Chapter 31 - Slowly (1)

2 days have passed.

Alexandra is currently playing outside in the snow with Harrison. She was trying to create another snowman since the previous one got destroyed while Harrison just laid down, not giving a care about the cold ground, he didn't even move an inch. Diana was with them watching the two. Diana knows that Harrison goes to the academy and just came to visit because it's the start of their winter vacation. After Alexandra placed its nose that is a stick she found, she stepped back and looked at her 'masterpiece'. She can't help but grin as she saw her work.

"What's that?" Harrison finally moved from his position. He sat up and looked at Alexandra's work, her eyebrows knitted, and confusion visible from his eyes. "A snowman..?" Alexandra answered while tilting her head. Harrison just hummed and grabbed a handful of snow, he shaped it into a ball and once Alexandra saw what he was doing, she ran away. He was going to hit her with a snowball like last year, he must be taking revenge from what I did, she thought to herself and went around. She hid behind Diana's back.

Last year was somehow fun but she got sick afterward, Alexandra threw a snowball at Harrison's face while he was walking and continued to do so. She was annoyed by him for stealing her cookies and somewhat bullying her. It turned into a snowball fight that everyone joined in afterward and Alexandra caught a cold because of it. "He's going to throw a snowball at my face! Diana, stop him, please!" Alexandra said while she continued to hide from the boy who was slowly approaching them. He already has 3 snowballs in his hands and he was grinning mischievously like he has a plan in mind. Diana just giggled at her.

Alexandra felt betrayed at this. Is Diana siding with him? Why thoooo, she thought to herself and ran away, the dress making it hard for her to move. Diana finds it cute that the two were chasing each other throwing snowballs but of course, she knows what their limits should be. After minutes of chasing each other around, Diana picked Alexandra up and carried her. "That's enough, young miss. You might catch a cold again," Diana said in a gentle voice. "And also, Lysander might come here anytime soon to fetch you. Maybe his highness wants to see you again," Diana added smiling at her sweetly. Alexandra nodded as a response and smiled back at her.

Alexandra was placed down by Diana and Harrison ran towards her, his hands were empty and he wasn't carrying any snowball to throw at her face. "By the way, where's the pocket watch that I lent you?" He asked. Alexandra inserted her hand inside the pocket of her dress and took the golden pocket watch out which was taken care of by her. It still looks good as new and Harrison showed a faint smile. He nodded and hummed, "It's still good. Keep it until I take it from you," He said and combed back his hair.

"Okay," Alexandra responded happily and placed it back inside her pocket gently. "Then, I'll be taking my leave," Harrison said and in a blink of an eye, he vanished from her sight which is not new for her. At the exact moment, Lysander arrived to fetch her and go to the Diamond Palace.

--

Alexandra arrived at the courtyard while Lysander held her hand. She said that she wanted to walk for today and Lysander agreed to her request. Alexandra's eyebrows were knitted when she saw her father with another person, she thought it was a visitor but when she saw the sparkly silver hair and small figure, she realized who it was. Lysander let go of her hand and Alexandra ran towards them with a smile on her face. "Brother! Papa!" She called out to them and she grabbed their attention.

"Alexandra," Her father called out to her name while her brother showed a gentle smile at her. Alexandra threw herself to her father's arms and he easily caught her. "Good afternoon!" She said while smiling widely at him. He groaned but he wasn't annoyed or irritated, "You're really energetic," He said and placed her on the seat beside him since Christian occupied the seat in front of them. "Good afternoon to you too, brother!" Alexandra said and smiled at him also.

"Good afternoon," He responded. The food was already at the table and they must have been waiting for her to come because the food didn't decrease nor the utensils and plates were dirty. "Let's eat," Alexander said and Alexandra took the fork and started to attack or stab the cake in front of her with a joyful smile on her face. She took a bite from the cake as she roamed her eyes around. The whole courtyard was blanketed with white snow and the atmosphere of the place was cold but they were surrounded by heating magic or a spell that heats an area or place, but it's not that hot, it's just keeping them warm against the cold. "Have you read the book that I told you or that book wasn't in your palace's library. I can lend you the book if you don't have one," Christian said while he smiled at Alexandra.

Alexandra shook her head and she smiled as she responded: "We have the book and it's really interesting," Christian started to recommend her good books and Alexandra would read what he suggested and she will end up loving it or finding its contents interesting. "There are also good books like that," He answered.

"Is that so? Will you recommend me one?"

Alexander just stared at the two who were chatting with each other while he drinks his afternoon tea, they were getting along well. Their smiles are bright like the morning sun, their faces beamed with joy and their gazes were warm. Their voice was gentle just like the spring breeze, Alexandra's voice was smooth like silk, that's what their father's perspective is. They were too bright and warm against the winter. Alexandra told him that she met and talked with her older brother, Christian and they also get along well.

