Wayward [The Princess' jewellery box]

[IV] The soon completion of her jewellery box

Ariana de Sekramis, with her flowy silver hair and molten amethysts eyes, akin to the Moon goddess, is a princess constantly coveted by the princes of other nations. Her beauty that seemed to have been bestowed to her, by the gods and goddesses themselves; it wouldn't be strange for them to feel jealousy, seeing how gorgeous Ariana is.

Her status as the sole princess of the empire of Arbelzea, makes her the second most powerful woman in the empire, coming just after the empress herself. Marrying her, would be like securing his way into the royal family.

Furthermore, being the sole princess, give her countless resources but also a package of restrains and inconvenience: behind the picture of the innocent and fragile princess that she had carefully built over the years, stand a lioness brave, bold and courageous, who will not go down without a fight.

If men believed that she was not worthy to be on the throne and is only a trade tool with the highest value, then they should watch their back. From the moment that thought came into their minds, a sword of Damocles was already floating above their heads, dangerously close to their necks.

Poor men~! They are too close-minded and near-sighed, to become aware of that sword, that can at any moments behead them. Even if they were aware of it, looking back, at the end of it, they would see the grim reaper: wearing a black cloak and a scythe in its two hands. Underneath that cloak, the body of a skeleton, how horrifying that sight would be! That what they would expect, but in reality the one they would see at the other side of the sword, would be the princess.

The princess in a magnificent flowy dress decorated with silk and lace. Expensive piece of jewellery, and the most eye-catching crown that would have ever seen before. 

A crown befitting her status, her as an individual and what she is rightfully owner of.

To reach her goals, she has to use all means close at her hand: her jewels. A way for her to secure her way to the crown and also to be surrounded by beautiful men without collapsing her image of the perfect princess.

The first jewel in the jewellery box, [Nell Phantom]. Shiny, smooth black hair with purple pinkish hues, chocolate coloured skin and stunning golden orbs. A skilful swordsman, able to transform himself in a wolf, who was the key of the victory against the isle of Orian.

With his crimson and eye-catching crimson hair, his tan skin and his well-matched orange eyes, the second prince and military commander of Xek, [Erfit Karsia] became the second jewel.

Smooth, long white lock, feminine feature, a mole under his eye and yellow eyes, it's a beauty that no one can divert their eyes from. It made people know him as the 'Fairy of the Moon'. Although, he was born as a commoner, he is the trusted general of the King and Queen of Darhan, [Haun Baek], the third jewel.

[Raymond Amber], the fourth jewel, with golden hair and eyes. With his skills as a seducer and silver tongue, known as the ladykiller of Galdeon.

The fifth jewel, [Jade Meldea], a descendant of House Meldea. Dark blue hair, jade-coloured eyes and skills in politic.

Five beautiful and powerful men, in one and single jewellery box. Who wouldn't be envious?

At this point, everyone thought that the princess has completed the jewellery box of hers. But, unknown to them, the almighty sole princess of Arbelzea empire, still had someone in her mind. Not a man, but a woman with a beauty comparable to the princess'. Short, scarlet wavy hair, exquisite topaz like eyes, glossy naturally pink lips, white milky skin and a rosy blush on her cheeks. One of the most beautiful woman in Arbelzea empire.

Despite being a beautiful woman, she is not like any other noble women that are just making themselves beautiful and waiting to marry. She earned her title of countess herself, and already participated in some wars.

May those fools' souls be saved, after they dared to look down upon the goddess of beauty's avatar.

Somewhere, far and far away from the warm Arbelzea, in a barren land except for snow, as far as the eye can see, and an ocean of trees. A feminine figure, with short, wavy scarlet hair and amber eyes, scanned the countless corpses of beast scattered around, tainted the white snow to a crimson and nauseating carpet of blood.

Not a single drop of blood on her clad white dress with a high collar, decorated by extravagant golden and silver embroidery at every edge and big. A fluffy and warm looking black fur, to which is attached a cloak with the inside made of crimson velvet.

On the back of the cloak, is embroidered, her house's heraldry: a white fox with pearlescent fur and pigeon blood ruby. The fox, is surrounded by golden leaves, gardenias, gladiolus, and hydrangeas. All embroidered with a gold thread.

At her hip, is attached two swords, as extravagantly decorated with gems as each other. In fact, those two swords are not meant to be used on a battlefield, and only hold symbolic meanings. The sword with the black sheath and decorated with a big amethyst coloured mana stone, is the proof that the emperor had given her full authority on a battlefield; a symbol of trust, if you would. The second one, with a white sheath with small amber coloured topaz, was given to her by Ariana as a gift for gaining her title of countess Archinoe, but also to keeping a self-defense on her.

Looking around her, Lucetta heaved a sigh, as she finally completed the task given to her, by the emperor of Arbelzea; whom she sees as her father figure as her biological father is nothing more than a rubbish, like the other member of her blood-related family. And, it's not like the emperor corrected her or saw her any differently from a daughter.

Some says, that she is the non-official princess of the Arbelzea empire. They are not wrong, but not right either.

Kissing the amethyst gem on the black sheath of her sword, a golden bird made of her mana, emerged and fly away toward the emperor, as a way to tell him that she had finished, and will soon come back.

In Arbelzea, in the office of the emperor, while he was working on papers that covered numbers of tasks or matters, the window suddenly opened by itself, making a wind blows harshly. Strangely enough, no papers had flown away and everything was still as orderly as it was.

The flutters of wings were heard, and the emperor saw a golden bird made out of mana, land just in front of him, before finally vanishing into thin air. Though, it was enough for him to understand, as he stood up quickly and gave the order of preparing for the return of the scarlet fox in Arbelzea.

The news quickly travelled throughout the entire empire of Arbelzea, and every folk and commoner, celebrated for her near return to the empire. Yet, the aristocracy with, all ranks included, was less enthusiastic toward the news of her return.

Somewhere, in the palace, Ariana, hearing that her precious friend will finally return to her after long months, beamed with joy and thoroughly delighted.