Armed Enlightenment Book 1 (Practice Story [My other stories are better])

Erika: ein kleines Blümelein

It was on the morning of 8 AM, during the initial air raid of Case Blood. Thousands of kilometers south—in the Federal Capital of Terra—members of the home front were lively as ever in their tasks to support the war effort, and domestic law enforcement agencies sweep through any suspicious activities. One of which included Princess Erika Victoria Marie Von Weissenheer.

She quickly dealt with her morning necessities. A bath, drying her hair, brushing her teeth; after finishing, she immediately wore her black and white uniform and black slacks of the royal family. It became her standard everyday clothing and was easy to move thanks to the material imported from the Federation. With it, a white apron as she makes her way to the kitchen. It was her routine for the morning.

"Good morning, Fraulein Erika." A gentle female voice greets her. Sitting on one of the tabletop chairs, Monika waved at her while taking a sip of tea.

"Good morning, Big sis Monika!" The cheerful princess greeted back. Although she has a few months left until she's now an adult in Terran standards, she was still a child inside.

"Well, you're sounding chipper. Something good happened to you?"

Erika giggles. "I feel confident about my cooking now! I'm going to try and make a meal for Y/N."

Monika froze for a moment. Her expression warping before it turns into a wry smile. "... That sounds nice."

Erika nods in agreement with a bright smile. To say her family was happy for her is an understatement. Erika felt that this was it. This was her new family where she would spend the rest of her life... or eternity, probably? She didn't care about the power and influence her vaterland now has because of her assured union with Y/N. Those were just byproducts.

Although she was the Fifth Lady of the Federation and away from her parents and brother, she had six caring older sisters and groom that loves her and would so-called 'protecc' her. Everything felt too good to be real, but it was the truth.

Ever since the Aeveskirian raiders enslaved her elder brother Erich, the Kaiserreich was frantically giving her the necessary lessons to become a proper heir to the throne. If being a lady wasn't enough, just imagine being suddenly taught how to rule an Empire. That was her problem.

That was also where her workaholic habits originated from. But when Erich came home thanks to Y/N and the rest, everything became pointless. She would be lying to herself if it didn't upset her. The memories of that tragic day were hazy.

It all began when she accompanied her brother to Kanzlerhaven on a horse-drawn carriage during a peaceful trek. Erika slowly woke up to the sounds of the horses' clatter and the bumpy ride.

—

"Fuwaaah..." she cutely yawned, scanning her surroundings inside the elegant carriage.

The volume of trees on both sides told her that they were on a forest path. A convoy of carriages surrounds hers with units of cavalry around them.

"Oh, Erika, you're finally awake." It was her brother, Erich, busying himself with a book. "You snuck into the carriage, right?"

"Good day to you too, esteemed brother." She rubbed her sleepy eyes but suddenly recoiled to a freeze.

"So..." Erich shut the book and looked at her straight in the eye. "What made you decide that?" His voice was calm, but his gaze betrays it. Erika did accompany her brother. She just didn't tell him or anyone for that matter.

After writing a short message for a royal messenger bird to send, the rest of the ride was spent with Erich lecturing Erika. It all came to an end from the moment the convoy entered the port city where the people greeted them with a festive mood.