《Ace Among Jokers》


 Ch01: Gilded Thorns

    They''d thought my mother was barren, and so the King ordered for her to be placed far, far away from him. He took in dozens of concubines at the request of his council. He had morning walks with the slave girls of war and nightly rendezvous with errand boys to quench his never-ending lust.


    Lust my mother never satiated.


    He left her untouched for three weeks until the royal advisor convinced him to try once more. And he did. He visited her rundown palace one night and ravaged her until she can no longer move a muscle. He did not have much hope for her because he firmly believed she was infertile.


    But then, as if the heavens took pity on her, she got pregnant.


    The king was overjoyed and held banquets to honour my mother and her child. She finally thought that it was finally time for her to be happy with the man she so loved. And it made her ecstatic. He presented her with material things ¡ª jewellery, gowns and dresses, diamonds and pearls ¡ª he thought would satisfy her. But mother was never a materialistic person, for the very thing she sought for was the King¡¯s love.


    My father¡¯s love.


    Love that was directed to a favourite errand boy he found working in the palace stables. The very boy he¡¯d sleep with. Yes, my father was a sodomite. A being that was heavily frowned upon in the kingdom ¡ª by the people, by the temple and by our Goddess¡ª and will be sentenced to death by burning and stoning if anyone found out.


    And my mother knew. But like a foolish young girl who yearned for her love''s attention, she said nothing and wallowed in the pain as she watched him embrace someone else.


    My mother was there for show, she knew better than anyone else why he had kept her by his side¡ªshe was of noble blood and was part of the most powerful family the King needed backing and support from. He was nice to her and cared for her since she was carrying his child. But when my mother gave birth to me, a female, he snatched me away from her arms and handed me to the wet nurse. With not so much as a glance, he ordered for my immediate execution.


    Female first borns are frowned upon in his Empire as it was believed that they would grow up to be witches¡ªthe demon¡¯s children. But my mother pleaded that he spare me and threatened the king to remove her family¡¯s support if he continued on with the execution.


    And so he granted me my only mercy.


    On one condition, to hide me away from the general public, locked up in a single mansion. The wet nurse was compensated with money to keep the secret.


    Not long after they had me, my father threw her away once again and went back into the arms of his lover. He was aware that he needed an heir and that his lover cannot bestow him with such a thing because he was not a woman. So he tried again with my mother.


    ? ? ?


    I am four when my mother gave birth to my younger brother, the crown prince.


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    The moment my father heard of the boy, he bestowed him the name of Cedrin and tried to take him away from my mother to hand over to his lover. But mother fought and threatened him again with her family name. The King gave in and allowed her to raise the heir of his throne. She knew that she was never going win his affections.


    We were the only ones she has in the palace.


    He visits our palace once a month to bring mountains of gifts to my younger brother. He doted on Cedrin and scorned me. But my mother gave us an equal amount of love and it never felt unfair at all. I loved my younger brother because that''s what mother taught me from the very beginning.


    Today he is here again, but this time with his lover in tow. I look out from the attic window where the maids lock me during my father''s visits. They walk side by side with smiles on their faces as their shoulders rub against each other. The atmosphere is painted in a suffocating pink as they neared our door. The knights in their shiny iron armours follow them closely from behind, each step making a clunking sound that resonated in our silent mansion. I peer down and frown as they stop in front of the door, eyes ogling as if they hadn''t seen each other in years. I roll my eyes and as my father talked to the butler of the mansion, his lover turns his head toward my direction. It went by so fast, I didn''t notice that we''d locked eyes. He stares at me, and the ends of his lips curl up into a smile.


    A cold shiver spreads in my body as I watch both of them walk in.


    I wait in my attic room like I always do, waiting until the maids call for me to come down. Usually, my father would''ve been out and gone from the mansion because he hated being here. But he was taking especially longer today. So, I lay on the bed my mother ordered the butler to buy, and read the books that were bought for me to read.


    But then, knock knock knock, the door swings open and the first thing I see is my mother''s worried face. My brother is behind her, grabbing her skirt and he''s looking at me with concern. I look in front of me and the King graced me his presence. He looks at me with cold, narrowed eyes as if he were looking down on me. Of course he would. His lover stands beside him, a smile on his face as he looks at me with adoration.


    I didn''t like that attention. His eyes on me felt as though dozens of centipedes crawled all over me. It was a disgusting feeling.


    "You have seen her enough, you can leave now." My mother says as she places a shaking hand on my brother''s shoulder. But the king clicks his tongue and shakes his head.


    "You should be glad you are alive, girl."


    My hands feel empty without my book. I watch as my own father spares me a last glance before turning his back and walking out of the attic room. His lover smiles at me and follows my father. Cedrin runs inside when they disappear into the corridor.


    "Sister!" he screams and embraces me, rubbing his head on my stomach as he repeats the words ''I was scared'' over and over again.


    I was too, but I collect myself and caress my younger brother''s back as a form of reassurance.


    Aside from this, I remember only fun memories while living in the mansion with my mother and Cedrin: my mother''s singing, the bear my mother used to sleep with as a child, my brother and I on the rooftop, watching the sky side by side.


    In my last memory, Cedrin and I climb out of the attic window onto the roof where we lie beside each other. It was a dangerous thing to do, especially for two young children like us. One misstep and both of us could fall to our deaths. However, my brother seemed to like watching the sky, whether it be in the late afternoon when he''s not in heir classes. Or in the evening, when he would cunningly slip into my bedroom and wake me up in the middle of the night with the poor excuse of having a nightmare. We make a nest with our blankets and lie there, hugging the pillows we brought up while looking up the stars. I talk to him about the constellations I read about in one of the books mother bought me. It was a memory that I cherished about me and my brother.


    Before I knew it, so much things had changed.

 Ch02: Blood for Blood

    I remember hating the few times my father summoned me to the throne room. The long walk to the main palace where he resides and the endless stretch of his room seemed so suffocating to me. I was an outsider in the family, like my mother was. But I never complained. As long as he doesn''t lay a hand on me or my mother, everything will be alright.


    At the front, I knelt. Both knees on the cold marble floor. My maids used to say that the throne room where my father grants audiences actually has a carpet for his vassals that come with long reports and discussions. But for the times when I am summoned, he commands that the carpet be removed.


    "It''s time for you to do your duty as a princess of Ostulia," he said. "Eveothus Kingdom''s Prince asked for your hand in marriage."


    Is this what he called me here for? This wasn''t an unfamiliar meeting to me. After all, this might probably be the fifth time he''s called me to his throne room to sell me off to another kingdom. Not that those engagements actually went through.


    I was fifteen when he first called me to his throne room. As a child abandoned by her father, I had no expectations of the meeting to go happily. He wasn''t a father who would embrace the daughter that he scorned. I remember feeling nervous and scared at the same time while I walked to his throne room. The moment I arrived there, all I could hear were whispers from the people who my father sold me to. Sure they liked how I looked since I am the splitting image of my mother, minus the eyes of an imperial that I inherited from my father. But other than that, they looked at none of my other qualities. Not that I had any others to begin with.


    I did not respond to my father. And it certainly did not look like he needed to hear a response from me anyway.


    He cleared up his throat and the sound reverberated around the empty throne room. "It would do you good to marry into the Eveothus Kingdom. At least there, demon children like you will be cherished."  Strangely enough, it was only me and him in this vast throne room. Whenever he held audiences with me, he always made sure to have three or four knights with him as well as his secretary beside him. It was shocking to see him alone on his cold marble throne.


    "It''s such a shame that your engagement to the Prince of Arosebia ended," he sighed heavily as he looked at me with disappointment. "You should be thankful that you look at least decent enough for these princes to fall for you despite your cursed birth." He complained. He always does whenever I am around. And I''m not around that often, but when I am, he makes it a point to blabber about my unwanted birth.


    "I want you to accept the Prince''s proposal," he continued. "Not only would I be able to get rid of something like you, Ostulia will be able to get a powerful ally. It''s a win-win situation for both of us, is it not?"


    So how is it a win-win situation exactly? I thought unkindly


    I kept silent because if I opened my mouth, I might say something unpleasant. Father probably already knows what I want to say since I never fail to tell him when these things happen. He never listens to what I have to say though. I was just lucky that every time I get engaged to a foolish prince who wants this pathetic body, something happens and the engagement falls through. I thought father would finally lay off the engagements since he thinks I am bad luck, who would''ve thought that he''d keep going.


    It''s not a surprise though. He hates me after all and he would do anything in his power to get rid of me, the black stain of his rule. My father cleared his throat, ripping the suffocating silence in the massive room. "The prince will arrive in three weeks. By the time he gets here, be on your best behaviour. You should be glad someone in this world still wants a child like you as their bride."


    Ah yes, I''ve been hearing the same comment over and over again since I was born. And they all came from the mouth of my dear father. The person who planted a seed in my mother''s womb.


    "Get out of my sight." He looked at me with disdain and clicks his tongue.


