Chapter 9: A New Love?

Age: 7

A year has passed and the world is coated with the lovely flowers of spring. Outside the crystal clear windows of the Vermillion mansion lay a wonderland of roses of all colors, bright daffodils which exist below the window of my first floor bedroom, and many more blooming springtime flowers. The bright colors coupled with the backdrop of green elated my soul in a new light.

I sat in the small nook of my room, located by the window. Various pillows and silks around and underneath me as I held a book titled "Herbs". Novels and textbooks in this world were not original in their naming, making it difficult to remember exactly which book I have, or have not read. Beside me sat Ricin, his fluffy green hair delicately touching his cheeks and his breathing was steady in even, his eyes closed in sleep. I felt envious of his long thick lashes, any woman would, as the fairy held deep inhumanly possible beauty.

I softly sighed... was this what they meant when they said women felt melancholy in the spring?

The room was peaceful as silence enveloped me and Ricin, Angie gone to fulfill other duties as a maid while I quietly read. Despite the calm atmosphere, my head began to ache as I knew in only a few hours I would be keeping my fiancé company... Our relationship? Cat and mouse, which annoyed me to the fullest. Despite our age being close together, I was clearly of a higher level of intelligence compared to the average seven year old, seeing as most of my past life memories were primarily intact aside from a few fuzzy instances. Yet the Prince? A normal child, at least I would assume due to his perfect character, yet his intelligence and maturity rivaled me. It was also unnerving to have a child stare at me as if he saw through my ploy to act childish... well, occasionally it was not a ploy. I was in the body of a child, so my hormones and chemistry did affect my emotions much like a normal seven year old. I acknowledged my short comings, even in my past life I was an eccentric woman from the comments I would hear passing through the laboratory hallways from my colleagues. This certainly followed me over into this life, and my odd habit of staring off into space while I organized my thoughts continued as well.

My family surely convinced themselves I was simply a small genius, and at times I wish this were true, to cope with the fact that at times I did not act my age. My hobbies changed drastically, as well as my haughty attitude. I'll surely blame this on puberty or whatever I could get away with later in life.

Suddenly my peace was interrupted as my door slammed open with an unusual amount of force.

Vincent stood in the entry way, panting, and an annoyed look on his adorable little face. I have recently been banned from pinching his cheeks, my mother telling me it was damaging to a man's pride. Yet Vincent was most certainly not a man! He was a tiny angel descended from heaven... Ricin may have been correct when he stated I had a slight brother complex. I couldn't bring myself to give a damn...

"Sister- why didn't you tell me his Highness was coming today?" Vincent asked me in an accusatory tone. His puppy dog eyes staring at me as if I had just kicked him. It was no wonder though, the young heir of the Vermillion house hated the prince. It was likely a mutual hostility, as the prince became unamused when Vincent would appear. Once more, I could care less. Even in the game the two were like fire and ice, their personalities very different.

"Sorry Vin, I didn't think you would be happy" I said nervously, trying not to insure the wrath of a tiny angel. His hair still reminding me of cotton candy... I wonder if I could Ricin's wind magic to make it? I just needed melted sugar right? Then I could swirl it...

"Sister! Stop spacing out, when is he coming? I will happily send him back and tell him you aren't feeling well" Vincent said anxiously, the only time he would become to paranoid and crude was either when he spoke about the prince or when Ricin and him would fight.

"We can't, I have used that excuse too many times" I stated sadly, closing my book and ignoring the irritated glare Ricin was sending Vincent after interrupting his nap time. Ricin and Vincent have recently come to a standstill of eternal silence between the two.

Ricin had been playing with me in the garden one day when Vincent approached with snacks... of course I complied but Ricin, being childish as ever, used wind magic to bring me in the air to keep me away from Vincent. This led to Vincent using his own magic, and making a tree branch grab me away... of course it led to a children's squabble and me getting dropped from quiet a height and my lights knocked out for the day.

