Princess on the Zest

Prologue

"What do you mean cursed, Nadia?" I heard a familiar voice from a not so far place from where I am. I walked into the huge hallway of the Palace of Taran in the late afternoon to roam around but I stopped myself from walking immediately as I heard the confused voice of Greta, the Taran Familia's Butler. I moved my gaze to the adviser who frequently make her visits to the House for queries and consultations of Tarans.

"One of the Duke's child seems to encounter condemnation and unfair treatment in the series of life. I happened to sense it in a glance to the little princess, Sophia" Adviser Naidia stated that surprised me. I did not expect to hear my name upon their conversation, I managed to hide nearby and keep eavesdropping to whatever they are talking about.

"Princess Sophia" Greta replied in an ensuring tone and Naidia nodded. The moment I heard it, I knew it's true because I can feel it myself in an early age.

"I have said it, father. I am not the one who should be blamed for Ezekiel's poisoning incident." I said it a low and cold tone to my father who is in front of me. His majesty is staring back at me, seemingly covering the room a tension between the father and daughter. Since the time Ezekiel collapsed because someone tried to poison him, I do not understand why is it has to be me who to blame, what are their basis? I am a Taran... Well, 'Is there a way I could ever get my father's faith for me? I oppose it.'

Standing audaciously after me and his manservant beside him, he said "How could I entrust your brother to you if you appear as someone insolent and transparent, in any way? You secretly hatebyour brother, no?" I am not sure of what I am hearing just now. This is just ridiculous.

'Oh, when did I throw hate to my brother?'. "To hate my brother with just a pety reason of not being acknowledged by my own Father is quite shallow." Smirk on my face is unbearable after witnessing my father's surprised expression that made him shut his mouth. 'Does he think I would not know the unfair treatment between his two children? It is truely obvious and the way he give me cold gazes everytime we meet each other in the hallways. It is enough reason to conclude that I am not considered a family of Taran' I flicked my hand like I have something to shoo and put the other one to my waist maintaining my cool.

"Forget about it. You are free to accuse me anything in your command". I said chuckling before proceeding with my final words to the Duke. "But I can guarantee you with my honesty. There is no way I could every harm my brother who is so fond of you, father. Rest assured that I am not going to made trouble any further. After all I've got..." Bitterness started consuming the hell out of me as I feel pety for myself, but I know that I do not feel empty inside because I could not have the love and affection that Ezekiel have. I took a peek on Onyx who has the expression of worry for my life and panic of my response before turning my back to my father as I made my exit to the Duke's office. Louren did not follow me probably scared to my father and waiting for whatever he would order to the servants.

I made my stay in the palace, wherever I go, every corner of the house is full of chatters about the current state of prince Ezekiel. I heard a bunch of servants talking about how the news have spread all over the region. It is about the prince's condition and who was the culprit behind the poisoning incident. I stopped walking and move my gaze to the servants, they sensed my presence though. I walked in their way and sees the hesitation on their faces.

"How is the news going?" wanting to be informed of how far has it goes.

"P-princess Sophia" a fear on the maid's face and her trembling voice.

'I guess that is how people in the palace think of me? More like a sinner to them' I almost roll my eyes on that thought. I remained looking at the maid to make her speak.

"W..we are not sure but... We heard that after the incident that happened to Prince Ezekiel, the news have spread everywhere in the region that fast and- we keep receiving letters from the nobles concerned about the health of Prince Ezekiel".

"and who committed to poisoning incident..." the last statement the maid said was almost a whisper but it caught my attention. The servants panically bowed to me and excused themselves before I could even say a word. So... that is how goes... I looked at the direction in where my brother Ezekiel's room located and passed through the direction of his room. All of these expensive furnitures that makes the palace a very grandiose, there is still a missing peace on it. When I arrived in front of Ezekiel's door, I made my entrance to his extravagant room. His room is much bigger than mine, more organized, obviously is under the care of housemaids. 'Why is there anybody guarding here?' I snapped myself 'hah! Ezekiel is the reason why you went here alright?' I came closer on his bed and stare af his peaceful face.

"Hey you. Stop sleeping and tell them that I did not poisoned you. Feed your father facts about what truly happened because I, myself do not know what happened to you before I arrived to catch you" I stayed a little bit longer before going out to the room of my poor brother.

I doubt that the region actually know about the "culprit" who is claimed to be me. They do not know the existence of Sophia Raquel Taran though. My identity will remain unrevealed to the public.

"What an unfortunate kid" I mumbled to myself staring at the beautiful land infront of me. Peace conquers the place, likewise. The birds singing, witnessing the sunset like this upon mountains, air touching my face and blowing my hair is such a solitude to me.

"Raquel".

"I've been looking for you anywhere"

"What are you thinking?" onyx showed up and went beside me while carefully letting his questions nag me.

