That day was as vivid as Amelina remembered, they very first day and the very first time she crossed that gate. That giant, looming dark gate.
No words were needlessly exchanged as Amelina stood quietly beside Eduan as a certain Jahad princess ordered a few servants of the household to do her bidding, the pair of father-daughter only watching by the sidelines. As Maschenny had promised, she really left Amelina alone for the three days, only appearing out of the blue on the next day to bring her out- not towards the freedom she'd always yearned for, but perhaps for an even more rigorous training.
Another cage in disguise, Amelina guessed.
The little Amelina didn't protest. She felt nothing anymore after what had happened, her feelings and emotions all numbed after recovering from her fever. It took her the rest of her Maschenny-free days to recover both her health and mental being. As in, repeatedly convincing herself not to get attached to anything, anyone and everything, especially him.
He who left her.
The thought of him made Amelina's mood to plummet down more than ever. As to distract herself, Amelina's eyes trailed over a larger hand clasping over her smaller ones. Surprisingly, the man beside her stayed by her side all the time ever since she collapsed, and Amelina was still wondering why would Eduan holding her hand like a father would, ever since that time. Like they never had any spat nor misunderstandings. Like he wasn't the one who made Ran climb the Tower. Like he wasn't the one who replaced all the former servants whom she was more familiar with.
Still, it was strangely warm.
So warm that she only noticed how cold the weather was after parting with the man, she herself walking towards Maschenny who waited by the entrance of the ship. Not once, did Amelina turned back since no one would bid her farewell anyway. Not Ran, not Eira nor Miru and certainly not Eduan who could care less about her upcoming absence. He might replace another child into her room anyway. Only when Amelina could see the Khun's residence's looming gate from afar did Amelina asked herself; "I wonder why do I feel so empty?"
That was all now only a part of memory from three years ago. Currently, Amelina, now ten-years-old, will be crossing the gate once more, not towards her freedom but rather, a mere bird returning to its former cage. She has even stopped wondering when would she ever be freed.
Amelina didn't have much to bring in her small backpack since she usually discards any of the tattered training garments she wore. Which resulting in Maschenny forcing her to wear a set of clothes which the princess prohibits her from ruining it, since apparently, a lady shouldn't be seen as unsightly. The clothes itself wasn't as bad as she thought Maschenny's taste would be; a sailor uniform consisting of black sailor shirt with white collar, intricately tied with light blue ribbon, finished with a denim mini skirt. The princess mentioned it was a similar uniform she donned when she was younger and Amelina tried her best not to make face right then and there.
As a result, Amelina is very much well-versed with any battle in skirts, after few to many attempts of trying not to embarrass herself in front of the princess. Honestly, she learnt a lot on how to kick while avoiding to showcase her panties for free.
Currently, her usually straight baby blue hair became slightly wavy; most probably because she rarely ever let her ponytail down but now that she's back in the main estate, there's no reason to keep up her guard all the time anymore. It will probably return to normal soon. She can't say she is perfectly safe in the very place she loathes, but somehow something tells her that nothing will happen to her when she's here.
Perhaps this is what all prisoners feel.
"Amelina, are you really fine going on alone from here?"
Ah yes, there was someone 'escorting', or maybe she should say keeping an eye on her from the moment she left the ship, probably under Princess Maschenny's order.
Amelina sighed, stopping in her tracks just a few metres from the said escort. "Yes, sir Asensio. I will be fine," Amelina turned but she refused to look into his face. His once-so-caring expression would instead look down on her coldly, a vast contrast then when she first met him. He, who once would fret over a single scratch on her- now nothing would faze him even when she was plummeted to the ground by Maschenny.
The big brother she knew was no longer there. And what she was even more afraid of was getting attached to a person who might make her getting her hopes up. She can't get attached by any means. Asensio too, was someone who will eventually left her in the end. His cold attitude was just the start of it.
"Thank you for sending me here. I bid you farewell, sir." With that, Amelina turned to enter the main estate, a place she once called home but the girl never knew she had once again, missed the hurtful look on Asensio's grim expression. Still, the older Khun didn't say anything.