Both ended up thoroughly scolded, and as immature as it is, I was happy this time to not be on the receiving end of it. It was also entertaining to see a fairy nearly ten times the age of my mother getting a tongue lashing as if he was a naughty kitten drinking milk without permission...

"You're doing it again" I was brought back once more when Ricin poked at my cheek, giving me a cheeky smile while I huffed in embarrassment. I need to stop spacing out.

Vincent was quick to cross over from the other side of the room and sit beside me. Like a spoiled baby he grabbed me and pulled me to his side while glaring in silence at Ricin. Both were now locked in a heated gaze that I was already numb to.

"Alright alright, let's calm down. His Highness will be here soon so I need to get ready. Both of you, out" I said exasperated. Standing up from my cozy nook and pushing them gently out of the room so Angie, who once more appeared like a damn ninja, could help me get ready.

One thing I hated about Nobility was their frivolous excuses to get dolled up at any and every occasion. Sadly with Royalty it was proper etiquette, so I had no choice in the matter... just no heels.

Angie brushed my long bubblegum pink hair, the silky strands were incredibly soft now that I had created conditioner. I had no interest in selling it but mother overlooked its creation and export. She was well known for starting trends, and oversaw all trading in the Kingdom. This family was only getting richer... more to capitalize on?

Soon the engagement to the prince was going to be announced, this would be on my 8th birthday and my debut. Thankfully me and my new friend Ceil had an idea on how to avoid it! Ceil was not interested in me becoming Queen, and I agreed that I would make a horrible ruler. Yet we had grown closer as partners in crime... well, him recommending things on the sly and me going ahead with them. This was thankfully a death flag removed!

I made my way to the parlor were Ceil was lazily drinking my peppermint tea, inspired by Ricin. Ricin followed behind me as Vincent pulled out a chair for me to sit in like a tiny gentleman. I almost cooed, he was too cute.

"Rose, it's good to see you in great health" Ceil said, "I am wondering if your mother would be interested in selling this tea to the Royal family" He said, finally looking at me. Even at nine years old he was too beautiful. His face belonged more in a museum than on a child. I swiftly smiled, "She would be very happy to, sadly I am a failure in business but she is taking my inventions to the next level in her trade" I said casually. Vincent sat to my left at the tea table facing the window to the garden, the windows open allowing for fresh air in the parlor. Two maids, not including Angie, stood by the doors in the distance waiting for any orders.

Ironically, Ceil was one of my mother's largest business partners. He was always promoting my inventions to the Capital, as well as making my popularity rise. My tea was popular within the Elven population, while my food (brought from my past life) was popular amongst the Beastman population. My cosmetics which have all but replaced prior beauty products is popular amongst all nobles, as well as my poison antidotes which many nobles are now carrying with them on their person. My blue prints for the hammock were popular with the Dwarfs.

"So, what do I owe this pleasure?" I asked curiously, trying not to take note of Ricin purring against my leg which caused Ceil to lift a perfect eyebrow at.

"I have officialize a plan for this engagements desolution, of course without hurting either of our family's reputation" Ceil stated calmly, still gracefully sipping tea. He had my attention now. Despite this boy's perfect beauty and status, he came with too many negativities. The first would be the obvious death which awaited me in the future and the rest were the responsibilities of a Crown Princess and the Queen's training.

"That's great news, right sister?" Vincent spoke now, glaring at Ceil. For some odd reason, Ceil and Vincent were not on good terms. Well, more like Vincent was openly hostile while Ceil was amused. I had tried scolding Vincent to be more polite to Royalty, he disregarded it, mumbling incomprehensible insults towards Ceil. Despite the lack of possible companionship, I liked Ceil's presence in my life. He was intelligent in all things I lacked in, which worked as a great follow up for my incapabilities. He also openly accepted my true personality, which is rare in noble society.