    Have I ruined his day again?


    ? ? ?


    The walk to my room was the same. Still excruciatingly silent and humiliating. My palace was far, far away from the main palace where my father resides. It was small and humble unlike the magnificence of my father¡¯s home. The people who worked at my father¡¯s palace all look at me differently. Some look at me with disdain, some with mockery and some with pity. They all whisper among themselves as I walk by. The words they utter were loud enough to reach my ears. I knew the intention behind it and yet I pretend I don¡¯t. Perhaps they thought of me as foolish.


    Hah! How accurate. I also think of myself as foolish.


    A foolish and pathetic princess, unloved by her own father because she was unfortunately born first. Such a tragic tale it is. If some other pampered young lady were to tread in my shoes, they would¡¯ve taken their lives because of the palace¡¯s suffocating atmosphere. I¡¯m surprised I lasted this long without my father killing me and without me taking matters to myself.


    ¡°You¡¯re here again.¡±


    I looked up ahead of me and spotted my younger brother, Cedrin, with two of his personal knights following closely from behind. He was clad in a luxurious white suit adorned with gold jewelries.


    ¡°Cedrin,¡± I muttered.


    ¡°Why are you surprised to see me, sister?¡± He asked. A smirk playing on his lips as he got closer.


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    I shook my head and paid my respects, like I always do. And everytime I look up after lowering my head, I always see his grin. It was as though he was mocking me for being someone useless to the Empire.


    I do not disagree with him though.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± He asked before shifting his attention to the long corridor to the King¡¯s throne room. The ends of his lips curled up into a smile and his eyes became half-moons. He looks at me and chuckles. ¡°Ah¡­¡± he said as though he just understood why our great father called for me.


    ¡°It¡¯s about time,¡± he said as if he knew. I looked at him in confusion and worked up the courage to ask. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    Cedrin cleared his throat and alternated between me and the throne room. ¡°I mean it¡¯s about time father decided to sell you off again.¡±


    ¡­Ah. So that¡¯s what he meant. Of course that¡¯s what he meant.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing new,¡± I answered plainly.


    I¡¯m used to this. I¡¯m very used to this.


    ¡°So who is it this time, sister?¡± Cedrin was speaking close to me and yet his voice sounded so far away. His tone had a hint of mockery in it, like usual. ¡°I¡¯d love to share it with you but I¡¯m afraid I might take up too much of your time.¡± I said before lowering my head again and giving him a small curtsy. ¡°You better go on your way brother,¡± I continued. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t want to make father wait.¡±


    I acknowledge him one last time before sauntering to the detached palace where I belong. It was the only place where I could be safe from the eyes of other people and from the eyes of my father. After all, my father never really cared to look at how I was doing in the palace. And for that I am grateful.


    The relationship between me and my brother wasn¡¯t always like this. As children, because both of us were raised by our mother, we both got along pretty well. Before, Cedrin used to live with me and our mother in the detached palace, until he was taken away at the age of fourteen by one of my father¡¯s knights. He was given a separate place closer to the main palace where he officially started his lessons and his training. He would always come to visit us whenever he had time on his schedule and our father gave him permission to do so. That was because Cedrin begged him to at least let him visit the woman who birthed and raised him.


    Miraculously, our father granted him his only wish.


    However, that happiness didn¡¯t last long. One day, while we were having tea together in the detached palace gardens, one of the king¡¯s aides came by and forcefully dragged him out. Cedrin tried to reason with the aide and fight him, but he was nothing more than just a scrawny young boy trying to fight a full grown adult. He had no choice but to follow. He¡¯d sneak out when he had the time just so he could meet with me and mother, but that also didn¡¯t last very long. Because one day, Cedrin changed and the times when he came by became less and less. Until he stopped coming to the detached palace altogether.


    As if that wasn¡¯t enough, father decided to put mother in another palace that was also closer to the main palace and far, far away from where I was. He came to our place in person with four knights treading the road behind him. His head was held high with confidence as he entered the palace doors. Mother, at that time was having teatime in the garden with me when my father came by to pick her up.


    I remember the words he uttered very clearly.


    ¡®Come, woman. You have to fulfil the role that was given to you, as High Queen of the Empire. That is the only use you have, someone like you who cannot even birth properly.¡¯


    The last sentence was uttered as he took a sharp glance at me who was sitting in front of my mother. I remember my mother¡¯s expression as she looked up at my father. It was a face full of hatred and affection¨Cboth are feelings directed to only one person and feelings that shouldn¡¯t coexist for one person.


    At this point, I was old enough to understand that mother still deeply yearned for the love of my father but she was too tired to direct those feelings. So she pretended to be numb. She both loved him and hated him.


    She¡¯s a foolish woman. My mother.


    And yet I stay by her side like this, hoping she would finally let go of the feelings that were so harshly rejected and unreciprocated.


    The palace I stayed in only had two maids and one head butler. Both were from my mother¡¯s side of the family and they were the only servants who my father allowed to stay with me. I should be glad he isn¡¯t cruel enough to leave me and my mother alone like this. It would be a lie to say that I wasn¡¯t relieved to hear that my mother is definitely still treated as High Queen in her palace. Although I am forbidden to even stay near her. That is what pains me the most.


    The two people who I could lean on, my brother and my mother¡­all taken away from me by the man I call my father. How pathetic.


    But what can I do? I am but a powerless princess in this harsh battlefield called the Imperial Palace.


    ¡°You¡¯re back, your highness?¡± My personal maid, Jane, came to me with a smile on her face.


    Jane was given to me by my mother and stayed by my side ever since I was a young girl. She¡¯s another precious existence to me as she took care of me without any prejudices despite me being called a demon because I was born first.


    ¡°Welcome back, your highness.¡± Bennet, the palace¡¯s butler, came holding a piece of dirty white cloth. He was probably spending his time cleaning the palace again even though I told him not to. ¡°Alice prepared some snacks for you to enjoy, you¡¯re just in time for tea.¡± He said with a smile.


    ¡°Were you cleaning the fireplace in the parlour again, Bennet?¡±


    I looked at his dirty appearance. Bennet¡¯s eyes were slanted with wrinkles adorning his face. His curly brown hair gleams under the light of the afternoon sun as he shakes his head. He had a slight slouch but that was because of his age. Which is why he should really leave the cleaning to someone else rather than do it himself.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re a very meticulous man, Bennet, but please watch your health.¡± I said with a frown. ¡°What would happen to us if you suddenly became sick?¡± Bennet lowers his head and sighs. It was an act he often did when he wanted to explain something but couldn¡¯t find the words to.


    ¡°Did his majesty call you again for the same reason?¡±


    ¡°This is nothing new.¡±


    Jane, Bennet and Alice all knew the reason why my father despised me so much. And despite them living in an Empire where first born girls are condemned and stoned to death, they accepted me for who I was. And they all hated my father for his mistreatment. Not that I cared. If anything, I¡¯m happy he gave me a place to stay and minded his own business.


    Bennet sighed. ¡°How many times has this been?!¡± His bushy brown eyebrows knitted together and he looked at me with a frown. ¡°You have to do something about this, your highness!¡±


    I chuckled. This is what it feels like to be cared for. ¡°Well, all we can do is obey the High king¡¯s wishes, Bennet.¡±


    ¡°But, your highness!¡±


    I cut him off with a shush and placed a hand on his shoulder. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about anything, Bennet. I knew this time would come.¡± I looked over to Jane who now donned a worried expression.


    ¡°Can you please prepare a bath for me, Jane?¡±

 Ch03: Suitor in Rags

    I stood in front of my father¡¯s large throne room doors. Behind me were maids and knights my father sent. He did not send them because he cared about me, but because he cared about appearances and reputation. His reputation. And having an Imperial daughter come in dressed in old-fashioned clothes and without the company of handmaidens certainly did not look good. For him or for the Empire.


    From outside his door, I could hear the incessant chatter of the Eveothus Kingdom¡¯s envoy and the clatter of armour. Inside my father¡¯s throne room were men from the Kingdom I would be wed to. No, they weren¡¯t just men, I corrected. Nobles.


    Behind me, I could hear my father¡¯s heavy footsteps. His heels clacked on the expensive marble floor of his palace as he approached. He stopped beside me, clicking his tongue in distaste. I could feel his annoyed gaze land on me.


    Does he really hate the fact that he¡¯s going to be introduced alongside me?


    My father raised his arm and nudged my side as if telling me to quickly put my hand on his so we could be introduced together. I could feel him flinch the moment my skin touched his silver silk gloves. It was a bit offensive. But who was I to feel offended over someone who is literally the father of the Empire? ¡°Remember to just shut your mouth. Speak only when spoken to.¡± Over and over again, this was rooted deep in my brain. How could I forget? ¡°Do not disgrace me,¡± he said.


