Ch. 4

"Y-your Majesty... That... How can I, Your Majesty?" She says after she gulps nervously, even the usually poker face Sona can't maintain her reaction.

"I'm afraid I am not qualified to be His Highness 's partner..." She fidgets her fingers quietly as her face turns a little pale.

The emperor laughs and say, "how can you be sure? I heard that you have outstanding talents and intelligence and I also witness your etiquette. I'm sure you would be a great empress."

"But-" just before Sona replies, someone suddenly interrupts.

"Father! Phill did not choose any of those rats, right?" A voice suddenly bursts out as the door opens.

Sona and the others gaze to the door and find the first imperial family's daughter, Princess Elizabetha, walks towards.

She is the oldest child of the royal family, unfortunately, since she is a girl, she can't inherit the crown and was passed down to Phillip instead.

Her eyes are the same as The Emperor just like the rumors.

Sona thinks, observing the new character secretly.

... What a luck indeed, meeting three royal family in one day, perhaps I will even meet the empress.

Sona sarcastically says to herself as she as her inner self sighs tiredly.

"Yes, he won't picked any of them, that's why I picked for him instead. I picked the best there is." The emperor happily claims that makes Sona even more paler.

"What? Who? Is it this tiny girl that you picked, Father?" Princess Elizabetha asks as she fiercely point at Sona, and not being able do anything, she just stays quiet.

tiny... I need to built more strength if I want to hold weapons.

she thinks.

But little did they know, The Princess's rejection is actually making Sona happy since it's the opportunity for her. But of course she doesn't show it on her face.

"Father, don't say that you choose her just because she looks like a match to Phil' face?" the princess says again, pointing sharp gaze to Sona.

"Does that mean you agree with them being a perfect match? As far as I see, there is nothing better than Sona, in any way." The emperor says again. Making Sona anxious a little.

I... don't want to redo what I did in my past life... I don't want to-!!

"yes, surely you don't want to experience the same thing as me, right~? hmm~?"

a voice suddenly appears from Sona's side. She quickly glance at her right but there's nothing there.

what...?

"oh poor you, you can't do anything about it, I am you and you are me, we share the same fate, the tragic fate that will bring us to despair and loneliness~"

... no. no... I won't go through that! I am different from you! Get away from me...!

"huhu~ no matter how hard you try, you'll ended up alone with no one to trust~"

the voice begins to fade after the last sentence.

"...." Sona's body trembles but she holds it in. She clutches her hands tight.

I won't end that way.

Sona says to herself as she glances at Phillip who seems to be a little distracted.

He doesn't seem to be interested either, so it should be fine... yeah, it should be, right...?

"Hmph! I bet she was just acting like a good noble lady, but is wicked inside! Who can resist marrying Phill? He is perfect and even more he is The Crown Prince, don't be tricked by her! She is not worthy!" Elizabetha crosses her hands as she glares at Sona while saying those stuff.

Sona's calm and composed face actually irritates the princess and she says again.

"I bet she wants fame and power. I'm right, aren't I? That's why you can't answer anything. You are too greedy that even The Vallade's possessions are not enough." She claims.

Sona freezes after hearing that. She clutches her hands once more in anger. But she once again holds it back.

let's be on the mature side...

As I thought, royals are jerks that can't be trusted.

"Eli, That's enough! I was the one who called her, you dare to go against your father?" The Emperor says, even though he doesn't sound angry but the sentence was somehow pointy.

"But- I.." The Princess looks flustered by her father's scolds.

..! Is The Princess losing? I need to do something! Anything...!!! Ah! That's right!

"Your Majesty..." Sona braves herself to speak, "please forgive me, but would you mind reconsider Her Royal Highness' opinion. This subject dare not to do something that is out of her grasp." Sona says, she uses the princess' objection as a support first.

Sona clenches her dress slightly to hide her nervousness.

please just let me go.

she plead in her head.

The Princess seems to be quiet now, she stares at Sona with a little hint of surprised.

^^^What is she saying? Is this an act? Or is it that she is afraid of me? Either way, it's good if she knows her place.^^^

^^^The princess claims to herself.^^^

The room becomes quiet. Sona who notices the atmosphere's differences, anxiously glances at The Prince, hoping that he would also agrees, because that would be much easier.

