Chapter 3 he loves his friends

Chapter 3

I really don't know what's going on with Alexis' mind. In my past life, he notices me if he's just bored and then ignores me afterwards. Not until Ivellina came, I began to be more desperate for his attention but I always lose if my opponent is Ivellina.

My thoughts are running in my mind while we are walking silently towards the Royal hall where the royal family and the royal duchy will dine. I can sense that he's secretly glancing at me so I walk faster. But this guy doesn't have a common sense and still follows my pace.

My heart is throbbing in every step. It's suffocating me thinking that we're getting closer to the Royal hall. Not long ago, a knight opens a big door and it's the entrance to the hall.

"Prince Alexis and Lady Adelaide have arrived!" announced the knight

All eyes were focused on our direction. Some express congratulations and some were despising me. I can see many of my relatives hate me.

The brother and sister of my father and my cousins ​​were also invited in the dinner. And so the relatives of the royal family.

I saw my mom waving her hands and smiling so I smiled back at her. I was about to sit beside her but Alexis attendant showed me my seat.

Wahhh, I just want to be with my mom! (T^T)

Alexis offered me a seat and because I had no choice, I sat there beside my father.

Why my father!! Gosh, Alexis I will kill you!

When I sat down on my chair, the one in front of me is actually Alexis and the two on his side are my cousins ​​Neron and Arthur, they are training with Alexis in swordsmanship. I frequently see them because I'm always tailing Alexis back then.

The two were glaring at me, it's really suffocating. The one that we ought to trust are the one who will drown us. There's no such thing as 'family' for me.

"That brat won't come?" I heard the Emperor said to the butler

'That brat'? Is he belonging to the second prince Achlys (Aklis)? The rumored unfavored son of the emperor? Many said that when he was born, he was the emperor's most favored because of his intelligence and skills. But her mother was sentenced to death because she poisoned the first prince's mother that the emperor loves so much. And then, he became unfavored, rumors spread in the entire empire that the prince is a bad omen because of the color of his hair.

Her mother was a princess from a far away kingdom that is believed to be a miserable kingdom filled with killers and thieves. In this world, your race will be identified by the color of your hair, the darker your hair, many people will curse you. That's why the second prince named 'Achlys' means darkness. And I accidentally heard from the maids gossips while I was in the palace that he never went outside his room after his mother died.

He must've been hurt just like me, losing everything that he had. In my past life, Achlys stood up in many ways and he spread his name across the nations and had an alias of "The Dark Ripper". He was killed in the battle because the Emperor brought him to a hopeless war and three months after that, I was executed.

"All of the members of the families are complete, we shall proceed" said the Emperor

Ancrest and Lascena family were complete now so all of us stood up and offered the Emperor a bow.

"May Valeria bless the emperor of Laczero empire!" we responded at the same time

"You're all permitted to seat and I request to quit the formalities between us. After all, me and Duke Austin were good friends since childhood and our families" support each other in many generations." said the Emperor smiling

"It's been a while since we last dined together for a decade." replied father

Shocks! Every time he actually spoke if I wasn't startled, my hair would rise.

"Help yourselves, eat all the foods you want to eat" said the Emperor

Some maids served us the food and I decided to just eat a small amount if food here. Although the dinner is so lavish and a like a feast, I must maintain my posture while eating because if the damn glare of my relatives in every move I make. Even though father sits next to me, the dare to look at me with those eyes.

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by his Majesty's voice.

"Laczero empire really progressing well after and before we're married, Austin, Ravyn and Hildert. " Emperor said

Ravyn is my uncle who is a former General of the Imperial army and was the father Neron while Hildert is also my uncle and was a chancellor, he was the father of Arthur.

"Yeah." uncle Ravyn replied

"The wars are really the turning point of our lives, but I'm missing it" said father

Father is smiling, he must be very close to the Emperor and was very happy to accompany them. But when we were in the mansion, he didn't show himself to me that much and I never saw him smiling in front of me and mom. I'm kinda jealous.. he loves his friends more than his family.

I released a bitter smile in my lips and it seems that Alexis saw me so I quickly changed it to an emotionless expression. The emperor noticed that Alexis was looking at me so he began to speak.

"I can't wait to see the next generation to progress. Alexis will be a great ruler someday and he will need a queen by his side" after the emperor said that, he glanced in my direction

My heart started to race and I became nervous in a sudden. Father's reaction is weird too.

"What do you mean, Axel?" Father asked

"I think our little boy is matched with your little Adel so I'm thinking that we should get them engaged"

A big thump blows my mind and I suddenly feel empty.

It's happening again! They will engage me to the prince but when Ivellina comes, they broke our engagement just to engage Ivellina to Alexis.

"That's... I'm not sure if Adelaide can possibly be a great queen to Alexis. Her attitude is unladylike and was always causing trouble for the prince." father said

That's right... He doesn't want me to be engaged to him because he has something in mind...

"Adel is still a kid, she will surely become matured in no time. I mean, there's no one who can marry my son besides the daughter of Lascena family." Emperor replied

My father suddenly became quiet and I know why.

"Say, little Adel.."

The emperor looked in my direction.

"You have a crush on my prince Alexis, right? I'm sure to promise you that I will help you win my Alexis's heart so do you agree with the engagement? Alexis?"

"I agree" replied Alexis

He then glanced at me, and I can feel the pressure of my father pressing me to the ground.

"I'm afraid I cannot accept it." I answered surprising them all

"A-Adel, don't take the words of your father. He's really a meanie"

"You're acting like a child again, our dear Emperor" said father

"Shut up, Austin I wasn't talking to you!"

