The Diabolical

The Crying Princess

Third Person PoV

Gisele was walking around the palace garden when she heard someone crying at a nearby bush. At first, Gisele wanted to ignore the cry, but something in her wanted to do something for the one who cried.

“Are you alright?” Gisele asked out loud. The crying stopped.

“I’m here to help if you need me to. But if you want to be alone, I will let you be.” Gisele waited for a reply, but whoever was crying didn’t show up.

Gisele shrugged her shoulder before walking through the garden until someone suddenly leaped from the bush and stood in front of her. Gisele was taken aback when Kiera suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

“Are you serious when you said you’ll listen to my problems?” Gisele couldn’t say anything when the princess dragged her away from the garden and towards the royal pavilion.

“I was trying to have some alone time. Why do I have to follow you to the pavilion?” Gisele asked while being dragged.

“Because you said you’re going to listen to me.”

“I said I’m willing to help. Not listening to your worries.” The princess ignored Gisele’s words and said,

“Same thing!”

“Where are we going? Please don’t send me to my death. I’m young, and I haven’t been married yet.” Kiera sighed.

“We’re going to the pavilion. I’m going to tell you what happened to me today. I thought you’re willing to listen.” Gisele sighed before taking a seat on one of the chairs.

“Today, Galvan told me that I look like a horse who needs to be trimmed. What does that mean? It means something bad. That’s the only reason for that comment, right?” Gisele shrugged her shoulder.

“See! I know it’s a bad thing from the moment I heard such words. I wanted to say something back, but I was too angry and speechless. That’s why I cry all alone. Now, tell me, what should I do?” Gisele sighed.

“To be honest, I would advise you to kill him, but I know it would be hard for a human-like you to handle that. Perhaps you could tell his parents? But that would mean you have to face the devil.” Kiera seemed confused, but she didn’t ask any further.

“I know- why don’t you ask her for a duel? That would be perfect, right?” Kiera looks at Gisele while wondering if Gisele is okay in the head.

“Are you alright? Should I call for the doctor to check on you? Why would you suggest such a dangerous thing for a princess to do?” Gisele sighed.

“Princess, hear me out. This is your chance to show everyone that a girl like you could do anything your heart desires. Galvan may be the devil's son, but that doesn’t mean he’s not weak. Everyone has a weakness, and you should find it. I’m sure that child has his fear. Everyone does-“ Gisele smiled.

“Galvan’s weakness? Does he have one? What about you? Do you have one?” Gisele shakes my head.

“Liar. You said everyone has a weakness. That includes you, right?” Again, Gisele shakes her head no.

“I have no weakness.” Kiera sighed.

“You’re scared of my mother, right?” Gisele shakes her head no.

“Please- your mother doesn’t even scare me that much.” Kiera looks at Gisele in disbelief.

“You’re lying. It would be best if you had someone or something you fear. For example, maybe lady Calypso. I see how you look at the courtesan. You’re in love, am I right?” Gisele laughed.

“You’re just a baby. What do you know about love?” Gisele asked the princess.

“I know that love is what made me here. And I’m sure you’re here because of love too.” Kiera smiled.

“Love? Does it exist?” Kiera nodded.

“It does. Why? From all the fairytales I’ve read, they all included love, and I’m beginning to think love is real.” Gisele chuckled.

“Sure, little one. Anyway, is that all? I have other things to do.” Kiera shook her head no.

“Drink tea with me.” Gisele sighed.

“Sure. Let’s drink some tea. Why don’t you tell me a story about your friends? Well, that is if you have one.” Kiera scoffed.

“Of course, I have friends. Why? Don’t you think I am capable of having friends?” Gisele shook her head no before smiling at the princess.

“I just thought that you like to be alone.“ Gisele shrugged her shoulder.

“What do you mean?! No one likes to be alone. Are you mental?” Gisele smiled.

“I like being alone. Am I mental?” Kiera looks at Gisele before nodding her head.

“Well, for the most part, you seem to be a little mental. Everyone says the same, and I couldn’t help but agree. Sometimes the maids saw you walking around the palace deep in the night while saying things in an ancient language. I even saw you swinging your sword in the middle of the field without any purpose or place. Isn’t that enough to make me dub you as a lunatic?” I- well, maybe.

“That makes me special. Anyway, what other rumors did you hear about me?” Kiera shrugged.

“That depends. Do you want to hear the bad ones or the good?” Gisele hummed.

“The bad one.”

“Well, if you want to hear the bad ones, I have to start with the nicknames you gave. Do you want me to continue?” Gisele nodded.

“The harbinger of death.” Gisele laughed the moment she heard the nickname.

“What about the good one?”

“The kind.”

“The kind? That’s it? I’m not even that kind, to begin with. People need to find better nicknames for me. Perhaps the princess can suggest some.” Kiera hummed.

