Chapter 178 - Vivid (1)

I had a dream. A dream that was so vivid that it felt like it was true.

"This child must be protected at all cost," She felt a person suddenly hug her. Their voice sounded firm and strong as if her decision or mind wouldn't change. She held her tightly yet gently as if she was a porcelain doll meant to be protected. Her vision was being covered as she was hugged tightly so she can't see what was happening right now.

She was inside someone's body in a dream and she can't just move freely or control what was happening. Alexandra was confused yet she just let it be. It was just a dream, it's not like it is reality. She can't pinch herself just to know if she was dreaming or not because she can't control the body that she was in right now.

"What do you mean protected?! That child is causing you harm, she is that wicked woman's child. She deserves to be thrown away! Orphanage exists just for useless and cursed kids like her!" Somehow, Alexandra felt an aching pain in her heart as if what the person in front of them said pierced her heart with her words that seem like a sword. I don't know why but what's happening right now feels familiar to me as if I already experienced it, is it a memory from my past life? She asked herself. To think that she is able to control her own thoughts and what she thinks in this dream, this doesn't feel like a dream.

"Auntie! The child is in front of you! No matter what they say, this girl is still a child! She is still way too young and what do you mean that orphanages exist just for useless and cursed kids like her? You don't know what you are saying!"

"Yes, I do and what I said is true! That child is a cursed child, ever since she was born, so many bad things have happened to our family. Even her mother couldn't escape her curse and she died early! Throw her away, she deserves it!"

"What do you mean she deserves it?! This child is still way too young! She doesn't deserve to be thrown away, she deserved to be loved and taken care of!" She felt her ears being covered by two warm and gentle hands, she wasn't hugging her anymore but it feels like she still was. Those words hurt, you know, Alexandra wanted to open her mouth and butt in but no matter how hard she tried, it just wouldn't. This scene seems really familiar to me, is it from one of the books that I read or the movies or shows that I watched?

"She deserves to be hated! This world is a cruel place, she deserves to know that and face it already!"

"I know that but auntie, do you know how old this child is?! She is just 10, for Pete's sake!"

They continued to bicker and fight, forgetting the child in between them yet the woman was still covering her ears however, Alexandra could still hear what they were saying. Their voices were way too loud and it pierced her ears, there was an aching pain in her heart as she listened to what the other woman said, the one who is being called auntie. Ah, it feels like this body's owner was having a novel-like life, how sad, she thought to herself.

"I am telling you, if you don't let go of that trash, I am cutting ties with you!"

"This child that I am holding is not trash, she is a person, a human, a child! How many times do I have to tell you that?! Have your ears gone bad because of your old age or what?!" Despite the woman's, the one who was holding her, loud voice and shouts, her voice still sounded gentle and soothing to the ears unlike the one in front of them, her voice was a pain to the ears. As if nails scratching a chalkboard.

"Watch your mouth, Marionette! I am still your auntie!"

"Whatever you say, auntie! Don't call me by my second name! This child is no trash, she is a human and her name is—"

"—Alexandra." She heard a voice call out to her and someone shaking her should as if that person was telling her to wake up.

Alexandra fluttered her eyes open and she blinked multiple times. What in the world is that dream? She thought to herself, she could only remember a few parts of it and not the whole dream. They say that people tend to forget most of their dreams so it's no wonder why she always forgets hers as soon as she wakes up but why does it feel like she just lost something when she forgets it. She sat up from her seat and it feels like something was piercing the very skull of her head, passing through her brain.

Her head ached in pain and she furrowed her eyebrows, squeezing her eyes shut, as she hissed in pain. Her hand placed against the side of her head as she tried to ease the pain that she was feeling. It feels like she banged her head against the wall multiple times. This doesn't feel like a headache, she thought to herself as she hissed.

"Young miss, a-are you okay? Does your head hurt? Should I call a healer or a doctor?" She heard Diana's worried voice and it rang inside her ears. "Just a moment, I'm fine. This is nothing, did you prepare the bath already?" Alexandra said and stopped her in case if she was going to call the healers. The pain was gradually fading and she couldn't help but be relieved as it did. She blinked multiple times once again as she looked around her room.

"Yes, I already did. Are you fine now?"

"Yes, thank you for the concern."

Alexandra said as she got down her bed slowly. Her toes touching the cold floor before she slid her feet inside her indoor slippers and she glided her way across the room, heading towards the bathroom door, she let out a yawn which she didn't cover with her mouth as she scratched her head, ruffling her hair in the process. What a way to start the morning, she thought to herself as she entered the bathroom while Diana entered next.

