Author Becomes Character (Revised version)

Chapter 5: The Nobility's Hobbies

I remember when I was 15, I was too busy trying to figure out how to survive because the orphanage was about to kick me out. Daydreaming about cute boys? Nope. My fantasies were more along the lines of "What if dinner had seconds?"

When the endless introductions finally ended, I let out a tiny sigh of relief and took my seat.

The table was covered in fancy treats—tiny cakes, glossy fruit tarts, and cookies shaped like flowers. There was also a teacup in front of everyone, but no one seemed to be touching their food. What a waste! I remembered being a kid back on Earth and diving into a pile of snacks at parties. These girls, though, just sat there looking like they were practicing to be statues.

Still, I smiled politely and sampled a bit of everything. The sweets were delicious, but eating felt weird when no one else was doing it.

"Wow, Lady Heaven, your necklace is gorgeous!" one of the girls suddenly said, her voice filled with admiration. 

I looked up along with everyone else. Lady Heaven was wearing a diamond necklace, and while it was pretty, it didn't seem like a big deal to me. I've seen shinier stuff in the palace. Not to sound spoiled or anything, but being a princess sort of makes you used to all the glitter.

Still, the girls around the table looked like they were ready to faint from how amazing they thought it was. Compliments poured in, one after another, as if Lady Heaven was wearing the crown jewels. It was clear they were trying really hard to stay on her good side.

I stayed quiet, nibbling on a cookie shaped like a butterfly. Lady Heaven noticed me watching and gave me a smile that was too perfect to feel real. I smiled back, but inside, I was already counting the minutes until I could leave.

"Thanks. It was a gift from Prince Calvin," Lady Heaven said coyly with a smile.

Calvin? my brother? what a load of bull-

"Oh, for the 2nd prince to give such a gift, you must be someone special to him," another girl commented.

"I don't know what Prince Calvin thinks, and I don't want to assume," she said, as she looks away while blushing.

I just sat there, frozen, staring at her like she'd told me my Big Brother had turned into a unicorn. Romantic? Him? No way. I can't even picture it! That clueless kid who thinks "romance" is offering to share his snack with you? Please, he's about as romantic as a brick wall.

The only thing he knows how to swing is a sword... and maybe his magic, but that's definitely not going to impress anyone on a date.

"So, Princess Anya, did Prince Calvin ever mention Lady Heaven?" one of the girls asked, practically vibrating with excitement, like she'd just discovered the secret to the universe or something.

Did my brother really give a gift like that? No idea! I'm as confused as a cat in a dog park right now!

"Brother and I haven't seen each other since my birthday party; he's been busy with his apprenticeship, so I wouldn't know," I replied.

"Oh, really?" the girl who asked said, her voice dropping a bit as she glanced over at Lady Heaven like she was trying to crack some sort of code.

Lady Heaven flinched but quickly recovered, offering a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I've heard that princesses like sweet treats, so I made sure to have a variety," Lady Heaven said, clearly trying to change the topic.

"Yeah," I muttered, stuffing a piece of cake in my mouth like it was my one true love. The room went dead silent after that.