Chapter 5:

Care

Puppet Princess

When we were done with dinner, I was about to leave. But before I reached the door, my mother suddenly called out to me.

“Avenelle.”

I resisted the urge to flinch. Talking to her in front of the others was a bit easier. But alone, it was a bit scary. I subtly gulped before turning towards her with a small smile.

“Mother.”

As she stared at me, she fell silent. I noticed sadness in her eyes, which lasted only for a brief moment. Strange.

“You need not only take care of your body, but your mind as well,” she said. “I do not intend to take you away from your hobby of puppeteering. But… I wish for you to try to experience new things.”

“... I don’t understand.”

“Don’t forget to try something new.” She suddenly patted me softly on my head.

Her touch was warm and tender, it was almost alien to me. The loving hand of a mother. It almost made me emotional. Was this what it felt to have a parent who cared for you? My original mom had never done something like this, nor did she speak of anything about experiencing something new.

I stared up at my mother, who was wearing a stoic expression. But behind that face… seemed to be genuine care for her daughter. I could feel it.

“... I will try, Mother.”

She briefly nodded. “Good. Furthermore, you are to conduct the Moon Blessing Ritual. It has been a while since you’ve done it yourself, so review the process.”

She was right, I’d need a review on that. The ritual was carried out by the siblings annually. Therefore, the last time I conducted the ritual myself was a few years ago. When I was still a bit young. Well, it shouldn’t be that hard, though.

“I understand.”

Mother gently placed her palms on both my cheeks. “You are perfect. All you, my children, are perfect. Also, your brothers and sister might argue and fight one another. Please mediate between them. You are one they couldn’t fight against.”

“... Isn’t that what Saviel does?”

“Not always.”

“… Very well, Mother.”

“And good job on stopping Alaric on his vice. You’re a good girl, Avenelle.”

She patted my head again before turning around and leaving with Father.

I just stood there, frozen, still processing what had just happened. That little interaction seemed to have overwhelmed me.

A mother…

… I was starting to like this place.

We siblings went our separate ways. When I arrived back at my room, I let out a long, relieved sigh. I looked around the room, in particular, at the puppets. Now that the memories and knowledge had returned, I now knew these were puppets for Avenelle’s magic.

Still, they were a bit creepy. But perhaps that was the point of it. And it was also her style…

On the big puppet in the corner of the room, I noticed the giant metallic gauntlets on it. The weapons that Father wanted me to put on the puppets. They were still unfinished. I touched the puppet, and translucent crimson strings appeared linked to it, going upwards.

I willed to move its hand, and it did. It was bizarre to be able to use magic. Once fiction to me, now a reality. But that only made things more frightening. A lot of people in this palace could use magic. Which meant I could die just as easily.

Although I was the princess. So that had a great degree of safety. And I shouldn’t have to worry about being the princess, because I am Princess Avenelle.

I undid the magic, and the puppet’s limbs dropped. I lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. The bed was so soft, softer than anything I had ever experienced. Even the sheets felt so incredible.

I could get used to this.

Maybe I could have a good life here. Leave the old world, the old life behind.

***

In the morning, the family were to eat each on their own. Therefore, the maids led me to a large dining chamber. I already knew where it was, but it was only proper that the servants would bring me there.

I ate the most delicious food. Although it was a bit sad to be eating by my lonesome. Not that I was actually lonely, but being in this big room and eating alone, quite sad. But it didn’t matter much, as long as I ate something good.

The maids here also appeared to mean business. They were very serious. Not even a casual air about them. But I suppose this sort of thing was expected. Guess I was just brainwashed by TV shows that maids are quite casual.

After having the best breakfast I had in a while, we headed straight to the bath. I didn’t typically have a good breakfast back home on Earth. I was the one who cooked food for the family, so I had to wake up early. And having to do all that, being tired, and not so good parents, it wasn’t a surprise that I’d feel sour. Which also affected my enjoyment of food.

I’m glad I’m finally out of that!

The bath was incredible. I knew it from memory, but it was just something else when looking at it personally. A wide pool, showers, tile floor, sweet and relaxing aroma. Never in my life did I ever imagine I’d end up experiencing something like this.

