Chapter 2 2

"I'm honest to say that my princess didn't receive any letters, your highness," Ellie replied. She's been with me since... I don't know. She's also a rabbit/bunny hybrid.

She might be the only one who stayed by my side. Well, at least there's someone who stayed with me, right? I glanced at Father, who was just staring at us.

I wonder why he didn't show his ears and tail, unlike Cavin, who keeps showing them to everyone. His lion-like ears and tail...

"You could be lying, you know what happens when you lie, right? Death will be your punishment," Cavin angrily responded to Ellie. "Stop covering her mistakes."

I bit my lip and restrained myself from getting angry. Ellie didn't lie! Isn't he the first prince? He could have investigated it himself; it would have been easy for him.

"Pardon my intrusion, but I'm sure my maid didn't lie. I stayed in my room the whole week, and I'm certain I didn't receive any letters," I calmly replied.

Punish me if you want, but Ellie is innocent in this. Was I summoned here just to receive a sermon? Is that it? Because I didn't attend Calliope's tea party?

"I know you and your little tricks. Calliope is a good person. Why can't you just like her?" First of all, I don't hate my sister Calliope.

Second, I don't like talking to her much, and third, just because I don't pay much attention to her doesn't mean I dislike her. I neither love nor hate Calliope; I simply don't care about her.

"So how about this then, since you're the first prince, I'm sure you can investigate it without a problem," I said, raising my voice. "Or you can ask the Princess instead."

Cavin suddenly fell silent, confirming that he was looking for faults in me. Several seconds of silence passed, and I thought, forget it, I'm leaving...

"Then I'll leave if that's all you have to say to me," I said, turning back to sanity. "I'm busy, so refrain from calling me from now on."

"W-wait..." I paused and looked back at Father. Wow, this is a first. He never stopped me from leaving. He even used to chase me away.

"You're not coming here anymore?"

"What do you mean? You all told me not to come here every day, didn't you? So I'm just following orders," I replied. "Then I'll get going, your highness."

I quickly left without waiting further. That was the first time I answered back, and for some reason, it felt good.

I'm still afraid they might get angry with me and do something because I answered back. But whatever, I don't plan on seeing them anyway. I quickly walked away from the palace and went to my room.

Did I mention that my room is so far from the main palace building? I'm the only Caelum with a room this far away. My brothers and sister are close to Father's bedroom, but me? I have to climb so many steps to reach my room.

It's one of the proofs that they hate me. "My feet hurt."

Why am I even wearing these heels? "I'm sorry, princess, those are your only heels left."

Ugh, I don't have anything nice to wear besides this shabby dress and some gloomy-looking ones in my closet.

I quickly reached my room. It's been a week since that nightmare, and it's been a week since I felt the sudden changes in me.

I had the nightmare on the day of my mother's death anniversary. After I ate dinner alone because Father and my siblings were already done.

I immediately came to my room to cry while I thought about how Father didn't even acknowledge Mother's death anniversary. I still remember Mother's face; she had the same hair as mine when I was young. She was incredibly beautiful and cheerful.

I don't know what kind of hybrid she was since I never saw her, and Father never told me. I also remember Father smiling lovingly at my mother.

We were such a happy family back then, but everything changed after Mother's death. I don't remember why she died; my father forbade me from learning more about her. So I don't know why they hate me when we used to be so happy.

I always remember Mother saying to "love" my family, so I keep trying to earn my family's love. Maybe there's hope for things to return to the way they were.

I wanted that too, but sadly, people change. Then, that night, I had that dream-like nightmare.

That's when everything changed. In my dream, I saw the entire village on fire, including the kingdom. I even saw many villagers dying.

I caught a glimpse of the attacker, but I couldn't see their face because of the hood they were wearing. They came from one of the kingdoms.

There's a possibility that this could happen in the future. The reason I believe this is because I saw the date it would happen. It's the day Calliope will be crowned as the future ruler of the kingdom. That's why I have to prevent it somehow, even if my family doesn't believe me.

And I don't know when I'll have that dream again. If only I could see further into the future.

So, what should I do? I'm not sure who will attack the four kingdoms. There are four kingdoms on this continent.

Hydra Empire, the strongest kingdom, has a dragon ruler. They have everything, and they don't have alliances with other kingdoms.

Cygnus Empire, the second strongest, has alliances with two other kingdoms, and lion hybrids rule there. They trust other kingdoms easily and aren't inclined toward war.

Pollux Empire, the third kingdom, is ruled by eagle hybrids. They are the friendliest of all...

Aquila Empire, the fourth kingdom, is ruled by panther hybrids. They are intimidating and don't interact much, but they still have an alliance with us.

We have alliances with two kingdoms, but that doesn't mean they won't betray us. I also don't want to jump to conclusions because the other kingdoms have good relations with us. Maybe I'm the reason a war would start.

But what if I became the ruler of this kingdom instead of Calliope? Would that prevent the catastrophe?

I'm just a normal person; I don't have hybrid traits, and I'm not as talented as my siblings. Plus, I don't think Father and my brothers would favor me as a ruler.

Sigh... If only I had some kind of power, it would be easier to change things from the top...