The princess and the devil arrange marriage

"Princess! Aren't you going to greet the king and your siblings?" My consciousness returned when my maid said something. "It's been a week."

I paused and looked at my maid, Ellie.

"They won't acknowledge or greet me in return," I said coldly while sipping my tea, as a warm breeze ruffled my hair. "Why bother?"

I'm Princess Eclipse Caelum, the fourth child of the Caelum family. There's nothing interesting to say about myself. I have white hair instead of the light blonde hair my family has. They are all hybrids, half-human and half-lion.

Hybrids are people with animal features, like animal ears, tails, horns, wings, and more, depending on the type of animal they are. Higher status is often associated with more imposing animals.

As for me, I don't have any hybrid features. They usually manifest around the age of ten. That's why I'm the unwanted child, as I'm not half-lion like my siblings. I have white hair and am just a normal human with no animal traits.

Normal humans do exist, but they are considered at the bottom of the social hierarchy. So, my entire life as a princess has been marked by discrimination from other families. Even my own family didn't defend me; instead, they sometimes joined in the hurtful remarks of others.

I'm currently on the terrace of my room, where I've stayed for a week because of a certain "nightmare."

"I'm so sorry for asking, Princess. You used to greet them every day since you were a child," Ellie said timidly.

I just shrugged and continued sipping my tea. I used to greet my family every day since I was a child, but all I received were hurtful words in return. I have no plans to do that again; maybe it's because I've come to terms with the fact that they truly don't want me. Everyone has their limits, right?

I don't know why, but I no longer crave my family's attention. I don't care about what they do; it's none of my concern anymore. I just remembered this after waking up from a certain dream, and I suddenly changed.

"Hey, hag! The king is calling you." We were both surprised when someone entered my room. Seriously, couldn't they have knocked? We were taught manners, weren't we?

I stood up and bowed. "Greetings to the 2nd Prince of the Cygnus Empire."

This is Leo Caelum, the second child of the Caelum family. Golden hair and orange eyes, if I were to describe his personality.

Arrogant, harsh, a bully, and cheeky. But during events, he's on his best behavior because he's afraid of our older brother, the first prince.

"You're awfully respectful today. You probably did something wrong again that angered Father enough to summon you." I sighed silently. I hadn't left my room all week, and now Father was angry with me? I hadn't even seen him the whole week. Why did he summon me?

"Then I'll leave right away, Prince Leo," I replied and bowed again. I didn't want to comment on what he said. I was about to leave with my maid, Ellie, but Leo suddenly grabbed my shoulder.

Which was surprising. He usually recoiled when I touched him. "Wh-why are you... never mind. You're such an eyesore."

I just shrugged. I was used to hurtful words. So, no matter what they said, I no longer felt hurt.

"Ugh, here he is again."

"Yeah, I thought he'd stopped."

"I hope he stops for good. The king is always angry when he's here."

Even though I'm a princess, I'm still treated like this. Why do they have to raise their voices so loudly? They could keep it to themselves.

All the servants here are rabbits; I don't know why. According to research, rabbit hybrids are the best at cleaning and working.

I quickly reached Father's room. When my personal maid opened the door, Father and my older brother were inside.

Wait, why is the first prince here? I thought he was busy? "G-greetings to the King and the 1st Prince of the Cygnus Empire."

I don't know, but their presence together is intimidating. "You called for me, King Rignus?"

King Rignus Caelum, my father and the king of the Cygnus Empire. He always wanted me to address him as "King," while my siblings called him "Father." I used to call him "Father" too. Now that I've changed, maybe I'll start calling him "King" to avoid his constant anger.

"You're finally being respectful now. Good for you," the king remarked, and I just nodded.

"The reason you're here is that you didn't attend the tea party our sister Calliope hosted," my oldest brother, Prince Cavin Caelum, interjected.

"I didn't receive any letters, Prince Cavin," I replied. I really didn't, and I had been confined to my room for a week, so I had no idea what was happening outside.

"Stop lying. I know you dislike Calliope, but at least attend her parties more often. It's embarrassing for our family, you know?" he scolded me.

I thought Father was going to talk to me. Why is Cavin giving me a lecture? Did they call me here just to scold me again?

"Do I look like I'm lying?" I asked angrily, realizing it was the first time I had ever answered him back. I saw surprise in their eyes, including Father's.

I calmed myself and spoke again. It was now or never. I no longer craved their attention, which meant I didn't care about their opinions of me anymore.

"If you want, you can ask my maid if I received any letters from the princess," I added.

"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...

"Why am I going to such lengths to save this kingdom? I stared at a large portrait; it was my mother smiling... no matter what happens. 'Don't let this beautiful place get destroyed,' that's what she used to tell me. Mama loved this kingdom so much that father took good care of everything.