To Amelina's surprise when she arrived in the nostalgic abode, nothing had changed in her former room. She only went back to perhaps pick any of the item she owned before greeting Eduan, but the calming scent of lavender and the teal curtain billowing in the breeze told her someone has been taking good care of the place with none of her belongings touched nor misplaced. Even the comb Eira once used was still on the dressing table, waiting for its owner to come back.
Hesitantly, Amelina placed her bag in the corner and left to meet Eduan. The sooner she greets him, the sooner she can ask him for a new room outside the main estate. If he doesn't give her any, she could survive well enough anywhere as long as there's water.
But, why were her things left untouched? Even the interior which was decorated when she was still small did not change.
'There's just no way… Yes, he must have prepared an even luxurious room for the child he took an interest in. Maybe I could still use the room if I don't bother his time.'
The further Amelina walked, the heavier her steps felt. It's not fear, that she was sure of. But she doesn't feel like meeting that person right now.
The sound of footsteps made Amelina halt and hide from the hallway, the young Khun peeking over from behind a pillar. From there, she could see three maids, none of them recognizable. Maybe Eduan changed the batch of servants according to his whims again?
"After months of fighting over the position, it seems the second spot for the Jahad princess has been decided," one of them initiated the conversation, her tone sounding satisfied yet unsatisfied. She looked like those people who can't live without any gossip to share or to hear. She even had the heaviest makeup.
"What's there to decide? We all know Princess Maria will definitely win," another joined. This one's appearance looked younger than the other two so Amelina assumed she is the youngest among the three. But that wasn't the main point right now.
'Did she say… Maria? But Princess Maria...?' Amelina's whole body froze upon hearing the familiar name, a lump forming in her curling stomach.
The last one chuckled, a hand over her mouth. Although she joined in the gossiping session, this one looked the most mature, like an older sister among the three. "Oh? Already calling her a princess, I see? Are you trying to kiss up to her?"
"Of course! I heard the servants working here don't last for more than three months before they're all replaced! It was unfortunate enough to be chosen to be here, so we need to put all our effort in securing the next job!"
"Yea, yea-"
"Excuse me," Amelina stepped out from behind her hiding place, taking the maids by surprise. "Did Maria really… became a Jahad princess?"
"Yes, that's the thing~" the sly maid smirked seeing Amelina approaching them, assuming the girl also wanted to hear of the latest gossip in the Khun family. "But everyone knows she won because she used Young Master Aguero as a stepladder, fooling him into thinking that they're lov-"
All of a sudden, the maid talking to her were forced to bow down by her head, the mature one and the youngest one bowing the same. "W-welcome back, Princess Amelina! We-we are very sorry for not recognizing the lady earlier, please forgive us for our impudence!"
Amelina was flabbergasted by the sudden change of attitude and she definitely didn't miss the fear laced in the maid's quivering voice, the mature one's expression becoming paler and paler by the minute since Amelina said nothing. Amelina was simply rendered speechless as multiple questions ran through her head.
"J-just now… what did you call me?" Amelina voice was soft with hesitancy mixed in it, yet the maids' fears never receded.
"P-pardon me, I called you as how I should, Princess Amelina. I congratulate the lady for achieving the title of the first Jahad princess for the Khun family in hundreds of years."
Everything clicked into place.
"Eeeekkk…!" the three shrieked, the utmost horror painting their expression when Amelina grabbed the middle maid by her shoulders, Amelina herself wearing the most grave expression.
"I want you to tell everything you know, without missing any detail...!"
Author's note:
Long time no see and I hope all my lovely readers had a good day today when you read this chapter. I apologize for the delay (again) but I am mostly occupied with my daily life and writing TKFP now became a side task which I would do in my free time.
But it seems I've taken too much time than what I'd planned but still, I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Thank for reading this fic and please leave a comment since I get more motivated in writing more (and longer) chapters whenever I received a notification about TKFP hehe.
Sayonara! Love chu guys!!