The air was riddled with awkward tenseness. Finally, a difference I could make apart from him and my Daniel. Daniel knew what to say, or do, in any sort of situation. Whether it be when I caught him with a female teacher back in high school, or when I drank myself into a drunken confession during the secret "senior end of the year party" which he had forced me to go to. It would have been a life lasting mortification if it hadn't turned out so well.

Would he have known what to say if I hadn't died? Would he have known how to fix the rift that formed between us?

"Isn't it taking to long to announce the Princess?" I could hear the whispering of a guest behind me.

"Yeah, at least five minutes have already past." Another reply.

Indeed, it was taking longer than usual to announce my sister's presence. I look up towards the announcer and see him keeping a neutral expression. Does he know why? How could he? He's been standing there alone the whole time. Or... I look up and around the upstairs balcony where you could look down and oversee the first level. It was dark and empty except for the few maids scurrying to accomplish their tasks.

Was the announcer associated with the palace guards hiding in the shadows? They definitely know what my sister is up to.

"Prince Eli?"

"Hm." I look back over to Daniel who had a very constipated expression set upon his face, which he was visibly trying to hold back. It made me chuckle a little, which garnered me a raised eyebrow. We were left alone after the Duke had left to greet Elias, and Avery was there looking all too happy to be besides eldest brother. Louise had gone to get me a cup of tea, which couldn't be found amongst the champagne and juice served to the guests. I usually preferred to drink in the comfort of privacy, but the ceremony wouldn't be finished until hours later. I would still like to have my drink if anything.

"I'm sorry. I was just wondering what was taking so long with my sister," I tell Daniel.

"Maybe Princess Isabella is uncomfortable. Anyone would be with this sort of crowd, especially a five year old." Although the tone of his voice was a little impolite when speaking to a royal, I never cared for such etiquettes. It actually bugs me like a mosquito's buzzing by the ear sometimes - the social rules of a class are much too tedious at points when you have memories of a much less moderate life.

"Ah, I feel guilty to not be able to check up on her. It would arise some whispers after all."

He scoffs quietly in agreement with my words. If anyone around us were to hear that, they would have no doubt - how could I say - uh, bitch to the Duke and then the Duke would have been angered into thinking of a punishment for him. You know, since you must always have a certain manner when speaking to a royal. As I said, the mosquito buzzes loudly.

"Prince Eli, may I ask you something?" Daniel asks.

"No need to ask to ask something."

He gave me a funny look in response. "...Ah, well, I was wondering if you knew someone named Felix Carter?"

I blinked in confusion, "Why?"

"No, I, uh, I -"

"I apologize for the wait, my ladies and gentlemen of this great evening." His words were cut off from the announcer speaking up once again. From the top of the middle staircase, in the shadows behind the large velvet curtain, is the silhouette of three figures standing next to each other, the smallest one safely standing between the other two, no doubt the star of the night. My mind was distracted by the show of my sister, missing the way Daniels expression twisted in displeasure. "It is what all of us has come to see, the sight of our beautiful first princess on the day of her first coming of age!" There steps out the three figures, the other two being the King and Queen Sinnette themselves. Loud applause is given to the princess and the rulers of the kingdom as I clap along with the rest.

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Izzy wears a nervous smile, her blonde hair like waves going down to her shoulder, her dress glowing in the spotlight. Being the only one wearing blue, she definitely was the star of the day. 

The Queen, my mother, looks exquisite with her own blonde hair tied up into a braided bun done exquisitely with a teal gown. She kept the graceful smile, proving that she was a social butterfly. 

The King, my father, as expected, was dashing. With a sharp jaw and defined facial features added to a mesmerizing pair of blue eyes, contrasting wonderfully with the black of his hair. I was left amused when he stepped out wearing a casual evening suit.

The loudest cheer of the night erupted. "Our King and Queen have come to lead our princess into her special night." They were stepping down the stairs in sync, though Izzy had to put a bit of concentration of making sure she didn't slip up as she kept a firm grip on our parent's hand. It was a pleasing sight to see nothing had happened to Izzy. 

I look back to Daniel to see him giving a look of displeasure to his fathers back, who was idly commenting to Elias as they waited patiently for the three VIPs of the night to make their way down. 

"Felix Carter. Does he work here?" I asked.

Daniel flinched slightly at being spoken to suddenly and nodded, "I heard he did."

"Did?"

"I heard about it a few months ago from my butler. Apparently, he started working here a year ago."

"Hmm, I apologize, I haven't met or heard of a Felix Carter as of now."

"I'm not surprised. You're a prince, he's a smalltime kitchen worker if I know my facts correctly."

"Social standing plays no part in knowing a person," I say as I see Louise make his way towards me with a tray in hand, "But I will make sure to inform you if I find anything."

Daniel looked at me surprised, "You would do that?"

"Why wouldn't I? You want to find him. If he works in the palace then I might come across him sooner or later."

Daniel opened his mouth to say something more but shut it closed after a second thought. Louise finally made it back to me and gave me my much-needed tea. Addictions just don't die, even after death. Louise greeted Daniel and made to stand in his position beside me and I merely made work to watching Izzy give an embarrassed expression to the attention around her. She still had her hand gripped tightly in mothers hand and father had gone to join the 'group of elites' as I had dubbed it. 

Should I go over there? I crossed that thought out after a moment of contemplation and smiled at Daniel without really facing him directly, "May we go to greet the Princess?"

Daniel pondered over it for a split second before conceding, "If you wish, Prince Eli."

Oh, now he's speaking properly to a prince. I let out an amused breath and started my way to Izzy with Daniel and Louise in step behind me. 

Suddenly, I was left stunned as Louise encased me in a tight hold while he dragged Daniel down to the floor, off to the side in one quick movement. I didn't have time to process what was going on when Louise got back up and flew straight up to the second-floor balcony. Loud whispers erupted and I was staring wide-eyed at the direction Louise had gone to until Daniel grabbed a hold of me to stand me up to my feet. "Are you okay?" He questioned.

I nodded mutely and looked around to see all eyes were aimed directly towards us, down by our feet. I followed their gaze to find a yard long arrow - no, a spear - embedded within the marble floor, only millimeters away from where I had been standing. Oh my god, did Louise just save my life?

I stared at the weapon dubiously and looked up as the crowd split to let my father and Elias through. Father eyed the spear before removing it without an ounce of struggle before handing it off to Hail, who remained dutifully beside Elias. He eyed the surrounding before nodding up at the announcer still standing ontop the stairs.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, do not be alarmed. It was a failed attempt as to be expected." The announcer spoke as calmly as if what just happened was nothing of significance. 

I couldn't help but make a perturbed face. I knew this world was weird the moment I read the books on the mythical beasts roaming the land outside the many Kingdom's borders, but I didn't expect the people to be of another group of weird. Who announces that there were intruders, intent to kill, in the palace while everyone was here? 

Looking around at the people again, none seemed to be scared. More like they were confused and curious about who would dare attack a royal member in the palace directly itself. Even Daniel, who could have been harmed, merely found interest in the spear in Hail's hand. The only one who seems to have a normal reaction is Izzy, who looked up to mother with teary eyes, receiving a calming smile in return. 

I took a deep breath and cleared my mind of the oddity of all surrounding me. 

In the back of my mind, I could hear the soft whisper of my past self. "Are you sure you're not the odd one out?"