Ceres

54

"Why do you want to attend anyway?"

Leowis couldn't help but voice his concern. Traveling to another kingdom has a lot of dangers with it. If Leona wants to go to Winsterein, he would, of course, accompany her. That is how worried he is for his only daughter. However, something really came up that he cannot attend the said event.

But then... How can he resist those sparkling eyes filled with excitement?

"Uhhh..."

"What excuse can you come up with, father? You really don't want your daughter to go? You want to keep me forever in this palace? Is that what you truly want? How can I know of the real dangers and situation of the world if I can't even go out to explore it? How can you..."

Leona started her monologue and matching it with her teary eyes and pouting lips.

Of course, Leowis sweated hearing his daughter voice out her opinions as such times. Even though Leona frequently goes out and travel within their kingdom by sneaking out and even though he knew about all of those things, he can't bring himself to openly say it and refute her.

Rupert knows that when Leona starts her monologue, Leowis wouldn't be able to know how to stop her. Rupert then, loudly coughed to remind Leowis. Leona, on the other hand, glared at Rupert.

"Ah... About the competition... You see..."

Leowis couldn't really say out the words in fear of having his daughter hate him.

"What, father? Don't tell me that you really won't allow it?"

Leowis can't even look at Leona. Ahh... How helpless for this king of a prominent kingdom.

When Leowis thought that the world would soon collapse, the door of his office room opened with a bang!

"Father!!"

A man's silhouette can be seen from the door.

"Big brothers!!!"

Leona's happiness can easily be felt with the change in her aura. She immediately ran towards the man who suddenly barged in.

It was the first prince of Fay kingdom, Lennard. However, he was not alone. Another man dressed in similarly royalty clothes was behind him.

He was the second prince of Fay kingdom and the twin brother of Lennard, Leonard.

"My sons, what are you doing here?"

Leowis immediately wiped his sweat and stood up to walk and get closer to his sons. He was thankful that his sons came and it helped him avoid a big crisis.

"Actually, father, it was Leonard's idea. He knew that once the news about the Winsterein kingdom schools' competition reaches our palace, our little sister will surely beg you to allow her to go."

Both Leona and Leowis looked at the silent Leonard. To be honest, Leonard is more capable of analyzing and sorting things out than Lennard. He likes to read a lot and can come up with the most efficient plans for any kind of situation. However, Lennard was born first and was crowned as the next king. Leonard only supports him from the sides. But, this did not ruin their relationship. In truth, the relationship of the Fay kingdom's royal siblings was good and solid. Lennard and Leonard help each other whenever they face trouble. Also, both spoil their little sister a lot.

"You're actually right. She really---"

"Big brothers! You must help me convince father to allow me to represent our kingdom!"

Leona tugged on Lennard's sleeves and looked pitifully at Leonard.

The twins looked at each other and couldn't help but sigh. They already talked about this on their way to the royal palace. They thought that if there is a room for negotiation, they wouldn't allow Leona to go. But, looking at her pleading like this, both of them felt they couldn't do anything anymore but to accept the invitation.

Leonard stepped forward and patted Lennard's shoulder.

"Father, I will accompany Leona to the event."

Leowis was stunned because he knew that both his sons were busy and they stated before that they wouldn't be bothered with any mundane event or whatsoever. Hearing his son's words, of course, he will allow them to go.

"But... I will go as a guard. I don't want to get involved with other people unless it's necessary."

Lennard understood his brother. He laughed a little and then, patted Leona's head. He also slapped Leonard's back.

"I will naturally go as well. It's not appropriate to only have Leona as our representative. In addition, I would also like to meet that brat who wishes to marry our sister."

Leonard smacked Lennard's head.

"What wishes to marry our sister? He actually refused the marriage. What right does he have? Does he think that our sister is not suited for him? I will personally deal with him... In secret."

Leona stomped her feet and glared at her brothers.

"I---I didn't say I want to marry him yet! And also, we haven't met each other so it's natural that we don't want to marry each other! That's why, allow me to meet him first and don't do anything unnecessary or I will hate you two!"

The twins tried to coax their little sister while the king felt that a thorn was pulled out of his chest. He sighed in relief.

In the end, both twins will accompany Leona but Leonard will be disguising himself and will only show up when it's necessary. This is to avoid unnecessary trouble and let them have an escape route when something bad happens. The king didn't object with their decision and he was finally able to do his work quietly. Leona walked out of the office in a good mood and with her twin brothers.

"You must first tell us, little Leona, if you really like that prince."

Leona flushed red. She didn't actually like that third prince but she can't deny that she was attracted with his looks and some of the stories she heard about him.

"I don't really like that guy."

Leonard stopped walking when he said that. Both Lennard and Leona also stopped when they heard what Leonard said.

"He has the looks and skills to be a prince but, he doesn't have the right attitude and guts to make his own stand."

"Leonard..."

Lennard wanted to stop Leonard from talking however, Leona's curiosity was already triggered.

"What is it, second brother?"

Lennard can only click his tongue and sigh. He started speaking because he knew that he couldn't avoid this topic anymore.

"You didn't know this because I didn't want you to know but..."

Lennard couldn't continue speaking so Leonard spoke on his behalf.

"This is also for your own good. You need to know that there are actually people out there who wouldn't put you in their mind. Your status, dignity, pride, and everything would be nothing in their eyes. That is one of the truths about the world."

"I know that but what did the third prince do?"

Leona couldn't help but knit her brows.

"That prince actually accepted another arrangement for another girl in their kingdom without even discussing about that with us."

It was still Lennard who told the truth.

"Your arrangement was only meant to see if you and that prince would be a perfect match. We wouldn't actually object if it's only like that. Since we all know that getting to know each other more would be for the good of the both of you. But he actually made another arrangement with another girl without our consent. He didn't give us any face at all. Does he think we're stupid? Does he even put you in his eyes?"

Leona didn't talk. She was only listening to her brothers.

"If hereally likes that childhood friend, he shouldn't have made any arrangements atall." -tbc