Everyone prepared for the arrival of the princes and princesses of the noble house of Griffith.
The one-year study at the academy had just ended, so all students were expected to return to their residences. The academy opens annually with a two-month vacation. I also learned again from Hera that I did not study last year due to the accident I sustained from falling from the sky.
It's a miracle that I even survived, given my condition. Especially since I had no magic back then, I was truly on the brink of death. Perhaps I returned to my body because I was dying. It took almost a year for my body to heal. So I just rested the entire year at the palace.
As Ophelia in my first life, I was stubborn and didn't listen to everyone around me. So if the Queen Elizabeth's anger towards me before when I regained my memory was that intense, it might be that I did something that displeased her. But I will not forgive her for hurting my maid.
Hera immediately tidied me up, and I blankly looked at the mirror. While she was busy, I found myself staring out the window. Since I was on a high floor, I could see that almost everyone was busy preparing for the arrival of my siblings.
"There! You're so beautiful, Princess Ophelia!" she exclaimed happily after fixing me up. "I'm sure they'll all be captivated by your beauty again!" I just smiled at her. Whether they'll be captivated or not, I just don't care.
"Thank you very much, Hera." I also saw a large stage set up all the way to the front of the giant palace gate. I scoffed, will they enter through there? How pretentious.
The front of our palace was soon filled with people. I felt a familiar energy from afar, so I looked at the vast ocean. The waves were moving gently and peacefully surrounding the empire's borders. But a large ship in the distance did not escape my notice.
It seems my siblings are arriving on it. I just sighed, it looks like I'll have a hard time getting along with all of them because my personality has changed. I am Ophelia, but I am also Penelope. They'll just be surprised if I just act naturally and very different from the gentle Ophelia of the past. It's also pointless to pretend because they'll just become more suspicious of my actions.
I want to know who my mother is, and how I was revived for the third time. It seems like a mystery that only I can solve.
"Princess, everything is ready." I just nodded at Hera and left my room, holding my head high as I greeted all the maids who bowed their heads to me but also murmuring something.
As I continued walking, their conversations continued.
"Is that really Princess Ophelia?"
"Her actions are strange now."
"Ever since the queen slapped her, she seems to have changed."
I ignored all of that. Let them gossip, do I care? But you only noticed my actions, won't you notice how beautiful I am now?
I just continued walking until I reached the large door. The knights immediately bowed and opened it. I saw again the figures of three people I knew, their backs turned. King Thaddeus with his hands behind his back, Queen Elizabeth, and...Lily.
They immediately looked at me when I stood next to Lily. "Your Highness, All hail glory, The princess of Alsepius greets the King and Queen of Alsepius." I bowed to the king and queen. Thaddeus just nodded at me while the queen just looked at me coldly. I didn't need to greet Lily anymore because we are both princesses with the same status.
Thaddeus stood with proper posture, and his presence was as calm as the ocean waves. But his purple eyes were full of authority. No one could withstand his gaze, not even his fellow kings. My father was silent, but when he acted, it was venomous. Even the emperor of Pangaea and the highest temple did not easily antagonize my father.
So was his wife, Queen Elizabeth. Both of them were among the most powerful in their time. I know there will come a day when I will oppose them, so I am thinking carefully about my actions and not being impulsive.
I saw this witch, Lily roll her eyes at me again. I wonder why she envies me so much when there's nothing to envy. Perhaps she's just lacking attention because we have many siblings, and we weren't all given attention immediately.
I just ignored her because I don't stoop to the level of people like her. But she really spoke, "You should have stayed inside, you don't even deserve to stand here with us." She said with emphasis, as if the king and queen beside her didn't matter.
"I am a princess too, are you stripping me off my rights?" I just gave her a mocking smile. "How rude of you to talk about personal issues in front of the king and queen. Mind your manners, Princess Lily." I replied coldly, which embarrassed her.
In the end, she didn't answer again. But I noticed her deep gaze at me, which only made me raise my eyebrows. If you're thinking that I've completely changed, it's true. Because I am not just Princess Ophelia, but I am also Penelope, who fears nothing.
The giant horn sounded loudly. Many soldiers were guarding the sides of the stage. So many people were happily awaiting the arrival of my siblings. The large ship stopped at the stage, and its large door slowly opened.
The screams were incessant, the soldiers became noisy again.
"THE PRINCE AND PRINCESSES OF GRIFFITH ARE ARRIVING!"
"YOUR HIGHNESS, ALL HAIL GLORY TO THE FUTURE KING OF ALSEPIUS, PRINCE AAMON RUIZ GRIFFITH!" Everyone cheered as a very handsome and dashing man emerged. He had silver hair and purpl eyes. Wearing his uniform with a lightning symbol on the lapel, he walked onto the stage with his head held high.
I smiled when he smiled at the citizens and waved at them. He truly has a good heart, and even in my first life, we always got along. He stopped in front of us and bowed. "Your Highness, All hail glory, the prince of Alsepius extends his warm greetings to the King and Queen of Alsepius."
The king and queen both just nodded. He immediately went to Lily's side and smiled at us. We returned his smile. "All hail glory to the future king of Alsepius."
The calls for the other princes and princesses followed. "ALL HAIL GLORY TO THE SECOND PRINCE ZEN ALISTAIR GRIFFITH!"
Another handsome brother of mine went to the center. He also had silver hair and inherited the queen's green eyes. Unlike Aamon, he is the coldest and most aloof prince you will ever meet. Even in my first life, we never got along. He just went to our side and greeted us. He then stood besides Aamon.
"ALL HAIL GLORY TO BOTH OF THE THIRD PRINCE PERSEUS BLAIR GRIFFITH AND SECOND PRINCESS ISLE EMERALD GRIFFITH!"
My two twin siblings came out. Of course, our lineage is beautiful and handsome. They both have red hair and green eyes. Like Zen, I don't get along with the twins either.
"ALL HAIL GLORY TO THE THIRD PRINCESS HELENA YLLARA GRIFFITH!"
The last to emerge was my gentle angel of a sibling. She has silver hair and purple eyes. She is so beautiful, especially when she smiles at the citizens and waves.
But I am not swayed by her kindness because her true nature is hidden within. She is one of the women I disliked even in my first life.
It looks like this will be a long journey of patience. I will be dining with the family who never accepted me in the past.