Who's this!?

My father's eyes widened in surprise, his fork hovering mid-air as he momentarily forgot about his meal. It was an unexpected twist, and I could sense his astonishment.

However, my mother exchanged a quick, concerned glance with my father, clearly taken aback by my abrupt decision.

"William," my father finally responded, his voice a mixture of astonishment and pride, "I respect your choice. If you believe that cooperating with Mathias is the right path for you, then we shall support you." There was a warmth in his words, a fatherly pride that swelled within me.

My mother, her eyes shimmering with maternal affection, nodded in agreement. A warm smile graced her face as she said, "We trust your judgment, my son."

Her words were like a soothing balm to my soul, and I felt a renewed sense of determination wash over me. With their blessings, I was ready to embark on this journey with Mathias, no matter where it might lead.

Mathias, ever the inexplicable individual, kept his frigid gaze on each of us. His black eyes, framed by thick brows, held an air of authority that was mildly intimidating.

He chimed in, a hint of warning in his voice, "Hmmm, you'd better be well-prepared then. I have little patience for tardiness, especially from you, Prince William." I nodded in response, offering a casual assurance, "Yes, of course, you can count on me."

As Mathias stood up from his chair, his demeanor softened slightly into a polite smile. He bowed respectfully to my father. "Well then, Your Majesty, I need to go home now. My wife is still waiting for me." My father laughed heartily at Mathias' serious tone. "Ahahaha, sure, you may go home now."

Mathias then turned to my mother, bowing again. "Your Highness," he said with a slight nod of respect. With that, he excused himself, leaving with a brisk pace. My mother commented, her eyes following Mathias' departure, "His wife is lucky to have a man like him."

My father, his eyes filled with affection as he gazed at my mother, quipped with a smirk, "You're lucky, my love, to have me." The exchange of affectionate banter between my parents always warmed my heart.

Their love was a bond that couldn't be matched by anything in the world, and I cherished witnessing it even in moments like these.

With Mathias gone, we returned to the delectable dinner before us, savoring each mouthful.

Although our conversation had shifted to a serious topic, for the time being, we allowed ourselves to indulge in the aromas and relish the simple pleasures of a shared family meal.

 --------------------------------------------------------------------

 [Melissa's Chamber]

Another night slipped away, and I felt like I was trapped, doing nothing but watching the hours pass.

These days, it seemed like I couldn't hold back the tears, especially when I thought about what had happened to Peta.

Her absence still weighed heavily on my heart, and now, the same ominous feeling was haunting me again.

Simply because Emily, the new maid who had taken Peta's place, was completely unlike her, which made matters worse. She had a crude demeanor, and the way she behaved was inadequate.

Ever since she had become my maid I found myself increasingly disliking her actions and behavior. It seemed she always had a demand, always telling me what to eat, even when I didn't like it.

She'd often remind me that I was just a small princess, implying that I couldn't handle anything on my own. It left me feeling utterly helpless, and at times, I even harbored thoughts of scratching her face when she got too close with me. 

However, tonight was just like countless other nights; she even insisted that I get to bed early, claiming that it would benefit me as a child.

But I had trouble falling asleep. In the gloomy candlelight, the elaborate canopy that was over my bed caught my attention as I tossed and turned. At this late hour, sleepiness weighed heavily on me.

*creak*

But Then, as if by some twist of fate, the heavy wooden door to my chamber creaked open slowly, breaking the silence of the night. A voice, unfamiliar to me, called out my name.

"Melissa?"

I sat up abruptly, my heart racing as I scanned the room. Who could it be at this hour? The person drew closer, and I finally saw her.

She had hair that bore a striking resemblance to my father's, though it was paler, almost like spun gold. Her face held a rare beauty, a blend of both my parents' features, but there was something uniquely captivating about her.

Her eyes were a mesmerizing shade of pink, like the petals of a rare, exotic flower. I couldn't tear my gaze away from them.

My heart was racing as I stared at the stranger before me, my little baby self feeling both curious and bewildered.

She had this warm and friendly smile that instantly put me at ease, but I couldn't shake the shock of her sudden appearance.

''?''

"Hello, there. I'm Winifred Cornelia Richmond, I'm your sister " she introduced herself with a soft and welcoming tone.

I was just a little baby, and her sudden appearance took me by surprise. I blinked up at her, feeling a mixture of confusion and curiosity.

It was a moment that I had never even dreamed of – meeting a sister I didn't even know existed.