The young princess’s days were dull. She had so many toys and playmates that they seemed endless, but inevitably she grew tired of them before half the day was over.

The young boys and girls, sternly instructed by their parents, always let the noble princess win, no matter what game they played. Whether the princess painted or sang, the maids showered her with endless, insincere praise. Like her boring toys, the princess had grown tired of such people.

In the midst of her monotonous days, a distant, unfamiliar guest arrived. Princess Robellia, brimming with excitement, sprang into the drawing room. Before the servants could intervene, she threw the door wide open.

“Hello!”

At her cheerful greeting, the boy sitting alone in the drawing room turned his attention to her. His shimmering silver hair and violet eyes, tinged with a deeper red than her own, caught her attention. Robellia’s mouth parted slightly in awe as she took in the sight of the boy – a beautiful youth who looked more like a puppet than a real person.

“Greetings, Princess.”

The boy rose from his seat and bowed politely to Robellia. Although he was smaller than her, his mature manner for his age brought a smile to Lady Suther, the head maid who had followed the princess.

But Robellia paid no attention. Her attention was captured by the boy’s shimmering silver hair.

“Wow, so shiny!”

“Pardon?”

The boy blinked in surprise as Robellia almost unconsciously reached for his hair. His eyes widened, but before her hand could touch it, Robellia quickly pulled back.

Realising her mistake, she straightened up, though her behaviour and speech remained far more childish than her age would suggest. Her innocence gave the boy an almost unfamiliar feeling of having a little sister, something he didn’t have. A small smile appeared on his lips.

“Never mind that! Are you the son of Duke Roxas?”

The name Roxas was something Robellia had only heard from Lady Suther. It was an unfamiliar family to her, as she didn’t yet know all the noble houses within the realm. Still, it was strange that she hadn’t even heard of a family that held the title of Duke. But the young princess, who had no interest in politics, didn’t dwell on this strange detail.

“Yes, I am Akan Roxas.”

“Hmm. I’m Robellia.”

‘Akan Roxas.’

Robellia mentally noted the name of the sparkling boy, as if carefully writing it down in the diary of her heart.

“Yes, I know. Princess Robellia.”

His round, violet eyes focused on her and curved into a graceful arch as he smiled. Robellia’s heart suddenly pounded and her breath quickened as if she had been running. Flustered, she grabbed Akan’s hand and pulled him to sit beside her on the sofa.

“You’re really pretty. How old are you? I’m twelve.”

“I’m ten, Princess. But you’re much prettier.”

Hearing the word ‘pretty’ was something Robellia was tired of – she heard it every day. But perhaps it felt different coming from a boy even prettier than herself, which made her feel strangely flustered. She could feel her face heating up for no apparent reason.

“Do you… want to play cards?”

“Yes.”

Embarrassed, Robellia quickly changed the subject. The two sat across from each other and a maid brought over a box of cards. Robellia had a large collection of playing cards, painted by renowned craftsmen throughout the Empire. From the box she chose her favourite deck.

The game of cards between the princess and the young nobleman was repeated several times. Robellia won some rounds and lost others, but she wasn’t the least bit upset. Each time Akan carefully chose a card, she found herself hiding her mouth behind her own cards, stealing glances at him.

When another round ended in her defeat and Robellia began to shuffle the cards, she spoke up.

“This is your first time in the palace, isn’t it? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Come often. If you become my playmate, you can come whenever you like”.

Noble children who visited the princess’s palace usually fell into one of two categories: those who were formally appointed as her playmates and could visit freely, or those who occasionally accompanied their parents to the palace. Akan fell into the latter category, and children in his position were usually honoured and delighted when the princess invited them to return.

But Akan spoke calmly, his expression somewhat troubled. 

“My father said we would be returning to our territory soon…”

Robellia tilted her head in confusion. Imperial and noble children were destined to be intertwined in the future, whether through marriage or political ties. Many noble families sought an early connection with the royal family. Robellia was aware of this and assumed that Duke Roxas would be pleased if she expressed her wish to make Akan her playmate.

“Why? Is it far away?”

“It’s about a four-day journey from the capital.”

The furthest Robellia had ever travelled was to the imperial family’s villa, just a day’s journey from the capital. Even that trip had made her completely sick of carriages, so she couldn’t even imagine how far a place that took four days to reach must be.

“Is it really that far? Then why don’t you just live in the capital? Shall I ask Duke Roxas about it?”

“No, lords have to live in their territories.”

“But all the other nobles live here.”

 Her questions piled up like those of a child just beginning to learn about the world. Her golden hair swayed as she tilted her head in curiosity, resembling the downy feathers of a fledgling just hatched from its egg.

Akan, unruffled, patiently explained what he had learned. 

“My father believes that a territory must be governed directly, which is why we stay there.”

It was the right answer, but not an entirely satisfactory one. As the Imperial authority grew, most of the nobles left their territories under the administration of deputies and lived in their residences in the capital. Robellia could only conclude that Duke Roxas must be an unusual person. If they lived so far away that she hadn’t seen Akan before, it also meant that she had no idea when she might see him again. Robellia’s eyes dropped, her mood visibly sinking.

“I see…”

Akan took the cards from the disheartened princess.

“I’ll ask my father when he plans to visit the palace again, and I’ll be sure to come with him next time.”

“Really? Then write me a letter. I’ll write one too.”

“Yes, I promise.”

Robellia’s face broke into a wide, happy smile. She was already bursting with excitement, planning not only letters but many gifts. Seeing Robellia’s face light up again, Akan couldn’t help but smile with her.

Lady Suther watched the friendly interaction between the boy and the princess with a pleased expression. Although young and innocent, the princess had an air of inevitable arrogance about her. She thought that befriending such a polite and well-mannered boy might have a positive influence on her.

After sharing some snacks, Robellia and Akan moved on to a game of matching cards. Although she lost several rounds, Robellia had a great time. She wished Akan could visit more often. As the sky outside turned a deep red with the setting sun, her sense of reluctance grew stronger.

Just before the sun disappeared over the horizon, a stranger entered the room.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Duke Roxas?”

The man’s shimmering silver hair was identical to Akan’s. Robellia recognised him instantly as Akan’s father, Duke Roxas. The Duke smiled warmly at the young princess, a smile much like his son’s.

“Yes, I hope my son hasn’t caused you any trouble, Your Highness.”

“No, not at all. Akan and I played well together.”

“I see.”

Did he doubt her? Why does he keep smiling like that? Robellia tilted her head in confusion as she watched the smiling Duke. To him, the young princess seemed both adorable and pitiful, a child still so innocent.