    The moment our names were introduced, the large doors to my father¡¯s throne room swung open, releasing a momentary gust of wind as it widened. My father¡¯s hand tightened on mine and I tried so hard not to wince. It was a warning. I had to act my best otherwise he¡¯s going to have me punished if I don¡¯t do well.


    Inside, my attention was caught by the numerous noble men lining up, all from the Kingdom of Eveothus. They were dressed in strange clothing; like drapes hung carelessly on their body. It was peculiar, how they looked. Their eyes focused on my father and then stopped on me, as if I were a valuable prize won by their prince. My father walked me toward the middle where his throne supposedly was. But now it had been replaced by a different throne, this one looking less expensive than his first one. Beside it was mine, a smaller throne he probably commissioned in haste based on the inconsiderate design and material used to make the item.


    ¡°It is a pleasure to have you at Ostulia Empire, Prince Dion Edelvinn, Duke William Derek.¡± My father quickly greeted them the moment he led me to the small throne where I was supposed to sit like a doll the entire time. ¡°It is our greatest honour to be able to set foot in the highly respected Ostulia Empire, Your Majesty.¡± The man donning the same outfit as the other noblemen in the envoy responded.


    ¡°It is also with joy that I greet Princess Cecilia von Hathem,¡± the man who donned a different kind of strange outfit, even stranger than that of the other noblemen, said to me with a smile. He had wavy black hair and moderately tanned skin. And a pair of dimples as he smiled at me. The smile never reached his eyes. It made me think about whether or not he was forced to actually come here and propose. If that was the case, then I resonate with Prince Dion to some extent.


    They all started with the pleasantries, just like they always do. And then, they move onto the gifts; very luxurious gifts from gold gilded crossbows to a fancy set of jewellery. The process was all the same, boring and tedious. I had to hear them sing praises with my name, praises I didn¡¯t deserve; my father never failed to remind me.


    I was glued to my throne the entire time they were singing praises to my father¡¯s name. One would think the noblemen Prince Dion brought with him were here to marry my father. Just the absurdity of my thought made me laugh. An action that caught the attention of my already irritated father. I cleared my throat and continued to look straight ahead, although I knew I was going to receive a beating later on.


    *


    The banquet was in full swing. It was a party to welcome the envoys of the Eveothus Kingdom. A some sort of pleasantry to show respect and joy¡ªsomething my father clearly did not feel towards them.


    Both my mother and father were present, sitting on the thrones overlooking the entirety of the ballroom. As usual, there was a cold atmosphere between the two of them, I guess they weren''t even on speaking terms. I was standing next to my mother¡¯s throne, bored and unmoving. Banquets were never something I truly enjoyed. And yet people from the kingdom wait for my appearance. For some reason, my father never revealed to the world that I was his firstborn. In the people¡¯s eyes, I was the youngest daughter of the king. The daughter he so cherished and hid from the world. But reality is much different than what they perceive our relationship to be. If only it were like that.


    I glanced around for the sight of my younger brother, but not even a shadow of his can be seen. Even my father''s beloved wasn¡¯t present. And he was always present at every banquet with the excuse of being the king¡¯s secretary. Around the ballroom, I can see the eyes of all the men on me, smirks and smiles on their lips. But there was one particular man that caught my attention.


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    Prince Dion was slowly making his way towards the throne where we were. And just like that, he hung his head low as a form of respect before turning to my father. ¡°Your Imperial Highness,¡± he started. A flurry of flowery words rolled out of his mouth, a pretty speech, if I may say. ¡°Can I request a dance from your wonderful daughter?¡±


    My father flinched. He wasn¡¯t aware that Prince Dion would ask me for a dance. Nor did I expect he would ask me for a dance. I didn¡¯t know how to dance. And unlike the people¡¯s twisted imagery of my father treasuring me, it was quite the opposite. He had not taught me how to dance nor did he hire tutors to teach me how to dance. Sure, I had learned how to dance from my mother back when I was a child, but it had been years since I relearned. Now I fear I might mistakenly step on the prince¡¯s shoes. Would that cause a dispute between Eveothus and Ostulia?


    I looked at my father and saw that he was visibly shaken. He had not expected this at all. And it would be rude to decline the prince¡¯s invitation knowing I was standing healthily beside my mother. And so, without any reason to decline, a dance with Prince Dion was permitted. My father, of course, as usual, never forgot to tell me not to disgrace him. But I wasn¡¯t feeling too confident.


    I was only told to sit still, stand still and not utter a single word. But dancing with the prince meant that I had to do none of those things.


    Prince Dion led me to the centre of the ballroom where most of the people started clearing out. I tugged on the Prince¡¯s sleeve as we got into position and quietly whispered, ¡°I don¡¯t know how to dance.¡± The Prince merely chuckled and grasped my hand in his before giving me the reassuring words I wanted to hear.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±


    ¡°Even though I might step on your feet?¡±


    ¡°You can step on it all you want, Princess Cecilia.¡±


    He placed a hand on the small of my back and took the lead. We swayed as the music kept playing, and I''m pretty sure my father started throwing sharp glances at me, probably demanding that I not make a single mistake. And yes, I was in fact very occupied thinking about how to avoid stepping on the Prince¡¯s feet.


    ¡°You know, your majesty,¡± he opened up a topic as he swayed me about. ¡°Today is the first time I¡¯ve seen you.¡± My attention was now on him. Below his left eyebrow was a beauty mark that I thought looked adorable. ¡°And to be perfectly honest, I was blown away by your beauty.¡±


    Of course, since I look like my mother.


    ¡°Thank you, your highness,¡± I said. ¡°But you flatter me too much.¡±


    A low chuckle escaped his mouth as he shook his head. ¡°This much flattery isn¡¯t even enough.¡±


    What a smooth-talker, this prince was. It was off putting and yet very refreshing. Were all men like this? No, maybe only towards beautiful people? Would he call off the engagement if he knows I¡¯m a firstborn? Are we even engaged yet?


    As thoughts quickly swirled inside my head, the song finally came to an end. And Prince Dion, who bowed before looking into my eyes, smiled at me. He took my hand and planted a kiss, before ultimately saying the words I dreaded to hear all night. ¡°Can you accompany me tomorrow and give me a tour of the Imperial Palace, Princess?¡±


    I quickly shot a glance to my father and then to the Prince who looked at me with so much expectation. ¡°You don¡¯t have to seek your father for permission, your highness,¡± he said. ¡°You can make decisions for yourself.¡± The words that he uttered during that moment sunk deep into my brain. And he was right. But what could I do? I was merely a powerless princess in front of my indifferent and cruel father. Nobody outside the Imperial Palace truly knew of my relationship with my father. And yet, this man who I just met earlier this morning seemed to know the full picture. In the end, entranced by his gaze, I had accepted his request.


    ¡°Then I shall inform your father about our tomorrow.¡± He planted another kiss on my hand and flashed me a dimpled smile.


    ¡°Cecilia.¡±


    I turned my head towards my angry father. It was the first time he called me by my name. I am quite surprised he still knew of my name. I thought I was so insignificant in his eyes that he didn''t bother to remember my name. Before, he would always call me ¡®you¡¯ or ¡®hey¡¯ or most of the time, nothing at all.


    He pulled me away from the view of the public and frowned. ¡°What did you and the prince talk about earlier? You didn¡¯t humiliate me didn¡¯t you?¡±


    I shook my head as always and made sure to reassure him that I did nothing to damage his reputation. ¡°The prince only spouted pleasantries. We have never once talked about you, your majesty.¡±


    From the looks of it, my father was not satisfied with my answer. But it didn¡¯t look like he was going to press me any further. ¡°You should retire for the day lest you embarrass me in the future.¡± He turned his back on me and walked back into the ballroom. I inwardly thanked my father¡¯s hatred of me. It was because of his hatred that I was able to go back to my palace without much issue. But that would be the only time I would thank my father.


    ¡°It looked like the Prince of Eveothus liked you, sister.¡±


    ¡°Cedrin¡­¡±


    My brother crossed his arms as he leaned back on the pillar. ¡°I saw your dance with Prince Dion,¡± he said. ¡°Such a miracle your engagement did not fall through. You must be happy to leave this place.¡±


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you inside the ballroom?¡±


    Cedrin shrugged.¡± I wanted some fresh air.¡±


    I scrutinised him and nodded my head. ¡°Don¡¯t stay out too long.¡± I hastened up my pace to get away from Cedrin much quicker but my brother caught me by the arm and pulled me back. ¡°What do you want from me, Cedrin?¡±


    ¡°Do you really want this marriage?¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s beneficial to me, why would I decline?¡±


    ¡°What if the Prince knew of your birth?¡±


    ¡°If by any chance, Prince Dion gets to know of my situation and the engagement is cancelled, then Father would find another poor prince to take up his place and take me away from his Empire.¡± I explained clearly, but Cedrin only frowned.


    He laughed a moment later. ¡°Give it a few days, sister. Prince Dion will cast you away, like all those princes who came before him.¡±


    He finally let go of my arm. I watched as Cedrin turned around and disappeared into the crowded ballroom.

