Chapter 3: C3
"Am I too early?"
Lucia visited me with maids behind her, I shook my head, I haven't had sleep yet as I made my own technique yesterday and had only finished the first part an hour earlier.
"No please sit."
I had been informed of her intent a few minutes ago so I was in a different study now, as we both sat down, the maids behind her quickly set up the table and placed the food in front of us.
"Wait a moment."
I told her, I felt a strange sensation from the cabinet in this study, when I opened it all four of my siblings were there and laughed.
"Big Brother!"
Eve jumped at me, I caught her as she hugged me, I looked at Lucia who nodded and gave me an understanding smile, but Clyde, Cecile and Alicia were at the table where the food was.
"Would you three like some?"
Lucia offered a slice of cake to the three who nodded, Lucia then ordered the maids to cut slices for them, Even then gestured that she wanted to go and eat with them I placed her down and Lucia herself gave her a slice.
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience."
I shook my head as I said that but she just gave me a smile and had a laugh as she covered her mouth.
"I think I understand why you don't want to be engaged yet."
The four children continued eating and sat with me as I finally sat down.
"Until I've become strong enough I don't want to be responsible for another life other than my family"
She nodded and understood, she really isn't the talkative type, If I remember she rarely had lines in Taheyun's memories.
"I see so that's why you look and act cold."
"Its not an act Lucia, its just my goal, until I feel strong enough then maybe I'll think of Romance but till then its just a burden."
As she continued looking at me Eve who still had a cake tried to feed her, she smiled and accepted Eve.
"You should eat big sister! So you can be pretty as me!"
"Thank you."
She patted Eve's head as she accepted the cake in her fork.
Clyde on the other hand coughed.
"I think we should get going."
Alicia nodded.
"We have eaten our fill, lets go Eve, Cecile."
Like the big sister she is to the two of them she dragged them along but not without grabbing cupcakes.
"I'm sorry for their sight they are not yet properly educated."
"Why?"
It felt like I couldn't really lie.
"I don't want them to feel the burden of being a noble, I just want them to continue being kids for now that's why I told my parents to not teach them that much and let them be."
"You really are a family man."
"What about you Lucia?"
"Me? As you know I don't have any siblings and I'm also the daughter of the Emperor."
"I know I was just making small talk."
I scratched my head, I then thought of something.
"Come with me."
I stood up and she quietly obeyed me, the maids followed after while my own servants did as well.
"Noel."
Noel, my shadow, a man who is a decade older than me, a man whose life is tangled with mine, if I order him to die he will gladly do it.
"Master."
Of course I neber treated him as such but rather I treated him as a Big Brother, if not for him I would not know how to act like one.
"Please prepare Elasia we'll be riding through the territory for some fresh air."
"As you will."
He immediately disappeared, Lucia was startled.
"Don't you have a shadow of your own?"
"I do, they're currently on vacation."
"I figured that much but your maids are scary as well."
"You think so?"
Yeah they aren't your average maid that's emitting an aura similar that of a Knight Captain.
"Enough of that."
Noel arrived with my horse, Elasia, I've nursed her ever since she was small, I got up and sat.
I then stretched out my hand towards Lucia.
She accepted it and sat behind me.
We then began exploring the territory, rather this large estate.
"This must be what you do when your bored Alfred."
"I do this quite often not only when I'm bored Lucia."
We kept riding through the fields as our servants followed us but I ordered Noel to tell them that we needed privacy for a short while.
"We're finally now alone."
"You're not planning anything are you Alfred?"
"No, I just wanted some peace and quiet."
I hopped of Elasia and helped Lucia.
"Why are we on this hill and why are you showing me this?"
"Its nothing, but what do you really want Lucia? I refuse to believe that even in five years you'll want to stay cooped up in the palace."
"We really are the same, You and I."
"We both are the eldest and share the same responsibilities its not that hard to figure out."
"I see, to be honest, sometimes I just want to go outside and experience the world."
"The world is a dangerous place Lucia."
"I know but that's the fun part, don't you ever wanna stop doing what we're doing?"
We both sat down under a tree as we overlooked the estste.
"I do but I shouldn't, the world is already in chaos and I want it to be a safe place for everyone."
"You sound like you're not twelve."
"Then what should I sound like?"
"Perhaps like 'I want to be the Hero who saves this world!'"
"I don't want to be the Hero, I will be the Hero."
"Then I'll be the damsel in distress."
Lucia laughed as she said that, it was the first time that i felt she wasn't putting up any airs anymore.
"Alfred, tell me when you plan on going your adventure alright?"
"Alright."
As they continued conversing Noel looked at them from afar.
"You damned butler fight us properly!"
"Save Princess Lucia from the duke's son!"
Noel clicked his tongue in annoyance and made them all faint with his aura.
"Now what shall I tell the chef to cook for the two of them"
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