The Princess of Hearts

A pleasant, nostalgic scent permeated the Princess room. No one can dispute that it was delicious like candy, but she was in the confines of her room, not the nostalgic scent that Neylia loved to inhale. She was currently writing on her table while seated, next to the chair that she had never liked in the past.

Her eyes continued to wane from the sheet of paper she was writing on. Her breathing became erratic, but when she went outside to experience the sweltering sun, she realized she wasn dreaming.

How long did she feel as though she was dreaming? Days have passed since she returned to the past, but in her mind, she hasn been able to accept that truth since she believes she is in a story tale. But every time she tried to harm herself, something else would happen, much like the previous days when she tried to harm her wrist with the feathered pen, and the pen ended up being shattered.

She even tried to ingest a poison she had acquired from the market after sneaking out of her house, but the poison was taken away from her.

She would eventually fall short in every effort she made for a variety of reasons.

She had in mind giving up at that point since she believed it would be better. Since she was aware that it was impossible for her to survive her death, she stopped injuring herself. But was it feasible to take her life away once more?

She questioned herself countless times before deciding on what she believed to be the appropriate course of action. She finished writing on the paper, set it in front of her, and narrowed her eyes.

Because she had already made the decision to let go of her feelings for Clistaine, she was confident that she would be able to accomplish those things instead of hurting herself. Or was it actually true? But she was aware of what was more important in her current second existence.

”Since no one would be more willing to save me than me, I had to save myself first. I only need to break off my engagement to Clistaine Vermille, the son of Duke Belvin, if Im eager to do it. But will these strategies succeed? ” She stated

Though she couldn help but nod slowly after reading the paper.

”It could be the solution. Finally, Id be able to arrive on time. Ill save myself and discover that someone will be able to love and value me in the future, ” she claimed that those were the lessons she learned from going through such a nightmare in her life.

She finally folded the paper and tucked it into her pocket with shaky hands. Since she was going to carry out her first plan, she was set to go to the market once again, but that didn count as of the day since someone had knocked on her door.

She collected herself and sat on the edge of the bed, saying, ”Come in. ”

The old butler remarked, as usual, he would walk toward Princess Neylia, ”Your highness, Princess Neylia, today, His Lord, Duke Belvin made a formal notification that they will be arriving within the household on this present day, afternoon. ”

Neylia, on the other hand, wandered her eyes until they eventually become narrow. Before the old butler spoke again, she wasn aware of the day.

”If you
e wondering what day it is, Your Highness, Princess Neylia, it was undoubtedly the current festival observed throughout the empire. Since it would begin tonight, many servants might be engaged with their work, ” the elderly butler stated, then grinned.

Was it too obvious from the look on her face that she was asking for the date? Wait, something was changing. Even if she had previously grown strict with the previous butler for some reason, she was aware that he was still the same.

But this time, she was prepared.

”Herius, ” Neylia said after pausing.

The elderly butler turned his head up from the floor and looked at the Princess. However, the old butlers eyes brightened when they first saw Neylia smile.

She wouldn normally raise her lips to Herius, the old butler of the imperial palace. However, when she did it this time, the old butler furrowed his brow.

Was there anything amusing about his face that the Princess noticed? Although he was thinking to himself, his mouth had already opened for another purpose.

”I am aware that in the past I have been such a spoiled brat. I was unable to think about those around me as individuals. Please don ever change as well, though, as Im willing to change for the best. I know it might surprise you, but I swear I won ever do something awful again, ” the butler nearly fell to the ground as Neylia uttered those words.

Neylia approached the elderly butler and helped him to stand since she saw that his respiration seemed out of the ordinary.

The old servants body, however, immediately knelt on the ground and grabbed the Princesss soft hands as though surprised.

”Im happy that you were able to express those things, Your Highness! Ill be here for you whenever you need me! Apart from that, Im a proud servant who always extols the virtues of the imperial dynasty, ” the elderly man was crying until Neylia said something, at which point he left right away.

Neylia finally had enough of what had transpired earlier and sighed.

Herius was obviously that way. He was always making stuff up for the Princess, even before. But after witnessing the Princess transformation, Neylia noticed the old butler crying in real-time.

