King Lioness sat upon his ornate chair, a far cry from the formal throne in the audience hall. The heavy curtains filtered the afternoon sun, casting long shadows across the chamber’s polished floor.
He tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the armrest, deep in contemplation.
Then, turning toward his advisor, he spoke in a calm yet firm tone. "Summon Princess Ellyna. There is sothing important I must discuss with her."
The advisor bowed respectfully. "As you wish, Your Majesty."
The advisor swiftly exited the chamber, leaving the king to his thoughts.
"Ehh? Father called for ?"
Ellyn tilted her head with a slight pout, her cat ears twitching curiously.
Mrs. Faria simply smiled as she adjusted the folds of Ellyn’s dress. "Perhaps there’s sothing important he wishes to discuss, Princess."
With a small sigh, Ellyn’s form shimred as she casually shifted into her usual 10-year-old appearance—tail swaying lazily behind her.
"What could be so important this ti?" she mumbled, stretching her arms. "Hope it’s not another boring noble banquet..."
Ellyn slipped into a frilly kid-sized royal dress, soft cream with golden trims—simple, yet noble. She tugged at the collar slightly, not too fond of the itchy fabric.
Then, with a small huff, she began walking down the marble corridor toward her father’s chamber, Mrs. Faria silently accompanying her, just a step behind.
"Haaa... What’s so important, really?" Ellyn muttered under her breath, her small footsteps echoing lightly against the polished floor. "If this is so royal duty thing again, why not just call one of my brothers? I an... I’m just a girl."
Her tail flicked once in annoyance, ears drooping just slightly.
Mrs. Faria glanced down at her with a warm smile but said nothing, letting the princess grumble in peace.
Knock knock.
"Co in," ca the deep, commanding voice from within.
Ellyn slowly pushed open the grand door, stepping in with an elegant—albeit reluctant—pace.
She gave a graceful curtsy, playing her role well despite the pout on her face.
"Why did you call , Father?" she asked politely.
King Lioness turned from his seat near the window, his gaze narrowing the mont he saw her.
His brow twitched. "Why are you using that appearance again? You’re not a child anymore."
Ellyn puffed her cheeks slightly, her tail giving a lazy flick. "It’s easier to sneak snacks when I look like this. The chefs go soft on ."
Lioness exhaled through his nose. "This isn’t a ti for jokes, Ellyna."
His voice was low—stern. Sothing in his expression told her this wasn’t just so political matter.
"...Then what is it?" she asked, dropping the playful air as she stepped closer.
"Here, read this," Lioness said as he handed her the letter with a grave expression.
Ellyn took it with a raised brow, unfolding the parchnt with exaggerated care—just to tease her father.
The mont her eyes scanned the first line, she froze. Then, slowly, her lips twisted into a dramatic scowl.
"Nope!" she said flatly, tossing the letter back toward him like it was cursed. "Reject! Don’t wanna!"
She crossed her arms and turned her head to the side, tail swishing with indignation. "Besides, you already know how the pinky promise works, right? Sacred oath and all that So yeah—nope. Reject. Bleeeekk!" She stuck her tongue out.
Lioness pinched the bridge of his nose, trying not to sigh out loud. "Ellyna, at least act with so decorum..."
"I on the acting. I’m acting like soone who doesn’t want to be married off like a tradable potato."
He muttered under his breath, "That’s not even a saying..."
"Besides," Ellyn said, tossing her hair back with a smug grin, "Uncle—err, Hazuki—way more handso than those bloaty human princes or kings or whatever. Don’t wanna." She wagged her finger sassily. "Too ugly. No deal."
Lioness narrowed his eyes. "Did you just say Hazuki?"
"Oops." She snorted. "Slip of the tongue. But still! If you even think of accepting this proposal, I’ll run away for real this ti!"
She gave him a smug look. "Well... not like anyone can force to get married anyway, right? Ahahahaha~"
Lioness leaned back in his chair and muttered, "Sotis I wonder if sealing you in a tower wouldn’t be so bad..."
"You’d have to catch first!" Ellyn winked and skipped a little in place, her dress bouncing as her tail flicked.
Mrs. Faria sighed from behind. "Your Majesty... she’s just being playful."
"Playful or not, she’s right. No one can force her, thanks to that damn pinky promise..." He gave her a glance. "I still can’t believe you actually went through with it."
Ellyn bead. "And I still can’t believe he was stupid enough to agree! Heh~"
Lioness folded his arms, eyes sharp. "So... it looks like you’re just playing with this human nad Hazuki’s feelings?"
Ellyn froze for a second, then puffed her cheeks. "No! I don’t!"
She crossed her arms and looked away. "I an... he is handso. Just... a bit of an idiot."
Lioness raised a brow.
"But..." her voice softened, her tail slowly swaying behind her. "He doesn’t care about power... or title...."
She gave a small, wistful smile. "I rember one ti... he said sothing stupid like wanting to save money just to buy his own land. Can you believe it?" She laughed faintly. "Not a castle. Not a kingdom. Just... a small land he can call his own."
Lioness’s expression turned more thoughtful as he studied her.
Ellyn clutched the hem of her dress. "He’s not like the others. And... I think that’s why I..." she paused, then quickly covered it with a grin, "—Anyway! Don’t you dare make marry soone else, or I’ll really run away next ti!"
"I won’t," Lioness said firmly. "But... are you truly sure about your choice?"
Ellyn nodded without hesitation. "Hmm? Of course. Besides, it’s already done. A pinky promise is a pinky promise. So I’m going to stick with it."
Lioness sighed heavily, rubbing his temple. "Very well... I will have the royal scribe draft an official letter of refusal to King Aswand."
"Mm-hmm~!" Ellyn chid, clearly satisfied.
"Oh, by the way, Father?" she added casually.
"What now?"
"I think I’m going to find him sooner."
Lioness’s brows twitched. "In that appearance?" he gestured at her current childlike form.
"Hmm? Yeah?" she tilted her head with a mischievous smile. "It’s not like he hasn’t already seen my real body."
Lioness choked on air. "Ellyna!"
"What?" she blinked innocently. "He didn’t do anything weird. He’s a gentleman, rember?"
Lioness groaned and waved her off. "Go. Before I reconsider sending you anywhere."
"Hehe~!" Ellyn skipped out with Mrs. Faria behind her, tail swaying like she just won a battle.
( End of Chapter )
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