"Yes, would you mind elaborating to me about your plan Ceil-sama?" I asked, curios as to what the prince had in mind. Normally breaking an engagement was a serious thing, especially between Royalty and a Dukedom. It could cause serious internal struggles, or make me unfit for marriage. Thankfully the engagement was not made public yet, but that would occur in about a month on my birthday.

"Since you have yet to introduce Ricin to my father the King, it would be permittable to say the fairy does not like my presence nor does the he like the idea of living in the Palace. This would present the King with no choice but to dissolve the engagement in fear of a fairy's wrath" Ceil stated matter of factly, as if he wasn't promoting me threatening Royalty with a lie. Well, Ricin certainly did not like Royalty or anything that restricted my freedom, he wasn't hostile to Ceil. The lazy cat was too preoccupied with napping in the sun as of current. Yet Ceil was right again, this was a good plan. I had a date sent in the next week to visit the Royal family and introduce Ricin, my contract fairy. I could easily let him complain and threaten.

"That isn't impossible. Alright, I will comply" I stated, bringing the soft angel cake to my mouth as I delicately ate the delicious sweet. "Sister, here" I turned towards Vincent as he took his handkerchief and lightly wiped my cheek which must have had cream on it. I smiled at the cute child, thanking him. He shot back his own angelic smile, sweeter than the cake in my hands.

"Oh? Vincent-sama, I wasn't aware you held a sister complex. Be wary Rose, you siblings are certainly not related by blood" Ceil said with amusement in his voice as his sapphire eyes landed on Vincent in a condescending manor. I was insulted!

"Ceil-sama, while it is true were are not related by blood, Vin is most certainly my beloved little brother! I truly cherish him" I said coldly, glaring at the cold prince. I saw the downhearted look on Vincent and gently took his hand, giving it a light squeeze of comfort. He avoided my eyes.. Even sad, this child was too cute. I wanted to pinch his cheeks!

"I see that went completely over your head" Ceil sighed, before motioning over his personal butler Xin and standing. The wolf, Ceil's contracted spirit Nathaniel, stood from his seated position as well. "Well Rose, my time is up for now, I will contact you later by letter to inform you of the plan in more detail. Until then, goodbye" Ceil said, before being escorted out of the parlor.

"Thank goodness your engagement with that prince will be over" Ricin casually said, stretching on my lap. I giggled at the little kitten, petting him while he let out a yawn.

"Yes, it'll be good to just be friends instead of fiancé" I said warmly, enjoying Ricin's soft fur. I loved soft and fluffy things, especially if they were cute! Was this due to becoming a child again? It must be, I wasn't fond of animals in my past life due to them becoming subject to experiments... tragic but apart of life in my old world.

After that, I enjoyed tea with the silent standoff between Ricin and Vincent, ignoring the tense atmosphere until evening.

That night, with Vincent peacefully asleep in my nook with Ricin ironically, I slipped outside to the garden undetected for some fresh air. Outside the spacious garden lay a lovely forest which I had discovered with Ricin to have numerous poisonous mushrooms and herbs, as well as an abundance of medical herbs.

I let my tiny legs lead me into the quiet forest, my light nightgown allowing the slightly cool spring air to drift across my skin. My long hair loose for once, drifting down and nearly touching the ground. I had to remind myself to cut it soon, which I knew my mother would greatly protest against.

...

I thought back to the nightmare I experienced earlier, waking me from my peace with Vincent and Ricin. Maybe it was my soon to be nullified engagement, or possibly my own anxiety for the upcoming birthday party where I would most certainly meet the people who would bring about a gruesome death.

The cold sapphire eyes looked at me with contempt as the guards held me down in a brutish hold. His ice cold stare filled me with a bitter realization that my life would soon end. Only my pride keeping me from crying out in pain as I bit painfully down on my tongue due to the force in which I was tackled. The cold knife in my hand ripped from my small hands.

