Chapter 118 - Of Introductions and Excitement (1)

Upon arriving at her father's palace, she became more nervous than ever. Her heart was beating fast and loud because of it, it feels like Carlos can hear the sound of her heartbeat. She took in a deep breath and slowly let it out in hope that it will calm her down and it eventually did although her heart was still beating fast. Her hands were cold and she gulped, standing in front of the main door or the front door of the palace, there was a guard on each side of the door who was staring at her. They were wondering who she is and why is Carlos with her. She had some slight resemblance to the late empress and the current emperor of this land.

Carlos looked at them and smiled as he nodded as a greeting. "Good morning, Sir Carlos. May I ask who that little girl is?" One of the guards asked and Alexandra stiffened from her position as she gulped. What should we answer? Do we tell them about who I am already even though my father still hasn't formally introduced me to them? Alexandra thought to herself. But Carlos just smiled at them and responded, "You'll know it later," That ignited their flames of curiosity more. Eventually, the guards opened the door for them even though they hesitated at first.

Alexandra heaved a sigh of relief as they walked towards the door to enter the palace. That was the first time they used the main door and the main path from Wistalia Palace to Diamond Palace, Alexandra didn't even know there was a main path for that. The path and door they would always use and enter are hidden, there is nobody guarding around the palace so that nobody can see her enter the palace. Alexandra's mind was blank as she walked along with Carlos, she doesn't know what to think of and her thoughts disappeared like ashes in the wind.

The atmosphere and her aura seems tense and filled with pressure even though she wasn't thinking of anything. However, her habit was there. She was fidgeting and fiddling with her fingers as she walked, her habit when she is nervous. "Are you nervous, young miss?" Carlos asked when he noticed her silence and her aura. It wasn't as dangerous as before like when she was deep in thought while they were walking together and she has this ominous and scary aura that surrounded her. Alexandra slowed down her pace as she tilted her head to look back at Carlos for a moment before she looked straight ahead and nodded her head.

A faint yet filled with worry smile crept up his lips. Right, who wouldn't be? I bet she's more nervous than me or Diana, he thought to himself. This is the first time that she will be introduced as the emperor's daughter, she was kept in the dark for 7 years and the first she met her father was just a month ago or more. And within that month, she was able to get along with her brothers especially with Christian although she was still not that close with Prince Chandler and Prince Calixander, his thoughts increased as they walked.

They were first heading towards the emperor's office so they can walk together. Aside from that, Christian must also be with him because he told her that he will be there when she will be introduced to everyone. That made Alexandra less nervous than before and she let out a sigh of relief.

Upon arriving in front of the door with a golden knob which was clearly her father's office since there was also a sign which tells them. Harrison knocked three times on the door before he spoke, "Your highness, the young miss has arrived," Was what he said before they heard a voice coming from the inside which said: "Enter."

So they did. Carlos held the knob of the door and twisted it as he gently swung the door open for Alexandra to enter first. It slowly revealed the insides of the room and who was inside it. Christian was inside the office, sitting on one of the couches. He was looking at her direction with a gentle and bright look displayed across his face. When their eyes, he smiled at her and Alexandra returned it before she walked inside the room. Behind the desk was her father with Lysander standing beside him, there was no expression plastered on their faces. Typical.

Alexandra smiled at him before she spoke, "Good morning, father and Lysander," She said. "Good morning, young miss," Lysander said. Even he started calling her young miss, which was probably what her father asked him to do. Since she was already recognized or declared as his daughter by him. As Alexander stood up from his seat, Christian also stood up and walked towards Alexandra's direction, a smile across his lips. They walked towards her direction and Alexandra remained still, Lysander followed behind the emperor. He was quiet just like usual.

--

They are probably waiting there for us to arrive, I wonder how they will react, she thought to herself. The guards from earlier probably saw some slight resemblance from me to my father and probably my mother too. The color of my eyes and hair is one of the traits of my bloodline too. Well, as far as I remember, there was also one doctor or something who healed her when she first met Christian. That was the day where I first met my father.

Christian went closer to her before he spoke to her in a whisper, "There are guards, maids, palace wizards including the healers, and some people like chefs. There are less than more than 30 but less than 40 of them," Christian said and Alexandra's eyes widened. "But father said there are only 25?" She said. "Father probably didn't include the chef or they aren't going to be there when you will be introduced. I don't know, I just counted them yesterday," Ba-thump. That made Alexandra more nervous and she let out a shaky sigh.

Christian noticing this spoke, "Well, you don't have to be nervous, you know? Just remember that I will be there, okay?" Christian said. His voice sounded gentle and sweet as he spoke. Alexandra felt like she was talking with an angel or something. His voice was as gentle as Diana's as well as his smile too. Alexandra smiled and she nodded her head in response as she hummed. Christian's smile widened, "Good." Then silence surrounded them once again.

The sound of their footsteps was the only thing heard and piercing through the silence which surrounded them. After a few minutes of walking, they finally arrived in front of the room. They decided to do it in the living room of the palace instead of the throne room, there was more pressure in the atmosphere and it would probably make Alexandra more nervous if they did. The atmosphere in the living room is light and bubbly, it is perfect. It was like those typical atmospheres where the parents introduce their kid to the neighbor's kid and they get along well or one of those where you will make friends with someone.

Alexandra gulped and the smile across her lips faded away. There was a gentle look on her face and she stared at the door. Carlos stood beside her and Lysander was the one who will open the door for them, beside him was their father. A cold look plastered on his face like always.

"Ready?"

This is it.