The Nonexistence Princess

The morning sun filtered through the soft, silk curtains of my chamber, casting golden light across the marble floor. Birds chirped merrily outside the windows, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh blooms into the room. It was, by all accounts, a perfect day.

And yet, my mood was anything but.

Yesterday's encounter with the prince had left me in a confused whirlwind of emotions, one moment filled with awe, and the next, embarrassment so fierce that I couldn't even sleep properly. Just thinking about how Theo had looked at me, how he dared to pick me up like some damsel in distress… I buried my face in my pillow in frustration earlier this morning just remembering it.

"Life really doesn't want me to relax for even a minute," I muttered under my breath as I made my way through the castle corridors. The elegant tapestries lining the walls and the golden chandeliers above did little to improve my mood. "Always finding new ways to ruin my beautiful day."

I needed answers. More importantly, I needed to find Theo That insufferable knight made a fool out of me, and I would not let it slide, not without confronting him properly! Whether he liked it or not, I am going to make him talk to me and tell him to apologize for embarrassing me!

Lost in thought, I barely noticed where my feet were taking me. the halls began to blur together, all white stone and delicate archways, until—

Bump!

I stumbled back as I collided with something, or rather, someone. My balance gave way, and I fell straight on my bottom with a small yelp. The impact made me wince, and I rubbed at the sore spot.

"Ah—! I am so sorry—your highness? I did not see you there," a familiar voice said, alarmed yet gentle.

I blinked up; my flustered embarrassment replaced by recognition.

"Henri?" I said, looking up into the kind face of the head butler of the imperial household. His thick white gloves were already reaching down to help me up.

He crouched beside me with all the poise and grace of a man who had served the imperial family for decades. "Are you hurt, your highness?" he asked, offering his gloved hand with concern in his eyes.

Taking his hand, I let him pull me to my feet, brushing imaginary dust from my dress. "No, I'm okay! thank you, Henri!"

Once I was steady, he gave a deep bow, his right hand resting elegantly against his chest. "Greetings, your highness. Forgive me for being in your way."

I smiled so brightly that I imagined flowers must have bloomed in the hallway at the sight.

"Henri! It is nice to see you!" I said sweetly, clasping my hands behind my back. "You look really good today!"

The old butler blinked in surprise, clearing his throat as a light blush spread across his cheeks. He brought a fist to his mouth, trying to maintain his composure. "Ahem… Th-thank you, princess. You are quite adorable, as always."

"Hehe! Thank you!" I giggled, then tilted my head with curiosity. "Say, Henri… do you now where the knights' training area is?"

At once, his expression shifted from amused to serious. His brows furrowed and he adjusted his posture as if he were standing before the emperor himself.

"The training grounds?" he echoed, clearly confused. "Why would the princess wish to go there"?"

I pouted slightly, curling a lock of hair around my finger. "I want to see Theo and thank him properly for saving my life."

His eyes stayed on me, reading my face like one might read a puzzle. For a long pause, he didn't speak. Then, suddenly, he chuckled under his breath.

"The princess is very kind," he said softly. "But I must remind you, I have been given strict orders from his majesty. You are not to venture into any potentially dangerous areas, and that includes the knights' training grounds."

His voice, though gentle, left no room for argument. I frowned, my lips trembling into a small pout as I slowly looked down at the floor, making sure my voice took on that soft, almost dramatic tone I was known for when things didn't go my way.

"What should Lyunee do? ~ Lyunee just wants to thank Theo properly…" I whimpered, blinking rapidly as I let a few tears well up at the corners of my eyes.

Henri stared at me, his eyes widening in panic. "Princess… please don't cry!"

I peeked up at him through my lashes. His resolve was clearly wavering.

He looked left, then right, as if scanning the corridor for hidden guards or eavesdroppers. Then, letting out a resigned sigh, he crouches down again to me at eye level.

"This is improper of me… but very well," he whispered, lowering his voice. "if this is truly what the princess wants, I shall obeys and take you there. but we must keep this a secret between us, understood?"

My face lit up like the sun. "Yay! Henri is the best butler ever!"

He stood up straight again, clearly flustered by the compliment as he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. A soft blush lingered on his cheeks, and he cleared his throat once more.

"If ever his majesty finds out… I will take full responsibility," he said firmly, extending his gloved hand to me like a true gentle man. "Shall we go, your highness?"

I placed my small hand in his without hesitation, beaming. "Yes! Let us go!"

We walked side by side through the twisting corridors of the palace. Henri led me down a hallway I had never noticed before, where the marble floors turned into polished stone and the air grew cooler, laced with the metallic scent of swords and iron.