"Did you really think I could ever love such a despicable human? Really, you're too moronic for your own good" Ceil laughed cooly, holding an adorable woman to his side. Her tiny waist surrounded warmly by the hands which I had so desperately sought to hold me in such a way. How laughable. After years of pursuing this man's heart, I would lose to a woman of common birth who had only met the prince in school for a few short months. Nothing I did could sway his unyielding heart, and now, with blood seeping from my lips and from my hands, I had to watch their love before my own eyes. A personal torture as jealousy and envy filled me. Contempt for this woman that dared to cross my path, and hatred which was once love, for the tall man before me. The couple looked down on me as I was tied with ropes by the guards.

"Cei... please, have mercy on her, I am sure this is just a mistake" The disgusting white lotus begged, using a nickname I had never been permitted to utter except in my own mind. If I was not held by such boorish men I would certainly grab the knife I once held and slash her throat, as well as the selfish prince who dared to play with me in such a way.

"I have no mercy for the wicked, she attempted to take your life, the future Queen" Ceil said without any emotion, as if I was a bug beneath him. I flushed with rage, but kept silent. I would give this couple no more. He had already taken everything. I was expelled from the Academy, forcefully disowned by my parents, my nobility stripped, and my engagement annulled  She had taken everything. Forcing me to take the only action I could think of, getting rid of my pain through murder.

"Take her to the dungeon, her trial stands in three days" Ceil said emotionlessly  And with the ropes tearing into my silken skin, I was ripped away from the scene. Still, I refused to cry or beg for mercy. Maybe in death could I rest.

I was dragged to an empty prison cell. The moans of pain from other prisoners would eventually haunt me until my trial. I was suddenly thrown, my shoulder connecting with the hard rocky floor, and finally a cry of pain exited my lips as I heard an audible crack resound through the prison. I could feel my collar bone crack, and the urge to vomit overtake my system. Then, a harsh kick could be felt in my abdomen as a guard took it upon himself to slam his steel boot into my delicate ribcage over, and over, until blood was the only thing I could cough up as pain split through my entire body.

"Dirty whore, you should know your place" The guard growled, before spitting on me. I was then left. Left for three days, bleeding and crying, without food or water. The howls of sexual comments continued in the back of my mind that the prisoners sneered at me.

The trial came and went, and as I watched unfeeling, I was tied to a stake surrounded by dead leaves and sticks. My dress slit and ruined from the slashes of swords that the Knights directed at me, my hair cut short, above my ears. I could see my disgusting brother, sneering at me with a smirk on his lips as I was secured to the stake with chains. My mother softly crying beside my father who held a grave look on his stern face. I wanted to cry out to them, apologize for focusing my life on the prince instead of cherishing them. I wish I had called my father 'papa' and sat on his lap like he always wanted. I wish I had been kinder. I wish I had never loved the Prince...

I soon noticed the ground glow red and hot, the flames engulfing my legs first, licking at my flash as a scream silenced the entire crowd. I was soon entirely surrounded by flames. I could feel the scolding heat, the smell of burnt flesh, and the same annoying scream. Only until the flames could be felt no more on my body did I realize the scream was my own. My world began to grow dark, my eyes finally closing as the first sense of peace in over 12 years could be felt.

Yes... I wish I never loved that prince...

...

I had woken up in a panic. The dream feeling entirely real. My heart had still yet to calm itself down, as I realized that was a possible future for Rosalia.. for myself. I could still feel the pain, and my mind was not operating properly. I had escaped the mansion in hope of some peace from the feeling of dread that filled my body.

The moon was high in the sky, shining beautifully over the dark forest. The green trees looking almost black from the night. My feet, devoid of shoes, stepped carefully on the soft moss that covered the forest floor, cushioning it. Only when I had walked for what felt like hours, did my throbbing heart calm. Never had I experienced a dream like this while I had lived in this world.

Finally calm, I took in my surroundings. I realized, with much reluctance, that I did not know where I was. I had never been so deep in the forest before.

I stopped, feeling slightly nervous again, as I heard a small branch snap in the once completely silent forest. I turned my head in the direction of the noise, hearing my own heart speed up, as my eyes... connected with electric blue.