Although there was an embarrassing part of this. The maids were with me. And they stripped me naked. However, I maintained my composure, just as Avenelle would. I stood firm and straight, having confidence in my physical form. My flawless body. Which I have to admit, I was feeling quite proud of. Ah, vanity, huh? Can’t hurt to feel that every now and then…

The maids gently poured water on my body to start. Afterward, I was allowed to bathe in the pool. I slowly dipped myself into the pool, and I let out a sigh. It was somewhat warm, and I guessed some sort of soap was mixed with the water. The water also smelled nice.

With my hand, I scooped water and poured it on my head and face. Feeling relaxed, I leaned on the pool’s side. I liked this life very much.

“Anything on the agenda for today, Princess?” asked one of the maids.

I placed a hand on my chin. There was something I’ve been wanting to do. “I have, but I shall be on my own.”

“Are you ‌certain?”

“Yes.”

“Understood. But please, if it is leaving the palace, I plead that you make your family aware.”

“... No, I am not leaving the palace.”

There were still many more things to discover and see here with my own eyes. Why would I go outside now? One step at a time. To not be confused, take it slow and focus on one thing at a time. Remind yourself of what you want to do at the moment. And what I wanted was nothing more but to look around in this place.

And considering the sheer size of it, it felt quite exciting. I should be working on my dolls, but let’s set that aside for now.

After several minutes, I left the pool. They washed off the soap by pouring water on me. Afterward, they rubbed the water off my body with a soft towel. I slipped into a new black dress, and they combed my hair as I sat down on a chair.

They pushed a tall mirror in front of me. That face truly was pretty. My Earthly face couldn’t even hope to match. Crazy.

Once they finished combing my hair straight, one maid tied a ribbon in my hair as an accessory. I smiled, I was quite pleased. I was enjoying everything.

With my morning routine done, I walked out of the bathroom and walked down the corridor alone.

The plan today was nothing more than walking around aimlessly. This palace was big and had a lot of empty rooms. Which were rooms for guests. But along the smaller rooms, there were also some big ones.

There was the Cosmic Observatory, where people would study the stars. The Chamber of Mystics, where the magical stuff happens, especially for learning. The Grand Celestial Library, a place that took an entire floor, consisted of seas of books on shelves. The Treasury, which contained all the family’s treasure. The Mausoleum, where we remember the significant dead. There was also a part of the palace where knights were present.

There were also some other rooms, which would be interesting to see. But of course there were others to be avoided as well, not for me to tread upon. I sort of wanted to see the giant tree, but I’d rather not. Too much of a big deal.

As I walked down the corridor, I stopped and walked over to the glass window overlooking the city. The sun shone brightly up in the sky. The black palace was so in contrast with the bright light of the sun.

The city, huh…

It was not a bad idea to go there. It wouldn’t be too dangerous. But I suppose as a princess, I would be too eye-catching. There was no way I could go out there alone. I would have to bring an entourage to keep a close eye on me.

I continued on until I came across the entrance to the garden — the Garden of the Deep Night. Intrigued, I stepped into the entrance. The garden was out in the open, free to bathe in the sun's light. There were lines upon lines of colorful flowers, going around the wide ground the garden covered. The fragrance of those very flowers filled the air, so sweet and endearing.

The pathways going in different directions were colored with cascading flowers and thick vines from the stretching pergola — the plants were so thick and abundant that they basically covered the entire sides of the path like curtains.

I took a deep breath, and with a smile, I slowly walked around. I savored the view. To think there would be a place so colorful in a place quite… dark.

As I walked around, I heard a faint voice.

“There is something I wish to tell you, daughter. Something you must know.”

I paused in place. I knew that voice. It was my mother’s.

“What is it?”

The second voice, it was my eldest sister’s, Vivienne.

“This is news that I learned just recently. And I think you should learn about it.”

“I’m listening.”

“The Great Mother has spoken… and…” There seemed to be hesitation in her voice. “... The matter concerns your sister.”

“Avenelle?”

Me?

Now I was intrigued, so I quietly listened.

“She is to be offered to the Great Hand.”