The sounds of clashing blades, boots striking the ground, and gruff commands grew louder as we neared our destination. My heartbeat faster—not out of fear, but anticipation.

I was finally going to see Theo again. He better have good explanation of what he did to me.

As henri and I stepped past the arched gates, the scenery instantly shifted. The polished halls of the palace were replaced by the rugged, sun-drenched grounds of the knights' training field. The battlefield of practice, stained by years of discipline and war dances.

Swords clashes in the distance. Some knights sparred with firm concentration, while others laughed and drank from canteen during their break. The entire place was alive with strength, tension, and camaraderie.

I turned my head slowly, scanning the area with wide eyes. There were weapons everywhere.

Bows, spears, shields, and swords, some hung on racks, others lay scattered beside resting warriors. But what caught my attention most swords—they came in different sizes.

I squinted, suddenly feeling something sparks inside me. that is when it hit me.

"He gave me the wrong sword…" I whispered to myself, eyes narrowing. "He knew I can't carry a huge sword, yet he brought me the most bigger one!"

The realization swept through me like a storm. Theo had handed me the biggest sword on the day we are supposed to train—far too for me to even left properly. He had definitely done it on purpose. Why would he do such thing? Was it some kind of test? Or maybe… maybe he didn't actually want to help me train at all!

"That jerk," I mumbled angrily. "he set me up to fail so he wouldn't have to help me…"

I was fuming. My tiny fists clenched at my sides, puffing my cheeks as I marched forward like a pint-sixed thundercloud. the—just as I spotted him—

There he was.

Theo.

Standing beneath the sun, his silhouette cut a sharp figure against the bright sky. He wore a sleeveless training uniform, plain and dark, and it clung to him with sweat from exertion. His dark raven like hair shines from the sunlight above. And as always, his face was unreadable. Cold, stoic, like carved marble.

Our eyes met.

My heart skipped—once out of surprise, twice out of fury, I immediately walked towards, expression twisted in pure annoyance.

But in his perspective, I look like a marshmallow bouncing towards him.

Before I could open my mouth—

A large shadow fell over me.

It swallowed me whole.

I froze. Every part of me went still as I slowly turned my head, dread pooling in my stomach. Standing just behind me was a mountain of a man, towering at least three heads taller than Theo—but the emperor is of course taller. His arms were massive, thick with muscle and veins, crossed tightly over his chest as he looed down at me with unreadable eyes.

He must be the captain.

I stiffened.

Is he mad? Maybe he's mad I trespassed? Oh no—what if I ruined their drills? What if I broke some sacred knight code?!

My brain raced as panic began to crawl up my spine.

But then he took a step forward, and in a thunderous voice that shook the ground, he shouted:

"ATTENTION!"

The clang of steel halted instantly. Every knight dropped what they were doing—literally. Swords hit the dirt. Shields clattered.

"Drop everything and bow to greet her highness, the imperial princess!"

My breath hutched.

I stood frozen in place, a bead of seat rolling down the side of my face. My eyes darted around as dozens of knights immediately knelt, heads bowed low in a wave of synchronized movement.

"Greetings, your imperial highness!" they echoed in unison, their deep voices vibrating across the training grounds.

Wh-what is happening right now?!

My cheeks turned red, and not from the heat.

This was supposed to be a stealthy mission! I only wanted to scold Theo, not host a royal inspection!

I could feel their stares burning into me even with their heads lowered. Their reactions—so intense, so overly formal—it made me feel like I was the heir to the empire or something.

"I-I… thank you? I stammered; my voice barely audible. "You may now raise!"

The knights before me raise their head, their eyes shows curiosity and awe.

And before I could process another breath, I felt someone grab my wrist.

"Wha—?!"

The world around me blurred.

A flash.

A pull.

The scent of wine and wildflowers flooded my senses.

When I opened my eyes, the training ground was gone—and in its place stood neat rows of grapevines, basking in the golden light of midday. Birds chirped quietly, and the air was peaceful, still, and private.

The imperial Vineyard.

I blinked in confusion, slowly turning around to face the only other person there with me.

Theo.

He stood just a few steps away, arms crossed, his expression unchanged—but his breathing slightly heavier from the abrupt relocation. A soft breeze tugged at his hair, and for a moment, the only sounds was the rustle of leaves.

"What just… how did we ended up here?'

"I just dragged you here." He said simply, not even bothering to elaborate further.

I finally found my voice again. "Impossible, but anyway, I came all the way to the training grounds to yell at you!"

"…I could tell."