Chapter 6: Chapter 6

For a noble princess like Trisya, she was forbidden to leave her castle for no apparent reason. Especially before her debut celebration when she turned eighteen. Trisya only spent her time at the castle. Learning about the manners of a noble family, and pursuing her hobby of painting. Trisya did not know where the talent for painting came from. Perhaps, the talent was left by the owner of the body she now lived in. However, she is not sure, as Trisya's character in the novel is not clearly described - other than her ugliness.

It was lucky for Trisya that she had this talent for drawing. In her real life, Milla had no artistic spirit at all. Unlike most people who love arts and culture lessons, Milla used to avoid them, especially those related to 'drawing'. But now, it turns out that painting is her savior from the boredom of always having to live in this magnificent castle.

"Hm? I think I've run out of blue watercolors," Trisya said. Layla approached when she heard her lady's voice.

"Can I help you, Lady?" asked Layla swiftly.

"Layla, you said I can leave the castle if I have a good reason, right? Then, please prepare my clothes! I want to go out to buy a new water car, because some of my colors have run out," Trisya pleaded.

"Hmm ... Lady. Even then, you still have to ask permission from Duke and Duchess," Layla replied.

"I understand. I'll ask for permission once I'm done preparing," Trisya replied, while taking care of her things.

"But the thing is, the Duke currently has a guest. So-"

"That's okay, Layla. At least I can ask Mom for permission. Please just get my things ready while I wash my paint-stained hands!" Trisya cut in. She didn't want to waste any more time. After that, she went to the bathroom to clean herself up.

***

"So, is it okay, Mom?" asked Trisya when she managed to face her mother.

"I don't forbid it, my daughter. But I cannot give you permission until you ask your father directly. He is currently entertaining an important guest in his room," explained Duchess Amara.

"Can't you deliver my message to daddy, Mom? I'm afraid it will be too late if I have to wait for Daddy to finish entertaining his guests, Mom," Trisya pleaded.

"You can't, my daughter. Only your father has the right to give you permission to leave. I can't just give you permission before your father makes a decision," the Duchess replied.

Trisya's shoulders slumped. However, she had no choice but to obey her mother. "Oke, well, in that case, I will wait in front of Daddy's room until his guests leave."

The Duchess nodded, then let her daughter go wait for her father. Coincidentally, in front of the Duke's study there were several chairs that were used for waiting. And that was where Trisya waited for her father.

Almost half an hour Trisya waited with Layla in front of the Duke's room. Until finally the door was opened. Trisya immediately got up and greeted the Duke's guest.

"Good afternoon, Lady," greeted the guest.

"Good afternoon..." Trisya looked doubtful. She didn't recognize the person so she didn't know how she could address him.

"Aston. My name is Aston. Please call me like that, Lady," the man said.

Trisya bowed her body upon hearing the name. "Oh, sorry I didn't recognize you, Count Aston."

Count Aston is Trisya's distant cousin on the Duke's side. Count Aston's late father was a cousin of Duke Gerald. And in the novel, Count Aston was one of Trisya's childhood friends, before he fell in love with Rania.

'Ah yeah. Among Trisya, Prince Terry, Prince Avery and Count Aston, he was the one who first met Rania. Count Aston's residence was quite close to Rania's residence. And by now, they must already know each other,' Trisya thought.

"Long time no see, Lady? You've now grown up and are much taller than I last remembered," said the Count.

Trisya just chuckled. Of course she did. It was explained in the novel that their last meeting took place when Trisya was twelve years old. And that was many years ago. "Of course, Count Aston. I'm a teenager now."

"Just call me Aston, Lady!" pleaded Count Aston.

"In that case, you should also call me Trisya, Sir!" retorted Trisya. As Trisya remembered, Aston was not the one who would make Trisya suffer. So, Trisya didn't need to be too wary of him.

"Alright then. By the way, what are you doing here, Trisya? Do you want to see the Duke?" Trisya nodded. A moment later, the figure Trisya was looking for appeared from inside her room.

"Trisya? What's wrong? Do I want to see you?" asked the Duke.

"Yes, Daddy. I would like to ask permission to go into town for a while, as I need to buy some of my depleted painting equipment. Can you give me permission?"

At first, the Duke seemed hesitant. However, after looking to the side and there was still Aston there, instantly a faint smile broke out on the middle-aged man's lips. "Who are you planning to go with, my daughter?"

"That... with Layla and two bodyguards, i think?" Trisya looked uncertain. Why was she feeling so bad?

"Aston, could you please accompany Trisya? She's never been out alone before," the Duke pleaded.

"Eh? I'm is not alone, Dad. Trisya will bring Layla and two bodyguards. Or else, Father can increase the number of maids or bodyguards," Trisya interrupted.