"Blue Skies and A Girl Under that Tree are good books although they are commonly read by teenagers. Moonlight Charm is a book made by the famous author Frederick Lowell. Frederick Lowell's books are really interesting," He said and the gentle cold breeze blew at them. His bangs slightly swayed as well as Alexandra and her father's.

Unconsciously, the corner of her father's lips went up as he stared at the two with a warm gaze. Although the two kids didn't notice it they felt the atmosphere that surrounded them became light and warm not like before.

"We don't have that kind of books in our library, I think…" Alexandra responded while she was deep in thought trying to remember if she had seen books with those titles but as far as she knows, there were none. "Too bad, we have those books here in the library, most of the books that I recommend you are found in this library," He said showing a disappointed look on his face and Alexandra just smiled at him was about to open her mouth to speak when Alexander joined in their conversation. "You can come to the palace any time you want but you need a person who will guide you or be with you," He said. Alexandra was happy when she heard his first sentence.

"Why?" She asked.

"Because of some things," What he meant about of those things was being discovered by someone and they will end up asking who she is or might harm her. Alexandra was known by only a few trusted people and if she saw her wandering around the palace, something bad might happen and maybe she'll encounter someone who he doesn't want her to encounter. Alexandra just didn't ask him and remained silent.

"Lysander, bring Carlos. Tell him I want to see him," Alexander said with a blank expression. Alexandra wondered who Carlos is. Lysander disappeared from their sight in just a blink of an eye and he came back a few minutes later with a man with the same uniform and crest as his. He was slightly smaller than Lysander and his eyes were the color of gold and it somewhat glowed, his hair color was black. This person must be Carlos, Alexandra thought to herself and stared at him. His gaze met hers, he wore a smile on his face, and he looked very bright and cheerful.

"May the Queenilia's sun shine down upon you," He said and he bowed in front of them before he lifted his head after a few seconds. They met eyes once again but Alexandra didn't avert her gaze and just stared back at him. "May I know the reason why you called me, your highness?" He politely asked, a smile still plastered on his face as he spoke. Alexander cleared his throat before he spoke, "You are one of the knights that I trust and I know that you know the identity of this girl beside me," He said and looked at Alexandra while he spoke out his last sentence.

The knight nodded. Carlos Ivanlyer is one of the knights the emperor trust. He was with him for many years already and he was there when Alexandra was born that's why he knows her. "Starting from now, you will be Alexandra's personal knight," He said casually like it was nothing but for Alexandra, it was a big deal. She wasn't a princess, royalty, or something, she was just a daughter of the emperor and was born in an all-male bloodline but she got a personal knight. How? Is he worried about me? Alexandra thought to herself and looked at her father.

"It's for safety and at the same time, to observe her," He added. The knight nodded as a response and bowed, his bow directed to her and Alexandra just smiled at him, still processing what happened. This is way too fast than what I have expected, she thought to herself.

"I, Carlos Ivanlyer, swear to carry out my duties as a personal knight that you have given me, your highness," He said while he bowed, his right hand in front of his chest and the other hand behind him. He looked graceful and elegant as he did so. This is what knights usually after they are given a task, a mission, or something by the emperor himself. Alexander looked at the girl beside him waiting for her response.

"Then, I will be in your care, Carlos Ivanlyer,"

--

Alexander and Lysander were left alone after the three left. Christian will go back to the library while Alexandra along with her newly appointed knight needs to go back to the palace because her tutor will arrive any time soon. Alexander still hasn't stood up from his seat and just continued to sip from his cup of tea. Silence surrounded the two of them.

"You are treating her as your daughter already," Lysander said breaking the silence and Alexander placed the cup down. "What do you mean by that?" He said and looked at his direction, an eyebrow raised. Lysander sighed and ruffled his hair, "You are doing unusual things. You appointed a personal knight which she won't need and you are sacrificing your time to have tea with her instead of doing some paper works," It's not like it's bad anyway, Lysander just needs to confirm something and he started to see the emperor slowly changing ever since she arrived.

"That is for safety and for observation," He replied denying everything.

"There's another reason to that,"

"No, there isn't," He insisted, he was starting to get annoyed now. Lysander showed a gentle smile, "You'll see," He said and kept his mouth shut after that. Alexander knitted his eyebrows, "I am doing what she is asking me to do,"

Lysander just hummed as a response. Alexander was doing it for someone else's request not because of what Lysander said or anything, unless, he is slowly and slowly starting to acknowledge and love her as his daughter, disregarding the curse or bad luck she might bring because of how she's born in an all-male bloodline.

To think that he sent one of the most powerful knights, Lysander thought in his mind. I hope you'll realize it sooner or later, your feelings.