Wow, I really neglect this huh? Well no longer! I don't think I'll do review responses for these Extra Stories unless I do. Confusing? Good. Let's see, what are we doing today…? Ah! Well, we're still not into the timeline of the main story but that's OK. The next few chapters will be interesting, I promise.

No Spoiler warning.


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Story 3: Estellise and Dayrellan - Part I

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It was mid-morning and Princess Estellise looked around her room for something to do. It had been two weeks since she met the Duke of Zaphias and his family and she was getting a little lonely. She smiled at the thought of her new friends and suddenly wanted to see them more. So she decided to act and went to the Emperor, ignoring the protests of the Knights patrolling.

When she reached the Emperor's Chambers, she knocked politely and waited. When there was no immediate reply, she pressed an ear against the door. She could hear the Emperor's voice and another person's. She carefully opened the door a jar and peeked in. She could see the Emperor talking with a man who was familiar to the young girl. She suddenly realised it was the Duke himself. She could just about make out what they were saying.

"…So you can see why we're a bit stuck." The Duke said.

"Indeed. You two are required to be there but that does raise a problem. Why not leave them here?" The Emperor suggested.

"Your Majesty, that is asking too much…" The Duke replied.

"Not at all! Remember, you are The Duke of Zaphias. You are welcome in this castle whenever you like! I regret that I may be unable to welcome you every time but…" The Emperor trailed off.

"N-No, your Majesty! Your kindness is more than I could ask for. I thank you most emphatically." The Duke said with a bow.

"Please, think nothing of it!" The Emperor beamed.

"Very well. Shall we let our guest in now? She has been most patient." The Duke said, looking over his shoulder. Estellise jumped and tried to hide, which caused the two men to chuckle.

"Indeed. Please come in, Estellise." The Emperor said and she did so shyly.

"Good Morning, Princess." The Duke said with a bow.

"Good Morning to you too, Duke de Lyesia." She replied with a curtsey.

"Estellise, tomorrow will be slightly special. We will have some visitors, meaning you will only have to study for part of the morning. After that, you have the rest of the day off." The Emperor said, smiling gently. Once Estellise heard this, her face lit up with a brilliant smile.

"Really?" She asked, clearly excited.

"Indeed. In fact, the more you finish today, the less you'll have tomorrow." The Emperor added.

"Okay! Thank you very much!" She said and ran back to her room. From then until dinner that evening, she worked with vigour and determination and managed to finish that day's plus another day's work. She placed down her quill and stretched. 'Now I should be able to play all day! I can't wait for tomorrow! Oh, it's really late…' She thought to herself. With a giggle, she got ready for bed.

X-X-X-XX-X-X-X

The sun's glaring rays awoke Estellise from her sleep. She sleepily rubbed the sleep from her eyes and got up. After a few seconds of staring into her mirror, she realised what was happening that day. With a squeak, she ran to her wardrobe and flung it open. She started frantically searching for an appropriate dress for the day. Getting a little desperate, she called in a maid to help her. The surprised maid smiled and together they picked out a pretty dress. Afterwards, the maid led the Princess to breakfast. It was there that she was informed that the guests would be arriving in an hour. Estellise was unable to sit still as she ate her food with modest haste. After finishing and wishing the Emperor a good day, the Princess went back to her room to wait.

There was a polite knock at the door and Estellise instantly jumped up. She opened the door and beamed at the people standing on the other side. There, was Tillya beaming back and holding a shy Kara's hand. Next to them was Dayrellan looking down the corridor with his usual face of indifference.

"Estellise! Oh, it's so good to see you again so soon!" Tillya said happily.

"Morning." Dayrellan said in a bored way.

"Good Morning to you all. Please, come in!" Estellise said, making way for them. She glanced at Dayrellan as he passed her and caught his gaze. Instantly, she went a little pink as she remembered his first words to her two weeks ago. The boy either ignored it or was oblivious to it and just casually walked in. Tillya and Kara had seated themselves at the small table by the window and their brother was scanning the Princess' bookshelf.

"Wow, so this is your room. It's so nice! Don't you agree, Kara?" Tillya asked, turning to the young girl.

"Y-Yes. It nicer than m-mine." She said in a quiet voice.

"Thank you Kara. That was very nice of you to say." Estellise said in response to the first thing she'd ever heard the girl say.

"We were so excited to find out we'd be seeing you again today" Tillya said and Estellise looked surprised. She glanced at Dayrellan who was still meticulously studying the bookshelf.

"That's right. Even he was excited about today. He just never shows any emotion…" Tillya said.

"That is incorrect, elder sister. I show boredom when I am bored." Dayrellan said, returning with a book.

"Which is always!" Tillya said back.

"Not many things interest me. Only books do." Dayrellan said, opening the book.

"Dayrellan… You're not going to read all the time." Tillya said but her brother ignored her.

"U-Um… Please don't fight…" Estellise said unsure of how to deal with the situation.

"Ah! Please, forgive us Princess!" Tillya said, realising whose company they were in.

"Sorry." Dayrellan said not looking up from his book.

"Please, it is fine! I've just never seen a sibling fight before." Estellise said smiling.

"Oh… I see." Tillya said awkwardly.

"If I may, what was the important appointment your parents had to attend?" Estellise asked.

"I'm not too sure. I believe it's some important meeting between the most important Noble s that thinks of new ways to improve the Kingdom. Father said he will take me next time…" Tillya explained and then there was another knock at the door. A maid came in with some tea and snacks. Upon sighting the sweeter item being offered, Kara's face lit up and she devoured many cakes and biscuits. Estellise found it both amusing and cute and smiled warmly.

For several hours after, the children talked and laughed. Even Dayrellan participated when prompted. Eventually, Kara became sleepy and the Princess offered her bed to let the young girl sleep. As Tillya was lulling Kara to sleep, Estellise was left sitting with Dayrellan. The sound of the boy closing the third book he'd read that day made the Princess jump.

"S-So… What did you think of that one?" She asked, causing the boy to turn to her.

"The beginning was slow but once the story got going it got interesting. Also, I wish it had gone into more depth on certain aspects of the story that were important. I assume that the sequels do go into the depth I wanted but…" He trailed off.

"But what?" The Princess asked.

"But we have yet to buy the sequels." He finished, with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"I see… I have all the series so perhaps you could borr- I mean come by again and read them?" Estellise said, changing what she was saying mid-sentence. She did so because she rather liked her friends' company.

"Really? That is most kind of you. Thank you, Estellise!" Dayrellan said, giving her a rare but true smile. The Princess smiled back, her cheeks tinted pink.

"Don't say that, Princess, he actually will come back!" Tillya said teasingly, walking back after getting Kara to sleep finally and Estellise giggled.

"And when did you get close enough to her to address her by her name?" Tillya continued, this time it was aimed at her brother.

"I don't mind. In fact, I'd be really happy if you all called me Estellise!" The Princess said happily.

"Thank you, Princ- I mean, Estellise." Tillya said. An hour or two later, The Duke and Duchess came to pick up their children. Upon saying their farewells, the Duke's family left and the Princess closed her door. It had been a fun day and she looked forward to the next time she saw her friends.

Little did she know, that day would come sooner than she expected.

To be continued…


Hi! This is a real short story but I like it. This is the first of a small series of stories that looks at the blissful days of Estelle's childhood. But all good things must come to an end… But not for a while, at least!