"Hah! As if you don't know where I often go heh". I smirked but I avoid to meet his gaze and stayed silent watching the view above the cliff where we are standing. I could not help but to think about the accusation my father claimed against me. It is true that I did not poisoned Ezekiel. I was not the one who did that but do they care about it? Ezekiel is already knocked off when I got there to catch him, I was the one that they saw when it happened. My father thinks that I have some urge against Ezekiel just because he treat him better than me. I sighed at the thought. Oh, I almost forgot about Onyx! I immediately look at him haughtily that made him get what I was trying to do. To explore outside the Palace. I am planning to go to the forest of Miyasma.

"Let's go Onyx! We do not have to waste time!" I looked at him to have an assurance. "We planned on climbing that mountain" I exclaimed and pointed the forest of Miyasma. Looking back to looking like a fool Onyx gazing at me with full of empathy in his eyes which makes me tease him again.

"Haha! You completely looks so stupid, uncle" I bluntly laughed that brought him to his senses making his way to offer me a fight but before he could get close to me, I run quickly while still laughing. Glad, Onyx is very unlikely to his older brother, Charles Taran, my father. I smiled and run even faster after him.

"Raquel! Wait!... Raquel! Could you please slow down!" the poor onyx keeps whining about taking the way slowly because I run recklessly like some other fighter in the woods.

"haha! Onyx you're too slow you doesn't seem likely a boy" I replied nagging him habitually.

That was the moment before I leave the palace leaving the people who has been with me since we were still younger. Out of the rage that predominate me after that conflict occurred between me and the Duke. I managed to leave onyx and louren. 'You two, we will meet again next time'. Riding my horse, I continue galloping it and get in the way onto the huge land. I don't know where I am really going. I just want to free myself along with my mind, I guess I need to freshen it up.

"Hyah!" I ruled my horse and went to whichever my feet brings me. But I am certain that it will take me in the long run. 'Wherever I go'.

It is true that this life is bitter for someone like me, its paths are hard to come across the sweetness.

I got tired from a very long journey- wait...what place is this? I scanned the place from where I am and recognized the admirable view. I looked for a place where I can grip the rope of my horse, when I found a good place for her, I made him rest because I'm sure my horse is also tired. I let him eat while I'm brushing her back and smiled at it like she's some human who understands me.

"Ha!" I sat under a carotenoid colored tree and once again scanned the woods and leads falling from its tree. Feeling the moment and taking my rest, it feels like my mind is at its great peace.

Who's that someone over there?" I can hear a voice from a distance. I did not notice that I already fell asleep from just admiring the view. I feel like I'm still dreaming and not wanting to get up or... Am I still really dreaming?

"I think it's an expeditionist" their voice is coming near and nearer that makes me wide awake.

"Princess! Come back here! It's dangerous, we need to be careful" 'Princess'?are they referring to me? Ah, no. Probably not. No one knows about the existence of Sophia Raquel Taran as I have said, beside the people inside the Palace of Taran'.

I managed to open my eyes and look to whoever is coming closer. There are six of them, they started acting so cautious when they saw me awake as I get up from sleeping except to the girl that is coming closer, I checked my horse by looking at it on her place.

"Who are you?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Are an intruder or something?"

"Hey, why aren't you answering?"

Why they bombing me such questions? I turned back at them but my eyes dropped off to the girl who acts cool while waiting for me to response, she is so unlike to her comrades who keeps bombing me questions. Maybe... She is the one who they called her 'princess' since she acts differently among others. Oh, they surrounded her trying to protect in case I attack them.

"Pft" I can't help but to chuckle at their weird actions.

"Is there something funny?" someone spoke and I shook my head defending myself.

"Chill, I meant no harm" I respond but my gaze stuck on the 'Princess'.

"Then tell us why are you here!" Sooo demanding huh? Alright.

"I'm just..."

"What?"

"Well uhm..." I looked around hoping to find an answer because I definitely don't know where else to go!

"Hey, you're getting suspicious, what are you really up to huh?" Oh damn, I think I'm screwed. I immediately look back and raised my hands surrendering.

"Uhm..ah.. right! I'm trying to look for my luck, I'm looking for a job. Yes, a job" I nodded and convincing not just myself but also them. I just realized that I can use the girl's position to come up with that lame idea. Not bad at all. How did I get in here? They look scary!

"Looking for a job huh?"

"Yes, that's right. Well, uhm.. I heard that there is region where I can earn m-money so... I'm just trying hehe" I carefully said those words. Oh, crop. The guys keeps talking too much, please believe already yeah?

"Well, if you're really looking for the job, Princess Elise can do something about that... But how can we give our trust on you!?" Oi. Chill. So, she is really the princess they were referring to awhile ago huh. What I heard just now caught my attention.

"Princess Elise" I did not mean to said it out loud! It is too late for realization for what I just said bluntly.

But why is she just staring at me though? No response at all?

"I mean!.." I quickly grovelled and get on my knee.

" Princess Elise! Please let me serve under your command command!"