"Aliza I'm home!"

"Welcome home mother!"

Aliza went and welcomed her mother, she held an eager smile as she stared at her mother. The woman chuckled at her daughter's action.

"Yes Aliza, I brought you a lot of books" her mother said chuckling.

Aliza's eyes gleamed as she excitedly waited for her mother to take the books out.

When her mother took out the books, she immediately grabbed them and read the titles. It was all about royalties, herbs, society, etiquette, calculation and a book of histories.

Aliza hugged them and squealed.

"Thank you mother!!" She exclaimed, and her mother smiled at her and patted her head.

All through Aliza's life, it mostly contained just herself and her mother.

She grew up in a small village, but Aliza was seldom allowed to go out, she was kept in their small house which was located a bit further from the villager's houses.

Aliza asked her mother once, why?

"Mother? Why can't I go outside?" asked the little Aliza.

Her mother stared at the curious child and sighed. She bent her knees to level with Aliza's frame.

"The outside...It's still not appropriate. I can't directly tell you the reasons, but Aliza, don't worry, soon you can go outside and start your own adventure." her mother gently said as she smoothed out Aliza's white silky hair.

"I don't understand mother but promise me, soon?" her mother smiled.

"Yes Aliza, soon."

Due to Aliza having low interaction to crowds and other people, she wasn't introduced to society, however her mother fulfilled every curiosity she had.

"People on the outside have different ranks or status." Aliza listened to her mother, but then she creased her brows in confusion.

"Ranks? Why?" she asked.

"Because that's just how people are, those who have money are higher and those who don't are in the lower rank. Humans are imperfect and they tend to be bad almost all the time." Her mother explained.

"But mother, is every person bad? No right?"

"There are still good people and those people should be the ones we have to interact with."

Aliza nodded, "But if we just interact with good people, wouldn't the bad people be sad?" The woman stared at her daughter.

"They would be...but why do you care about bad people, Aliza? Don't you think it's better to just leave them because they're bad?" Her mother tried asking and stared at Aliza to see her reaction.

"But if we leave them, they'll be lonely. If they're lonely, they will get worse, right? A darkness in one's self can be brought to light through light itself and light can be the people who are good" Aliza's mother stared at her daughter. A smiled grew on her face and she suddenly held both Aliza's cheeks.

"You're right Aliza, If people are bad, they just need a good one. People aren't born perfect, but they are also aren't perceived bad at birth. So Aliza, what would you do if you see a bad person?"

"Be friends with them!" Aliza exclaimed.

"That's right, but remember that sometimes, there are bad people who just prefers to be bad. So always be careful" Aliza nodded, and her mother patted her head.

Aliza was taught realistically by her mother. Years passed by and Aliza lived a simple and peaceful life.

Until...

"Search the whole house!!" the voice of a man erupted and noises of things being meeting the hard ground was heard.

"Keep quiet, no matter what happens, don't come out." Aliza's mother tried her best to calmly instruct Aliza as her trembling hands grabbed the blanket to cover the side of the bed.

Aliza burst in tears and called "Mother..."

Her mother smiled "Aliza, this is reality. Always remember to be strong okay?" she said and let the cloth slid down to cover Aliza.

Few seconds later Aliza heard the door slammed open.

"Search the room thoroughly!!"

The woman just stood still as she faced the group of men. Her hands firmly held the knife behind her back. She gulped and sweat formed in her forehead.

"Kill the wo--"

Before he could finish his sentence Aliza's mother charged the knife at the man, she knew she was in a great disadvantage, but she thought, she could at the very least do something like this.

Aliza slightly peaked as she was worried about her mother.

However, as soon as she lifted the piece of cloth, her body froze at what she witnessed.

Her mother's head rolled upon the floor and her blood scattered on the wooden floor.

Aliza's trembling hands slowly went to her mouth to avoid any screams. She tightly clasped her mouth as her eyes were clouded with tears.

As her tears continues to stream, a sudden cold feeling touched her foot.

"Boss, there's another one in here." he informed, and Aliza's eyes widened.

She curled her body, but they lifted the blanket. Aliza was suddenly eaten by her fear.