 Ch04: The Lies We Tell

    I had been at the detached palace where my father left me to rot. I was panting from my run towards his palace which was incredibly far away from where I was staying. I had been wanting a gasp of air ever since I had arrived, but the atmosphere in my father¡¯s office was incredibly stifling.


    My father was angry. No. He was furious. His jaw clenched and his brows furrowed as his red eyes looked down at me, burning with rage. It was the second time I had seen my father this angry. The first time was when my engagement with the Second Prince of Laedon fell through. But it was never to this extent. These days, I feel that my father¡¯s mood towards me was getting all too aggressive. He would call me once everyday just to remind me of my place despite me having clear Imperial Blood running through my veins. His Blood. Even illegitimate children are treated better than I am.


    ¡°You are a disgrace to the Ostulia Empire,¡± he said.


    I have lost count of how many times he said those words to me. Over and over again, without fail. It was as if he had nothing more to tell me. My father never failed to showcase his incredible feelings of dislike towards me. The maids in his palace whisper about our relationship. Most of them were whispers about me, and they weren¡¯t positive. They all sided with my father because they regarded my existence as a bane. And because of that, I would often receive disrespect except for when there are guests residing in the palace.


    ¡°Do not say anything inappropriate to the Prince.¡± His stare tore through me like a million daggers passing through. It was sharp and unwavering. Sharp and full of hatred I merely nodded as a response because I know he despises hearing my voice. ¡°If the prince hears about your situation, I will make sure to cut your tongue and cripple you.¡±


    I flinched. He was too harsh. But I¡¯m already used to receiving threats like these and oftentimes it was from him, my own father. ¡°Are you mute? Why won¡¯t you answer me?¡± He slammed his clenched fist on his desk as he stood up. I flinch at the sound of his fist¡¯s impact on his desk.


    ¡°I understand, fa-...your majesty.¡± I almost made a mistake.


    My father massages his temples and draws closer to me. Then he appeared. Ranlrein, my father¡¯s lover. He was younger and healthier than mother. But that¡¯s all there was to him. His looks were plain and average despite my father¡¯s praise about his beauty being unmatched. But not even the maids of the palace would give him a second look if not for his position as the King¡¯s beloved.


    Ranlrein had untied brown hair that reached his shoulders. Freckles scattered his pale and sunken cheeks as his big brown eyes caught my momentary gaze. He leered at me and flashed me a smile. The same smile he showed me when he looked up at me in my attic window. He felt kind of different. A slimy kind of different. And I didn¡¯t like to be around him at all. ¡°Why are you scolding the Princess, my love?¡±


    His voice bounced off my father¡¯s office walls. And it caught his attention. My father turned around and walked towards his lover. He planted a kiss on Ranlrein¡¯s forehead and rested his hand on Ranlrein¡¯s small waist, caressing it ever so slowly. For a moment there, I thought I saw him flinch from my father¡¯s touch. But maybe it was just me.


    My father gazed down at his lover, honey dripping from his eyes and heaved out a sigh. ¡°What did the princess do for you to be this angry, your majesty?¡± Ranlrein asked once again, this time, throwing me a glance whilst being cradled in my father¡¯s arms. I shuddered under his gaze. There was something about him that never sat right with me.


    ¡°Ran¡­¡± my father sighed. ¡°I told you to call me by my name when we are alone.¡± Ranlrein laughed, his eyes turned half-moon. ¡°But we aren¡¯t alone,¡± he said.


    It seemed like my father forgot my very presence in the room as he started acting very intimate to his lover. I looked away. I did not want to be exposed to their intimacy knowing that he¡¯s married to my mother. ¡°Jehanel, the princess is still here.¡± With his reminder, my father shot me a sharp glare, but that was more than enough for me to know that I was no longer needed.


    *


    The walk to my temporary palace was a long one as I wallowed in my thoughts that were in disarray. Ranlrein¡¯s gaze still didn¡¯t sit right with me. His big brown eyes remained in my brain. They weren¡¯t the kind of beautiful brown eyes you see in most of the people here in Ostulia, no. They were darker, almost muddy. A deep kind of muddy.


    Nobody in the palace knew about Ranlrein¡¯s past. His past is as mysterious as he presents himself to be. But there have been rumours about him. Rumours that are not so pleasant. It travels amongst the servants of the palace in forms of hushed whispers and silent gazes. It comes out of someone¡¯s mouth and reaches another¡¯s ears, and it repeats. Like a water wheel that turns with falling water, only ever stopping once the water dries up.


    I¡¯ve heard some whispers of his rumours, very outlandish rumours. They suspect him of being another kingdom¡¯s spy who was tasked to create chaos within the Empire. But he doesn¡¯t seem that way to me. Even an untrained eye would notice that Ranlrein didn¡¯t have the qualities of being a trained spy. He was scraggy, almost to the point of looking sickly.


    Others seem to heavily believe that he was the King¡¯s son from another woman who he cherishes the most after Cedrin. A very disturbing rumour. Father would need to be a beast to be able to do such unspeakable things to his biological son. If Ranlrein truly was my father¡¯s hidden son from an affair, which I likely think to be false, then I believe he deserves the highest sentence of death.


    As I drew closer to the open garden in front of my temporary palace, I caught a glimpse of shiny black hair. He was standing in front of the garden¡¯s fountain, a single rose in hand. Idly, he twirled it around. He did not acknowledge me as I walked closer, nor did he turn around to look. Maybe because he was enamoured by the sight of a purple rose that he couldn¡¯t feel my presence. Or maybe I didn¡¯t have any presence at all.


    I moved forward, scuffing my heels on the cement, and he turned around with a surprised expression. I gaped at his beauty, black shiny hair, slightly tanned skin, and deep-blue eyes. It was stinging, this sudden bubble of interest that stuck me. I¡¯ve seen him during the envoy and I¡¯ve danced with him, but I can never deny his attractiveness.


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    He¡¯s the man I am to marry? Do I even deserve such a man?


    Such thoughts ran through my brain as I stared at him. Maybe a little too much because the Prince had started to look away in embarrassment. He awkwardly raised his hand and gave me the single purple rose he was admiring before I got here.


    A small chuckle escaped his mouth. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t notice you quite sooner, your highness.¡±


    His eyes, unlike anybody here in this palace, displayed genuine sincerity. An emotion I don¡¯t often receive from others. But this man, who is a very respected prince, a very different kind of ruler compared to my father, treated me with the respect that I do not have in my own Empire.


    ¡°What are you doing here, Prince Dion?¡± I asked quite genuinely. But his eyes widened because of my question. Did I perhaps come off too strong?


    He flashed me a shy smile, his dimples showing. ¡°I apologise for coming without notice, Prince Cecilia. But I was just so excited that I couldn¡¯t wait to meet you.¡± My heart throbbed in my chest as he uttered those words of flattery. Surely enough he didn¡¯t mean what he just said. Perhaps all of this was just for show?


    ¡°You could¡¯ve just waited inside the palace instead of outside,¡± I said. ¡°The heat today is especially strong, isn¡¯t it uncomfortable?¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°Not at all,¡± he said with a smile. ¡°In fact, I quite like the temperature in Ostulia. It is much more tame than summers we have in Eveothus.¡±


    I jerked my head up as I felt something solid touch my ear. The prince had placed the purple rose he once had on my hair. He gazed down at me adoringly. ¡°Is it really as hot as they say it is in Eveothus?¡±


    ¡°Indeed,¡± he responded. ¡°Which is why I am afraid you might not get used to the heat when we marry¡­¡± The prince stopped speaking and looked away, ears flaring red as I realised what he just said.


    A moment of silence encompassed both of us as we strolled around the garden. Beautiful green leaves swayed and fell with the slight caress of wind. For a while, we basked in each other''s company. And a question came to my mind.


    Was proposing to me a decision he made on his own?


    A question that I hadn¡¯t asked myself until now. I glanced up at the prince¡¯s smiling face, he looked quite satisfied with just being here and me not saying anything. But the questions swirled around my mind, and a while felt like it had been a long time. ¡°Um, Prince Dion?¡±


    My voice came out shaky and unconfident. I wondered if he noticed my nervousness. ¡°Yes, Princess?¡±


    ¡°Why did you decide to propose to me?¡±


    The prince was taken aback by my sudden question. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I said.


    ¡°No!¡± He turned towards me and shook his head, raising both his hands. ¡°What is there to be sorry about, Princess Cecilia?¡±


    ¡°Oh it¡¯s nothing, I was worried it might¡¯ve been a disrespectful question.¡±


    ¡°Nothing about that was disrespectful. In fact, you deserve to know the reason why.¡± A tender smile and a tender gaze. Both of which I didn¡¯t expect to be receiving. It was refreshing and uncomfortable at the same time. Being at the receiving end of such tenderness made me feel strange.


