What is going on?

Arissa stood frozen before the crowd, stunned by their reaction, a whirlwind of confusion and fear swirling inside her. This was not the warm welcome she had imagined. Instead, a palpable tension filled the air, and whispers of disbelief rippled through the masses. How can they possibly react this way? she thought, her heart racing.

Desperate to say something, anything, she felt her voice catch in her throat. The king, sensing her turmoil, turned to her, his intense blue eyes piercing through her anxiety. "Do not say a single thing unless I say so," he instructed, his tone firm yet protective.

The weight of his words sent a jolt through her. Panic threatened to overtake her as she struggled to maintain her composure. King Issac, understanding the gravity of the situation, raised his hands to calm the crowd.

"That young lady is my daughter," he announced, his voice strong and unwavering. "She is not like her mother. So I suggest you prepare to accept her, or not—she will be your future queen one day."

The declaration hung in the air like a heavy mist. As he turned to retreat, Arissa felt an unexpected surge of courage. She stepped forward, her voice steady despite the tumult within her. "I am Arissa, Princess of the Celeste Kingdom. I am King Issac of the Celeste Kingdom's daughter. I have as much authority as he does. No matter whose daughter I am, I will do my best for our kingdom."

The crowd fell silent, their shock palpable. With that, she turned on her heel, leaving the balcony behind, her heart pounding. Once inside, she dropped the act of nervousness; the facade had been exhausting, especially with her social anxiety lurking just beneath the surface.

"Please escort me back to my room," she whispered to Elisabeth, who nodded, her eyes filled with understanding.

Once in her room, Arissa quickly changed into a more comfortable gown and retrieved her sketchbook. She settled onto her bed, feeling the soft embrace of the fabric as she tucked herself in, her hands poised to draw. Yet, fatigue overwhelmed her, and she drifted off to sleep before she could even put pencil to paper.

A few hours later, as the sun began to rise, the open window invited a gentle breeze, carrying with it the scent of fresh fruit and blooming flowers. Arissa stirred, rubbing her eyes and searching for the source of the delightful aroma, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. With a yawn, she swung her legs over the side of the bed to stretch, knowing how grumpy she could get without proper movement.

Just as she finished her stretches and prepared to tidy her bed, the maids burst in, their energy palpable. "No need to touch that, Princess! You can sit while you wait. We will dress you soon enough!" they chirped.

Surprised by their enthusiasm and quickness, Arissa felt a warm smile spread across her face. "It's alright, don't worry. I am very grateful for everything you're doing for me," she replied, genuine appreciation in her voice.

The maids exchanged delighted glances, their smiles brightening the room. "Wow! You are quite the artist!" one exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

"What do you mean?" Arissa asked, puzzled.

The maids handed her the sketchbook, and as she opened it, her breath caught in her throat. There, on the page, was a breathtaking drawing of her, gracefully captured in a peaceful slumber. The lines were fluid, and the details so precise; it felt like magic.

She stared at the drawing, bewildered. I don't remember drawing this... Thoughts raced through her mind, mingling with wonder and confusion.

"What is going on?" she murmured, her heart pounding. The realization that someone, or something, had seen her in such an intimate moment filled her with both awe and trepidation.

As the maids fussed around her, she couldn't shake the feeling that this day was destined to hold more surprises. With her heart still racing from the earlier crowd and now this mysterious drawing, Arissa felt a shift within her—perhaps this was the beginning of her journey, not just as a princess, but as Arissa, a girl discovering her identity amidst the complexities of royal life.

With renewed determination, she decided she would embrace whatever came next, ready to face the challenges of being a princess and uncover the secrets of her new reality.