27 Chapter 27: Dimension Pt.2

The following day came and the ex-prince could still not figure out why his wish wasn't granted. He went to the lake and made his wish. That was the exact same thing he did before. There was only one conclusion he came to have.

"Damn that spoiled brat. I'm sure she wished for something that went against my wish." The ex-prince was eating his breakfast while blaming his misfortune on the ex-princess.

"But, your Majesty, she went back to the castle last night and she was still a boy. I'm sure she would have wished to return to her normal self."

"I know that! But the possibility is still there when it comes to her." The ex-prince was convinced of his theory. "Anyway, there is something else that bothers me."

"What is it, your Majesty?"

"Xeresta, do you honestly believe everything that I have told you?"

"Of course, your Majesty. There is no way I will doubt your words."

"Are you saying that because you believe that or because you are afraid of me?"

"If anything, you would not lie. That I am sure, your Majesty. Also, your memories matches that of my own, the only change was that you were born a girl in my memory. Everything else is the same. Whether your claims are true or not do not matter to me." His maid did not show any signs of hesitation.

"I see. I guess I didn't make a mistake when I took you in as my servant."

"As long as I am of use to you, your Majesty, then I would want nothing more." The devotion of the maid to his master was not lost on the ex-prince. He would just not allow his maid to see his true feelings on the matter.

---

Later that day, the ex-prince and ex-princess were seated at the dining hall, eating their dinner together.

"So, why are you still a boy, spoiled brat?" The ex-prince took the first strike. "Do you somehow like it so much that you didn't wish to go back to being a weak little girl?"

"What are you talking about, you arrogant jerk? I'm definitely sure that you wished for me to stay like this just to spite me!" The ex-princess fired back.

"As if I care about what happens to you. You think too highly of yourself. You are nothing but a crack on the beautiful glass that is called my life. Which, incidentally, is difficult to remove. Just like you are."

"If you think that I want to be in this situation, then you clearly are stupid. My life was perfect before." The voice of the ex-princess started to weaken. "Contrary to what you may believe, I know I am a spoiled brat." The ex-prince was surprised by this sudden admission. "I may think of myself most of the time, but when my parents told me I can stop the war our kingdom has suffered from, I agreed."

"...Why, then?" The ex-prince started to take interest.

"I don't know... What has gotten to me, talking to you about this..."

"It's not that I care."

"I know you don't. I'll take my leave, then." The ex-princess stood up from her seat without arguing further. The ex-prince was taken aback by her actions.

---

Several days have passed. The ex-prince was being groomed to become a suitable queen. He was undergoing training on the ways of proper etiquette. It ranges from table manners to speech nuances. It was rather trivial to the ex-prince, as he was used to much more physical and intellectual learning.

On the other hand, the ex-princess was being groomed to becoming a dependable king. Since she was the one marrying into the kingdom, she will only become a figurehead; a symbol. Still, she needed to show her respectability to the army. Her training was physically taxing, from swordsmanship to hand-to-hand combat. The art of war was being drilled to her head as part of preparation for the future. Needless to say, it was very difficult for the ex-princess, who was used to much less tiring activities.

One day, the ex-prince wandered into the large garden after a session of greeting etiquette. He saw the ex-princess hunched behind the statue of the current King.

"What are you doing?"

"Huh?" The ex-princess didn't notice the ex-prince. Once she saw who it was, she stood up. "Why are you here?"

"I asked first. Are you hiding behind the statue of my father?" The ex-princess was shocked to hear the ex-prince knew what was happening.

"No, I'm not... I was just... Resting."

"Sure, you were." The ex-prince didn't argue any further. The ex-princess was waiting but the ex-prince said nothing else.

"That's it? Nothing more? No more condescending remarks?" She couldn't help but ask.

"I went through the same training when you first came to our kingdom as a princess. I hated it. I guess I just understand what you're going through..."

"So... You ran away and hid, as well?"

"W-why would I run and hide? I'm the prince of Grandia kingdom." The ex-princess clearly hit the mark, but the ex-prince was too embarrassed to admit.

"I guess you have moments of weakness. Not your usual image, but it's kinda cute." The ex-princess laughed lightly. The ex-prince blushed a little.

"Well, unlike the things I'm doing before, the training for being a queen is boring."

"Sophistication is clearly not suited to you."

"And I suppose it is to you?"

"Well, at first I also thought it was useless."

"Then you understand why I am running away from it now, then."

"So you admit you are running away from your training of being a queen?"

"T-that's not the point!"

"No, it's not." She laughed more loudly now. "But you know what, after a while I understood there was a meaning to what I was training for."

"And that is?"

"Don't think you'll get the easy way out. I'm not telling you." The ex-princess was genuinely smiling at the ex-prince. "I'll see you later." The ex-princess walked slowly towards inside the castle.

"Who said I need the answer, anyway..." The ex-prince didn't notice that the ex-princess has already walked away.

