Hage Village

"You insolent brat!" Augustus' eyes turned bloodshot as he opened his grimoire. Out of desperation, he unlocked a new spell.

Light Magic: Holy Light sword!

Everyone present widened their eyes as they witnessed Augustus unlocking a new spell. The Magic Knight captains stiffened, preparing to block the potential attack, but Alara's ridiculing smirk suggested she had a different plan in mind.

The captains halted, remaining on guard, anticipating the possibility of something adverse unfolding.

The sword hurtled toward Alara, eliciting fearful shouts from the nobles and royals. However, Noelle, who was right beside Alara's throne, quickly stomped her feet, creating a water barrier dome. The light sword collided with the water barrier, resulting in a massive explosion.

As the mist slowly dissipated, it revealed Alara, resting her cheeks on her knuckles with an amused smirk, and Noelle, calmly standing beside her with her hands on her back. The composed demeanor of the two left the onlookers in awe and disbelief.

"Interesting..." Alara tilted her head. "What a waste of talent, Augustus Kira. You had potential, but because of your actions, you won't be left unpunished for attempting to assassinate the princess of the Clover Kingdom." Alara voiced her judgment, her tone indifferent.

Tapping her index finger on the hand rest of her throne, ice spikes manifested on the floor, rapidly advancing towards Augustus Kira. Faced with this imminent danger, Augustus froze in fear, his legs trembling, unable to move out of the way or block the approaching threat.

"Ahhh! Help me!" Augustus shouted in fear, closing his eyes as he anticipated the ice piercing his body. However, the ice changed formation, covering Augustus Kira's body without causing harm. The unexpected turn of events left everyone in suspense.

Alara sighed, "What a disappointment. Having a powerful attribute and mana, but in the hands of the wrong person." Her voice captured the attention of the captains and the assembled crowd.

"I... I'm alive?!" Augustus widened his eyes, confused about why Alara spared him.

"Take him out of my sight..." She snapped her fingers, causing the ice restraining Augustus to disappear. The mage guards swiftly took Augustus Kira away and confiscated his grimoire.

Alara, not desiring the image of a merciless princess, aimed to cultivate a reputation that would garner admiration from her people. She sought praise for her forgiving and fair attitude.

By showing mercy and fairness, Alara aimed to garner more supporters for her bid to become the queen of the Clover Kingdom. She recognized that killing Augustus Kira in that moment might sow distrust and fear among the people, both nobles and commoners alike, potentially hindering their support.

On the other hand, Nozel stared at Noelle with a rare smile on his face. He felt immense gratitude towards Alara for guiding Noelle to become a strong and independent individual. Nozel took pride in the remarkable character development of his sister, who had transformed from a timid kid into a brave Knight.

Alara sighed and addressed everyone with a smile, "I apologize to everyone for wasting your time. As compensation, feel free to eat and drink to your heart's content." Trays of food were pushed into the hall, and numerous waiters and maids arrived, ready to serve the guests.

.... 

Alara stood on the balcony, gazing at the scenery before her, lost in deep thought.

"Alara..." A familiar voice called out to her.

"Father..." She looked over her shoulder and greeted him with a smile.

Julius patted his daughter's head with a doting smile, "What's wrong? You seem to be thinking deeply."

Alara fell silent for a moment before sighing. She turned her gaze back to the scenery before her.

"I don't really know. I have wealth, fame, and power, but something inside my heart feels missing." She looked down and placed her hand on her chest where her heart was located.

Alara expressed gratitude for her reincarnation and the love she experienced in this world. However, despite her happiness, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was still missing.

Julius looked down with a hint of sadness and comforted Alara, "You know, having everything doesn't necessarily mean you'll find happiness. Sometimes, what you truly yearn for is a person who understands you, someone you can trust. Keeping all the pain inside your heart is like a ticking time bomb. When you reach your breaking point, it becomes more painful and may spiral out of control. Don't be afraid to trust, Alara. You'll eventually encounter someone who can be your confidant, someone capable of opening your heart."

"I know that... And I am patiently waiting. For now, I should be satisfied because I have you, Noelle, the captains, my people... and the whole Clover Kingdom. This Kingdom is my family, and I will do everything to protect it, even if it means sacrificing my life," Alara declared with unwavering determination.

Julius smiled warmly at Alara, saying, "I truly appreciate your determination. However, it's essential to recognize that occasionally prioritizing yourself is beneficial. Taking care of others is admirable, but being too selfless can become a flaw. It's crucial to strike a balance, ensuring that when you need support, you won't risk falling apart."

"Embrace your youth, my daughter. Explore the wonders of this world, for within them, you can discover true happiness."

.......... 

Alara, riding on Light's back, closed her eyes, enjoying the breeze. She reminded herself that as a kid, she has plenty of time, and she won't let go of what she has now.

After flying for a bit, Alara reached the Hage village. She saw the villagers below, so she decided to land and greet them, aware that a dragon might surprise them. 

Light landed softly, lowering herself to assist Alara in an easy dismount. Alara hopped down and greeted the villagers.

"Hello, everyone! I'm Alara Frostwind. Nice to meet you all," she said with a sweet smile.

Upon hearing her name, the villagers were shocked to the core. The arrival of the esteemed princess of the Clover Kingdom caught them completely off guard. They weren't prepared for such a visit.

"Princess, we apologize! We weren't prepared for your visit, so we can't offer anything right now," the villagers expressed in worry. Fearful of displeasing Alara, they were concerned about facing her potential anger.

Alara smiled reassuringly at the villagers, saying, "Worry not, I'm not here to cause any trouble or make demands. I apologize for the sudden visit. I was flying around with my dragon, Light, and happened to see your village, so I thought I'd drop by to say hello."

"Oh..." The villagers sighed in relief. The rumors about the princess being sweet and kind-hearted were true. They let their guard down and warmly welcomed Alara.

"YUNO! YUNO! HURRY UP! I SAW A DRAGON, AND IT LANDED HERE!" A very familiar voice of a boy rang in her ears.