So I should protect this kingdom no matter what happens. At least, that's the only promise I can grant to Mama.

That catastrophe's going to happen in the future. There is a possibility that one of the kingdoms will betray us.

I mean this empire is very trusting, loves alliances, and despises wars. So I wondered why everything was broken in my dream.

Unless it's someone powerful. 'Pardon me, Princess. Prince Mael visited your father's palace. Are you perhaps planning to go?'

I immediately stopped. Maelstrom Chiles from the Pollux Empire, he's an eagle hybrid. He was 'supposed' to be my future fiancé because of the promise of both kingdoms.

I was young at that time when the promise was made, my mother was also there when it happened. I think Mael and I were close at that time too, I can't remember.

Since I'm not a hybrid, they canceled it. Well, no one wants to marry a normal royalty without hybrid features. Besides, it was canceled a long time ago.

I think he's visiting because he's going to talk about the land? Or maybe for my brothers? Or Calliope?

I'm sure Ellie asked me because I like hanging out in my father's room when Mael is there. Do I like him? No, of course not...

I'm just trying to be friends with him because I don't have any friends. We never talked, not even once, in all the times he came here. Besides, he and Calliope are close.

'No, I'm not going. I've been there, I'm sure the king won't be happy to see my face again anyway,' I answered and continued thinking.

Maybe there is a kingdom that will stab us in the back, right? We're all close to the two kingdoms, the Pollux and Aquila Empire. We don't have a problem with them...

But if it's not those two kingdoms? I wonder if it's the Hydra Empire, right? That kingdom has everything and super-tight security.

Hydra Kingdom has the best everything ever, and no one wants to make an alliance there because it's just scary.

Hydra Kingdom is the strongest; we are the second, following Pollux and Aquila. Hydra has a possibility, but why would they do it if they're the strongest?

I can't accuse any kingdom without proper evidence too. What should I do? Remembering those people suffer because of that...

I went out for a while to get some air.

'Prince Apollo? The one who leads the Hydra Empire?'

'Yes, that's him. Others say he's very handsome.'

'Really? I said he was scary.'

'Oh sis, really handsome, not to mention very strong.'

Maids gossiping while working in the garden.

My head tilted; yes, I recently heard that there is a new leader in Hydra. But I know that only a few people get in there.

But like the rumors, he's strong. What if? Hmmm... I immediately returned to my room and wrote something.

"Ellie!" I said loudly. My maid immediately entered as if in a hurry.

"Yes, Princess? Do you need something?"

"Dress me up, we're going shopping," I said loudly. Her face lit up.

"Really, Princess? You've never gone out to the town before!" She fixed me right away. Yeah, I only go out when needed.

I wore some boots since I don't have heels anymore. I don't know much about the Hydra Empire, but where do you think the rumors circulated in that kingdom?

The town; they have many rumors that are known in different kingdoms. So I will walk there and ask questions about that empire.

I was already outside the gate, and Ellie was getting the carriage ready. "It's the princess, okay!? So take us-"

"What's wrong, Ellie?" When I woke up, the people managing the carriages looked at me at the same time. Ah, so they won't let me ride?

Why? Because everyone hates me? Is that it? But that doesn't give them the right to disrespect me; I'm also a Caelum.

"We're going to town, why don't you want to give us a ride?" I asked coldly; the coachmen looked at each other.

"It's not allowed, Princess, don't you understand?" I turned to the person who spoke, and it was a lady. I guess she is the head of managing the carriages.

"How dare you dis-" I grabbed Ellie's shoulder, obviously angry because of the rabbit ears she had been standing on.

"And why is that? What right do you have to disrespect... me?" She would have answered again, but I smiled at her while whispering.

"I'm Eclipse Caelum, if you're disrespecting me, you're also disrespecting the Caelum family." I saw her paleness. "You don't want father to know this, do you?"

"I-I'm sorry, Princess, I-I didn't mean to answer you like that. L-because all normal carriages are used-"

"Normal? Do I look like a servant to you?" Normal carriages are usually for the servants and workers who are under our family.

I glared at her and grabbed her shoulder; I tightened my grip, and the woman looked hurt. "What's your name?"

"Av-Avis, P-princess." I smiled sweetly at her. I remember how they treated me harshly just because they hated me.

"Now, Avis, I know you don't want to lose your job. I can fire you since I'm a Caelum too, it doesn't matter if you're the head of this management. You're easy to replace."

What? Maybe they think I'll just be nice all my life? No way! Why would I? It's more fun if it's like this...

You need to be mean in order for them to serve you right. "Give me the best carriage."

"B-but the king will be angry. If he finds out what you're doing, he will surely punish you!" So his face is really thick. "He'll be disappointed with you!"

"So? I don't care if father will be disappointed in me. I do not care? They are of no use to me, right? I'm sure he wouldn't mind, even if you report."