    I waited for him to answer me, eyes wide and focused on his face. ¡°It¡¯s a very long story, would you mind if we talk over tea?¡± I was taken aback. ¡°That is if you permit me to join you, your majesty.¡±


    ¡°I suppose it¡¯s teatime for me anyway,¡± I said hesitantly. ¡°Then shall we make our way to my palace?¡±


    Prince Dion flashed me a smile and lowered his head. ¡°Thank you for your invitation, Princess Cecilia. Allow me to escort you as a form of gratitude.¡±


    *


    Upon spending time conversing with the prince in the garden, there was one thing I could make out of his personality. Prince Dion was a tender person. He¡¯s polite to everyone he comes across and regards everybody with respect despite the status difference. He was different from all of the men I¡¯ve interacted with in my life.


    He was different from my cold father. Prince Dion was certainly not cold. At least from what I have seen and experienced. He was different from my mean younger brother. Prince Dion was never mean. Not to any human or any woodland creature. Or any living being for that matter. At least, that is what I believe him to be.


    And I hope I¡¯m not wrong.


    We talked over tea. Famous Ostulian delicacies laid out in front of us, all steaming hot and straight from the jamb stove. Nobles from different kingdoms would pay to try even the smallest bite of these desserts. Too luxurious for even a princess like me. But Prince Dion¡¯s attention was elsewhere. It certainly wasn¡¯t toward the food but towards me instead.


    There he goes again with such a gaze I can never get used to.


    ¡°Are you very hungry, Princess Cecilia?¡±


    I almost immediately shook my head. But it was true I wasn¡¯t hungry. The food in front of me would not satiate my growing nervousness. ¡°Then, I suppose it would be right to speak about what we were talking about earlier.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll listen to what you have to say, Prince Dion.¡±


    And so he spoke; his voice was warm like the sun. ¡°Proposing to you wasn¡¯t my decision to make.¡± My heart fell. ¡°It was an agreement between our fathers.¡± Of course it would be. My father would always make a decision concerning me without even coming to ask for my opinion. He would never. And if he did, it would be out of character and he wouldn¡¯t listen anyway.


    My father¡¯s eyes and ears are closed only for me.


    ¡°Would it be rude to ask if you had a lover prior to our engagement?¡± I managed to ask. And I expected him to say yes; to acknowledge that he indeed had a lover before he was pushed into this loveless marriage. But contrary to my expectations, the prince shook his head.


    Did that make sense? A prince of standard such as him not having any lovers in his home kingdom? It almost sounded impossible. And yet he was evidence himself.


    ¡°Love is a trivial thing that can cloud one¡¯s judgement,¡± he said. And I resonated with what he said. ¡°That is indeed true. I agree.¡± My thoughts wander to my foolish mother, who still, to this day, hopes and prays that her love be reciprocated. She¡¯s still staring at the same window, the window that looks out to my father¡¯s palace.


    ¡°Although I do not believe someone as kind as you wouldn¡¯t have someone waiting for you back at your kingdom.¡±


    The prince chuckled. ¡°Can I ask you the same question, princess?¡±  He looked so amused. And somehow, it irritated me slightly. ¡°Did you have a lover before our engagement?¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°You forget Prince Dion, and I¡¯m pretty sure you already know this about me,¡± he leaned in and rested his chin on his palm. A lopsided grin played on his face as he stared at me with glistening eyes. I gulped. ¡°I have had multiple engagements with men called off for various reasons. There is no person beside me who I can consider a love interest.¡±


    I jerked my head up and noticed the prince¡¯s bright smile. This time, unlike at the banquet, his smile reached his eyes. And it was beautiful.


    ¡°What about me?¡± He confidently pointed at himself.


    ¡°E-excuse me?¡±


    ¡°You can consider me a love interest.¡±


    I choked on air.


    What was this man saying? Although I do think he is attractive and kind, and we are engaged to each other, we absolutely have nothing in common. For now, at least.


    ¡°You look like you are against the idea, princess.¡±


    ¡°You still haven¡¯t answered my initial question, Prince Dion.¡±


    He looked away, ears turning red. Probably because I called him out so suddenly. After all, why would he just make someone feel flustered like that? I couldn¡¯t help but evade his question. Maybe this is the same for him? Well, at least I figured out that the Prince doesn¡¯t actually hold any feelings for me apart from respect. ¡°I¡­¡±


    ¡°You do not have to answer if you find it hard, your majesty.¡± I took a sip of the tea. It was sweet, but somehow I¡¯m feeling bitter. ¡°I apologise. I know I said I would tell you, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I cut him off. ¡°We each have our own circumstances that we cannot easily tell other people. I believe you to have the same.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Once again, silence prevailed over us. The once pleasant atmosphere quickly turned sour. And at this moment on, I knew that my engagement with Eveothus Kingdom¡¯s Prince was broken like all others.

 Ch05: Shoot the Moon and Watch it Fall

    My mother summoned me to her palace. It was the first time she called for me after she was forcibly removed from my side. When she moved into the Queen¡¯s palace, she lived a different life. It was even more different from the life she lived back when father put her in that detached palace with me and Cedrin.


    I sometimes get a glimpse of her through my temporary palace window. She takes a stroll with her maid and her escorts in the garden, donned in very expensive fabric and jewels glittering underneath the blare of the sun. Her appearance was much more luxurious than back then.


    It only ever highlighted her beauty.


    Mother was always a beautiful woman. In fact, when she was much younger, she was the most beautiful one in the empire. Bright blonde hair, deep-green eyes and very delicate features; it was enough to make men swoon. Of course, that included my father.


    It was a story many in the Empire knew about. A story so absurd that it made me question if it actually happened in the first place.


    He met mother when she was twenty, at a banquet held by my grandfather. The moment my father laid his eyes on my mother, he already knew he was going to marry her. He courted her for a long time, and after that, their love blossomed and the kingdom welcomed a new member of the imperial family.


    It would¡¯ve been a perfect story only if it were true. But I knew it was just whispers made by the fanatics of the Imperial family. Nothing as pure as that happened between father and mother. My father was and will still be a cruel man. And he is bound to my mother by a contract between the Duke and the royalty. It was nothing more than a shallow and simple thing like a written pledge.


    Love is an emotion that doesn¡¯t exist between my parents.


    ¡°Sit down, Cecilia.¡± Her voice was tender and warm. It was nothing like my father''s cold and harsh tone when he spoke to me. Mother was different. ¡°You called for me, mother?¡±


    ¡°I just wanted to see you,¡± she flashed me a smile. A smile I so missed.


    She picked up a block of sugar and dropped it into my tea like she usually did when I was younger. Back when mother and Cedrin used to live with me in the detached palace. Those memories were precious and we were happy. So happy to the point where I slowly believe it was nothing but a dream. ¡°It must¡¯ve been hard on you,¡± she started. ¡°To be staying in that detached palace for so long. You must¡¯ve felt lonely¡±


    I shook my head and met her tender gaze. ¡°No,¡± I said. ¡°I have Alice, Bennet and Jane with me. You don¡¯t have to worry about me being lonely, mother.¡±


    Her deep-green eyes met mine. ¡°That¡¯s a relief.¡± She heaved out a sigh and picked up one cookie from the plate to give it to me.


    Mother was always like this; warm and kind hearted. And it was because of that, that she was having a hard time being in the palace. After all, the palace doesn¡¯t need warmth and kindness. It is a place filled with cold marble floors and empty corridors. A place void of such gentleness. Being in the palace doesn¡¯t suit my kind mother.


    ¡°Does Cedrin come visit you, mother?¡± I asked, genuinely curious.


    My mother slowly raised her head and looked away. ¡°That kid¡­¡± she said. ¡°He changed and it¡¯s worrying me. I only have the two of you in this entire palace. But my dear Cedrin seems like he doesn¡¯t want to be associated with me.¡±


    ¡°So¡­¡±


    ¡°Do not worry, my dear Cecilia.¡± She grasped my hand and squeezed it as a form of reassurance. ¡°Cedrin must be busy with his duties as the heir to the throne.¡±


    ¡°But it doesn''t mean that he shouldn''t visit you!¡±


    ¡°Shhh¡­¡± she cooed, reaching out to touch my hand. ¡°I know you are upset, my love. But please understand your brother.¡±


    I looked away. How many times has she said that to me? Even when Cedrin stopped coming by when we were children, she asked and begged me to understand him. But I couldn''t.


    How could I?


    I was young back then and I wanted to wholeheartedly believe that my only brother did not throw us away like father did. But no matter how many times I waited and tried to understand, I couldn¡¯t get a grasp as to why Cedrin drifted away. We were so close back then. But maybe it was because we were children.


    I would¡¯ve understood if he only hated me like father does. But Cedrin knows better than anyone, that mother only has me and him in this entire palace. And yet he doesn¡¯t even spare a little time to spend with the woman who birthed him.


