The Rule

Even though she was used to the attention that was always given to her. However this time the situation was very different. People saw her no longer as a sweet and cute little prince. But a young prince who will soon be 15 years old. That means, she is old enough to choose her future bride.

"Sofia, what are you doing?" Asked a young blonde girl who stood among the entourage of the Kingdom of Obelia.

The young girl stepped hesitantly towards Princess Sofia who still didn't move from her place. This made Seraphina unable to do anything.

"Sofia, aren't you too presumptuous to ask the Grand Prince to talk like this? Don't you already know the rule that no one can invite the Grand Prince of Evangelia to speak without permission even if you are a princess even once!" She warned.

Despite not reacting, everyone who looked at them agreed to the young girl's warning about the rule. Seraphina frowned, she was the only person who felt badly wronged by the ridiculous rules that made it very difficult to mingle with other people because of the high honor she received as the children of a king.

"You're right, I forgot that rule. Maybe because I admire Prince Xavier so much, I'm really sorry. Your Majesty, I am truly sorry!"

"No, you don't need to be sorry! actually I don't agree with rules like that. So, don't worry!"

"Is it true?"

"Yes, of course!" Seraphina who has a habit of smiling. Naturally giving her sweet smile to anyone without exception.

The noble girls and daughters who saw her would surely fall in love with her hospitality. Before meeting her in person, one would think that Prince Xavier of Evangelia was a prince who was stern, cold, and proud like her predecessors. Therefore, when they saw the reality before their eyes, their view of it immediately changed. Except for one girl who since her arrival has shown absolutely no reaction to being attracted to Seraphina's charm. She stood alone in the corner of the room and glared at the figure of Seraphina who was so adored.

Seraphina was a friendly, gentle, kind and smiling young prince. A figure loved by the palace maids and those who had met her.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I feel very fortunate to meet Your Majesty on this sunny day!"


***

"Aren't you being too arrogant? you shouldn't have walked towards Prince Xavier!"

"I already know, why are you so angry? didn't Prince Xavier say that he doesn't agree with that rule? So, I guess I did something right!"

"Something right? Your reckless actions nearly tarnished our kingdom's reputation!"

"You two, why fight?" Queen Erika who had just entered the room, immediately stopped the argument between her two daughters.

"Do you know what happened in the palace hall this afternoon, Mother? Sofia carelessly walked towards Prince Xavier without permission!"

"Really? Sofia, is it true what your sister said?"

"Yes, Mother! but, did I greet Prince Xavier wrong? I thought, I was in the right place to meet and chat with the Grand Prince!"

"My dear, you are right!"

"Mother!"

"Shut up, Rosalia! stop cornering your sister like that!"

"Cornered? what did you say? I just gave her a warning, why are you blaming me?" she said irritably.

Queen Erika looked proudly at her youngest daughter, a smile beginning to bloom on her lips. She excitedly embraced the daughter she was so proud of.

"Oh my daughter! you are really great, dear!"

"I just followed my heart, that's all!"

"You did the right thing. Tell me, how will the Prince react when he sees you? does he smile? Is he attracted to you?"

"Mother, what did you say?" Princess Rosalia seemed annoyed to see her mother's actions which actually supported her youngest daughter's reckless actions.

"I think Prince Xavier is a very kind and friendly Prince. Isn't that great, Mother?"

"Oh of course that's great! You are the most beautiful mother's daughter, I believe you are the right person to become Prince Xavier's consort!"

Seeing her mother and younger sister who didn't care about her at all, made Princess Rosalia very disappointed. She felt it was meaningless to attend a royal meeting like this because the only one who would be the center of attention was Sofia.

Princess Rosalia decided to leave her mother and sister behind, stepping out of the room with an irritated heart. For her this is really sad, she is only one year older than Sofia, but no one acknowledges her existence.

When her feet stood in the hallway of the palace which was three times bigger than her palace in Obelia, it made Princess Rosalia want a palace like this too. She knew, all the girls in this world must have dreamed the same thing as her, lived in a magnificent palace and became the consort of the king who led the civilization of mankind.

"Ah...annoying! Always Sofia and Sofia. When did they side with me? I'm no less beautiful than her! but, why is Sofia the only one being noticed?"

"Why are you grumbling like that? does something upset you, Princess?"

There was a voice of a boy asking her. Princess Rosalia who noticed it immediately turned to the source of the sound.

"No one! Who's talking?" She shouted, not finding the figure of the owner of the voice.

"I'm here? You don't see me?"

"Where? Where are you? Who are you?"

"Is that so? So you can't see me? Even though I'm right in front of the window!"

"W-window?" Princess Rosalia immediately opened the window that was right beside her.

When the window opened, a phoenix with golden feathers flew away towards the sky that was getting reddish. Princess Rosalia was stunned, seeing a bird that she had never seen before.

"That bird? How beautiful-"

"Princess, what are you doing here?" Asked Seraphina who walked through the hallway that she used to pass every day.

Princess Rosalia immediately turned her head and was forced to pass through the beauty of the phoenix flying into the sky. Seeing Seraphina's face, Princess Rosalia was very nervous when she realized that there was no one but the two of them in this hallway.

"P-Prince Xavier, I'm sorry, I just wanted to see the outside view of the palace from this window. I'm really sorry!"

"Why apologize? You can see it if you like. I don't know your name yet. Are you Princess Sofia's sister?" She asked with the same reaction, polite and gentle.

Princess Rosalia became embarrassed, she really did not expect to meet the Prince in this place. Luck like this was an extremely rare thing for her.

"My name is Rosalia Grevaldia, it is an honor for me to meet His Majesty Prince Xavier!"


***