Chapter 206 - Something spectacular and unexpected (1)

The breeze was gentle and soothing as it blew against them, caressing their skin softly as if it was tickling them. The sounds of the leaves and grass were heard and the sun wasn't shining brightly as the clouds were covering it, thus making the weather cool and perfect.

"This cake is delicious, which shop or bakery did you buy this, princess?"

Maribelle said with her eyes sparkling as she took a bite from the cake that she was eating. Maribelle and Alexandra were both in the garden having a tea party but her father wasn't there nor was her brothers. It was a tea party with only the two of them and with their knights or guards standing not far away from them, guarding the place in case something happens though it looks like nothing would.

She was free the whole afternoon because of Maribelle, she doesn't have any sessions with Vivienne today as she has an important banquet to attend. Her presence there is needed and Alexandra didn't complain though because she would get a day off and would spend it with Maribelle.

"We didn't buy that cake, our pastry chef made that."

"Eh, really? Your pastry chef must be that talented and amazing."

Alexandra just giggled in response before she continued eating while Maribelle would do the talking, telling her many stories about when she was a child and how she became interested in studying plants. She wants to become an herbalist and have her pharmacy but that would be impossible since she was a duke's daughter. Aside from that, she was also attending the academy. Not the one that is for girls who aren't powerful when it comes to magic and such. The academy that her brothers and Harrison are attending which is quite incredible.

"What about you, princess?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you studying and reading books about plants and flowers? You also know the poisonous ones and what its effects are."

"Oh, that. Before my existence became known or announced to everyone outside the palace, I was always inside the palace, and books would always surround me. I also have my own flower garden and palace but just staring at those doesn't satisfy me. I also know how to arrange flowers and how to make flower crowns since one of my maids taught me how to do so."

"That's incredible, young miss! To think that you have so much knowledge just by reading books, that's amazing."

"Not really, I also had a tutor before and he taught me so many things although most of it is just history and such."

This is what she really wanted to experience when she became friends with Maribelle at the banquet of her coronation a month or two ago. Yes, almost 2 months have already passed since that event and Calixander finally graduated from the academy. She even attended his brother's graduation since she pleaded to her father because she wants to go and see.

Since Chandler was also going to graduate and is about to move up to the 2nd cluster or level of the academy, she also went to his graduation which was held on a different day from Calixander's. She also saw Harrison on that day though they didn't talk as they have to immediately leave as soon as the event started. But she was able to see the two friends he was talking about, the one who kept on annoying and dragging him everywhere. She admits, his friends were quite good-looking but she isn't attracted to them. Aside from that, she also saw Elise and bumped into her while she was walking.

Why do I keep on bumping or crashing into everyone? Even before I became friends with Maribelle, I also crashed into her because I wasn't being careful. Carlos even told her to not bow her head to anyone easily as she was a princess, she must not lower her head easily.

Since it was her brothers' vacation from the academy, Calixander and Chandler would probably be together training at their usual place. Christian would be in the private library, no doubt while Gilbert would be at the treehouse reading books as his knight would be looking for him everywhere. That's why she didn't see them at all during the morning and this afternoon except for breakfast and lunch.

Everyone's so busy nowadays and even if I became a princess, nothing happened. It's just the same as usual except that Maribelle has popped up in my life and became my friend. Harrison, as usual, rarely visits her even though it was his vacation. Not even a message or letter from him which he could leave inside my room or say through telepathy.

Alexandra became lost in her own thoughts and Maribelle called out to her name, dragging her back to the reality that she was in before she was completely sucked into her thoughts. "Princess? Is there something troubling you?" Maribelle took a sip from the glass of juice that she was holding with her left hand. Alexandra just shook her head in response before she spoke, "Nothing. I was just thinking about something."'

"If there is something troubling you, I'm always here."

"Thank you."

Maribelle wasn't a sweet and innocent person. She's more like a wild and straightforward type of friend, she doesn't hesitate to tell her opinions and say everything inside her mind even if the person she is talking to is a princess but Alexandra doesn't hate it. Rather she loves that personality of hers because she would be easy to talk to and they get along even though the only thing that is common about them was that they are interested in flowers and plants.

I guess opposites really do attract each other but not in a way that they would be in that kind of relationship.

Since Maribelle was older than her for 2 years, she was acting like an older sister to her and it was quite refreshing since she didn't have any siblings in her previous life and she has brothers in her current life. Maribelle would come and visit the palace to spend time with her like having tea parties or walking around the garden though they still haven't gone out the palace together and do some shopping which she would really love to happen.