    ¡°Cecilia?¡± I was brought back to reality by my mother¡¯s worried voice. I jerked my chin up and met her gaze. ¡°How have you been, mother?¡±


    She smiled, bright like a child; the joy reaching her eyes. ¡°Your father visited me before you¡­¡±


    ¡°He did?¡±


    That man did?I was taken aback. It was out of character for him. He would never want to be anywhere near mother unless it was for official duties because he¡¯d rather be doting in his chamber with the stable boy he so loved. ¡°Why would he?¡± I mumbled.


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    But mother heard what I said as her brows knitted together. She frowned and aggressively placed down the teacup she was holding. ¡°Are you still waiting for him to notice you, mother?¡±


    ¡°Is it wrong for a wife to want her husband¡¯s attention?¡±


    I sighed. ¡°It¡¯s not wrong, it¡¯s never wrong mother¡­¡±


    ¡°Then why are you acting this way? I just want your father¡¯s love, is that too much to ask for, Cecilia?¡± Her voice started becoming louder and louder as she looked at me with unfocused eyes.


    It was happening again, one of her many episodes.


    ¡°Mother¡­no matter what you do,¡± I said. ¡°Father will never look at you!¡±


    ¡°Why would you say that?!¡± She slammed her hands on the table and I flinched.


    ¡°Because father¡¯s a sodomite!¡±


    ¡°Jehanel¡­oh, Jehanel¡­¡± She sat back down and shook her head. And after a few mumbles of my father¡¯s name, she raised her head up, eyes once again focused. But mother was stone faced. ¡°Did I do it again?¡±


    I nodded. ¡°It¡¯s getting worse and worse¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you alright mother?¡± Mother shook her head and heaved a very deep sigh. She looked exhausted.


    My mother is sick. She¡¯s very sick.


    Most of the time she is sober, her mind quick and working. But there are some times where she just feels like a completely different person, like earlier. She becomes very obsessed about my father and only has him in her eyes. And if someone talks bad about him in her presence while she¡¯s having another episode, she goes crazy.


    I do not know when exactly her episodes started. But I know that her episodes are getting even worse than before. ¡°I think it¡¯s best we stop our teatime, mother. It would be good if you go back to your room to rest.¡± I walked up to her and held out a gloved hand. Mother looked up at me and flashed me a warm smile. ¡°I knew I could rely on you, Cecilia¡­¡± She said as she pulled me into a hug.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± she whispered and my heart trembled.


    She did nothing wrong. She shouldn¡¯t apologise.


    I watched as mother¡¯s knight escort and her maid walk her into her palace before making my way back to mine. The figure of my thin mother¡¯s back was etched into my mind.


    *


    That night I woke in terror. There was an uncomfortable pit in my stomach. When I moved, the more uncomfortable my feeling became. There was no other light in my chambers aside from the tiny dots of stars outside my window; no moon in sight. I took a deep breath in an attempt to regain my composure. But the ominous feeling-¨Cthis uncomfortable feeling¡ªstayed despite my attempts at calming myself down. Beads of sweat trickled down my forehead, some reaching my eyes. It stung.


    I realised that I wouldn¡¯t be able to go back to sleep tonight if I don¡¯t get rid of this awful feeling. So I decided to take a nighttime walk in the garden. I slipped out of my chambers, past the maids standing on guard and made my way into the only corridor in my building leading to the garden.


    I hadn¡¯t noticed it earlier but there seemed to be an increase of knights in the area. I walked around in the dark with only my nightgown and a shawl over my shoulders to fend off the cold. I followed a group of knights with their swords to another building. Mother¡¯s palace.


    What has happened? Did something happen to my mother? Please let me be mistaken.


    As I drew closer to my mother''s palace, the uncomfortable feeling that sat in my stomach since earlier grew even more. Her palace was lit; even the lights in the attic that nobody ever went into or bothered to clean. Dozens of knights surrounded her palace with some even having their swords unsheathed. They point it to one lone woman standing in front of the palace¡¯s door. She was standing dignifiedly behind a knight who had his sword sheathed and pointed towards the other knights.


    ¡°Mother?¡± A small whisper escaped my mouth. And before I could shout out loud, I was pulled behind a hedge. I jerked my head up to see who it was and to my surprise, Cedrin¡¯s angered face greeted me. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing being so out in the open like that, sister?!¡± His voice was low and firm. He clenched his jaw and tightened his grip on my shoulders.


    I winced in pain. ¡°Let go of me, Cedrin!¡± I said. ¡°If I do that, what are you going to do?!¡± He asked.


    I clenched my fists and looked away. ¡°Were you going to run towards mother without a single thought?¡± He asked me angrily. His voice was low and firm as he whispered into my ears. ¡°Do that and the knights will strike you. Do you want to get killed, sister?!¡± He was right. What was I even thinking? If I ran out there then it would¡¯ve been the end of me.


    But Cedrin didn¡¯t need to know my thoughts. If I told Cedrin, he wouldn¡¯t care. He never cared.


    ¡°What are they doing to mother, Cedrin?¡± My hands were shaking. Cedrin blinked and shrugged. ¡°I came here after seeing the commotion outside of my window. I have no idea what they¡¯re doing in our mother''s palace or why they''re pointing their swords at her.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you do something?! You¡¯re the crown prince! Between the both of us, you have more authority.¡±


    Cedrin lowered his gaze and furrowed his brows. ¡°I can¡¯t do anything about this, sister. Look¡­¡± He raised a finger and I followed it. And my eyes landed on my father¡¯s figure standing in front of the knights. He was looking at mother with an angry expression. And it didn¡¯t look like he was faking it as well.


    What the hell did mother do?


    ¡°Seraphina Luned von Hathem,¡± It was the first time my father called my mother by her name. His voice was as cold as ice. And I¡¯m pretty sure there was a hint of anger mixed in his emotions as well.  ¡°For the crime of adultery and sullying the imperial family¡¯s name, you will be sentenced to capital punishment alongside the knight you committed adultery with.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense!!¡± Mother¡¯s knight yelled, eyebrows knitted together as he looked at my father with disdain.


    Adultery?


    My heart pounded profusely in my chest as I watched my father confront my mother. Mother¡¯s face remained stoic and unfeeling. It was the face she would always wear when she¡¯s involved in a banquet she doesn¡¯t even enjoy being in.


    But what was this about adultery?


    ¡°Do you have any last words?¡±


    My mother inhaled and said. ¡°I have never committed adultery.¡± But father was adamant about mother committing the crime with her personal knight as the partner. ¡°I was always faithful to you throughout our married life and have never once laid on one bed with another man.¡± Mother¡¯s words were elegant and full of emotion.


    But my father turned a blind eye. ¡°Your lies have been found out, Seraphina.¡± He scoffed at her. ¡°Execute them.¡±


    It happened fast. The knights charged towards my mother''s knight. He put up a short fight before ultimately getting overpowered by more people. And when the knight fell into the pool of his own blood, they went for my mother. My helpless mother who couldn¡¯t do anything to defend herself. She stood there, chest up and chin up, as if she was actually ready for it.


    The knight¡¯s blade slashed against my mother¡¯s neck. Cedrin held me in his arms as he tried to get me to close my eyes. But the damage had already been done. The image of my mother¡¯s head dropping to the ground was fresh in my mind. I couldn¡¯t scream and I couldn''t cry.


    The shock was too much and my body ran cold.

 Ch06: Watch your Mother bleed

    The walls of my palace seemed to breathe. My walls always did that, but it seemed to close in on me more than it already did before. It shrunk smaller and smaller until there was no more space left for me to be in. The shadows cast by the dark colored curtains of the wide windows seemed to creep, waiting for a chance to grab my ankle. They wait for me in the darkness, until I am left alone with nobody to lean on.


    It was still a moonless sky with only stars flickering faintly; the only source of light that we had. In the room, there was only me and my brother. Cedrin sat in front of me, looking morose. It was certainly the first time I¡¯ve seen him like this. His vibrant red eyes that pulled in many women were void of emotion. He seemed to be staring at something and yet seemed like he was staring at nothing at all. His face was pale and there were dark circles under his eyes. It makes you wonder how many nights he¡¯s gone without sleeping.


    Could it be that he cared?


    My body was still shaking from the initial shock. The image of my mother¡¯s head getting decapitated by my father¡¯s knights played vividly in my mind. I could¡¯ve sworn she glanced at me before the blade hit her neck.


    Everything went by so fast.


    I was just with my mother this morning, sitting underneath the peach tree of her garden, sharing cakes and cookies with each other. The delicious smell of the newly baked apple pie permeated the air. The slow morning breeze and mother¡¯s warm smile were vivid in my mind as she cut through the crust of the pie. That moment she¡¯d told me she was allergic to apples and cinnamon, but she remembered just how much I enjoyed the pastry back when I was a child.


    ¡°I ordered the chef to make this especially for you, Cecilia.¡±She smiled at me as she said those words. And as my fork cut through the pastry, she¡¯d look at me with complete adoration. The look on her face was tranquil, as if she was very happy. And when I stopped eating in the middle, mother would always say, ¡°Make sure to eat more, darling. This is your favourite.¡±


    But now she¡¯s gone.