"N-No! Please!" She screamed, but the men dragged her, and she immediately dug her nails on the wooden floor, yet it wasn't helpful.

They managed to get Aliza out under the bed and Aliza wriggled her body as they held her. She resisted and resisted until a loud bang made her body go limp.

Her eyelids slowly closed and she fell into darkness.

.

This is an original story and copyright is forbidden illegal.

Aliza slowly opened her eyes, revealing her clear amber eyes.

Her eyes roamed around the area she's in. She noticed that she is lying on a bed covered in a soft white blanket. Aliza slowly lifted her aching body and leaned her back on the bed's head board.

Her eyes scanned the prestigious room with walls embroidered with gold. Aliza was extremely amazed by the designs of the spacious room. She felt like she's in a castle, just like what she read on the books.

Her eyes went to the door when she heard a knock from outside. Aliza don't know what to do.

Stuttering she said: "Uh, c-come in!"

A woman in a maid outfit entered and walked towards Aliza with her head slightly bowed.

"Miss, the King has ordered us to take you in his study. Please allow me to escort you in changing before so." She politely said and Aliza felt confused at the situation and was silent for a few seconds.

"King...? May I ask who you are referring to?" Aliza asked politely, her face showed confusion and that's exactly what she felt.

"Miss, the one I'm referring is His Highness, the King of Lyrox." The maid answered calmly.

Aliza froze and her eyes widened.

Yesterday she was just living in a small village...

What king...?

Then realization suddenly it hit her,

No...

She was dragged by those men. The group of men who killed her mother.

Suddenly, the scene of her mother's head rolling on the floor flashed into her mind. She unconsciously bit her lips as she felt them tremble, her hands fisted on the blanket and she lowered her head. Her snow coloured hair hung towards her face hiding her dreaded expression.

She took a deep breath and looked at the woman in maid uniform "Can you please leave for awhile, I just need a moment. I'll call you later on." she said and her trembling lips resisted as she tried to smile.

The maid bowed her head and walked out of the room.

As soon as the door shut, Aliza let her tears stream upon her cheeks. Her hands went to her mouth and sobbed quietly. She doesn't know what's happening but she knew, everything that happened that night wasn't a dream.

Her mother is truly gone.

Aliza's body slid down from the head board and laid her head on the pillow. Her body curled as her eyes shut while tears streamed down.

The entire scene can perceived as if the world had turned upside down to certain person, that is Aliza.

'What should I do now mother?' she thought in her head.

'This is reality, be strong'

Her mother's words as if echoed in her head.

Few minutes later, Aliza wiped her puffy red eyes and smiled to reduce the emotions and redeem herself self at least a little from her dreaded situation.

"First, I have to know how I ended up here." She muttered as she get up off the bed. She steadily set her feet on the ground and slowly stood up, testing her leg.

It was a bit painful but not beyond what she can bear. She walked on to the door and opened it a bit, just enough space for her to take a peak.

She saw the maid awhile ago waiting for her.

"Uhm, Miss...?" Aliza whispered trying to catch her attention. The maid turned her gaze to her and she immediately went to her.

The maid helped her change in a peach dress with laces on the wrist, neck and edges of the dress. It also defined her tiny waist more as the maid tightened the corset design at the back of the dress. Aliza stared at herself in the full length mirror.

The dress was so pretty that Aliza was amazed. It is her first time wearing a dress that looked liked the ones she saw on books that royalties wear. She look extravagant and looked as if the dress belonged to her.

"Let's go miss." The maid called out and Aliza nodded.

They went out of the room and Aliza just followed the maid while her eyes are circling at every corner they went. She was beyond amazed, she felt like an ant because of the tall walls and wide spaces.

Everything looked magnificent, the corner of the walls had golden like embroidery and everything looked so clean that it was almost looked as if shining. They passed through a huge chandelier and to Aliza, it felt like seeing the stars up close. The ceiling behind the chandelier was also painted, it was the old map of the four kingdoms and a castle between them which Aliza thought is the castle of the Emperor.

A few moments later, they stopped upon a large dark wooden door with fine details of sculpts on it. The maid knocked upon the door and the door opened.