---

A few more days passed. During those times, both the ex-prince and ex-princess regularly met at the garden. At first, it was just purely coincidence. But then it happened more and more. Sometimes, they just talk about random things. Then, they eventually started to teach each other things they learned from their previous experience as a real prince and princess. They started to become more close and comfortable with each other.

"Your form is wrong!" The ex-prince shouted at the ex-princess.

"How should I do it, then?" The ex-princess was genuinely asking for help.

"I've told you many times already." The ex-prince walked over to the ex-princess and grabbed her arm and lifted her elbow. He showed her the proper form of thrusting the sword. "You have to hold the sword this way." The face of the ex-prince was close to the ex-princess. She felt the blood rushing to her face and felt embarrassed.

"Ok. I get it. Thanks…"

"What is happening to you? Are you sick? Your face is red."

"No, I'm fine…"

"Maybe we should go to the palace doctor just to make sure."

"Are you worried… about me?"

"W-well, a little… Maybe. That's not important now. If you are unwell, then we should go—"

"I said I'm fine. I'll just go rest now. I'll go on ahead." The ex-princess went back inside the castle.

"I wonder what that was about…"

The ex-prince' maid approached his master when the ex-princess was already inside.

"Your Majesty, a towel to wipe yourself with."

"Thank you, Xeresta." The maid was surprised.

"…May I say something, Your Majesty?"

"Go on."

"You have changed, your Majesty."

"Changed? How so?" The ex-prince was curious to what his maid will say. "And don't worry, you may speak freely. I won't get your head off for this." A smile can be seen in the ex-prince' face.

"I have been in the palace since we were young…" The maid was hesitant at first to speak. "…Not once you have thanked me for anything, and not that I needed you to. It's just that… I'm happy."

"I see." The ex-prince closed his eyes and pondered something for a moment. "I guess I have never showed my appreciation. I apologize for that."

"No, your Majesty! You didn't do anything wrong. It was my just my selfish desire to tell you how I felt when you thanked me just now. Please, throw me into the dungeon for my insolence…"

"When I met you at the city back when we were young, you were a petty thief." The ex-prince ignored his maid's last statement.

"I was. I had to be in order to survive."

"You saved me from thugs that were after me. My bodyguards were useless back then because you were able to outrun both them and the thugs, while dragging me."

"I have never apologized for that."

"You didn't have to. I was amazed by what you did that I demanded for you to live in the castle and be my servant."

"I will be forever grateful for that, your Majesty."

"I have never told this to anyone, but you were the closest thing I had as a friend. I just didn't know how to show it. So, I apologize for that."

"Please, I am not worthy…" Tears started to drop from the maid's eyes. "If you'll excuse me, your Majesty…" She walked towards the castle without waiting for the ex-prince' approval.

"Maybe I really have changed. It's that spoiled brat's fault for making me worry about her…" The ex-prince was not aware that he was smiling.

---

More days have passed since that day. After one of their regular practice sessions in the garden, the ex-prince and ex-princess were taking a break while drinking tea. The ex-prince' maid rushed to their seats.

"Your Majesty! I have good news!"

"What is it, Xeresta?"

"I have heard of rumors that a sage lives somewhere in the forest. It is said that he has great powers. Maybe he can return you back to normal, your Majesty."

"Wait, she knows that we are really not supposed to be like this?" The ex-princess was surprised.

"Yes, I have told her everything from the moment my wish of returning to normal failed."

"And do you believe him, um, Xeresta?"

"Of course, your Highness."

"Then, we'll look for this sage so he can grant us our wish." The ex-princess was glad someone was on their side that believes them.

"I'll go look for the sage. Unfortunately, both you and his Majesty are not allowed to exit the palace grounds. This time, I will not be able to do anything because the ceremony is so close and security has been tightened."

"Thank you, Xeresta, for trying to help us. I wish I knew sooner that you were aware of our situation. We could have been friends." The ex-princess held the maid's hands and smiled at her.

"I do not deserve such an honor, your Highness." The maid removed her hands from the grasp of the ex-princess, while avoiding eye contact. "I'll start my search right now. Please wait patiently for my return. I promise to return with answers."

---

The maid set out on her journey to find the sage living in the forest. Based on the information and rumors she gathered, she was able to find the sage in a matter of days. She entered the cave where the sage was living.

"Great Sage, I have come asking for your help."

"Hmm, it is not every day that someone visits me in my humble abode. What is it that I can help you with?"

"You see…" The maid explained everything to the sage.

"I'm afraid I cannot do anything for your prince, or is it princess? Either way, I have no such power to help you.

"But, you are the powerful sage! Every rumor in the kingdom said so! Nothing is impossible for you!"

"My child… That is why they are called rumors."

"Are you sure you cannot do anything? I've promised his Majesty I will return him to normal…"

"I'm sure I cannot do anything. But..." The sage paused for a second. "…I know a way to help them."

"What is it? Please tell me!"