    Mother¡­is gone.


    ¡°She¡¯s gone,¡± I said. My voice wasn¡¯t loud or quiet, but Cedrin lifted up his head and turned to me. ¡°She¡¯s gone¡­¡± I said once more, this time a little bit louder. My voice breaking as the news sunk into me.


    ¡°Sister¡­I-¡±


    I jerked my head up and looked at Cedrin, my emotions bubbled deep inside me. It was a mixture of pain, anger and heartbreak. ¡°I was just with her this morning!¡± I screamed, tears threatening to fall from my eyes. My face was warm and my jaw tightened as my vision turned hazy. Cedrin was right in front of me, but I couldn¡¯t see his expression well. Was he frowning? I wonder how he felt. Did he feel sad? Anger? Resentment?


    I gulped back the lump in my throat and tried not to cry. ¡°I was just with her this morning, Cedrin!¡±


    He didn¡¯t answer.


    ¡°Why did you stop me?!¡±


    Gone was the moonless sky. And gone was my reason. The sky turned even darker and thick clouds covered the dots of stars. Raindrops fell down onto the windowsill, one by one. It started slowly and then followed the downpour. It was as if the heavens knew of my pain and took pity. Even the sky wept for the death of my mother.


    ¡°Why did you stop me?!¡± I repeated as I stared into Cedrin¡¯s eyes. And for the first time in a long time, Cedrin who always met my gaze with an even sharper gaze, looked away. My heart throbbed in my chest, it was painful. My chest tightened and it was very difficult to breathe.


    ¡°What could you even do, sister?¡± His cold voice rang in my ears. And I couldn''t believe it. My legs were numb as I stood there with my nails digging into the palm of my hand. Cedrin took a deep breath and looked up at me. His eyes were cold and unfeeling. I took a step back and frowned. Was I seeing things correctly?


    He stood up and dusted himself nonchalantly. He acted as though there was nothing wrong at all. ¡°Are you serious right now, Cedrin?¡± I shook my head and looked at him in shock. ¡°There was nothing we could do in the first place, sister.¡± His shoes clacked on the floorboards of the room as he approached me with a calm face. Was his worn out expression earlier just an act? Or was it something I hallucinated?


    ¡°How could you say that?¡±


    ¡°It was to be expected,¡± he said. ¡°Mother committed adultery and she was punished for it. It is simply that.¡±


    ¡°Do you believe that she committed that heinous crime?¡± My voice trembled. I was weak and my head throbbed as I listened to Cedrin¡¯s cold answers.


    My breath caught when Cedrin looked at me with a sharp gaze. He loomed over me like a tower as his eyebrows knit together. ¡°You seem to be missing the details, sister,¡± he paused, playing with the ring on his right finger. ¡°Mother¡ªno¡­that woman was caught having an affair with her personal knight whilst in the marriage with our father.¡±


    ¡°She would never¡ª¡±


    ¡°Well she did, sister. And with all the evidence lying around,¡±  he cut me off.


    ¡°She was our mother, Cedrin.¡± I said, trying to break into his feelings. But unfortunately for me, the Cedrin I once knew was long gone. My brother whom I treasured so much more than my own life was gone. I don¡¯t know where he went, but surely enough this cold and unfeeling monster was nothing like the brother I thought he were to be.


    Cedrin hummed and raised one brow before tugging on his sleeve, trying to fix it himself. ¡°Things like family don''t exist in the palace, sister. You should know since you¡¯ve lived here your whole life. Don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t know about how we live in this place.¡±


    ¡°But even still, she took care of us when we were children. At least she was better than our absent father.¡±


    Cedrin laughed. ¡°Absent to you,¡± he said. ¡°He was always there for me. So I don¡¯t really resonate with you at all, sister.¡±


    My jaw dropped. ¡°So you¡¯re just going to abandon our mother?¡±


    ¡°It was such a shame. She was a splendid queen afterall.¡± Cerin¡¯s words were like poison to me. I didn¡¯t know he thought so little of his birth mother. No¡ªI didn¡¯t know he thought so little of me as well. I already knew he hated me, but never did I think he would have the heart to throw away and hate his very own mother. The woman who took care of him when he was such a young child.


    ¡°I think it''s best if you shut your mouth, otherwise you¡¯re going to get killed next,¡±


    My eyes met his gaze and I said, ¡°Are you going to kill me then?¡±


    Cedrin stopped.


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    ¡°Answer me, brother. Are you going to kill me?¡± A mysterious flicker of emotion passed through Cedrin¡¯s eyes. And for just a moment, his expression changed before he ultimately arranged his face back to his signature scowl. ¡°I can snap your neck whenever I feel like it, sister. But I won¡¯t be killing you now. Which is why you should live as a dead rat if you want to live longer.¡±


    I nodded my head and a burst of laughter came out of my mouth. Was I going crazy from the shock? So it would seem.


    ¡°To think we were on good terms back when we were children.¡±


    ¡°Stop clinging to the past, Cecilia. Because we will never be able to go back to those times.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t even dream about it.¡±


    Cedrin flashed me his signature lopsided grin and tapped my shoulder with his gloved hand. I shuddered under his touch. Disgusted because I was related to this despicable person. ¡°Go and rest, sister. You¡¯ve had an exhausting day.¡± Cedrin turned around and closed the door behind him.


    I stood there in shock. The conversation I just had with my brother was absurd. Did he actually not care about mother or me? I couldn¡¯t believe that he had changed so much. My thoughts wander back to the final scene.


    My mother¡¯s final moments were sad and disgraceful. Such a woman like her who was raised inside a house of a noble with dignity met such a tragic end. Was her affair true? I couldn¡¯t believe it. Mother¡¯s personal knight might¡¯ve been too overprotective of her, but that was just because it was his job. It was his duty, the duty given to him by my very own father.


    The image of her head getting cut off and her resolute expression as she breathed her last remained in my brain. And as soon as the single tear rolled down my cheeks, all that followed was an endless waterfall. My legs went weak. I hadn¡¯t even noticed I was on the floor until my body leaned forward and my hands were pressed on the floorboards. I cried and cried until I fell asleep on the cold floor.


    *


    They held no funeral for the queen.


    A week passed by, so fast and so monotonous. People in the palace had moved on as though the death of their female monarch was nothing but a trivial matter. Just like how quick my mother¡¯s death came, the news and talks about her were gone in an instant. It seemed as though my mother had never existed at all.


    My mother, the previous High Queen of the Empire, the person who was crowned the most beautiful person of the Empire, was now known to be an adulterer. Her decapitated head was hung in front of the palace walls for everyone to see. The public disdained her that some even threw stones at her head as they walked past.


    But because mother was of noble lineage, her body was given a coffin but wasn¡¯t buried in the Imperial Catacombs where most of the members of the imperial family were buried. Where she was supposed to be buried when she passed. Instead, she was given a small unnamed grave just at the back of the detached palace where I lived; underneath the peach tree we used to have tea together when I was a child.


    I was standing in front of her grave dressed in a black dress to signify that I was mourning. On the way here, the maids of the main palace looked at me and whispered like they always do. Their eyes showed too much about the things they were saying about me. After all, only a crazy person would mourn for someone who was an adulterer. But it didn¡¯t matter to me. Adulterer or not, she was the woman who raised me. She was my mother.


    Many would look at me unkindly and some would even openly scowl at me. And I am pretty much sure they thought of me as a bane to the Empire. But I was already strange in their eyes to begin with. Adding another name to my list of titles wouldn¡¯t even faze me.


    ¡°Princess, you have to sleep.¡± A familiar voice. I don¡¯t need to turn around to know that Jane was behind me. She has always been by my side, taking care of me when my family turned their backs on me. ¡°At least take care of yourself better, your highness. I¡¯m sure her highness Seraphina would want you to take a rest as well,¡± she said as she wrapped a piece of cloth on my shoulders.


    ¡°Goodness, look at your pretty face.¡± Her hand was warm on my cheek. ¡°You have dark circles under your eyes and you look worn out, your majesty,¡± Jane¡¯s eyes were filled with worry and her forehead formed a crease as she examined my face. I must¡¯ve really looked tired. ¡°Would you like me to tell Alice to make you some soup? You at least have to eat something.¡± I glanced back at my mother¡¯s grave and sighed. I guess it¡¯s about time for me to take a rest.


    ¡°Princess?¡±


    I turned around and knelt on the ground. I do not care at all if my dress were to be sullied by the dirt and the mud. Not at all. Because my mother¡¯s reputation was sullied by a false accusation


    Was it really a false accusation, Cecilia?


    *


    The fire in the fireplace crackled and glowed a lustrous gold flame. It was the only sound that was heard in the massive room, apart from the clink of the silver spoon on my tinted glass teacup. I sat in front of the raging fire, a wool shawl draped on my shoulders and a blank stare on the hypnotising red flames.


