Chapter 3: Revival of the Legend

Ah. It was no other than Ares, the second prince, and the second naughty child of the king. Why second? Well of course Princess Asteria ranks number one in terms of mischief.

Princess Asteria scoffed at him, "Brother. What a surprise to see you here."

Prince Ares's golden eyes shined as his blonde hair was shinily and kept in a clean cut. He shook his head and chuckled at her, "You keep on making trouble for the chancellor. If you keep acting like that no suitors will come for you."

"At this point, we have another brother by how manly you act." He added.

"Excuse me, haven't you heard? Lots of suitors are going after me now," she proudly said.

"When can we play?" Asked Another thin voice from the shelves.

It was prince Atlas, the third prince and is only 7 years old now...

She hugged her brother at how adorable he looked. "Funny how you say that dear brothers when I'm escaping from my suitors." She said sarcastically. "Awe you two love me very much. Now go to your swords training and mind your own business. I can beat all of you if you keep slacking."

She's like Sofia the first. She was just Kim Aera in her past life in the normal world, working on her essay about analyzing the characters of a psychopath like Lord Eros, the villain of the story, and having a chat with her enemy/bully by the river when she attempted to save a cat from drowning. And ended up here as an extra with silver hair and golden eyes who was adopted by King Xander who only has 3 sons, to be made a princess,

Spoiled to death, a princess that will eventually turn into a villainess and be married off. Does it even make sense or is she going crazy? Yes, it's probably both!

Before even that happened, she also scheduled an appointment to interview the famous author of this novel, To be loved by You by Park Ji- Ah. If her past self were to hear this right, she wouldn't even believe it!

There was a clearing of the throat from a distance, pulling her from the trance and she stopped as another man revealed himself. Her oldest brother, Prince Apollo!

Her eyes widened in surprise to see her brother the crown prince come down from his study himself, "Asteria, not this again. You're a princess."

"Brother Apollo." She rarely sees her oldest brother coming down from his study and when he does, it surely is a serious matter. Plus, the fact that he is the male lead of this novel...

"What was that recent rumor?" His eyes grew dim and asked.

"What rumor?" Princess Asteria played innocently.

"That you are not..into a man? That you into a…woman."

Ah. Right. This timeline in this novel is not so welcoming to genders. But it's not that's not into men. She loves men. But right now when talking about marriage, all she wants is to run away from them.

Thus, the reason why she spread this rumour.

"Now are you done playing around? You need to go back and prepare for tonight's banquet. It's your day after all." Said Prince Apollo.

Her other two brothers laughed at her. They know that it's only him who could scold her like this.

Well of course. How could she forget…her fate from tonight.

Which is her 18th birthday and finding her husband.

The king, her father himself proposed it long ago and now that the day arrived, she could only slow down the process.

"You look dumb." Her black talking cat, Lucia, who appeared out of nowhere, said to her. Ever since she transmigrated to this novel, she knew that she could talk to animals.

"You're an ugly cat." She fired back.

Lucia, the cat gasped. "Everyone would think you're insane if they see you talking to me."

"Then say goodbyes or you'll get eaten."

She hissed and Princess Asteria just ignored it. Actually, she's been also blaming this cat. If it weren't for her, then she wouldn't have come into this novel world.

Well, every prince from another kingdom has gathered to impress her father.

It's not like she hates the idea, but it would be awkward to be married off to some old man or something. Or some handsome prince with a bad attitude.

Plus, marriage is no joke. This will mean that she won't have much freedom anymore. Meaning, that she couldn't go visit the streets, have a beer in the taverns, and play cards with the boys whenever she wanted to.

Just thinking about it irks her.

Sighing, she nodded and was about to head to her room and listen to her brother's nagging when she made a huge turn and ran to the opposite - which is outside.

She looked back and could see her brother's tired face.

The loud breeze welcome her and she inhaled fully. She kept her dark cloak on and covered her silver hair to avoid standing out from the crowd.

She then remembered Lord Eros…the dead dark mage that she was working her essay on. She went and stole the book of Ardis to get more information on how to summon him. And now that the book is in her grasp, she could get her wishes now!

He can give them anything she wants. Just like a genie.

Putting the book of Ardis to the pockets inside her dress, she made sure that it is safe and intact before she managed to slip outside the castle and into the bushes where there was a hidden dog door leading to one of the alleys in the central town.

She smirked as she was almost reaching outside when her whole upper body was outside already but her lower half was still stuck with the opening. Muttering a curse, she remembered that she was only little when she used this little dog hole so now that she's old, she didn't even think of how she couldn't fit in here with all her now larger butt and wider hips. Wow, talk about a mishap!

And more than that, she could smell a disgustingly stinky smell.

Her hand had met a dog's poop on the ground! Now really not very ladylike.

"Very unladylike indeed." Said her cat Lucia out of nowhere.

"Just shut up. You're not helping me." She snapped.

"Do you help with anything?" Suddenly, a dark voice asked.

A tall dark figure loomed over her. Oh great. Another encounter.

She instantly removed the crown from her head and faked a smile. The kind stranger who offered to help looked a bit familiar but she couldn't tell where she saw him.

"I am just a maid."

His eyebrows raised, his lips crooked, probably finding her position on the ground hilarious.

She ignored what he said, "Can you help me get away?"

He blinked, not sure what to do as he watched her in the most awkward position.

"Just grab me." She instructed and he did as she told, pulling her from her stuck position.

She patted her dress as she stood up. Now that she was on eye level with him, she stopped as she saw how handsome he is…no Asteria, just because a handsome stranger helped you doesn't mean you'll have to befriend him….she thought to herself and bit her lip.

Air came out from his hands, meaning, he is one of the gifted ones with an air type...but he should be already scouted by the king and asked to live in the palace...but he doesn't look like he lives in this kingdom...

"You're an air user.." She mumbled and he nodded, "I believe I am."

Ignoring her thoughts, she just sent a smile at him, "Thank you, gentleman."

He glanced at Lucia, "Your cat is cute."

Lucia meowed and blushed.

Princess Asteria scoffed, "Oh yeah, but she's very useless."

Lucia gave her a glare and she stuck her tongue out at her.

"Do you need me to escort you-"

"No." She simply rejected his offer.

But the streets are busy today-"

He persisted but Princess Asteria was also keen. "Yes. I can see that. Since the princess is getting those suitors of hers around." She said, mentioning the princess.

"Princess!"

Someone yelled behind and she gasped, her eyes widened. "Hide me."

The stranger blinked, somehow getting it. She can't believe she's letting him help her.

In an instant, the stranger grabbed her hand and caged her to the wall. His green orbs stared intensely at her golden ones. She gulped, mildly checking her pockets to make sure the book of Ardis is still in her pockets.

The stranger chuckled and raised his eyebrows and whispered. "Relax, they'll sense your nervousness."