A small cub came out from the bushes, looking at me with intelligence no animal should possess... I mentally screamed. This was a magical world, so magical animals were not impossible. The creature looked to be a small leopard, as it began to slowly circle me. My blood went absolutely cold. Its eyes never leaving my own dark pink. A cold sweat began, as a slight tremble overtook my body as the beast still circled around me, sizing me up. Was this creature going to eat me? I realized that this leopard, with midnight black fur, was nearly my size. I was small for a seven year old, but this beast was huge for a child.

Tears began to well up in my eyes, the emotions of a child erratic. Hot tears flowed down my cheeks, my fear from the dream not gone, and the fear of this leopard growing. My knees gave out, and I crumpled to the floor shaking as soft whimpers left my lips. I was no longer looking at the leopard but I could hear its paws soft coming closer to me, which succeeded in making mental state worse. I crossed my arms, trying to hug myself as I sat shaking, praying this creature would go away.

But before I could utter any words, something extremely soft brushed against me. I froze. Gingerly, I lifted my head and found the leopard lazily laying beside me, its silky fur brushing up against me as it purred. Was it... trying to comfort me? I was stunned, my brain failing to function. Why?

Strangely, my heart began to calm itself... and my trembling subsided as I sat beside the leopard, its piercing blue eyes holding a gentle touch to them. Shakily, I uncrossed my arms, and stretched a hesitant hand out to the leopard. It gazed at me curiously, still not moving.

"C-can I?" I asked hesitantly, praying it understood. To my delight, the leopard nodded in consent as I placed my small hand on its back, petting the luscious hair. In a calming manor, I continued to pet the leopard, even stroking behind its ears which earned me a throaty purr causing me to giggle. It seemed pleased as it moved to push its head against my stomach. I used both hands to brush its fur, happy to see this leopard was friendly and not interested in shredding me. "I wonder what your name is..." I murmured softly, the leopard's head now in my lap as it casually looked up at me, evoking a smile from me.

"hmm..." I hummed absentmindedly. "You look like a snow... " I said casually, earning me a glare, as I chuckled. "Sorry... are you not a girl? Maybe an Xavier then" I said laughing. Now a purr could be heard as the leopard gave my hand a lick with its barbed tongue. "Easy there, you might take some skin with the next lick" I said smiling, not minding the slight pain from the friendly gesture.

I spent another hour casually talking to the leopard without care. I was finally calm thanks to his presence. I stood up, knowing I needed to go home.

"I need to go home now.." I said, looking at the leopard that I had named Xavier, sadly. He gave a low growl, nipping at the hem of my nightgown. I giggled at his childishness. "Sorry, its late and dangerous in this forest, but I am glad I met you" I said softly, petting his head again. "Now... the only problem is getting home" I mumbled, embarrassed for getting lost and sobbing in front of Xavier. Suddenly, the leopard tugged at my dress, signaling with its head to the right.

"Do... you know the way? To my home?" I asked curiously. Xavier gave a nod, slowly so I knew his intention to show me home. "Thank you... oh! I am Rosalia by the way, but most just call me Rose, I am in your care" I said, giving a light curtsy. Xavier snorted, which I blushed at. "Hey! I am trying to be polite... I showed such a disgraceful side earlier..." I said, my cheeks flushed. His electric blue eyes staring through me. He turned, walking away and towards the direction that I assumed was home.

As we walked, I chatted lightly with him. Pointing out every now and then poisonous plants, herbs, or funny faces I thought I saw in the trees. It was peaceful as my mansion finally came into view.

"Thank you for taking me home... do you have a home? Do you want to come home with me?" I asked seriously. Ricin was one thing, but a leopard shouldn't be too much trouble considering his intelligence and temperament. Sadly, the leopard shook its head, nuzzling its head against me once more before turning back and leaving me with one last striking gaze. I waved sadly, before going home... the little leopard never leaving my mind.

Goodnight Xavier...