Chapter 253: THE PRINCESS’S PEOPLE
Aristia remained indoors for the whole of that day.
After that, for the days that followed, she would play in the warm sun and snowy ground because of Alaric.
She didn’t receive any news about any of her businesses because to her dismay, she learnt that Wilson had commanded that none of her subordinates should inform her of work-related matters unless absolutely necessary.
When Aristia found out through Owen, she was beyond shocked. She was... flabbergasted.
’Why would papa do that? Okay, I know why. He just wants me to relax, but really? And I thought they were my subordinates.’ She vented to Millie, emphasizing the word. ’And they’re listening to his orders!’ She was exasperated.
Millie stroked her paw. ’Maybe it’s because they are scared of the Grand Duke.’ She said with amusement.
"Of course they’re scared. Everyone follows Papa’s word." Aristia grumbled aloud. "But it’s not like anything major is going to happen while I’m gone so..."
She simply decided not to pursue the matter.
Quickly, the family adapted to their new residence.
Just like that, February ended and the citizens of Amberale welcomed the season of Spring.
The snow began to melt, exposing the greenery that the East was famous for. Warmth began to take over the chill.
Aristia finally went outside the Estate with Alaric.
Previously, only Wilson and Catherine left the mansion. Aristia knew it was because of the famine.
Farmers began planting as the ground grew warmer.
[They’re planting even though the locusts are coming. But it’s fine. Because the crops they’re planting don’t take too long to harvest.] Aristia nodded her head in support.
These crops could be harvested in a short time. The commoners would have food to eat instead of relying on the stored food before the locusts came and the famine began.
She was the one who had told Wilson to do it that way.
[And the East has very fertile land. The crops will do very well.]
Aristia, Catherine, Alaric and Catherine’s lady-in-waiting leisurely strolled the streets of Orrivale. There was a tree in front of each house, and the air was clean and fresh.
Boys wearing straw hats and girls with ribbons tied on their head would bow whenever they passed them by.
Now that the snow was gone and the East had its usual warmness, Aristia could smell the scent of pine, herbs and flowers.
She took a deep breath in and exhaled. "Refreshing."
Alaric smiled at her words. He opened his mouth to say something, when...
"Greetings, your highnesses!" A cheerful voice turned their attention towards them.
They looked in front of them to see a young girl of about seven years old curtseying. Or trying to perform a curtsey.
Aristia’s eyes trailed behind the girl to a small group of children of similar age who were watching to see what would happen. Some with curiosity, some with worry and concern, and some with a twinge of fear. But the most common was nervousness.
Some of them even wrung their hands and fidgeted all because of nervousness for the girl approaching her.
[After all, it’s the third princess we’re talking about, right?] She resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"You may rise." Catherine said, because it seemed like the girl wasn’t planning to raise her body unless given the order.
"Yes, thank you, your highness." She said and straightened up.
She looked at Aristia. "Your highness, the third princess. I heard about what you did in Belonmusk for children that don’t have a home."
Aristia nodded. The girl speaking to her seemed like the bubbly type from how she almost couldn’t stop rocking herself forward and backward by raising her toes and the sole of her feet.
Even though she was in front of royals, she just couldn’t stop the habit.
But Aristia and those with her didn’t dwell on it.
"You mean Willows Haven?" Aristia asked with a small smile.
The girl’s eyes lit up at her reply and she bobbed her head.
"Yes, yes! Willows Haven. That’s it."
Aristia nodded gravely, then raised her chin.
"Sigh," she sighed. "I care about the children of our kingdom so I became sad when I saw that they didn’t have a roof over their head, a warm bed, a place to call home... So I decided that I must do something!" She said, forming her hands into a fist and raising it in the air.
Seeing her suddenly raise her hand, the children flinched, thinking that she was about to hit the girl.
But when her words reached them, their eyes widened.
"I wanted to make sure that none of the children would feel sad. I knew what I had to do." She paused dramatically. Her voice was heroic and brave.
"The path was dangerous. Enemies lurked in the shadows. It wasn’t easy, but I didn’t give up! I refused to!" She stomped her little boot on the ground, eyes burning with mock fire. "I swore to fight until the very end. I embarked on a long journey. Even though I faced trials, challenges and opposition, I thought ’no, I cannot give up. I cannot quit!’ I had to—"
"Ahem!"
The sound stopped Aristia’s words midway.
She looked to the right to see Catherine looking straight ahead with her hands over her mouth in a coughing motion, her shoulders trembling ever so slightly.
She looked to her left and saw Alaric staring at her with wide eyes. Even Melanie’s usually composed aristocratic self couldn’t stop her brows from twitching constantly.
[Okay... I think I might have gotten too carried away.]
She looked back to the children, but the previously nervous and fearful children were now standing beside the girl. Their eyes were wide open with curiosity and interest. It was obvious they were deeply invested in Aristia’s story.
"Ha-ha," she laughed. It was a slightly awkward laugh. She cleared her throat. "So I built Willows Haven."
"That’s amazing, princess. You’re so kind." One of the children said.
"No, no." Aristia shook her head. "That’s what I must do. You’re all my people."
The children’s eyes filled with admiration. "Woow~"
Then, "Gasp!" The children gasped. "We’re the princess’s people?" They asked with wide eyes.
"Err... yes?" Aristia gave a confused answer.
[I was talking about the citizens of Amberale. As the princess, aren’t they my people?]
"We’re the princess’s people!" The first girl chirped, her eyes lighting up.
Her eyes widened, and she suddenly knelt down and bowed with a short gasp, crossing her hand over her chest.
"Haa. Princess, I vow to follow you until the very end!"
Aristia’s eyes widened. [W-wait, wait a second.]
But before she could say anything, the rest of the children followed suit and bowed. "We’ll follow you forever."
Their eyes now contained respect and awe.
Aristia felt a headache. [Till the very end? Forever? What under-the-willow-tree-moonlight stories are these children listening to?]
"You may rise."
She paused, seeing that the children still remained in a bowing position.
[What are they waiting for?]
As if she knew what Aristia wanted to ask, the first girl replied with her head still bowed.
"We’ll not get up until you accept our loyalty."
A thought crept into Aristia’s mind. [What if I leave them like this?] She sighed. [I think the question should be: what have I gotten myself into?]