CHAPTER 2: PRINCE DAMIEN QUINN OF SAPPHIRE EMPIRE

"P- pardon me?" How does he know though?

"I have heard rumors that you have been chasing him. That's good, I want him to marry you" I was screaming inside my head. Rumors my face! Are you really gossipy?

How to back out of candidacy? Because I was a volunteer in the first seat, that's what I've always regretted!

“Um… My King? I have something to say…?” I nervously said. I can feel my palms are sweating hard.

"Oh Astraea, no need for formalities" He replied with a laugh. "You were so bubbly back then, why are you asking now? Did something happen? I'm sorry, I'm not very updated on what's going on inside the Empire."

"A-ah? T-there's nothing more fun- this is good- this is again. *Ehem* I mean there isn't much going on inside the empire.” What's up Vin? I was hit on the forehead.

"I heard you almost drowned. Was it true?” I stopped thinking of what to say. "Or was-

"Y-yes your majesty, it was my mistake. I will never do it again.” What the King hated the most is chasing for someone or paying attention to someone that might end up injuring himself. He also hates lies, so if I lie today. Im doomed.

I bowed as he stared at me intently. Shit.

"Why are you sorry?"

"Because it was my fault your majesty. I have caused trouble to some people inside the palace.” I said with a calm voice. I need to be calm, back in the past I always lost my temper.

"But you were the one who was hurt, child. Why are you sorry?” I closed my eyes when the King said, its been so long. I always wanted to hear those kind voices from the King again. He was like my father. "I have promised my dear old friend that I will take care of their only princess."

I inhaled slowly, my parents died from an accident. They were heading home that time, but it was raining hard. They went on a shortcut but they too a dangerous one, many trees are old. Some fell due to the force of the wind and died there.

I was young at that time, so the King took care of me. Then I met his son, Damien Quinn Lament. The future King of the Empire. I don't really plan to be Queen because of the promise and because I want something from her. I tried to be one.

"There is nothing to worry about me, your majesty. I am fine now, you must take care of your health as well” I said, I wanna avoid that kind of conversation about my parents and past.

"Oh, I am fine dear child. Do you remember the promise you made with my son?” Aaaah here we go again. How to avoid this too.

"A...ahh I don't remember any promises, your Majesty." I LIED, I'm so dead when he knows if I didn't. I need a reason! "I might have hit my head somewhere when I drowned" I hope to at least convince sha sizst because he is really dead.

"Oh, is that so?" he nodded and adjusted his seat. "I heard the news from him."

I immediately looked at him. What?

"Yes?"

"I heard the rumors from Damien, the rumors that you drowned I mean. He was worried.” He gave me happy news as if he would excite me or make me happy.

"A-aaah I don't know" I said with my head in my hands, worried my ass! He didn't even visit me. "W-what, I have something to say." I said trembling. I don't want to disappoint him.

"Anything, child" He said.

"I want to back out of the competition."

"I want to back out of the competition." I said with my head down. I don't want to see his disappointed face. I heard a loud sigh.

"Hmmm... Sure" I immediately looked at him. "If you will tell me your reason, then I will consider your request."

He stood up and went to one of the sofas near the throne, the king has some comfortable room. This is probably his work room since there are many books and papers.

"Sit down." I immediately followed. I was still standing. "Now tell me child. What is your reason?” I took a deep breath and explained to him.

"I want to study well your majesty. I am not fit to be the Queen of the Empire, I want to study archery and I want to be a knight instead.”

I didn't really plan to study politics before, I was blinded by love and decided to take what I am not good at. I took politics but deep inside I really want to be a knight. I know how to do archery and swordsmanship, Papa taught me before he disappeared. He would always train me to be one since I don't have a brother.

I was a little rebel back then, I didn't wear fancy dresses and wear fancy shoes. I always go out and play with swords. But when papa had an accident, the King took care of me and dressed me up to be a princess. It's not that I don't want to but I really wanted to hold a sword again.

"Instead of taking politics, I wanted to be a knight." I don't want to be the Queen if it will end my life anyway.

"But do you want to marry my son?"

'If only he would marry and love me too' That's what I would answer in my mind...

"I do not wish to marry the prince. I wish to be a knight who protects the prince.” I said confidently.

*Door opens*

"Father I have something to-"

My eyes widened and my mouth was covered. SHIT ITS DAMIEN!

I immediately stood up and bowed to him. Aaah crap, did he hear what I said?

"Greetings to the Ki- I mean Prince of the Sapphire Empire." I nervously said while bowing at him. I got used to what I used to call him King.

"Astraea? What are you doing here?" he asked with a rough voice.

"I invited her here, son. No need to be mad at her. Astraea you may sit down.” I immediately followed. I swallowed hard looking at the dear King. "What is it that you want to talk about?" he asked his son.

I just quietly bowed to my seat.

"Oh, I thought she's here again because of-nevermind." It continued to speak. "Am I really gonna take all of these classes? Politics has many problems. And I don't want to study magic at all."

The dear King felt a sense.

"Son, you can't just focus on politics to be the King. You must learn to defend yourself.”

"I already studied swordsmanship and combat, I can protect myself perfectly." It used to be boastful.

Wait he didn't study magic? Is that why he has a wizard and a knight from before? They seem close friends from the past too. But I don't think they met yet, where did they meet?

"Well, as long as you can protect yourself. You're good." The King said waving his hand. "Is that all? Astraea and I were just discussing something about the 'Queen candidate'."

I coughed weakly as if I had vomited. Jusko, maybe he will tell everything I said?! The dear king is still very chatty.

"Queen Candidate again? Did she beg you to let her win?” He said coldly. I bowed even more.

Wow harsh, why did I just notice it now? It turns out that I lost from the beginning, maybe he always hated and despised me from the very beginning.

"Son, don't go hard on her. You should be glad she didn't ask any of it” Thank you dear father! It's good that his father is good-natured while he is very rude. Why did I like him again?

"Really... That's new. What did she request this time?” I saw the King laugh and smile. He's happy huh.

"She backed out of the competition."

"What?"

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