New World, New Life: I Became A Bigshot In The Ancient World
Chapter 55: HAD IT ALL PLANNED OUT

Chapter 55: HAD IT ALL PLANNED OUT

Aristia also had her own reasons for telling them, unbeknownst to them. It was actually very simple.

[I won’t pay taxes! That’s a bonus I’ll gladly take, mwahahaha!] She held back evil laughter.

As a member of the royal family, she wouldn’t have to pay taxes as taxes were paid to the royal family. If she didn’t reveal it, she would have to pay taxes. She wouldn’t tell anyone this.

Melvin smiled after she was done with her explanation. "You really have it all planned out."

Even though he said this, he glanced at his younger son subtly, thinking he was the one helping her and silently telling him to.

Wilson just smiled.

Meanwhile, Fedor stared in wonder at his little niece who was still talking to his wife, looking deep in thought.

He could tell his wife and mother were ecstatic, after all, in their kingdoms, women had the basic rights that were just being enacted now in Amberale.

Rowaine and Melissa were not exactly from the same Kingdom. The Kingdoms of Astoria and Asteria were sister kingdoms. The two kingdoms were named after their rulers who were twins.

It was originally only Astoria in existence, until the male twin divided his kingdom into two and gave the other half to his twin sister because of his love for her. The two kingdoms held the same beliefs and were equally united.

Fedor nodded his head in approval. As the current king, he was aiming to continue from where his father stopped in assuring that women had certain rights.

Perhaps, it was a good thing his niece was taking these steps herself, he thought, referring to her interest in what the people of their Kingdom would call ’the acts of men’, and her willingness to act on it without any fear of what people would say.

However, he wondered what the reason behind her change was. After all, his niece wasn’t usually like this. She had even thought of a solution for the famine when none of them had. He wasn’t the only one present wondering what caused the change.

’She’s grown up. I knew she would outgrow it,’ Fedor told himself that was the reason there were such a big changes in Aristia’s behavior. The others also thought similarly. Aristia’s parents included.

’Come to think of it, Beatrix told me that she was the one to eventually persuade her to tell us about her interest in the sword training classes,’ Fedor thought.

He could remember how happy she was when he agreed to her request. Rowaine had told him about her request on the evening his brother’s family left the palace three months ago.

He still wondered how he didn’t notice his daughter’s interest before, but suddenly, after she had spoken to them, he began to see the look in her eyes as she watched her brother train.

It was only then that he understood what Aristia and Beatrix were talking about on the day his brother and his family were about to leave the royal palace the last time they visited.

He glanced back at where Aristia was speaking while his children listened with rapt attention. Even his parents were amazed with her plans for the building.

"I am grateful to you, Tia." He suddenly said, turning everyone’s attention away from Aristia and to him.

Aristia felt a little lost. [Huh? Grateful for what? Building a restaurant?]

"For what, uncle?" She asked, as everyone turned to stare at Fedor who had been silent since the beginning of their conversation, to listen to what he had to say.

"You convinced Trixie to inform us about her interest in the training classes. If you hadn’t, perhaps she would have held back and not said anything. For that, I am grateful." Fedor explained.

[Oh. So that is what he is talking about.] Aristia thought as recognition flashed across her face.

"There is nothing to thank me for, uncle. I was just helping Bea in the little way I could. It is really nothing to thank me for." She waved her hand with a smile. "Plus, Ivan, Seri and Al also helped." She added, glancing at her cousins and brother and receiving small smiles in return.

"So I was told." Fedor smiled. It turned out that the children all knew about it while the adults remained oblivious.

"Trixie is also taking the swordmanship classes?" Alaric asked, looking surprised.

"She is," Rowaine nodded, then addressed the rest of the table. "Apparently, she has been interested in them all along." She shook her head at the thought that her daughter had been keeping this from both herself and her husband.

"Why, that’s marvelous. Then Tia can also attend the classes with her while in the palace." Catherine said.

Beatrix nodded, no longer shy to speak about it.

All these interactions happened freely and cleanly as it seemed the family could take the surprises well ever since Aristia’s famine control strategy, and the swordmanship classes she had with the captain. It also helped to reduce a certain level of shock from discovering about the business.

After dinner, the family separated as the adults gathered in the parlour for discussions while the children were left alone. Owen had been with the palace staff, gaining information about the banquet being held in the palace.

[That boy can get close to anyone. He just has a way of making people comfortable around him.]

Owen had a special ability to make people lose their guard around him.

[Just like the Owen I know.]

Everyday, Aristia was growing increasingly suspicious about Owen. He had a lot of similarities with the Owen she knew.

"This day feels so uninteresting," Serina said as she laid down on her bed, snapping Aristia out of her thoughts.

The sun had just set and they were all in Serina’s room with nothing to do.

[I have an idea, but it’s a little childish.]

Aristia thought of something that could help to ease their boredom. It was a sleepover that she had in mind.

Back in the real world, she had no friends except for her sister in-law and the latter was usually the one to drag her to participate in them, since she viewed them as childish.

’Cherish the joy of being a child.’ The words rang in her head.

That was true, why shouldn’t she forget about whether it was childish or not and just have fun? After all, wasn’t she in the body of a child now? She could be childish for all she cared!

[Now that I have this chance, I should make the most of it.]

With that thought, she looked up at them, "I know of something that could relieve us of our boredom."

They all turned to her curiously.

"Something like what?" Beatrix voiced out everyone’s thoughts. They were almost convinced that whatever Aristia had to say would be very enjoyable.

"A sleepover," Aristia said, and she explained before any of them could ask, as she saw the confusion expressed on their faces. "A sleepover is when children spend the night at a friend’s house. There will be food, talking about things we like, and playing games."

"I’ve never heard of it, but it sounds exciting." Serina clapped her hands in approval.

"But, what about the food? Do we get the servants to start preparing the meal?" Ivan asked with knitted brows.

It was evening time and they had just had dinner, the servants should be eating their meal and would not be able to prepare a meal. Even if they did prepare something, it would take some time to get it ready in time for what his younger cousin sister had in mind.

They all turned to Aristia, waiting for her to speak.

Noticing their gazes on her, Aristia smirked. "I’ve got a better idea..."

***

"What are we doing here?" Serina asked, perplexed as they stood in front of the large kitchen doors leading to the kitchen.

"I know." Alaric said excitedly. "We’re going to make something to eat. We’ve done this before, during the pie— no, the pitni—"

"Picnic." Aristia helped him out, ruffling her little brother’s hair with an indulgent smile. He looked even cuter with his cheeks puffed up, trying to remember the word.

"What is a picnic?" Beatrix asked, catching on to their words.

"A picnic means to eat outside the house." This time it was Alaric who explained.

"Oh." Beatrix nodded in understanding.

"Can we have a picnic too?" Serina asked with interest. "But not today, the sleepover comes first. We can’t eat outside this late."

Beatrix nodded in support.

Aristia shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

"So, we are here to... cook something?" Serina asked about the matter at hand.

"Yes, we are." Aristia nodded.

"Isn’t that the work of the servants?"

"Anyone can cook, Seri. And we are not cooking much, just a little snack for the sleepover.

The royal children stepped into the kitchen of the royal palace with apprehension. It was the first time they had ever stepped into the kitchen.

There were four maids still in the kitchen. "Your Highnesses." One of the younger maids approached them and bowed. "What can we do for you?" She wondered what the princes and princesses were doing here.

"We need your assistance." Aristia stepped forward.

"I’d be happy to help the third princess." Then, the maid paused. "What might I help you with?"

"We are going to make a snack," Aristia began.

It took a moment for the maid to react.