even though he shows a clear annoyance and disappointment the King only laughed at him as he still cannot defy his wishes.

“I apologize to Lady Arissae, it’s just father - I mean the King misses his old colleague that he wanted to stay much longer.” The prince is a bit apologetic yet elegant.

“It was an honor actually as it seems like this birthday is extra special having both his highness spend longer time to celebrate with us.” I gave them my most innocent and gentle smile, at the corner of my eyes, I saw Daddy and Aries mesmerized by their favorite smile, while the King who was so entertained laughed heartily.

“It seems like there were new servants working for this day Brother Aries.” Seeing unfamiliar faces who move back and forth and prepare the dinner.

“Yes, they are only here for a day.” He replied.

“Are we having knights in the dining area? The King and your highness must be attended securely.” At my word, I noticed a sudden tension around.

“Hmm… You are right, we still cannot be lacking.” Aries, agreed to me and called out sir Jonas and a few more knights accompanied his highness and we all gathered at the table.

“King Dietrich, I knew in the old days that you like wine so I have prepared a special one gifted to me by count Zurrock.” The pushcart served by the servant is shaky and noisy as it was pushed over. It's a bit annoying and embarrassing. Daddy noticed and looked at the maid, she felt apologetic and knew that she made a mistake.

“As expected of my friend, it was the wine from the East that I have been looking for!.” The King felt delighted, as he mentioned the East, it was the land beside Seok that has been recently in truce with the Empire, led by the Knight Orders, the barren land is now soon to be allied with the empire.

“Let’s have a drink my king.” As father opened the bottle of the expensive looking wine, there was an unease with the maid and among the other knights whose faces are new to me as well

That is when…

“Wait Daddy!”