The maid bowed and gestured her hands for Aliza to enter. Aliza entered and the first thing she saw was the large door made of glass, it was the door through an office.

She turned her gaze to search and there she saw a man. Sitting at the center of the room while reading on a piece of paper in his table. Behind him was a shelf full of books but when Aliza realized, she immediately snapped herself from her thoughts and slightly lowered her head in respect. There is no time for her to pay attention to the details and be amazed, she still need to feed her curiosity.

Aliza didn't know what to do, if she should walked up to him, catch his attention by calling him or just stand there like a statue.

She noticed another man near the door and her gaze went to him. He is wearing a neat black butler suit. He saw Aliza looking at him and he smiled, he gestured for her to walk towards the King and so she did.

After she's at least ten feet near the King, the man lifted his gaze from the papers and stared at Aliza. Aliza immediately bowed her head to avoid his gaze. She was terrified, nervous, and confused making her play with her fingers unconsciously..

"What is your name?" Aliza was a bit startled when he spoke, his voice sounded cold yet not too stern.

Aliza gulped and answered "A-Aliza Nariotte, Your Highness." her voice trembled at the first word but Aliza immediately shifted her voice to stop it, making the rest of her words more articulate.

"Hmm..." she heard him murmured.

Silence took over the whole room again and Aliza gulped again in nervousness. She heard the sound of papers and she imagined him, shuffling the papers in his hand.

A minute later, the man placed down the papers and spoke again.

"I know you have a lot of questions, sit down for awhile."

Aliza gazed at the set up of low table and two couches in between it. She went and silently sat on one of them. Her trembling hands placed on top of the other.

'Do not be nervous, Aliza'

'It's okay...you can do it'

Aliza continued to mutter positive words in her mind.

As an isolated person to suddenly be socializing to another person and moreover, a King. She completely petrified and in perplexity.

The man then sat on the opposite couch.

"Well..." he trailed "It is nice meeting you for the first time, First Princess of the late King, Aliza Vellione."

Aliza's head shot up in surprise and accidentally meet his gaze. Her eyes was slightly widened, lips parted, and forehead creased. Again, she was shocked and her confusion has reached its peak.

She was awakened from the shock at the man's chuckles.

"P-Pardon...?"

...----------------...

REMINDER:

° An Empire is a set of Kingdoms, thus, the highest is the Emperor and in each Kingdoms, the highest are the Kings.

"P-Pardon...?"

The King's chuckles died as he spoke and repeated "Like I said, your true identity is Aliza Vellione. Your Mother is Lisa Vellione the late Queen, she escaped out of Lyrox after killing the Late King." he casually spoke as if his word were not too serious.

The King gestured the man in butler suit. He followed and walked towards the two.

"Explain" the King said and crossed his leg. The man nodded.

" A group of suspicious men entered here in Lyrox through a secret passage and the knights saw them, that is also where they found the Young Lady. After seeing a girl with white hair, they immediately informed me to relay it to His Highness. White hair is rare and it's mostly just pure Royal Blooded ones who possess this feature. Therefore, they concluded that the Young Lady is among them." he explained and Aliza stared at the man as she tried to sink the words in her mind.

Aliza's mind is in a miserable mess 'What is happening?!!'

She shook her head and for the first time, she looked straight to the man opposite to her who sat leisurely with his legs crossed. She was taken back at his majestic appearance but she immediately shook it off.

"Pardon me but what is your intention in keeping me here? I haven't really grasped the situation and I'm still in shock but may I know what will happen to me now?" Aliza said as fake calmness laced her words. Her cold hands gripped the other and her stiff body remained it's confident posture.

"Hmm..." The King stared at her as a small smirk made its way to his face.

Aliza didn't avert her gaze, she looked straight at the King. In that moment of silence she finally grasp the appearance of the King. He looked rather... young and extremely good looking, he possesses the darkest black hair Aliza ever saw in her life and his eyes were noticeably visible because of its lightness-- his eyes were in the shade of ash.

The color reminded Aliza the scene of burning paper as it becomes ashes.

