Ri's POV
"Marriage? Who decided that?" I asked as I lazily lounged in the carriage. It's been ten years since I left home and now that I've finally returned, there's talk of marriage.
My parents aren't even aware of my arrival but something like this is already in the works. "The Queen Mother reached out to your mother, the Queen, and proposed this arrangement." The Queen Mother.
Only one woman, in one Kingdom, on this continent has that title. Olani Relia, Mother of the current King of Regila, Dmitri Relia. Olani was originally from our Palk Kingdom. She was the daughter of a high-ranking nobleman, and my mother was her friend.
She was married off to the former King of Regila and bore two sons. The first one is Prince Kasian, he's the current Grand Prince with a title, Jade Prince.
"Your highness, we've arrived at the mansion." Bira, who was answering my questions earlier called out to me. I stood up and walked out of the carriage. We enter the mansion and I look around, instantly annoyed. "Who changed my house?"
"The Crown Prince's promised wife, your highness." I look at Kana as Bira helped me take off my coat. "A supposed fiancée?" I scoffed. "Change it back. She holds no real power, especially in my own house."
Kana bowed. "Your room has already been cleaned, your highness." I nod. We head to my courtyard and I sighed deeply. "What are the odds of my parents getting pregnant again?" I asked Bira. "Your Highness, you shouldn't kill the Crown Prince."
I click my tongue in annoyance. "Unfortunately, not. Pikla can't replace Palin as he never had eyes on the throne. But a new child would be able to keep things fun." Bira smiled as I glanced at her. "Who will carry the child to full term?" She asked.
"Whatever, I'm going to sleep." I lay down in the bed and closed my eyes.
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Sitting by the pond in the side yard, I take a sip of wine. "It's a bit early to be drinking, Your Highness." Bira advised as she appeared beside me. Although she's here to guard me, I also have to listen to her words.
"This much is fine." Even so, I like to rebel a bit. "What do you think her reaction will be?" I asked her. "From what I've gathered, she won't be pleased since she thought this place was the Crown Prince's."
I smile. "Maybe she'll come and try to attack me." Bira chuckled. "Smiling like that while saying that someone will attack you is not very ladylike, Your Highness." My smile widened. "Don't worry, I'll try not to show her." After all there are easier ways to provoke someone to anger.
I was taught to choose the easiest and most simple ways to do things until those methods don't work and the complex methods need to be used. "She's here." Bira said seconds before a loud commotion in the front yard.
"As expected of a high-level martial artist." I praised her. "My perception is higher than most, but I am not on that level as yet, Your Highness but thank you for your praise."
A woman walked in angrily with Kana silently walking behind her. "Who are you and why are you in my mansion?!" She screamed at me. "How did Palin manage to get involve with her? He's the silent and a bit simple-minded type while she greedy, annoying and loud."
Kana bowed and was saying something, but I couldn't hear over the raging woman. "She's the second daughter of Nobleman Kirle. The Crown Prince fell into the river on his hunting trip and she apparently saved him." Bira relayed.
"Kick her into the pond." Kana nodded and roundhouse kicked the woman straight into the pond. The woman immediately started flapping around in the woman, screaming for help. "What was her name again?" I asked as I refilled my wine cup.
"Feia. Her sister, the eldest daughter is called Caila." Kana replied as she walked towards us. "Drag my brother here immediately." I sighed. "Take her out before her body contaminates my pond."
Feia was dragged out of the pond by Kana and thrown to the ground near my feet. She sat up, coughing and gasping for breath while glaring at me. "You! How dare you do this to me! Do you have any idea who I am?" She shouted after catching her breath.
"Who are you? Do I need to care?" She pushed herself to her feet and lunged at me. Kana kicked her in the stomach before she could get close. "I'm the future Crown Princess! The Crown Prince will never forgive you for this insolence." I scoff.
"You have no real power besides screaming and ranting. That word, 'future' implies that you haven't been married and the betrothal gifts have yet to be sent out. With your measly background, you dared to destroy royal property."
She scoffed. "This is the Crown Prince's mansion. As the future mistress of this place, I changed the layout. There isn't any problem. Not even the Crown Prince objected!" I chuckle. "His mansion is in the north of the capital, closer to the Palace. Didn't you as the 'future Crown Princess' not know this?" She looked surprised.
"It's normal for princes to have more than one home. Never mind that, you are trespassing! I'll have the shadow guards kick you out." I chuckle once again. "You've been here for so long, thrown into a pool and got hit, why didn't they show up sooner?" I asked with a smile.
I stand up and walk towards the front courtyard. Lai, my personal maid was already there with a chair. I sat down. Bira walked in and threw the man to the ground. She took off the ropes and blindfold. "That's a bit extreme, Bira." I say with amusement.
"He refused to come quietly." She said as she kicked him. Palin looked up at me in surprise then the color drained from his face. He immediately pushed himself up into a kneeling position. "Greetings, older sister."
"Has the Crown Prince done something wrong? Kneeling in front of a little old me will make something think I'm forcing you." Palin scrambled to his feet quickly. "Older sister, I didn't know you were back. I would've picked you up at the gates if I'd known."
"I'm glad I didn't inform anyone, otherwise I wouldn't have known that your future Crown Princess make my mansion into a fabric factory." I reach up and tap his shoulders twice and he dropped to his knees immediately while wincing in pain. "I was unaware of this matter, sister. My deepest apologies."
"Congratulations are in order then." He stood up. "Yes, the wedding is in a few months."