"Tsk"

The angry reaction by the emperor suddenly changed when he looked at me and was smiling at me. I took a deep breath and then spoke.

"Father is right, I'm not deserving to be the queen."

Once again, the dining us filled with gasps out of shock.

"Why did you say that?" Emperor asked

"Because there's no reason for me to become a queen. Alexis will grow up as a great man with many accomplishments and he deserves more than me. If we're engaged early, soon he will find a perfect match for him. A better and much deserving than me, maybe a princess or if there's a miracle, maybe..."

I can sense their happiness because I disagree so I'm giving you a surprise.

"we have another daughter in Lascena hahaha!"

As soon as I said that, my father and the Lascena's were shocked.

"Hahaha! How is that possible!" laughed the Emperor

"I was just joking" I said

It seems that the emperor doesn't know that my good father has a connection. Father remained silent after I said that.

"You seem to have a point but Adel, if it's possible and when you already come of your age and you're still both single, I suggest you to get married, okay. I doted on you Adel!" said the Emperor

I smiled and looked at him.

"Yes, your Majesty" I replied

The emperor is really kind. What happened to his son, why is he a sort of devil?

I looked at Alexis direction and he was lowering his head. Is he mad or something?

"Not your Majesty, call me uncle"

"Yes, uncle!" my happy language

I may call the emperor uncle but I can't even call my own father 'father'.

After that, they continue chatting and eating until the dinner is over and we need to head back to the mansion.

The dinner was over and because it's late, we are invited as a guest in the palace.

I'm here at the hall and I can't forget the face of my father and what he said after we left the Royal hall.

"I'll talk to you later" he said with a death glare in his eyes.

He must have been alert since I joked about his lovely daughter. I'm a fool, why did I even say that.

"So you're here, golden brazen"

I looked at the one who spoke and I wasn't glad that it was my cousins ​​Neron and Arthur.

"What do you want?" I don't feel like answering

"Stay away from Alexis! You're just shaming yourself to him." Nero said

The hell I care! I'm already done with that bastard.

"Okay" I replied and turned my back to walk

"You little!"

Arthur grabbed my hands and placed them on my back so I could face Neron.

These brats are really going to hurt me! Unfortunately, Lina's not here, she's probably taking care of my room to sleep. How am I supposed to get rid of these jerks? Should I scream? No, it will only cause trouble. What should I do?

"Aren't you gonna cry like you used too?" Nero teased

"And what will I gain from crying? Will someone save me if I cry?" I answered

Yes, I'm really tired of it. I don't wanna cry, if I cry again then I'm weak.

"You really have changed." Arthur lost his grip on my hands and freed me

So what if I change?

"If you don't want to be bullied, just fight back." Nero said

Wow, coming from you.

What are they saying? I don't understand them anymore.

"Is it my fault if I'm being bullied?" I said

The two of them became silent for a while.

"Why I must fight those who bullies me? Shouldn't the bullies be the one who should change themselves?" I added.

"Why don't you get it?!"

I was surprised when Neron suddenly shouted.

"We all hate you, we all don't want you here. I'm sure you already know that but why do you always ignore it and still being a nuisance in our lives?!" it shouted

"Neron, calm down!" said Arthur

So that is why... They don't hate me because of my attitude, they hate me because of my existence. It kinda hurts me. Yeah, it hurts.

As if it's they were saying that it's better if I'm not born. Is it my fault?

"You want to know why?..." I responded weakly

They both looked in my direction and I was now holding back tears. I simply clenched my fist so I could control my emotions.

"Because I want to live." I said with a bitter smile and tears flowing in my eyes

"Just how much attention should I have to catch for me to be acknowledged? You must be happy because you have everything I didn't. Glory, fame, friends and... warm home. I was jealous, I wish I had that too."

"What are you saying---"

"But I had enough. I'm tired of it all. I'll never be the girl I am in the past..." I interrupted Neron's words

"Please don't come again, please don't show your face to me anymore. From now on, we don't know each other. I won't bother you again, Neron, Arthur. I'm sorry for all I've caused you." I said and wiped my tears

They were surprised by what I said. They seem to be pretty guilty, I guess.

"here"

I was shocked when Arthur lent me a handkerchief.

"Don't cry anymore" he said but he was looking in another direction and seems blushing? I don't know.

"Your handkerchief seems to be dirty, Arthur. Take mine, Adel" said Neron while lending me his handkerchief

"What did you say? It's completely clean!" yelled Arthur to Neron

"But why did she not take it? It may be clean but the design is so lame" Neron teased

"You bastard!" shouted Arthur

Ah, these two! In front of me really rambled.

"Alright, don't fight each other or else it's my fault again." I have no appetite for language

They stopped rambling and looked at me then seriously looked at each other again.

"Let's settle this right here and right now" said Neron

"Bring it on!" replied Arthur

Hey, what nonsense are they going to do? Where can I be? I might be accused of planning it and blamed.

"Rock, Paper, Scissors!" they spoke at the same time

"Haha, I won!" Arthur exclaimed

"Hmmp! I'll surely win next time" Neron said angrily

Seriously?! I think they're three years older than me. So childish! Aren't they just their own bullies?

After a while, Arthur handed the handkerchief to me again.

Hays, when my tears are dry I just gave them away. It's more important to do than to give, it's really rare.

"My tears already dried up. I don't need it" I said

"Tsk"

He grabbed my hand and put his handkerchief to it.

"It's bad to refuse an offer" he said seriously

You are the bad one.

"Okay" I said and wiped some tears from my eyes with his handkerchief. He smiled when he saw her.

"Well.." Neron said as he held his neck

"What if we start over? You don't have any siblings right?"

To Be Continued....