We rode our horse into the village’s premise and the view shocked me. The glistening waters and the quaint atmosphere was beautiful. This village wasn’t busy or bustling like the capital, it was calm and peaceful. If this village was going to be my home, I didn’t mind it.

“Is that Clive.”

“Is it? Wait, it is!”

“Who’s that person sitting behind him.”

There was chatter in the distance. I could hear it clearly because they weren’t trying to hide their voices at all. It was three boys and they started approaching us. Not knowing what to do I clung to Clive’s back even more, trying to hide my presence.

“It’s ok. They’re my friends.”

Clive got off the horse and helped me off. We got closer and so did the three boys. The next moment, Clive was bombarded with questions.

“You went to the capital and brought home a girl!? Ahhh, i’m so jealous!!!” “What’s her name?” “How was your trip?” “If I go to the capital maybe I can get a girlfriend too.” “No way. No one would want to date you Richard.” “Shut up Rob.” “I think my father would like to meet with you Clive.”

“Hahaha, long time no see guys!!!”

I watched as Clive joined in their conversation. He started answering their questions and joking around with them. I could tell that he was good friends with them because I had never seen him smile so much before.

“Sooo, who is the girl?”

“Yeah, tell us who she is.”

“Ummm, she’s…”

Clive was struggling to come up with an introduction for me. ‘Well, I can’t let Clive do all the talking.’ I needed to speak for myself. I can’t hide behind Clive’s back for the rest of my life.

“It is nice to meet all of you. My name is Claire Fem, and I have been under the care of Clive’s father, Jonathan. I hope we can get along.”

“Oof, my heart. It’s skipping beats just from that smile. Mah hearts gonna explode from your beauty!!!”

“This feeling in my chest. It’s BURNNNING! That smile is too beautiful for this world!!!”

“Nice to meet you Claire. My name is Dylan and those two idiots are Rob and Richard. We are Clive’s friends.”

“Hahaha, you have some funny friends Clive.”

“Yeah, they’re quite unique. Dylan did you say the mayor wanted to see us?”

“Yeah, everyone in the village was told to send you to the mayor if you guys ever came.”

“Ok, thanks. Let’s go Claire.”

“Ahhh, the angel is flying away. Our destinies were not meant to be. Oh, how sad it is to be separated!!!”

“Oh, the goddess is gone. Our hearts were never meant to be connected. All I can do is worship you from afar!!!”

“Can you idiots stop trying to compete over the stupidest things. You’re going to scare Claire away.”

“Shut up Dylan. You have a girlfriend already, let us do what we want.”

“Yeah, this will be the first time I agree with Rob. Do you know the pain of watching you act all lovey dovey with Eliza everyday? Do you!!!”

“Uh...”

“Yeah yeah, tell him off Richard. Everytime we see you flirt with Eliza, I feel like crying tears of blood. Always being so cute with one another. Go and act cute somewhere else. Why are you always doing in front of us. Acting all shy trying to hold hands, even give each other pecks on the cheeks, and even feeding each other!!! It makes me so jealous!!!”

“Single boys unite!!!!”

“YEAHHHH, SINGLE BOYS UNITE!!!!”

“S-Shut up. Why are you guys agreeing on the stupidest things!!!”

……

“YEAHHHH, SINGLE BOYS UNITE!!!!”

“Hahaha, you have very interesting friends Clive.”

“Yeah, they may be weird, but they’re good friends. I hope you can be friends with them too.”

“Yeah, they’ll be my first friends besides you.”

“Haha, I guess all your friends are going to be weirdos then.”

It didn’t take long for us to reach the mayor’s house. It was like any of the other houses. It was made out of wood, but the only notable difference is the large yard. Clive began knocking on the door and we waited. A few seconds passed before the door opened. The person who opened the door had a large build and had a head full of white hair with a few streaks of black. Before I knew it, this man who was older than my father got onto one knee and bowed his head.

“Greetings Princess Claire!”

“Greetings, you may stand. Umm, can you drop the formalities. I no longer have the qualifications to be princess anymore. Right now i’m just a regular girl.”

“Not with that attitude I won’t. Remember this Princess Claire, no matter the situation, you will always be the Princess of the Kingdom of Key. I will not drop the formalities until it is ingrained in your head that you are our Princess.”

