His Royal Highness

Duties of A Princess

*Mature Content/Trigger Warning/Child Abuse*

It's been a few days since I returned to the castle, I began my duties as a Princess without Levi. I toured the towns and visited the orphanages and there is where I spent most of my free time. Visiting the children and giving them smiles and good memories warmed my darkened heart just a little bit, Noah accompanied me and even had fans at the orphanages. I had no duties today so I decided to visit an orphanage today, I made funding possible for these children now that Selena isn't controlling The King. I have his full ear and he listens to me, I use that to my advantage to make sure this country doesn't hate its monarchy.

I set out with Noah and Violet to the orphanages, I was intent on visiting all of them today. The carriage stopped abruptly and I could hear voices outside.
"Why have we stopped?" I yelled out.
"My apologies You're Grace but-" he was interrupted.
"It's my fault, I told him to stop." Akuma said as he opened the door.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him, and he smiled.
"I'd like to go with you." he said as he sat down across from me, I looked at Noah who was outside, and nodded. We were on our way to town and I sat there in silence, since he left my room he hadn't left his chambers.
"You have found an interest in these orphans even with your emotions gone?" he asked.
"They aren't gone, just off for certain things." I said.
"Certain things?" he asked, I looked at him.
"They are off for people I don't give a damn about... like you." I said as I looked back out the window.
"You wound me dear sister." he said holding his heart.
"Don't call me that." I said.
"Why not? you are my sister after all." he said, he's right why did I say that?

We arrived at the first of three orphanages in the city, when I first came here it was run down and unlivable but now after getting funds for the orphanages, it's comfortable and warm.
"So, this is where all the funding you asked for is going." Akuma said.
"Yes, do you have a problem with helping your people?" I asked him, he put his hands up.
"Don't kill me now I was only saying it's a great place to put it." he said, I squinted my eyes.
"You're eyes... they are glowing red." he said, I covered my face and felt his hands on my shoulder.
"Don't cover them, embrace them." he said, I moved my hands and they changed back.
"Hands off." Noah said as he pushed his hands off my shoulder. I entered the home and all the children came running towards me, I opened my arms and welcomed all their hugs.
"Princess Aria is back!" a boy yells, and more kids come out.
"Hello, children! how are you today? there are so many here than the last time." I said l, I looked at the caregivers and they looked upset.
"Noah." I said.
"Yes, Your Grace." he said.
"Find out why kids from the third orphanage are here." I said, he nodded and went over to the caregivers.

I was pulled forcefully by the children out back to play, I sat down on the beautiful picnic blanket set up they had for me.
"We did our best to make it look super nice." a girl says.
"It's not fancy Princess we are sorry." a boy said, I smiled.
"I don't need fancy things when I'm with you guys." I said, they smiled and ran off to play. I watched them play as I cast a magical barrier and protection spell around the home and grounds, I wanted to make sure even when I'm not here no one with an ill will could hurt these children. I felt a tingle and a few children were coughing, I sniffed the air and smelled poison coming from their breath.
"Your Majesty, it seems the cook is having a serious spasm." Noah said.
"Bring him out." I said, he nodded and left.

A few minutes later he came back with the cook still having a spasm, the children noticed and came over.
"What's wrong with him?" a boy asked the tone in his voice and the smell of poison on his breath.
"He's reacting to my protection spell." I said.
"Is he in pain?" a girl asked.
"Yes, but I will stop it to ask him some questions." I said.
"Your Grace, I have the info you wanted and it could be related to this." Noah said.
"I'm listening." I said.
"It seems that the Lord of the town the Orphanage is in decided to not use the funds for the building, he shut it down completely and the children had to come here. He has already torn down the building and is building something on the grounds." he said.