Games in Spring

Chapter 26

Ashlyn's POV

I and the butler plus his wife, the maids, the knights also are all thinking about what game should be played. "Young miss," a knight shouted my name. I look to see a knight maybe under his twenties approach me. "What can I help for you, knight?" he was cheerful I can see it clearly as the sky is. "My lady, I suggest playing a 'Game of Tag' with a twist of the player will be blindfolded while chasing the other people. And if the player has tagged over ten or more people. The people who have been tag will line up and receive punishment from the player." He announced making all of us and I thrilled. "That's a good one, knight?" I'd ask for his name. I don't really know all of their names. To be exact I don't know all of each of their names they were afraid of me that's why I didn't get the chance to talk to them. Then he introduced himself by the name of Chris. And I think the other knights notice that I don't know their names so they happily present their names to me.

I volunteered to be the player. They occur to be worried, hmm, they didn't need to be worried. Me who is now two hundred twenty-two years old. Let me explain why I'm two hundred twenty-two years old; In my first reincarnation: I died when I was twenty-six, the second reincarnation I died when I was twenty-three, the third reincarnation I died when I was eighteen, the fourth reincarnation I died when I was twenty-five, my fifth reincarnation I died when I was nineteen, my sixth reincarnation I died when I was fifteen here I was really young when I died, my seventh reincarnation I was eighteen when I died, the eight reincarnations I died when I was twenty-seven, and last the ninth rebirth I died when I was twenty-eight that was the longest reign of my life. Plus, my age now is I'm eight years old.

Okay end of my explanation, I'm two hundred twenty-two years old now.

Back to the game, they blindfolded me not too tight as well as not too loose. It was the right choice of my personal maids to pick a comfortable but not that long dress. I can move on with this later. Five minutes have passed and I have tagged over twenty people. I was about to remove my blindfold but someone removes it for me. It was Liam, Christ's younger brother. I thanked him.

Everyone commented that I was really fast and sensible. I myself saw the people who were excited and nervous about what punishment will they get. The knights are fearless thinking it will be an easy thing they can handle? Too confident. Woah, I didn't think I have also tag butler Asher. Now I think what punishment would be good for them. Thinking and thinking, AHA! Just the right punishment. This will be fun.

I called Mirya and take some dresses from my cabinet, the ones that are not fitted for me. The ones that are really large for my sizes. While I ask Ava to bring some limited lotions in a pouch. They brought what I needed really fast. The other knights are laughing their lungs out. So they already have an idea what punishment I'll give them. While the boys in the line were confused. I started to pick the boys first, "Another one will be complete. You, butler Asher." Butler Asher mouthed 'Oh no.' "Since all thirteen boys are here, you can now get dressed." Their jaw dropped they were about to complain but then I stared at them not scary but a more serious face. They shut their mouths and go to change. "And oh, I forgot you won't take the dress off until father isn't here or father didn't see you wearing the dress. Alas, pray that father get home early." I grinned they were trembling and hugging each other. One was calling a messenger bird, about to message my father to go home now but I saw him. I smiled at the knight as I tore the letter in front of them. The knight gulped. "Don't try this little trick of yours ever again." I threatened the knights since I put on my creepiest smile.

Everybody was stunned and laughing at the boys but what caught our attention was butler Asher. He was really beautiful in a dress he is like a nymph. It was really a relief that there were many large and big dresses that weren't fit for my little body. Coz' if not this will not happen. Hilarious. "Don't laugh. Anything that will wear on Asher suits him even female clothes. Those were the ones I love about him. His beautiful face and heart." The head maid scolded the others. While butler Asher's face was really red hearing those words from his wife. He took the chance to kiss her in the cheeks. Head maid Lina touches her cheek, they were both embarrassed. What a cute couple. Gosh, lovers. I wanted to shout 'Hey, I'm two hundred plus years old along with still single. Don't show off. Mind the others and me that are single.' just kiddin'. We all cheered for them.

