Annalise walked into the castle with two guards beside her and three maids in front of her, pouring beautiful flowers for her to step on as she walked. It was a complete waste of time, energy and resources. She was angry about it but she kept all her emotions bottled up beneath her calm face. She walked graciously in the long blue dress she wore. One could barely notice that she was uncomfortable in the dress. She approached the throne and bent respectfully in front of her father. He gestured for her to get up and she did.

　　"Come sit here my child" he said in his sweet deep voice

　　She sat on her seat beside his.

　　"Is there any problem father? "she asked him as she stared at his wrinkled face

　　" I just wanted to know how you're doing. Have you gone around to see the kingdom? "he asked her

　　"No, but I plan to do that today" she replied him

　　" Good then. I received a letter from Draco, he will be coming here in two days for a short visit. He knows you're back home" he said and smiled

　　She smiled back at her father. It wasn't sincere and he couldn't see that.

　　"I shall be expecting him" she said

　　"Now, go and have fun. I need to have a meeting with a few elders" he said

　　She stood up and bowed before him. She turned to leave and the maids and guards took their places around her. As soon as they walked out of the doors of the great hall were closed behind them, she turned to face the guards and the maids.

　　"All this isn't necessary. I can walk on my own without guards and without stepping on flowers. You all must be tired, go rest" she said to them but none of them moved an inch

　　"I said go rest"she said but they still stood there

　　The maid with red hair whom Annalise knew to be Lisa spoke up.

　　"My lady, it's our duty and we're not supposed to leave you be that way"she said with her head bowed

　　"I gave you an order and I expect you to follow it" Annalise said strictly to her

　　"But the king said... " a huge guard said and she cut him

　　"No buts. Just do ask say. You all have been working since morning and it's already late afternoon. Go rest and eat. I'm not listening to anything of you object" she said and pointed her index finger at them.

　　They all nodded and left her. She walked out of the building to go to her chambers. The sun was bright and scorching. Her bare skin was getting hurt from it's lights. She frowned As she walked to her chambers. She would take a hot bath then change to something more comfortable. She smiled as she imagined herself wearing her trouser and long-sleeved shirt. It was unlike a princess but she didn't care. She was always known to do things her way. The guards at the front door of her chambers greeted her and she nodded. She got into her room and locked the door behind her. She stood in front of her long mirror and stared at her reflection. She eyed her reflection.

　　"I'm not doing this again " she said and laughed

　　The whole look didn't suit her,at least that was what she thought.

　　Her Auburn hair tied in a tight ponytail. Her skull was hurting, she took the band off her and let it fall on her face. She took off the dress and tied her towel. She would stay in the tub till time passes away. She needed time to think of herself and her supposed marriage. She got into the hot tub and felt the hot water warm her body. She relaxed and closed her eyes. How was she going to be a wife? She had never taken time to think of it. She hadn't had enough time to think of her future. She had left Deapis 9 years ago when the war broke out. She had to stay far away and study. The school was terrible, those nuns who stressed her life and tried to force her to act like a princess. She had preferred it if she was Home-schooled,a lot of kings did that for their children. She didn't blame her father, he was scared of losing his only child. She spent a few minutes in the hot water, with her eyes closed and her mind empty from anything. She got out and rubbed her body oil. She picked up her loose dark blue shirt and her brown trousers. Her father would be mad if he saw her in that dress. As soon as she got dressed and wore her black boots that stopped just beneath her knee, Madame Louisa came into the room with a basket filled with laundry. She dropped them and frowned at Annalise.

　　" I thought we already talked about wearing this type of clothes. You're not a commoner for God's sake, you're a princess and you should act and dress like one" she said as she came over to Annalise

　　" I should have control over myself. I do not want to wear those dresses. They seem too formal for me and besides, they do not suit me" she said

　　" Gracious heavens. Have you stared in the mirror. Anything would look good on you" Madame Louisa said

　　"You sweet-talk me a lot" Annalise said as she began walking to the door in a slow pace

　　"And where are you going to? "she asked Annalise

　　"To see around the kingdom. Father said I should" she replied

　　" Be safe, do not roam in weird places. Take guards with you " she said to Annalise with a concerned look on her face

　　Annalise gave her that same old mischievous smile she normally gave back when she was younger.

　　" I will. Don't worry "Annalise said

　　"And I have a feeling you will do otherwise" she said

　　" If my soul decides to be freed when I go out then it shall be freed" Annalise said before rushing out.

　　Madame Louisa sighed. She loved that little girl so much but she was terrified that Annalise would get into trouble, she always did.

　　Annalise walked past a few people who were coming into the castle. They had no idea she was the princess, how could they have known when she wore simple clothes and she jumped as she walked along? She hummed as she walked into the kingdom. It was beautiful, she hadn't seen this in forever. There were little changes here and there but her heart still felt like it was the same old Astoria she knew before she left. She stood beside some strangers as she watched a man perform magic tricks. The people were so intrigued by his tricks while Annalise stared at them and wondered how stupid they were to not notice that it was all fake. She wonders round and looked at the places, nothing looked appealing to her. Her heart didn't leap at the sight of anything. She wanted adventure, she remembered where she used to go climb trees when she was younger. She smiled as she walked into the bushes. She was 21 years old but she still behaved like a child. She listened to her instincts more than she listened to anyone. The bushes was quiet,just the way she preferred it to be. She was walking deep into it, listening to the tweeting of the birds and the shaking of the tree leaves when she heard hissing behind her. She knew what it was, a snake. She was scared of snakes more than she was scared of the nuns in her old school. She looked at the floor and saw it. It was forest cobra with it's shiny skin. She started running deeper into the bushes as it followed her. It would catch up with her and she knew it. She reached the point where she could do nothing but stand and let it bite her with it's painful fangs. Just then when she faced the stupid snake,she heard the thumping of a horse. Immediately then, a sharp spear went straight into the snake's body and it rolled on the floor. It curled up and couldn't move since the spear had gotten deep into the ground.

　　"You should be careful where you wander " Neilan Britton said to her as he got down from his horse

　　" You followed me, didn't you? "she asked him

　　He frowned his face before he bent down to remove the spear from the dead snake

　　"I was asked to. Madame Louisa knew you would get into some sort of trouble"he said and got on the horse

　　"That lady never gives me a breathing space" she said

　　"Get on the horse. We're going back" he said

　　She hesitated before getting onto the back.

　　They rode in silence back to the castle. She just wanted to go somewhere fun instead of staying in the castle having idle talks with her cousins and the maids. As soon as they got down from the horse, her father approached.

　　" Where did you find her? "he asked Neilan

　　"In the bushes,my Lord" he answered as he bowed

　　"Is she hurt? Did she get into trouble? " the kind asked as he checked her arm for any marks

　　"I'm fine Father " she said and moved back

　　"Do not go off far like that. I was worried" he said

　　"You worry too much"she said before running off to her chambers

　　"what do I do with this girl? "her father asked Neilan

　　" Talk to her. It may work, she just got back"he answered

　　Annalise was walking to her chambers when she came across her cousins gossiping loudly as they walked towards the garden.

　　"Where have you been? " Val who was older than Brienne asked Annalise

　　"somewhere "she replied flatly

　　"as usual " Brienne said

　　Annalise walked past them. They never got along, mainly because they were jealous of Annalise. They were both bitter ladies and never had gotten along with Annalise from the start. Their father 'Eurus' was her father's younger and only brother. Eurus was some sort of devil himself, no one really saw that.