The golden carriage glided smoothly, carrying King Eric and Princess Eliana. The quiet night surrounded them, punctuated only by the carriage's soft creaks and the sound of galloping horses surrounding the carriage.
King Eric gazed out the carriage window, his expression contemplative. "I still don't understand why you have to run away."
Essia's small fingers intertwined, her voice measured, "I didn't run away, i was taken"
Moonlight filtering through leafy branches cast eerie shadows on King Eric's features, concealing his emotions as he faced Essia.
"Do you know how worried the Queen was even when Prince Cedric locked himself to his room?" He said in a monotonous voice, not angry nor sad.
Princess Essia's gaze drifted out the window, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry"
"That's not what i was wanting to hear at all"
Eventually the moonlight shone towards King Eric's face revealing his frown, "We are so worried about you"
"Do you know how many thoughts ran to my head while looking for you"
"I'm sorry" Princess Essia said, her face starting to tear up once more, "I didn't mean to worry you" She said between hiccups.
King Eric placed a hand on Essia's head before he turned his gaze outside the carriage window, "Your my daughter. Always my daughter no matter what"
At his words Essia's whole body trembled and her eyes casted by the silhouettes of the trees glowed a beautiful golden hue against the darkness.
"I was so scared..Father" Essia said, "I promise i won't go on my own anymore even when i'm angry"
"What matters is your safety." King Eric ruffled Essia's hair, "To be able to save yourself despite only being a kid such as yourself. I want you to know that i'm proud of you"
"One day, i bet you be one of the strongest mage of this era your name etched in history"
"I promise to be the strongest mage. When i walk to the streets i want them to say 'that's her the time mage' "
"Then I look forward to it" King Eric said, still wearing his impassive expression.
"When we got home you needed to talk to Cedric, the two of you are siblings. Siblings should always had each others back"
Essia nodded with a smile.
When they arrived at the Crystal palace, Queen Annie stood by its open doors with Prince Cedric beside her.
"Essia" Cedric ran towards Essia, Essia smiled with delight only for Cedric to shook Essia, "You idiot, Why did you wander off on your own"
"Who are you calling an idiot?" Essia said head butting Cedric before running away, Cedric chased after her and the two shared a playful chase and banters while Annie and Cedric glanced at them.
"They quarrel all the time" The Queen with Azure hair and sapphire eyes said with a loving voice.
Her King. Eric with Navy blue hair and emerald green eyes snort in return.
"Princess Mayumi, aren't you supposed to be asleep?" Queen Annie turned towards Mayumi, The Crown Princess of Sitan with Reddish brown hair and Silver eyes peering by the corner.
"I-I saw the lights and stumbled here" Mayumi, who is a year younger than Prince Cedric and Princess Essia explained.
"How about you come along then" Annie ushered Mayumi forward and the silvered eye princess took a few hesitant steps forward before Annie took her hand.
"That's enough. It's night time already, let's settle the matters for tomorrow" Queen Annie said to the two.
The next morning Queen Annie took the children to the gardens with their eternal crystal flowers in full bloom.
"The tea is smooth to taste as expected of you, Talia" Queen Annie praised madame Talia who responded with a slight nod.
Beside them on the kids table, filled with sweets and small chairs the Prince Cedric and Princess Mayumi paint their tea cups while Princess Essia reads a book beside them.
A year passed by yet the crystal gardens remained everblooming, Talia and The Queen remained fixed to their seats.
Today EnimsaJ and Starberry Tea was served. Its fragrance and sweetness makes the four children at the kid's table happy while they sip tea.
Their new addition was a green haired girl with diamond eyes, sipping the tea with red cheeks and sparkly eyes.
"It tastes so nice." Tala said with an awe filled voice.
Essia chuckles at the sight, "you should try the Starberry too" Essia poured the teapot with Starberry into Tala's empty cup.
Tala took a sip and was planning to say something when Cedric cut her off.
"Oh woah~" Prince Cedric said with a mocking voice, "Look my name is Tala and oh what was that~ What was this. It tastes heavenly" He continued.
"Hey!" Essia snapped at Cedric who only gave a smirk. With that smirk Essia was pissed and she pounced on Cedric and two proceeded to fight, Tala seemingly uncaring of Cedric's mimicry only took a sip of her tea once more.
"This tastes heavenly" Tala commented as she took chugged down on the tea, "seconds please"
While the two siblings rolled around to the floor, a trembling hand reached for the teapot pouring Tala another cup of tea.
"I like this tea as well." As Mayumi poured, the siblings tumbled by, laughing. "Tea party amidst battleground," Tala chuckled.
Watching the chaos unfold Queen Annie and Madame Talia smiled.
However Talia's face soon faded, replaced by sadness and worry, "Your majesty, Is this really alright?"
Queen Annie put down her cup of tea, "Let's at least let them act as children while they can. Their future is bleak and their burdens heavy"
"It will be better to let them at least remember their golden days, where their positions and responsibilities are least. May this memory give them even a bit of comfort till the day they die" She added.
"That's a bit dramatic isn't it?" Talia said before sipping her tea.
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