After the awkward and obviously shocking visit, the trio bid their goodbyes in an awkward way. Ashleah sighed in relief as she felt the soft matress of the carriage behind her.
"That drop was unexpected!" Axis obviously laughed because of his own nervousness, who wouldn't get nervous when you started to fall down from a tower!?
"Ah seriously, this timeline is weird." Ashleah blurted out, making Nash smack his forehead and Axis look at her with confusion showing off his eyes.
"What do you mean, Ashleah?" He asked, tilting his head. Ashleah laughed in awkwardness, clearing her throat she looked away. "Nash, do you know what she's talking about?"
Axis turned his head to Nash, the man just laughed and shook his head. Obviously avoiding this certain topic that would probably expose them.
"Are you guys hiding something?" Axis questioned them again, but now the two looked quiet shocked on how fast Axis can cope up with what's happening.
"Axis, stop talking about nonsense—" She couldn't continue what she was going to say when Axis chuckled like a child.
"Oh my, are the two of you dating!?" He excitedly asked. Nash coughed out loudly, Ashleah's face became red as a tomato.
They weren't looking at each other, making Axis laugh even harder. The man was completely having fun with their reactions.
The whole ride was just Axis teasing both of them, Nash was the first one to go down. Just because their mansion was a little near the tower, and the second one was Axis.
Finally, she was left alone. Closing her eyes, her neck was leaning down at the soft matress, everything came back inside her mind.
She felt shivers down her spine as she remembered the man with purple eyes were looking at them. She smirked. "At least we got some clues." She whispered to herself and continued to close her eyes because of exhaustion.
Total of 5 days has passed ever since the visit, every single one inside the Imperial Palace was busy. Why? The only Princess of Genry is turning 16 in three days.
"Oh dear! Princess Izel looks good in everything!" The designer said drastically, making Ashleah chuckle lightly. She never knew that she would look at least like a human if she wear gowns like this.
Looking at her own reflection, she was wearing a mermaid off shoulder gown, the off shoulder has more fabric on it's back, it was like a long back off shoulder on it's top. The gown was obviously showing her curves.
Nanny Riley with her teary eyes continued looking at the Princess, she watched the girl grow and now.. The princess has this goal to be the first ever Empress without even needing an Emperor.
"Well then, let's pick another dress! Even if this gown looks great on you, your highness. His Majesty told me that you shouldn't wear clothes that can attract men." The designer sighed in defeat and helped Ashleah removing the gown.
"OH MY YOUR HIGHNESS!" The maids shrieked when Ashleah slowly walked to the gigantic mirror inside the dressing room.
"She looks gorgeous!"
"The Princess is stunning."
"That gown reveals the charming side of our dear princess!"
Every one had their own comments about her gown, she was now more curious with what she looks like. Closing her eyes before she turns around in front of the mirror, Ashleah took a deep breath and opened it.
Mouth was left wide open, as she looked at her reflection.. Finally tears started to form inside her eyes as she continued to look at herself.
The gown looks heavenly and glamorous. It was so beautiful. She covered her lips and quickly looked back at the designer with tears inside her eyes.
"My.. Our princess is all grown up." The designer said with a proud smile plastered on her face, Ashleah quickly hugged her.
"Thank you so much for making gowns for me." She said while sobbing, the designer chuckled as she slowly caressed her hair.
"Please do not cry, you know it'll always be my pleasure to create beautiful and majestic gowns for our future empress." The woman said with a soft smile plastered on her face making Ashleah cry even more.
Right now, every one was looking at her like she was the next candidate to being the first ever Empress, it was really overwhelming for Ashleah. She wasn't being looked down. They were believing in what she can do and show to them.
The pressure may be hard to carry but she has to endure it. It was her decision to be the next empress and she doesn't throw her words away.
3 days finally passed. Ashleah slowly rubbed her eyes as she pouted lightly, waking up early in the morning for long preparations for today.
"Rise and shine to our birthday girl!" Nanny quickly pushed the soft comforters away from Ashleah's body making her groan and cover her face using her pillow.
