-𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.

10

"Princess? It's time for you to rise, you'll miss your daily breakfast with his Majesty." Alannys' soft voice sounded outside of the blanket cocoon that Jennette made.

Jennette didn't feel like waking up, even when the sky is bright and the birds are chirping happily, she just has no energy to stand up and start her day like nothing's wrong.

The Princess feels like she's overreacting, but she just can't help it. All throughout her years living as Jennette Margarita back in Obelia, she didn't have a single father figure, sure the Duke Alpheus was there for her, but Jennette got the feeling that he took care of her for his own benefit.

And now that she finally got the chance of being happy, even when it's just a borrowed body and identity, she feels like it's being taken away from her again.

'You are not borrowing anything, you are me, and I am you. This life is yours to live, do not doubt it.'

A voice that sounds really familiar resounded in her mind, Jennette sighed and burrowed her face deeper into the comfort of her pillows.

The Princess can't be selfish now can she? She lived, and is still living a very good life, maybe she should be happy for her Dad and support him through his engagement.

Though there are no official announcements yet, Jennette is pretty sure that it will lead to that conclusion.

Jennette should really be happy for the emperor, after all, even if her future stepmother was a mean one in the novel she still made Dad feel at ease, maybe this time it would be different, maybe the Lady Visenya would find it in her heart to tolerate Jennette.

Oh but who was she kidding? Just a few days ago, Lady Visenya talked to her in the castle gardens and proceeded to grip her shoulders tight. Tight enough that it left red marks.

"Princess? Are you still asleep?"

"I don't feel like waking up today, Aly," Jennette mumbled inside of her comforting cocoon, "Can you tell his Majesty that I'll be missing from our daily breakfast?"

———

Alannys can't help but frown after hearing her beloved Princess, she can tell that Jennette sounded pretty sad and she couldn't help but worry.

"Are you alright, Princess? You sound quite sad..." Alannys trailed off, she heard the rustling of silken sheets and blankets before a head poked out of the blanket cocoon.

Alannys tried her best to hold back from cooing at the adorable sight before her, Jennette blinked her golden eyes owlishly at her and beamed.

"Aly need not worry! I guess I kinda sound sad earlier but that's just because I thought of something that made me really sad! But it's okay now so you shouldn't worry because it's no use if Aly worries–" Alannys watched as Jennette rambled on before the Princess placed a hand in her mouth and looked at her sheepishly, "I'm rambling aren't I? But, as I've said, you do not need to worry, Aly! I will be fine!"

Alannys sighed and took a step forward to caress the Princess' cheek, "I will try my best Princess, I will be taking my leave now, alright? I still need to inform the Emperor of your absence."

Alannys watched as Jennette nodded and smiled warmly at her before retreating back to her blanket cocoon.

Alannys straightened her dress before taking a step out of Jennette's quarters and delivering the news to the waiting Emperor.

On her way towards the dining hall, Alannys encountered the Emperor's personal knight, Killian Godric.

"Oh Lady Alannys, Good Morning." The knight bowed to her.