18 peaceful days passed by and it was still the same as usual. Since she was just doing the same thing almost every day, she didn't think that 18 days already passed by. Time flies way too fast, she thought to herself. As usual, she would send letters to her brother and each letter, the paragraphs would increase as they experienced more things, well, that is just for Christian as Alexandra was just doing the same thing every day. Thankfully, she didn't get bored and became crazy because of it.

Well, her brothers are going to return in a few weeks and she was excited. She badly wants to see them, she was slowly rotting in this huge palace and go out. Harrison's visits were less frequent now, she wants him to take her out during the night when its full moon just to go to the lake. Well, the lake looks much more fascinating and beautiful when its winter, Alexandra wanted to see that scenery once again. This feels like she was experiencing those days or years when she still hasn't met her brothers and Harrison, it was boring.

I want to do something fun and thrilling, it would be nice if I had a female friend. Are there any female disciples that are under some elders? The maids are way too old for me and I couldn't do some things with them, she thought to herself. It's rare to have a female disciple as they need to have a large amount of mana and have great control of their magic, they also have to learn the basics and advanced spells. They should also be strong physically and mentally. That is quite impossible for most of the girls that live in this world. How boring is it to live a life of a royalty that is hidden away from everyone, I can't even go out and go to the cafes Brother Calixander told me.

Harrison rarely takes me out and my father has been busy with his work lately, my brothers aren't here with me, Prince Julian doesn't visit except when it is his vacation, Carlos, Arthur, and Diana are the only ones who are with me, I am a lonely child, she thought to herself and cried inside her mind. It feels like she is a child who doesn't get the attention of her parents and is always neglected when she isn't, was she always this spoiled? Did her father and brothers spoil her too much? Was Harrison spoiling her too much with gifts and such? Is it bad?

"Diana, am I acting like a spoiled child?" Alexandra suddenly asked Diana who was combing her hair after she took a bath and wore the dress that she would wear for the whole day unless when it gets dirty or something. Diana stopped from combing her hair, "Why do you ask, young miss?" Diana asked and she continued her task once again. Alexandra's question caught her off-guarded and made her wonder why she asked that.

"Well, you know, it feels like I'm being neglected by my father and he is always busy. He doesn't give me that much attention as he did before," Alexandra said and she pouted. She was acting more like a child now, all the time, she always has a sophisticated attitude as if she is a mature lady who knows everything and rarely tells what is bothering her. Well, she becomes violent and talkative when she is with Harrison, a person who she barely knows even after years.

Diana let out a soft and amused giggle as she heard what the young miss just said, "Your father is busy with so many things especially that the Eldest Prince is going to turn 18 soon, and they will have to hold a grand celebration for him. Aside from that, they also have encountered some problems against another empire. You should ask your father about that, I can't tell you that much since I barely know anything," Diana said and she made braided Alexandra's hair, one on each side. She was planning to do a sheep horns hairstyle.

"Was I being spoiled by my father and brothers too much?"

"Not really, it's just their way of showing that they love you and such. Besides, you deserve it. After being neglected and hated by them for years, I could still remember what Carlos told me before when his majesty, Prince Calixander, called you a rat. Ah, if only he wasn't a prince."

"What were you planning to do if he wasn't?"

"That's a secret I couldn't tell, young miss."

Alexandra just hummed and let Diana style her hair, they were just silent the whole time and Diana's hands worked wonders in her hair and before she knew it, she was already finished. "It's done, young miss," Diana said and smiled as she took a step back. Oh, it suits me, Alexandra thought to herself as she admired the hairstyle her hair was wearing. Sheep horns? This is the first time that she made this style, she would always tie my hair into many kinds of buns and ponytails, sometimes she would just braid it. Alexandra's hairstyle would always depend on Diana's mood and if it would suit her.

"Are you feeling happy today?" Alexandra asked Diana as she got down her seat, walking away from the mirror as she made her way towards the door. Diana hummed before she responded with a smile on her face, "It just feels like something good is going to happen today, young miss," Diana said. Her guts and instincts were telling her that today is a good day that is why she was feeling productive.

"Something good is going to happen? To whom?"

"I don't know, it just felt like it."

"I see."

"Well, we have to hurry now. His highness, the emperor, is waiting for you in the dining room for your breakfast."