"My lady, why are the boys only have their punishments? And not the other and maids?" a knight asks, "I already gave them their punishment while the knights and butler Asher change their clothes. Their punishment was to accept what I gave to them which we're limited lotions." I explained. "Ehh?! But why? I think it's not fair." A maid started. I snickered, "Foolish, punishment is not always needed to be cruel or hard. It's in the decision of the person who will give the punishment whether it will be bad or good." Everyone clapped as they heard of my state. Scholar Ronald utter if we were still having class. He would give me full marks of my opinion that made not just only me but all of us laugh.

We played many games. Practically all of them have been punished by me or others. In fact, no one has punished me because they say I'm too knowledgeable, fast, witty, and strong. They even say I can be a knight when I grow up because my potentials are starting to show up. I said it's in me if I want to be a knight or not. Which is I was a former knight before many times.

I ordered the chefs to cooked dinner and bring it here to the garden. I also ask the head maid to assist some other maids to took many blankets. It has become too chilly here. It was really enjoyable we have been eating and playing since afternoon. "My lady, we want to give you something." A maid said catching my attention but before they could give it to me, they blindfolded me. "Why need to blindfold?" I ask, "Haha, you'll know my lady. We just made it just now. The truth most of us didn't know it was your birthday today. Hence, we didn't have the chance to buy or make a gift for you. But princess, you startled us. Our little miss should be having fun with other noble but you choose us low ranking people. We don't know why therefore we are happy that you celebrate your birthday with us." It was the commander of the Shadow knights, Commander Nick.

He took off the blindfold that is blocking me with the sight of them. I saw it, I saw everyone. The knights were holding a simple nevertheless I can see they put their best and effort into it. The words in the banner made me happy though laugh, it says 'Happy Birthday Princess!'. "Commander Nick, why call me a princess? If I remember correctly, I'm the daughter of the grand Viscount and soon-to-be Grand Duke. Not a princess besides I'm an adopted daughter. Therefore, I am not a princess." I declared bitterly. It was the fact though. And oh, it's true also that father is going to be of Grand Duke that tittle is not similar to being an emperor or king but equal to the emperor or king. A grand Duke title is below an Emperor's title.

"Miss, your words are not true. In our eyes, no one is our only princess other than you, only you. We may sound unfair but lady Charlotte is kind but not to all of us just some of us. And you treat us equally, you don't care about our title or little power we hold." I'm touched by their words. I keep smiling, I didn't want to cry in front of them. Madam Francine step forward, what was that? She was holding something. I couldn't see what it was. But when she was already near me, I took a glimpse and it was a beautiful flower crown. Then commander Gray, commander of Otieno Knights asked for the crown furthermore he wants to put it in my head. Madam Francine gives it to him willingly. As he put it in my head, I kind of saw he was blushing? Why was he blushing? Gosh,

"Thank you!" I cried out loud. "Don't doubt your skills because of your ranks. Since many young ones and other people admire your duties. There's no need to feel ashamed about it. I know how it feels to look down, that doesn't mean I also look down upon myself. I prohibit you all to dare imitate my actions and ways of my words. All of you including me we have our own path we want to take. And there's no person or anyone who can stop us from taking that path. If the day comes always remember my words." They were confused at the last sentence I hold but proud of my words. "Also, I didn't want to hold a party with some trashy people plus greedy ones. I'm okay celebrating my birthday with all of you guys. Even if I redo this all over again every year." I said laughing.

Then the dinner arrives we ate and eat sweets. I was getting bored, I grinned, "Now," I didn't finish my yell. "Let's play and drink all night. Let's have liquor" I shouted. They were dumbfounded at what I said. I face-palmed at what I declared. Well, who wouldn't? Listening to an eight-year-old child in my state saying 'Let's have alcohol'. Really who wouldn't? I coughed, "I'm saying the knights can have liquor if the maids want to join then they can also. We could also play while you all are drinking since I still am bored and I want to play more." I reasoned. And they just reply by saying 'Oh'.

Aftermath, people, we're lessening and lessening until it was just me and all of the knights. Mirya left first good she left. Then butler Asher and head maid Lina said they wanted to rest so we're the other maids wanted to rest. I let them leave I also let the four of my personal maids' rest which were Ava, Camille, Nina, and Mina. They are worried no one was going to guard me. I just said it was fine the knights are here after all.