Her father just agreed and let her become close to Alexandra and would occasionally visit the palace for her as their family was one of the people her father trusts. Maribelle was the daughter of a famous duke, after all, and she looks trustworthy. That wasn't the only reason why her father agreed, it's because she was Alexandra's first female friend and she was happy when she is with her, they also get along well.

Her father already knew who Alexandra's male friend was and of course, as a father, he was slightly angry about it but then he immediately calmed down when he learned that he would always keep Alexandra company when she was all alone in her previous palace. Although he still has doubts about how he met Alexandra since she didn't tell him about it.

He didn't know that her friend at the academy was a male and it was only her brothers who knew that. Alexandra remembered telling him about it but he probably forgot since it was already long ago.

It was like Harrison instantly became famous and known to her brothers as Alexandra's playmate and friend, and they don't have any choice but to just let them be and agree to it.

"Right, would you like to take a walk around the garden, Miss Maribelle?"

"Maribelle is fine, princess. And yes, I would love to. This was a different garden from before and it looked much bigger than the previous one," Alexandra giggled before she responded.

"Yes and if you would like, we could come and visit the library afterward, there are tons of books there that are about plants and such."

Maribelle's smile widened and her expression brightened when she heard what Alexandra said before she nodded as excitement overwhelmed her. Alexandra was referring to the public library in this palace instead of the private one which only she and her family could enter. If you compare this palace's library and the ones outside it, the library here contains many more books and holds so much information. Even the books that you can't easily obtain can be found here but most of them are in the private library.

--

Alexandra and Maribelle made their way to the library, passing multiple structures and statues that are there for decoration. Their guards following behind them silently. The public library was quite far from the main palace and instead of it being inside of a building, it was one whole building. Alexandra rarely goes there as she has a library in her room and there is a private library inside the palace. She probably only went there for like 2 times and Arthur would accompany her because she doesn't know the way.

Speaking of Arthur, we don't see each other that much ever since the ball and the coronation. He probably became much busier than before thanks to Sir Friyedor. Ah, I really want to see him. I want to see that shy expression of his again whenever I tease him, Alexandra thought and she couldn't help but pout her lips just the thought of not seeing him and not having a proper conversation with him for months.

Alexandra looked around the place, feeling dejected but she tried to cheer herself up but then she spotted someone walking around while looking around with a worried look on their face as if something bad happened. She recognizes the person's face and she stopped by her tracks as she stared at him, her expression brightened and her mood lifted. It was the person that she has been thinking of and badly want to see. It seems like the gods granted her wish this time.

She called out to him, "Arthur!"

The boy jolted as he was startled by the sudden voice who called out to him. His head turned to the direction of the voice and there he saw her, waving her hand in the air as if saying hello to him with a bright expression on her face. His worried and panicked expression was immediately replaced with a gentle and happy one as he approached her, jogging.

"Why are you here, princess?"

"I am heading towards the public library with my friend."

"Friend?"

His eyes darted over the girl who was standing behind her who had a look of wonder on her small face. Arthur knows her, of course as he would see her multiple times in the banquets his family would attend and she was quite famous as she was a duke's daughter.

"A pleasant afternoon, Young Lady Maribelle."

"I never knew that you became a palace wizard."

"Yes, I am also a candidate to become an Elder and Sir Friyedor's disciple."

"That's amazing, you've come so far, Arthur."

"Not at all, I am still at the bottom."

Alexandra just watched them have a conversation with one another as she blinked multiple times in surprise. She would usually see Arthur have problems talking with other females aside from her but he was talking with Maribelle with ease. Aside from that, they look close.

"You two know each other?"

"Yes, our families are close to each other too."

It was Maribelle who responded and Alexandra's mouth shaped into an 'o' before she nodded multiple times and she looked at Arthur once again wondering why he was here.

"Were you looking for someone, Arthur? It looked like you were earlier."

"Ah, yes. I am indeed looking for someone. Sir Friyedor took someone in and had another disciple aside from me though he somehow escaped from his duties and now, I'm looking for him. He is also a palace wizard under training."

"Oh, really? What is his name? What does he look like?"

"His name is—Oh! Finally. Where did you go?"

Arthur stopped mid-sentence as it was replaced with something else when he spotted a certain figure walking towards them not far away from them. The person walked past Alexandra and stood in front of Arthur, his back facing them and Alexandra thought that his back and hair looked familiar. The person just shrugged as a response before he turned around to face Alexandra with a bored look on its face.

Alexandra's eyes widened and her breath hitched.

"Right, let me introduce to you. Sir Friyedor's new disciple and palace wizard under training, Harrison."

His crimson red eyes bore on her figure and Alexandra could see how the corner of his lips lifted into a smirk as he saw her reaction.

Eh?