“I-I…”

I didn’t know what to say to the mayor. In my mind I had already given up the title of Princess. I was ready to live my life to the fullest as Claire Renner, the regular citizen. But being reminded like this made me realize that I am still running away. Just like what Jill had told me, I am still being a spoiled brat who is waiting for a change to happen. I thought I understood her words but I still had much more to learn. I can’t just give up the title Princess and expect everything to be ok. I have the responsibility of being the Princess for my people.

“I-I...Thank you mister and i’m sorry. I thought I could just give up my title as Princess just because I wanted to, but now I know that there are still people like you who will always believe in my as the Princess. I know that I must uphold my duties as Princess, but I don’t know if I could ever meet up to your expectations. I don’t know if I could ever be a good Princess.”

“Good, as long as you recognize that you are the Princess of our Kingdom. You are still young right now, so use your time and build yourself into the Princess you want to be.”

“Thank you.”

“Please come in, we have a lot to speak about.”

……

“Go ahead and ask any questions you have. A lot has happened within these last two years.”

“Mayor, how is my father?”

“I’m not sure Clive. That last time Jonathan contacted us was about half a year ago. At that time he sent a messenger to check and see if you guys have arrived yet. I’m pretty sure that he was worried that you guys didn’t arrive at the time that was scheduled. But knowing you, I believe that Jonathan trusted you to protect Claire.”

“Thank you mayor. Sorry for coming late. We decided to train and become stronger before coming back.”

“Oh, who did you train with while in the Kingdom of Spears.”

Clive and I began retelling the mayor our journey after leaving the Kingdom of Key. We told him of our experience with our temporary Master and how we became apprentices. The only information we withheld from the mayor was Jill’s name. We knew that Jill had some ill will towards the Kingdom of Key and spreading her name wouldn’t do her any good.

“Someone stronger than Jonathan. I can’t even imagine that. Well, do you have any more questions.”

“W-w-what about my father? And my brother?”

“Please prepare yourself Claire. This isn’t going to be a pleasant story.”

“Y-yes, please tell me.”

“Ok. About two years ago, your father died of an illness. Although they say it was an illness, Jonathan informed me that it was poisoning and mostly likely from Phillis. A grand ceremony was held for Rike. I don’t know if Phillis did this out of sentimentally for Rike or just to look good in front of the citizens, but it’s most likely the latter.”

“F-father…”

Tears began falling. My father was dead. My father who raised three children after mother died, my father who would play with Tristan and I, my father who would scold us for being mischievous, my father who would always show a strong smile even when he was suffering, and most importantly my father who smiled for me even on his deathbed. My father was no longer alive.

‘I can’t cry. I already decided to be stronger. Isn’t this why I trained so hard for those two years. I can’t cry!’

“A-and what about my brother, Lance.”

“Lance is still in position as King, but he has no real power. Currently all the power is within Phillis’ hand. About a year and a half ago, everyone hated Lance. His ruling was terrible and made the citizens suffer, but half a year later, everyone was in love with Phillis for saving them. Currently Phillis is seen as a hero who saved this country from ruin, but I know that this is all a part of Phillis plan. During the beginning, he propped Lance up as a terrible King who made everyone suffer just so he could swoop in and prop himself up as a hero. To make himself seem even more benevolent, when Phillis came into power he “forgave” Lance and allowed him to still be king. The story everyone believes in is that Phillis should be the true King but because he is so kind, he is giving his nephew another chance to rule. But in reality, Phillis now has complete control of the country.

And within this last year, the changes in the law and rules were less harsh and reverted some of the previously outrageous changes. Now everyone thinks that because of Phillis’ influence the Kingdom is starting to prosper again, but in fact it is still worse now than when Rike still ruled. This dramatic change from extremely bad to normal made everyone forget how good the times were when Rike still ruled. But even now there is still suffering for the poor. The majority of Phillis’ change in the government and laws benefited the wealthy and the middle class. Anything under the middle class suffers, but because the majority of those involved in the government comes from the middle class to the wealthy, no one minds these changes. And this leads to the current situation of the country. There have been rumors that there is a high chance that there will be a civil war between the poor and the rich. I currently know that those supporting the poor is being led by Jonathan while the other side is being led by Phillis. Somewhere in the near future war is going to break out.”

My heart sank. The situation was more grave than I could have ever thought. My Kingdom was on the verge of self-destructing and I couldn’t do anything about it. All I could do is leave it to Jonathan to defeat Phillis and bring back peace.

“Don’t worry Claire. No matter what happens in the future, I will always protect.”

Clive grasped my hand and I felt some relief from it. It gave me some strength to not break down. I had to stay strong for myself and for my Kingdom.