The Crown Prince seems to be having some thoughts but he keeps staring at Sona, it looks like he is observing her.

I think I thought about something impossible... The Crown Prince is a loyal and filial son when it comes to this...

"Is it because of the princess? Don't worry I won't let her do anything to you." The Emperor says, he is frowning that makes me even more nervous, since I have made the emperor displeased.

"No, Your Majesty, I was giving my honest thoughts."

Sona puts her hand gently to her chest, "... Instead, to be true, I wish to inherit my family's pride along side with my brothers, therefore I need to politely decline your offer." The three royals seem to be shocked by Sona's statements.

It's almost as if I have pledged my loyalty to the imperials as a subject and not anything else. ... honestly, my mind has gone blank, all I could think about is this right now...

"Your family's pride, does that mean..."

"Yes your majesty, let me serve you as one of your subject." Sona says. Nervous sweat trickles down.

Another silence fills the room. Sona is staring at the Emperor with a determined eyes. Her eyes are saying that she is sure about this and won't back out now.

"... It seems that you will reject this proposal till the end? Are you aware that you are rejecting an Emperor's offer?" The Emperor asks with his serious face.

"yes, indeed... However, please allow this subject to be stubborn, as she doesn't want to back down from her goal, your majesty. Please punish this insolent subject." Sona says.

"... You do know that I have the power to put you into this engagement, then?" The Emperor asks again. Sona gulps down, wetting her dry throat.

"..." She has nothing to replies as it is true that she can't fight against him if it becomes an order. She knows it very well that if His Majesty ordered her to do so, then she will have to do so. But she still believe in the possibility that he won't force her.

Then the emperor sighs.

"I see. So be it, I won't force you, since I've already took a liking to you. But let me warn you to be ready, since we do not know what the future holds." He says. His tone is serious that even the air feels bad.

hearing that Sona's face brightened up for a while and turns back to the stuff poker face.

"I will be forever grateful for your generosity." Sona replies.

She then glances at The Prince, then makes an eye contact with him.

?! *Did I just caught His Highness staring? since when did he stare at me?

They* are staring each others for a bit then Sona nods for another greetings and smiles slightly. While getting a slight bob from The Prince after.

... He is like a statue... It's kinda cute how he flinched when The Emperor offered an engagement. I wonder if he is happy about this? Shouldn't he reward me? Heheh, I saved you from being engaged with a random girl, you know. At least you have another year of freedom.

Sona says in her thought. Being a little proud of what she did.

"About that wish of yours, I won't hold you about it, but, I don't think the duke will let this slip easily. Hahah." His majesty finally laughs, and the atmosphere comes back to normal. Sona sighs in relief and finally relaxing her tensed shoulders.

"...Since I have your majesty's support, I will do my best." Sona smiles. While The Princess gives a slight pout, showing her dissatisfaction.

"hmph!" Elizabetha scorns.

... Since when did she get to The Emperor's side?

"Then, you may leave, Sona. Please remember that my proposal will always opens if you ever change your mind." The emperor teasingly says.

Sona Smiles slightly, proving that she is much likely happy about the warm welcome. But of course, she won't ever use that chance.

"Then, I will excuse myself, your majesty, your highnesses. Please have a pleasing day." Sona bows and leaves the room.

She walks down to the front gate to meet the couchman who is already waiting for her. She gets into the wagon and it begins to move.

"Sir Fen, let's go home, the sooner the better." Sona claims with full of energy. He nods and starts to move the carriage a little more faster.

Sona slumps down on the couch of the carriage and leans to the window.

what a day! My hands are still tremble slightly. I wonder do I actually have a trauma about that memories...?

...no matter how hard you try, you'll ended up alone with no one to trust....

...we share the same fate, the tragic fate that will bring us to despair and loneliness~...

"..." Sona feels down a little bit as she recalls what the voice said a while ago.

"A tragic fate... Who or what is that? The meaning of 'we', 'ended up alone', 'loneliness...' all of these words make me confident that this is the 'me' from the past..."

As long as I be careful, nothing like that will happen, right...?

As soon as Sona arrives, she immediately jumps off the carriage and heads inside the mansion.

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