"Oh come on Nanny, just 5 more minutes!" She demanded, even tried doing the puppy eyes but completely failed.
"Well then, your lavender bath is ready!" Riley excitedly said, pulling Ashleah up. The sleepy princess chuckled and knew that she there was no way that she could say no to her loving and cheerful nanny.
It was obvious that every one inside the palace was excited for her birthday. The painter was now looking at his new masterpiece, tears inside his eyes he held his paint brush tightly and smiled proudly.
"Oh my, look at your painting. I am very sure that her highness will be pleased when she sees this." The servant said while looking at the big painting that was inside the gift room of the Princess.
"Are you sure?" He said, lightly touching the part of the painting where he has his signature on it. "I am very happy with the outcome."
Looking at the painting, it was the princess smiling widely with the Emperor behind her. It was the first meeting of the painter with the Imperial Family, it was unforgettable for him.
As she finally opened her eyes, Ashleah saw her own relfection. She was wearing light makeup, wearing her halter ball gown, it was the color of the beautiful night sky, dark blue, black, light blue, and a little purple on it, gold and white like dust.
The dress was perfect. Perfect for a Princess. The door opened, revealing her Father who looked surprised when he saw her daughter.
"Is that really my daughter?" He teasingly said making Ashleah chuckle as she tightly hugged her Father. 'This feels nice.' she said to herself.
"Father, we don't want our guests to keep on waiting.. right?" She giggled, the Emperor smiled and nodded. For the princess' 16th birthday, there was total of almost 1,000 guests.
The lights suddenly closed, sweet and melodic music from the orchestra of the Genry Empire started to play, with the white magicians help, they used their magic to light on the Princess and The Emperor that was currently going down the gigantic and elegant golden stairs.
Her heart was beating loudly, she was scared. Yes, Ashleah came back in time after long years, she can finally change what happened in the past.
'This time, I'll surely make a change!' She thought and smiled, finally the lights opened and she was welcomed with familiar and unfamiliar faces smiling at them and clapping.
Her eyes wandered around, until it landed on Nash. He raised an eyebrow and smiled at her. She chuckled and shook her head.
An hour or two passed by, and finally they were asking her to dance. Of course, her first dance was the Emperor.
Smiling widely as she danced with her Father, she giggled as she saw how tears started to form inside his eyes.
"Father, oh my. Are you going to cry?" She teasingly said. The Emperor scoffed and shook his head.
"Oh dear, my little baby is going to have a lot of suitors." He said, obviously teased her back. She pouted, obviously defeated by her own Father.
The next one was Axis, she smiled and started to dance with the guy. Axis was smiling proudly, looking like a toddler dancing with his sister.
"Ashleah, you look very pretty today!" He giggled, she just smiled back at him.
"Oh my, do you perhaps like me?" she teased the young boy. He scoffed and shook his head.
"No! I want to be a high pries—" Ashleah laughed as she continued dancing with Axis.
The next one was Aziel, he may be small. But some noble ladies were now a fond of him. He was a very pretty boy in deed.
"Princess, you look charming." He said, making Ashleah smile.
"Thank you Aziel. Are you having a lot of fun?"
"Yes, every one is pinching Aziel cheeks tho!" He pouted his lips, and she heard the 'aww' of some noble ladies making her laugh.
The dance continued until it was Nash, as he held her waist not so tightly and started to dance. Every one was looking at them intently.
"What are they looking at?" Ashleah asked, as she furrowed her eyebrows. Nash chuckled and shook his head.
"Seriously, don't look at them like that. You're going to ruin your reputation" He said laughing, Ashleah scoffed and smiled back at Nash.
"Oh my, I think I might kick someone's ass today." She said smiling at him. Nash raised an eyebrow and laughed at her reaction.
"Oh no, I'm scared." He said, Ashleah smirked. 'Oh are you really starting it?' She quickly stepped on his foot, making him groan a little.
"Oh no, I'm sorry." she giggled, but her eyes suddelt widened as she felt that she was going to fall down but Nash caught her and he smiled.
"Oh no, IM SORRY." he repeated with a cheeky grin plastered on his face.