“Hmm- the lunatic? The crazy knight? I don’t know. You may act like one, but you’re a good teacher, and it’s easier to learn how to use a sword than my former teacher. I like your classes too.” Kiera blushed. Gisele chuckled before messing up the princess’s hair.

“Hey! You shouldn’t touch my hair carelessly. The maid did a marvelous job today, and you just ruined it.” Gisele raised both her hands before smiling at Kiera.

“So? Did you think I would stop?” Gisele continues to mess up the princess’s hair while Kiera just lets it be.

“Kiera- what are you doing over there?” Kian smiled at his daughter when he walked into the library.

“Father! I thought you would be away for months like always. I didn’t expect to see you so soon.” Kian smiled before kissing his daughter on the forehead.

“Well, I managed to finish my work early and came home as soon as possible. Why? Don’t you like it when I’m here? I thought you would be happy to see me.” Kiera hugged her father.

“Father, mother told me that you two are trying to have another child. Is that right?” Kian smiled before pulling away from the hug.

“Well, that was the plan. Why? Don’t you like to have a little sister or brother?” Kiera sighed.

“But why now? Isn’t it too late? You two aren’t as young as you were.” Kian lightly taps on Kiera’s forehead.

“We’re only twenty-five years old, Kiera. We were married to each other when we were thirteen years old. And no, we won’t force you to find a husband at your age. We’re not like your grandparents.” Kian smiled.

“Wait- you had me when you were thirteen?! Seriously? Didn’t that too young?” Kian nodded.

“There we some unexpected circumstances that we had to face. But at least we manage to overcome it now, right?” Kian smiled.

“Well, I don’t know. But father, why do you have to marry at the age of thirteenth. I’m sure you were too young to bear the responsibility, right? Having me at such a young age must be hard. I heard stories from the maid when I was sneaking around to find some late-night snacks-“ Kiera covered her mouth, but it was too late.

“You what?! Kiera! How often do I have to tell you that it’s bad for someone of your age to eat sweets late at night! What do you think your mother will do if she knows this?” Kiera grabbed both of her father’s hands and said-

“Please don’t tell mother about this. I only did it once or twice. Mother will kill me if she knows.” Kian smiled.

“As long as you learn from your past mistake, princess. Anyway, did you have dinner? Why don’t you accompany your old man to a meal? I would ask your mother, but she is not busy with state affairs.” Kiera smiled before nodding her head.

“Yea! I would love that.” Kiera cleaned up her desk and followed her father to the dining hall.

“Father, I’ve been meaning to ask- why didn’t you become emperor? Why did you let the mother take the throne?” Kian smiled.

“Because I don’t think I would make a great ruler. Your mother is way stronger and wiser candidate to be the empress. Your old man doesn’t even match in wits if I have to compare myself with your mother. And besides, I’m married into this family. I took your mother’s last name.” Kiera held her father’s hand and hummed.

“Do you think love exists, father?” Liam laughed.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I trust and believe in love? I love your mother, and I’m sure your mother loves me too.” Kiera hummed.

“Well, me too. I truly believe that love doesn’t exist. But why does everyone think otherwise? Is it wrong of me to think that way?” Kian shakes his head no.

“Everyone has their own opinion on things, Kiera. Perhaps others haven’t found their true love as I did.” Kiera squeezed her father’s hand.

“Really? Your feelings didn’t change after what mother had done?” Kian seems confused.

“What do you mean?”

“I know what happened, father. Mother’s tyranny seems to be a topic for noble children to talk about even I was right there in front of them. At first, I think mother could do much better by-“ Kian stops on his track before kneeling in front of his daughter.

“Kiera, yes, I admit that your mother had done many evil deeds before but trust me when I said that she’s only trying to make the worse situation better. I know her method seems a bit different than others, but your mother is only doing it for the sake of her people and us.” Kiera nodded her head.

“I know, father. At first, I thought a mother was an evil person, but now that we are getting to know one another, I know she’s regretting how she had treated me all this time.“ Kian smiled before hugging his daughter.

“I don’t think I deserve such a kind and understanding child like you.” Kiera blushed before hugging her father back.

“Oh- am I interrupting?” Rose smiled at the sight when she walked into the hall together with several knights at tow.

“Leave.” Rose waved her hands at the knights before walking towards her daughter and husband.

“Mother- I thought you have some urgent matter to handle. Why are you here?” Kian pulled away from hugging Kiera and smiled at his wife.

“The meeting is over. Where are you two heading to?”

“The dining hall. Care to join us, honey?” Rose offered her hand for her husband to take.

“Yes- I would love to.” Kian took his wife’s hand and led the empress and princess to the dining hall.

“How was the meeting?” Kian asked.

“It went south. I need you to deal with the aftermath later on. I’m sorry for doing this, but I just couldn’t let that old bastard takes advantage of our current situation.” Kian chuckled.

“I see. I will ask for the details from your secretaries later on. For now, we should enjoy dinner together.”