"For now, we still can't announce your identity due to some reasons. Would you mind if you go undercover as a maid for some time until we sort out the situation...princess?" he said with a playful tone and Aliza can't figure out the meaning of his words. He sounded rather...conniving in Aliza's judgement.

Yet, Aliza knows what's best. She perceived her situation as if she had fallen to another world and she knew nothing what's going to happen to her. Thus, she doesn't have any valid choice but to follow them.

"I won't mind You Highness" Aliza said in casual tone.

"It's settled then...ah- before I forget, my name is Lucas Kharxis. It is nice meeting you princess." he introduced and smiled.

"N-nice to meet you too, your highness." Aliza answered awkwardly. She's confused, 'is it normal for Kings to introduce themselves?' she thought.

"Princess, please follow me." the butler-like man spoke and Aliza nodded her head lightly. She stood up, bowed at Lucas and left the room along with the man.

While walking Aliza can't help but ask "Uhmm, excuse me mister" she said catching his attention.

"Yes princess?"

"May I know what is your name? I have been describing you as a man in a butler suit in my head because I still have not known your name." Aliza said awkwardly and sheepishly smiled.

The butler-like man was surprised and couldn't help himself but cough to stop his chuckles. He did not expect the girl to say such unexpected thing. He composed his self before he answered.

"This servant's name is Warden, Princess." he answered formally and Aliza nodded. Warden pursed his lips as he glanced at the unknown princess.

An hour later, Aliza looked at herself in the mirror weirdly. They coloured her hair in dark brown and made her wear a maid's outfit. They informed her that the hair colour is not permanent and it won't vanish if washed by water, it can only be removed by a particular substance.

"Princess, please forgive this servant's rudeness but I shall entitle you as a maid for now to avoid suspicion." Aliza nodded and smiled to reassure.

"Then, please follow the maid in charge to guide you at your station."

"Understood, thank you Warden" Aliza politely stated and followed the maid incharge. As they continued walking, Aliza started to get lost in her thoughts.

Aliza always loved reading books because her mother taught her a lot through books. She would often tell her a lot about fantasy stories or stories about royalties. Often, she brought books about aristocrat and Aliza loved those. She would also teach her etiquette and tell her the way royals act.

Now, Aliza realized why her mother was so attached upon those. But, did her mother already knew this would happen? Is that why she taught her those things? Aliza fell in deep thought.

'Mother...'

Aliza bit her lips and released a sigh to calm her nerves. Her mother often said that calmness is the key to overcome any situation and so, she tried her best to be as calm as possible and reminded herself to be always calm.

When Aliza snapped, she realized they had reached the maid's area.

"Princess, this will be your room along with the other maids. I will be referring to you by your name from now, please excuse my rudeness." The maid incharge said.

Aliza smiled "It's okay, may I know your name?"

"It's Flora Princess." the maid answered.

"Then please refer to me as Aliza from now on, Miss Flora." Aliza stated and smiled to remove Miss Flora's intimidation.

"Yes Princess." she said and bowed.

"Then i'll go in now" Aliza said and entered the room.

The room was not too small and simple. Two bunk beds opposite to each other and one long table. Four stacked cabinets on the corner and that's it.

Aliza nodded in satisfaction, it's not that bad. Their previous house was also just as simple, no unnecessary things and just practically needed ones.

She put her few clothes on one of the empty cabinets. While arranging, the door opened revealing a young girl in the same maid outfit. She has a short hair and slightly tanned skin and had a very eye catching freckles in her small face..

The young maid noticed Aliza and waved at her.

"Hi! Are you the new maid?!" she asked excitedly as she approached Aliza. Aliza nodded at grinned.

"Whoah! You're so pretty!! Nice to meet you i'm Nica!" she introduced and they both shook hands.

Aliza went along with her enthusiasm and introduced herself "Hi! I'm Aliza, nice to meet you too!"

"Really! You're so pretty and your skin is so flawless! Whoah!! I'm jealous!" Aliza just chuckled at her shyly and remembered how her mother would always nag her to put things to her face. Now, she knew why.

"Anyways, Miss Flora told me to guide you. Are you done putting your clothes?" Aliza nodded as she closed the cabinet.

"Okay then, let's go!" she exclaimed and Aliza nodded.