Episode 4: The Heir

悪が生まれ変わる

Paradis Island

"Oh, look! The princess is coming!" the passersby turned to look at the blonde girl walking past them in the city, brightly smiling at them.

Adorning a soft pink gown and a white neckpiece, the blonde princess of Paradis Island walked in the marketplace, grinning at everyone waving at her, respectfully admiring her and watching her walk through the path.

"Miss Kristina!" her bodyguard followed closely behind, catching up to her and panting, "Queen was expecting you to be back by now."

"But I was hoping to be out for some more time!" Kristina whined, "I'm twenty years old, after all!"

"I can't change Queen's orders, miss," her bodyguard bowed down before her.

"It's okay, Ferb, let's go," she disappointedly sighed, turning around, making the skirt of her dress flow as she turned. Walking back to the royal castle, she watched as the silence of the castle contrasted the hustle and bustle of the marketplace. She liked the zeal that life carried.

True, she loved her life - a loving mother and a doting father, and caring staff in the castle - but she wanted to go back to that farm where she was raised for her initial five years. The refreshing air, the spacious land, and the open skies were what she was brought up with.

And the next fifteen years of her life were great too, but not as joyful as the time she spent on the farm. Being officially called the 'princess' of Paradis Island was the last thing she had expected, since, on the farm, nobody told her that she was of the royal family.

And currently walking down the hallways of the castle, she barely noticed the guards bowing down to her on the sidelines, and the gates to the queen's room opened before her, revealing the Queen.

Historia Reiss, almost forty years of age.

"Mom," Kristina spoke, and Historia turned around to look at her daughter.

"Where have you been? I thought I told you we had to talk about something important today," the Queen sighed.

"Sorry, mom. I completely forgot about it," Kristina tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, looking at the floor.

"It's alright," Historia nodded, patting the couch beside her, "Come, sit with me."

Kristina timidly walked over to the couch and sat down on it, facing her mother. Historia took her daughter's hand in hers and smiled at her, comforting her to let her relax, since her taut muscles were evident enough to tell her that Kristina was anxious.

"Relax, I'm just your mother!" Historia giggled, making her chuckle as well.

"What did you want to talk about, mom?"

"Well... you're twenty, Kristina," Historia nervously commenced, "Don't you think it's about time you found yourself a suitor as well?"

Kristina froze, and her earlier-relaxed hands tensed. The Queen sensed it, and leaving her hand, she rambled, "I mean, life expectancy on this island isn't that great either. I don't know for how long I'd live! I'm almost forty, and the maximum that people live here is the age of fifty to fifty-five. Don't you think people need a younger heir to the throne no-"

"Mom, I'm not ready to marry yet, and being the queen? Seriously? I'm definitely not ready for that!" Kristina burst out, hastily standing up on her feet.

"Don't yell at me!" Historia hissed.

"I'm sorry, but isn't this too early for me to marry?"

"I got married when I was about your age too!" the Queen tried.

"You and I are different!"

"Kristina-"

"You know what?" Kristina restlessly spoke, "I'm not going to follow that order. I've never denied your orders, but this is enough."

She stomped out of the room with Historia calling behind her, "Stop!"

Kristina ignored her voice, but ceased right in her tracks when her mother yelled, "I forbid you to go outside the castle!"

She immediately turned around, "Why? Why would you do that?"

"That's my order."

With that being said, Historia retired to her room, the gates closing behind her. Kristina was left agape in the hallway, her jaw ticking and disbelief evident in her eyes. Her mother had never done that.

Her mother had always been open-minded, fun-loving, and caring to her. Never did she ever forbid her to do something. However, she didn't let her daughter go astray and spoiled because she had brought her up well. They were each others' best friends for as long as she could remember.

But why was that rapport crumbling down?

Kristina didn't know what to do. This was some serious matter that she had tried to avoid, and now that she had no other way to avoid it anymore, there was a brand new thought that arose in her mind:

To run away.

(a/n: Ahhhh our 40 year old typical mom Historia!

This was just the introduction to Kristina. Trust me, you are NOT ready for what's gonna happen next, hehe! Thanks for reading! And please don't be a silent reader :D)