Natalya of the North 《The Remarried Empress》

《11》

Flashback..

It was another day in the Northern Empire. Owls were hooting and the pine trees were frozen because of the dropping temperature.

The Imperial palace was busier than usual, servants circulating around the halls, cooks preparing dishes. Was there a guest from a noble household?

"Brother, let's go to the kitchen! Miss Yeva must be baking some delicious desserts right now!" The young princess exclaimed, tugging at her brother's sleeve impatiently.

Her brother looked at her, smiling attentively. He was just 3 years older than her yet he already had the appearance of angel. Donning his mother's appearance but with his father's facial structure.

"Settle down now, sister. Wait 'til I finish my homework.." He cooes at her, squishing her plump cheeks.

She laughs, swatting his hands away and massaging her swollen cheeks in pain. He was remarkably strong for a ten year old child.

But she wouldn't give up that easily.

"Big brother.." She gives him puppy eyes, her diamond eyes, glistening as she looked deeply into his similar ones.

He gulped, she had him wrapped around her little finger. He could not deny the effect his sister had on him. He could not refuse her at all.

He averted his gaze, trying to focus on his homework. But she persisted, propping up on his lap and tearing attention from it completely.

"Please~"

He sighed, massaging his temples in frustration. He was still the crown prince and he had important things to do.

But since she is his sister..

He would be more than willing to make exceptions.

"Alright.."

She beamed a bright smile, now standing in front of him, jumping up and down in glee. He felt his heart warm at th sight of her innocent childlike happiness. He wanted to preserve that joyfulness of hers forever.

Later, he found himself being dragged into the kitchen, now behind a pillar, hiding from the servants, alongside his sister who was clearly making the most out of the situation.

"We just need to sneak past those guards.." She whispered to him, making him nod in agreement.

They tip-toed into the kitchen, making sure that they did not make any noise as they traveled to achieve their main objective.

His sister's eyes brightened at the sight of the large red velvet cake on the table, walking closer to it and getting some plates for them to be able to eat.

Sure, they were sneaking into the kitchen for dessert but it was not like they weren't taught any manners. They aren't gonna use their bare hands to eat the cake even if they were hungry. They were still civilized royalty, I have you know.

"Say 'ah'~!" She told her brother, holding out a fork that had a piece of the cake to his mouth.

"Ah.." He blurted out, accepting her offer and eating the piece from her fork, smiling gently at her.

After they ate a slice of the cake, they walked back towards their respective rooms, as careful as they could be.

They parted ways, waving good night to each other, before heading off into their chambers.

Meanwhile, the little sister was still in the halls, wondering if she could possibly go into the library to pass time.
She did not feel sleepy just yet.