27 Chapter 27: Dimension Pt.2 (1/2)
The following day came and the ex-prince could still not figure out why his wish wasn't granted. He went to the lake and made his wish. That was the exact same thing he did before. There was only one conclusion he came to have.
”Damn that spoiled brat. I'm sure she wished for something that went against my wish.” The ex-prince was eating his breakfast while blaming his misfortune on the ex-princess.
”But, your Majesty, she went back to the castle last night and she was still a boy. I'm sure she would have wished to return to her normal self.”
”I know that! But the possibility is still there when it comes to her.” The ex-prince was convinced of his theory. ”Anyway, there is something else that bothers me.”
”What is it, your Majesty?”
”Xeresta, do you honestly believe everything that I have told you?”
”Of course, your Majesty. There is no way I will doubt your words.”
”Are you saying that because you believe that or because you are afraid of me?”
”If anything, you would not lie. That I am sure, your Majesty. Also, your memories matches that of my own, the only change was that you were born a girl in my memory. Everything else is the same. Whether your claims are true or not do not matter to me.” His maid did not show any signs of hesitation.
”I see. I guess I didn't make a mistake when I took you in as my servant.”
”As long as I am of use to you, your Majesty, then I would want nothing more.” The devotion of the maid to his master was not lost on the ex-prince. He would just not allow his maid to see his true feelings on the matter.
---
Later that day, the ex-prince and ex-princess were seated at the dining hall, eating their dinner together.
”So, why are you still a boy, spoiled brat?” The ex-prince took the first strike. ”Do you somehow like it so much that you didn't wish to go back to being a weak little girl?”
”What are you talking about, you arrogant jerk? I'm definitely sure that you wished for me to stay like this just to spite me!” The ex-princess fired back.
”As if I care about what happens to you. You think too highly of yourself. You are nothing but a crack on the beautiful glass that is called my life. Which, incidentally, is difficult to remove. Just like you are.”
”If you think that I want to be in this situation, then you clearly are stupid. My life was perfect before.” The voice of the ex-princess started to weaken. ”Contrary to what you may believe, I know I am a spoiled brat.” The ex-prince was surprised by this sudden admission. ”I may think of myself most of the time, but when my parents told me I can stop the war our kingdom has suffered from, I agreed.”
”...Why, then?” The ex-prince started to take interest.
”I don't know... What has gotten to me, talking to you about this...”
”It's not that I care.”
”I know you don't. I'll take my leave, then.” The ex-princess stood up from her seat without arguing further. The ex-prince was taken aback by her actions.
---
Several days have passed. The ex-prince was being groomed to become a suitable queen. He was undergoing training on the ways of proper etiquette. It ranges from table manners to speech nuances. It was rather trivial to the ex-prince, as he was used to much more physical and intellectual learning.
On the other hand, the ex-princess was being groomed to becoming a dependable king. Since she was the one marrying into the kingdom, she will only become a figurehead; a symbol. Still, she needed to show her respectability to the army. Her training was physically taxing, from swordsmanship to hand-to-hand combat. The art of war was being drilled to her head as part of preparation for the future. Needless to say, it was very difficult for the ex-princess, who was used to much less tiring activities.
One day, the ex-prince wandered into the large garden after a session of greeting etiquette. He saw the ex-princess hunched behind the statue of the current King.
”What are you doing?”
”Huh?” The ex-princess didn't notice the ex-prince. Once she saw who it was, she stood up. ”Why are you here?”
”I asked first. Are you hiding behind the statue of my father?” The ex-princess was shocked to hear the ex-prince knew what was happening.
”No, I'm not... I was just... Resting.”
”Sure, you were.” The ex-prince didn't argue any further. The ex-princess was waiting but the ex-prince said nothing else.
”That's it? Nothing more? No more condescending remarks?” She couldn't help but ask.
”I went through the same training when you first came to our kingdom as a princess. I hated it. I guess I just understand what you're going through...”
”So... You ran away and hid, as well?”
”W-why would I run and hide? I'm the prince of Grandia kingdom.” The ex-princess clearly hit the mark, but the ex-prince was too embarrassed to admit.
”I guess you have moments of weakness. Not your usual image, but it's kinda cute.” The ex-princess laughed lightly. The ex-prince blushed a little.
”Well, unlike the things I'm doing before, the training for being a queen is boring.”
”Sophistication is clearly not suited to you.”
”And I suppose it is to you?”
”Well, at first I also thought it was useless.”
”Then you understand why I am running away from it now, then.”
”So you admit you are running away from your training of being a queen?”
”T-that's not the point!”
”No, it's not.” She laughed more loudly now. ”But you know what, after a while I understood there was a meaning to what I was training for.”
”And that is?”
”Don't think you'll get the easy way out. I'm not telling you.” The ex-princess was genuinely smiling at the ex-prince. ”I'll see you later.” The ex-princess walked slowly towards inside the castle.
”Who said I need the answer, anyway...” The ex-prince didn't notice that the ex-princess has already walked away.
---
A few more days passed. During those times, both the ex-prince and ex-princess regularly met at the garden. At first, it was just purely coincidence. But then it happened more and more. Sometimes, they just talk about random things. Then, they eventually started to teach each other things they learned from their previous experience as a real prince and princess. They started to become more close and comfortable with each other.
”Your form is wrong!” The ex-prince shouted at the ex-princess.
”How should I do it, then?” The ex-princess was genuinely asking for help.
”I've told you many times already.” The ex-prince walked over to the ex-princess and grabbed her arm and lifted her elbow. He showed her the proper form of thrusting the sword. ”You have to hold the sword this way.” The face of the ex-prince was close to the ex-princess. She felt the blood rushing to her face and felt embarrassed.