“Well said Clive. I will stake my life to protect your wellbeing Claire. I have been entrusted by your grandfather Vagrand to shelter any of his children if the time ever comes. Now that you need me, I will shelter you with my life.”

“Mister.”

“Just call me mayor. Everyone calls me that.”

“Mayor, you know my grandfather?”

“Yes, Vagrand and I go way back. I was once the personal guard of Vagrand just like how Clive is with you right now. In fact I was also the one who recommended Jonathan as Rike’s personal guard. Naturally we became close friends. Before Vagrand left on his journey, he had entrusted me to shelter any of his children during there times of need and now is the exact timing to fulfill my promise. Now, why don’t we stop right there. You guys have just come back from a long journey so why don’t you rest for the day.”

“Ok.”

“Where am I going to live mayor?”

“No need to worry about that Claire. You will be living with Clive in his house. This is the best way he can protect you.”

“W-wait what. I’m going to be living in the same house as Clive.”

“I won’t do anything, I swear.”

“Isn’t this dangerous mayor?”

“What’s the problem Claire? If Clive tries anything, I give you the permission to destroy him.”

“Hmmm, ok that’s fine then. You better not try anything funny Clive.”

“Haha, I won’t.”

……

After that day, my life in Clear View was peaceful. The villages were very nice and quickly welcomed me in. I was even able to make friends with Eliza, Claudia, Leia, and Clive’s friends. The days went by quickly. Each day was normal and peaceful. I would help around the village, test my cooking on my fiends, play around, or train. These were blissful times for me who didn’t have any friends within the castle.

A year quickly passed by and I was now 13 and Clive was 14. This year was a terrible year. One day a merchant from the other villages came and told the villagers about the situation in the capital. Apparently the rebels were taken down and there was no more need to fear for a civil war.

The rebels were the group being led by Jonathan. No one who knew Jonathan would believe this news. Jonathan was probably the strongest person they ever knew, but the shock was the greatest for Clive. Clive couldn’t believe that his father was defeated. In his eyes his father was his role model. An invincible person who would never lose to anyone, not even an army. Everyday he waited for news from Jonathan saying that he was fine but it never came.

Day after day no news of Jonathan came. But Clive’s heart didn’t break. On the outside he was the same boy who would smile and joke around with his friends. Nobody, except for me, knew how much pain Clive was going through. The times he went to his father’s room holding his clothes to sleep were numerous. The times he cried out Jonathan’s name in his sleep was innumerable. He was going through so much pain, but he never showed it to anyone. He was just like my father after my mother passed.

I wanted to relieve him of some of his grief, but I didn’t know how. I wanted him to share his pain with me. I wanted to be able to shoulder his troubles like how he has shouldered my troubles. There was only one idea that I could think of.

……

“Hey Clive. How are you feeling.”

“I’m feeling pretty good. I have so much energy that I feel like I can beat Master Jill in a race.”

“Hahaha, I don’t think that’s possible no matter how much energy you have.”

“Hahahaha, I probably need more than 100 times more energy than I have right now to beat her. So is that all you want Claire?”

“Um, I have something else I want to talk about. But first, can you close your eyes.”

“Ooo, are you going to kiss me. I don’t think my heart or my body is ready for this. But if you must, take me away.”

“Hmmm, I don’t know? Am I going to give you a kiss or not?”

“Wait, are you serious. I really don’t think i’m ready.”

“Maybe if you stay quiet then it may or may not happen.”

“...”

“Here I come. Are you ready.”

“...”

“How cute. You’re blushing so much. You’re always the one teasing me but now the tables have turned. I might get addicted to doing this.”

“...”

“I’m getting closer Clive. Can you feel my breathe. I’m an inch away from your lips. The question is, am I going to kiss you or not. Time to find out.”

“...”

“...”

“WAHAHAHAHAHAHA, stop pl-please s-stop, WHAHAHAHA, don’t t-tickle m-me. *Mghm*Mghm*Gulp.”

“How is it?”

“Ack. It’s still too sweet.”

“Hehehe, I was never able to give my cookie to my father when he was feeling down, but I can for you. So i’m going to make you eat my cookies until you feel better.”

“I-I…”

“Are those tears of joy I see. Hahaha, I guess my cookies are working already.”

“T-thank you Claire.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll always be by your side and make you cookies whenever you’re down, so you better be happy.”

“Hahaha, y-yeah.”