Although Aston was not a dangerous person, but, in the real world while still being Milla, she Trisya did keep her distance from the opposite sex. Especially those of the same age as herself and Aston, who are only four years apart.

"I'm willing, Duke. Incidentally, I haven't talked to Trisya for a long time," Aston replied, which made things even worse.

"Don't you have a job? You must be busy, now that you're a noble and have taken over your late uncle's duties."

"I can still manage my time, Trisya. Then, let me take you! I'll accompany you on your shopping spree as you tour the city today," Aston invited.

"Go with Aston, my daughter! I wouldn't stand for letting you go without protection from anyone. I mean, bodyguards aren't enough. And your brother - Darian is currently on duty in the capital. So, if you want to go, go now while you have Aston to look after you!" said Duke Gerald.

It seemed like Trisya had no other choice. If she refused to be accompanied by Aston, it was likely that her father would forbid her to go at all. So it looks like for this one she has to give in and try to get used to it. After all, Aston is still Trisya's relative, right? Maybe the situation wouldn't be as awkward as Trisya was worried about.

"Alright then, Dad. Brother, can we go straight now?" asked Trisya, who was then nodded at by her distant cousin.

After that, the two teenagers said goodbye to the Duke. They left in Aston's carriage, accompanied by several maids and bodyguards.

"What do you want to buy, hm?" asked Aston.

"Just watercolors, brushes and canvas, Sis. Oh yeah, can we walk around on foot later? I also want to see the bustling city firsthand. Because I've hardly ever left my family's residence so far," Trisya pleaded.

"All right. I'll have the carriage stop when we're almost in town," Aston replied.

In the novel, Aston's character is described as the most gentle and kind. Although he rarely appeared, but as Trisya recalled, the man never showed his hatred for other characters. Even Trisya, who used to be very annoying and often harmed the woman loved by the Count - Aston could never hate her.

'If I could change the storyline and get out of the main plot, maybe I would choose to be with you, Sis. At least you're always on the neutral side and never judge Trisya even though you know she's gone too far,' Trisya thought as she gazed at Aston's beautiful face.

***

Aston helped Trisya off the train, then the two of them walked down the street where there were many shops on either side. They also took the time to chat casually with each other while occasionally replying to people's greetings.

"That cake looks really good! The aroma can be smelled all the way here, Sis," Trisya exclaimed when she saw a bakpau-like cake shop across the street.

"You want some? Why don't we rest for a while while buying some of those cakes?" offered Aston, to which Trisya immediately nodded.

"You'll pay for them for me?"

"Of course. You can eat as much as you want. I'll pay for it," Aston replied.

"Wow, that's great! I can't even remember when my big brother bought me food. I think I'd be happier if Aston was my biological brother than my other brother," Trisya joked.

"Hey, but I'm your brother too. We rarely see each other because I'm busy with my work. But, if you want, I can pick you up to visit my place once in a while," said Aston.

"Hm, I can't refuse. I'm bored at home anyway," Trisya replied.

"Be patient, Trisya! You'll definitely make a lot of friends soon after your debut party. You'll definitely get a lot of invitations to tea parties considering your family background which is very respected in this country," said Aston trying to cheer up his little sister.

"Friends?"

Unfortunately, Trisya was destined not to have any, Aston. In the novel, even other noble princesses would openly show their dislike for Trisya. She will rarely receive invitations to tea even after her debut. This is what makes Trisya feel even more lonely, left out and finally envious of Lady Rania who seems so loved, even though the nobility of Trisya's family is higher than Lady Rania's family.

Yes. Lady Rania was able to get everything that should have belonged to Trisya. And Trisya felt as if her world was taken over by Lady Rania. That's why she would hate Lady Rania so much and keep trying to bring her down - which made her the antagonist in the novel "Lady Rania and The Crown Prince".

'If I could change for the better and manage to catch people's attention, could I possibly avoid the fate of the antagonist? Perhaps I would have had the chance to live a longer life?'

'Anyway, I'm different from the Trisya in the novel. Even if all the public attention including the Prince is taken away from me, it probably won't be a big problem for me, right? I just have to try to change for the better, build a good image, and refrain from being blinded by my love for the Prince. Yes. That way, I should be able to survive and avoid the fate of that tragic death.'

Meanwhile on the other side...

"Excuse me, Your Majesty, but isn't that Lady Trisya?" a bodyguard said to his mistress as they were wandering around in the middle of the shops.

The man who was told suddenly shifted his gaze to the direction his bodyguard was pointing at. And instantly, his eyebrows creased as he managed to find the spot his bodyguard was referring to.

"What is he here with Count Aston for? Did the Duke directly give him permission? But, how can that be?" he muttered in a displeased tone.