Little Astrid was walking down the streets of Verdentia with her father, the king. Her birthday was upcoming, so Alaric took his daughter to the Shopping Centre—granting her the permission to buy whatever she desired.
Spoiling her. At some point, they took a break from all that strolling. The guards carried all of Astrid's shopping bags—filled with plushies, dresses, makeup, jewelry, and accessories, who knew an eight year old princess could be this spoiled.
"Princess? Is your 'little' shopping spree coming to an end?" Alaric asked, thoughtfully.
Astrid shook her head in response, "Nope, not until I find what I want here!" she said between bites of her gooseberry pie.
"What are you exactly looking for, princess?"
"Secret!" Astrid grinned.
"Ah- haha… Is that so? I hope you'll find what you're looking for then." Alaric stammered between laughs.
"Is my daughter going to bankrupt me?" he thought worriedly with a straight face.
After that little snack break, they continue strolling around the Shopping Centre, repeatedly.
Alaric was now holding a stack of shopping bags in his arms—since his guards were already holding a lot of stuff in their arms as well.
Sweat dripped down Alaric's forehead down to his nose, "P-princess, have you finally found what you've been looking for?" he panted—clearly exhausted.
Astrid stood silent for quite a while.
"Astrid—"
The young enthusiastic girl randomly bolted away, perhaps something caught her eye(?)
"How did she-..."
"Your majesty, would you like me to chase after her?"
Alaric sighed, "No need, let's just head to where she's going."
Astrid came across a pale, beaten up boy, who had ugly bruises surrounding his whole body, dried up gashes, his clothes were worn out—stained with his own blood. He had dark tousled hair, and crimson red eyes that barely had any life in them.
"Daddy!!! I want to get this one!" Astrid gestured eagerly.
The young boy winced at Astrid's voice, taking a few steps back before Astrid grabbed his hand firmly.
His breath hitches, shaking his head, "W-wait no what are you—"
"I'm taking you with me and you don't have a choice!" Astrid grinned, her grip tightening on his hand, she noticed his discomfort and released his hand—reluctantly.
The king managed to catch up, his breathing ragged—taking a few deep breaths and composed himself.
"Daddy! Did you hear me? I said I wanted this one!" Astrid whined.
"Wait what?" Alaric's eyes darted to the battered boy before back at Astrid, "Princess, I really don't think that would be possible—"
Astrid stomped her foot, "But you said I get to buy whatever I want!"
"Well–... This is a different case, this young boy isn't a prop or toy to play with, Astrid."
"I didn't say he was something like that! I want him to be my friend, so let's buy him!"
Alaric sighed in frustration—knowing he wouldn't be able to win an argument against his daughter, scratching the back of his head, "That depends on the boy's response, love." Alaric walked towards the battered young boy kneeling down to his level and extended his hand, "Young lad, are your parents around?"
The boy looked up with teary, anguished eyes, shaking his head almost immediately, "P-please don't hurt me, I don't want to be a ball."
Alaric's expression softened, "We won't hurt you, don't worry. Would you like to come with us?" A ball? Huh. How specific.
The boy glanced at Astrid who was staring at him with the best puppy eyes she could give.
"..."
"Promise me, you won't hurt me?" the boy croaked.
Alaric held his pinky finger out, "Promise"
The boy hesitated, before entwining his pinky finger with the king's.
Astrid jumped mid-air and clasped her hands with the boy, "Yay!!! Let's be best friends forever! But first, what's your name?"
The boy flinched at Astrid's enthusiamasm, shifting his gaze towards a wall through squinted eyes, "M-my name?..." She reminds me of her…
"Yes! You're name, tell me"
"I- It's Caleb, just Caleb."
"Really?!?! Well, my name is Astrid! Astrid Windsor. My father is the King of Verdentia!"
"Ah- you're a princess?!" Caleb pulled away from Astrid, bowing down—despite his current condition.
"C'mon! I don't care about such formalities."
"But–"
"Let's get along from now on!" Astrid ignored Caleb's protests and interrupted him.
She turned to face her father, her hands placed on her hips, "Daddy! Let's head back home now, I've got what I wanted from here!"
"Well, I'm glad that you're happy, princess–"
"C'mon Caleb, let's head to my carriage!" Astrid took Caleb's hand and dragged him with her.
"Your majesty, about the shopping bags."
Alaric snapped, shifting his gaze upon the piles of bags, "Ah- yes don't forget to bring them."
The king had to call up for a few more carriages to bring all of the shopping bags—of course Astrid wouldn't forget about those, she's highly intelligent despite her age.
"Caleb sit next to me!" Astrid patted the empty spot right next to her.
Caleb was startled by this offer—he has never sat next to a princess nor a
girl so far in his entire life. Well he has, but he doesn't want to remember that distant memory
He shook his head, waving his hand "I wouldn't want to dirty the princess's clothes with my current condition."
"Eh? I don't care! I could just take a bath when I get home, I'm not like other princesses. Just sit down. It's a once in a lifetime experience if someone could sit next to me in a carriage." Astrid grinned.
"I- okay if you say so." Caleb hesitantly sat right next to Astrid, keeping his legs huddled and giving the spoiled princess some space by trying to shrink himself in his seat.
Astrid noticed the slight distance between her and Caleb, scooting next to him to the point he was on the edge of his seat, brushing her knee against his, "Idiot. Have you ever sat next to a girl before? I mean I could tell by the way you're acting indifferent towards me." she pulled Caleb back, keeping him close.
"Princess—" Caleb protested.
"Shut up… I like to sleep every time I ride back home." Astrid rested her head on Caleb's shoulder, her eyes closed. He stood still; as if he were an actual statue. A sudden sense of warmth and comfort twisted in his chest
as he was drawn to this abrupt situation he's in. He felt the carriage starting to make its move, his body tensed up—shifting his position slightly to make himself and the princess more comfortable.
"Perhaps…My attempt failed once again, hmph…" Caleb mumbled silently, rummaging through his pocket—pulling out what it seemed like…
A small pencil sharpener(?)
He shoved it back inside and sighed, leaning his head against Astrid's.
"Perhaps, this will be a fresh new start, right?." he muttered to himself.