Why did Herius treat her that way? She pondered this after noticing that the elderly servant had always treated her well, whether she was in her first life or the second.

She could only mumble, looking toward the rooms nostalgically bright sunlight, ”Id better be ready then. ”

A short while later

The maids had done their best to help the Princess. They soothed her, gave her a nice bath, and covered her with rose petals. Massage her body till she can fit into the clothing she typically prefers to wear

However, things were different this time. The maidservants nearly leaped out of their seats as Neylia spoke quietly and softly before putting on the dress.

”Would it be okay if you gave me another set of clothes? Oh, I suppose I must say it now. Bring me some simple, unattractive clothing, please. Perhaps a plain green color is alright, ” she had a smile on her face as she talked.

When the maids heard what the Princess said, their eyes widened and they opened their jaws. Before anyone could speak, Neylia added a few words as they all stopped moving.

”Oh, I almost missed it. Black might have been a wise choice. Bring me some basic black clothing and a black hat like some noblewomen would wear on a hot summer day because, well, I changed my mind. Im sure you
e all aware of what my order entails, ” even as Neylia spoke, the corners of her mouth continued to move.

The maids unintentionally took a step back, and before some of them could speak, the others had already sprinted to acquire some dresses that the Princess would like.

Only two maids were left in their predicament, thus it came as a huge shock to both of them when they realized the Princess wasn upset with them. Instead, they witnessed her giggling while her shoulders swayed.

”Oh, my, oh. Its okay. If you two stayed, it wouldn bother me. I have some company for the time being, at least. You two surely think Im crazy with my changes, but Ive vowed to behave well now so you won have to worry whenever you
e with me, ” Neylia stated while giggling once again.

The two maids, on the other hand, exchanged glances before slowly nodding as they turned to face the Princess, who appeared to be amused by their current behavior.

”But aside from that, I hope I can ask you two for a favor. ”

Herius entered the emperors office and announced, ”Your highness, Lord Belvin Vermille with the young lord Clistaine Vermille had finally arrived within the imperial household. ”

However, Niker Cadmorry saw a shift in the old servants demeanor after uttering those remarks.

Although it was the first time, the servants eyes continued to narrow and his lips remained elevated as he spoke.

The servant reported those statements to the Emperor, who couldn help but look at him with thinned eyes while tapping his desk.

”Okay, let them know where they would undoubtedly go next. However, before you depart from here Herius, could you please explain the sudden change? ” Asked Niker

The old butler stopped and turned to face the Emperor, his eyes startled at first, then soon softening.

”Your Highness, the Princess appeared to have transformed and was now a decent person for herself. She said that she had improved. ”

Duke Belvin bowed before the Emperor and said, ”Greetings, your highness. ”

Niker wouldn have been able to become conscious of his senses if the Lord hadn spoken in front of the emperor. Has his daughter improved in any way? He questioned. He exchanged greetings with the Duke and sighed as he did so.

”Thank you, Duke Belvin. We appeared to be forming an alliance right away, ” Niker stated as he made his eyes smaller. The Lord saluted and nodded in agreement, and the young lord standing by his side did the same.

Nikers eyes fell on the young lord, and he couldn help but raise both his lips and laugh.

He was the young child that her daughter would frequently mention, in fact. The person who caught her attention

”After that, you may take your seats. I would only contact my daughter at this time, ” he instructed the staff to contact the Princess after speaking those remarks.

After that, Neylia appeared after 30 seconds, and both sets of eyes were on her.

Her fathers eyes expanded, and the two noble guests followed suit by gaping openly.

”Dear Father, Did you give me a call? Although Im expected to wear a gown, I like the beautiful clothing. Oh, and hello to the young master and Lord Belvin. ” With her unattractive attire and hat that was big enough for her head, Neylia said.

”Whoa, whats going on? Do you intend to—- ”

”No, father, Im going to meet my future husband, my fiancee, right? You said that previously as much, ” Neylia then focused on Clistaine, who had a wide-eyed expression. The Princess lips did, however, turn up on a wider corner.