    Flashes of my mother¡¯s quick execution ran through my brain. Her eyes, her expression, her demeanour; she remained as the dignified High Queen everybody saw her to be. I closed my eyes shut and tried to forget those thoughts. But it was no use. After my mother¡¯s haunting expression, Cedrin occupies my mind. His cold gaze and his nonchalance was enough to bother me to bits.


    How could he?


    But it was no use trying to think of why that boy decided to throw away the person who raised him, the person who loved him. I heaved a deep sigh and stared at my reflection on the teacup.


    Ha¡­I look hideous.


    Knock knock knock. I looked at the door and Jane walked in with a troubled expression. Behind her was Prince Dion, the man I was engaged to. He was bringing a large bouquet of roses and wearing such an uncomfortable expression. What was he doing here?


    ¡°What brought you here, your highness?¡± I asked, eyeing the bouquet he had in his arms. Prince Dion¡¯s eyes followed my gaze and he let out an awkward chuckle. ¡°I¡­I thought you might like some flowers as a form of comfort.¡±


    I stared at him for a moment. ¡°Please sit down, Prince Dion. And thank you for the flowers,¡± I said. ¡°Although I would like it if you would notify me in advance if you plan on visiting me. It puts me in a tough situation, you see.¡±


    Prince Dion was seated in front of me, still looking as handsome as he always does. Unlike me who looked exhausted and tired, he looked all sparkly and bright. And there was an uncomfortable feeling bubbling up in my stomach. A feeling I didn¡¯t like to feel. I steered my attention away from the Prince¡¯s face and onto the bouquet of roses he¡¯d brought with him.


    ¡°My condolences for your loss, Princess Cecilia,¡± he said, his eyes glowing. He looked really concerned, did he perhaps feel sympathy? Or maybe pity is the right word.


    I know that he doesn¡¯t have any ill intent and that he¡¯s simply here because of the news about my mother. But receiving this doesn¡¯t really feel good. ¡°Did you come here just for that, Prince Dion?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    I waited for his answer. I could see the wave of panic flash into his eyes as he looked away. What was he really here for?


    ¡°I apologise for coming here without telling you.¡± He scratched the back of his nape and looked away. ¡°I wanted to come see you much earlier but I thought maybe you¡¯d want some time for yourself. After¡­what had happened,¡± he paused and looked at me in the eyes, he always does.


    Of course the prince knew about my mother¡¯s execution. Nobody in this entire empire wouldn¡¯t know. Especially when my father decided to openly talk about it and spread such information to the masses. My mother¡¯s reputation will forever be stained because of that man. I guess he no longer needed my mother, after all, Cedrin will inherit the throne when he decides to step down as High King.


    ¡°Prince Dion¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Have you ever watched your mother bleed in front of you?¡±


    The prince seemed quite flustered at my question. Who wouldn¡¯t? And why wouldn¡¯t he? The Prince lived a fairly blessed life, just like most princes in the world of royalty and nobility. They are cherished and beloved as they are viewed to be the heirs for their respective houses. But what of women like me? Females who were born first are killed the moment they come to greet the world. I was lucky enough to be spared because of my mother. But others who were like me are unfortunate.


    The prince wouldn¡¯t know hardship. It is impossible for him to feel the same pain I am feeling right now. Regarding my dead mother and the relationship between my father, my brother and I.


    I smirked. ¡°Of course you haven¡¯t, your majesty,¡± I paused. ¡°Your mother, the Queen, is still very much alive and well. But my mother was killed in front of me,¡± I looked over to the massive window; birds chirped as the gentle wind breezed through the leaves of the peach tree that carried my memories.


    ¡°She was killed by my very own father.¡±


    He looked away, feeling uncomfortable.


    ¡°I apologise for those words, Prince Dion,¡± I said, embarrassed. The prince never answered and only stared at me with concerned eyes. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have released my anger on you. You don¡¯t have anything to do with this.¡±


    What have I done?


    ¡°It¡¯s quite alright, Princess Cecilia.¡± A tender smile, his dimples showing. How can he look so sincere? ¡°People cope differently,¡± he said. ¡°If you need someone to confide in, you know you can always come to me.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t accustomed to his kindness. But those clear eyes that stared into mine just felt good. If I accept him, I''m afraid I might drown in his care.

 Ch07: Lets play a game of chess, Cecilia

    The prince was long gone from my abode. I sent him away with the sad excuse of being too tired and wanting to be alone. Of course, because he was a caring person, he apologised once more for the disturbance he caused before shooting me one last concerned stare. And then off he went; back to where he was staying. A palace much livelier than mine. A palace much warmer than mine.


    Earlier, over tea, I showed him my dark side. The side of myself that I never wanted anybody to see. But I was angry and sad; and all of my emotions got the best of me. And the only person who was there at the wrong place, at the wrong time, was the prince himself. My fiance. The man I am supposed to marry.


    Perhaps it had been good to have shown him my ugly side. At least he¡¯d have more time to think about whether he actually wants the marriage or not. It would save us both the time and pain if he made up his mind much quicker. I do not want to tie such a lovely and warm person to someone who was broken like me. Prince Dion deserved someone bright, like a ray of sunlight, to stand beside him.


    I sat on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the flickering light of the candle on my desk. The silver moon peeked in through the spaces between my fine gossamer curtains. On nights like these, my mother would usually sit on the edge of my bed and tuck me in, a soft smile on her lips as she picked up a fairytale book. One that I always tell her not to read to me because I already know the contents. But she would only laugh at me and caress my cheek. And she¡¯d read it anyway.


    As she reads through the first part, I would feel a soft hand grab mine. When I turn my head to look, I see Cedrin beside me, red eyes gleaming with joy as he looks up at me with a smile. Those were a few of the memories that I remember. Back when everything didn¡¯t go wrong. It was back when all of us were happy.


    No father in the picture. No Ranlrein. No nothing.


    The soft buzzing noises of the insects outside my palace were muffled against my walls. I turned my head to the huge windows in my room and gazed upon the light ruffle of leaves on the peach tree. The gentle wind must¡¯ve caressed it with its¡¯ touch. There was an empty feeling in me. Perhaps I still couldn¡¯t get over the wrongful death of my beloved mother. As I wallowed in my thoughts, my windows flung open. And a scream got caught in my throat.


    A man dressed in all black with a dark cloak over his head stepped into my bedroom with not so much as a sound. His footsteps were light and quiet as he slowly made his way to my bed where I was frozen stiff.


    ¡°Your Highness, Princess Cecilia.¡± A cold voice, like icy streams in the winter.


    Was he an assassin Cedrin sent to me? Am I going to die right here?


    I couldn¡¯t move. My body was frozen and all I could do was look at the man who was probably going to claim my life.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want revenge?¡±


    I blinked. ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°For the death of your mother. Don¡¯t you want revenge?¡± He asked once again. His voice was unfamiliar to me.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± My voice shook as I managed to inch away from him.


    The man reached for his cloak and his black mask. And when the hood fell off his head, it showed a crown of blonde hair, just like my mother¡¯s. Just like mine. His eyes gleamed an electrifying deep-green as he stared at me.


    ¡°I apologise for the disrespect, your majesty.¡± He lowered his head and kneeled down. Indirectly saying that I was safe and nowhere near danger. My heart that beat rapidly in my chest calmed down after seeing his gesture. I have never once been treated with such respect whilst I was living in the Imperial Palace.


    The maids all looked at me like I was a nuisance. They whispered amongst themselves and laughed at me behind my back. Not once did they ever treat me with the respect that I deserve as a legitimate princess born from the High King and the High Queen. Just because I was born first, they never took me seriously. Had I been born after Cedrin, then things would¡¯ve been different. I wouldn¡¯t have to be treated this way.


    ¡°I am Assel Geuffroi, your uncle.¡± A sigh of relief escaped my lips as soon as I knew. ¡°I apologize for not coming to see you sooner.¡±


    Assel Geuffroi was the current Duke of Geuffroi after the former duke, Renart Geuffroi, stepped down from his position as Duke. And this man, with blonde hair and deep-green eyes, was the beloved older brother of my mother. She often talked about him to Cedrin and I; telling tales of their childhood together and how happy they were. I remember the few words mother used to describe her older brother.


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    ¡°He¡¯s a man with so much love to give.¡±


    It was such a peculiar thing to say about one¡¯s own brother. But I guess that¡¯s how mother viewed her older brother. After all, she was a noble lady who grew up in the most loving of households; the youngest daughter of the most powerful dukedom in the entire Ostulia Empire.


    Today is the first time I met my uncle. After all, father never really permitted me to go outside because of my birth. So nobody outside the palace knows that I am of first born. I doubt my uncle knows about my circumstances as well.


    ¡°It must¡¯ve been hard for you to hear such a news, uncle.¡± I spoke, voice trembling. Before the day my mother died, the High King, my father, sent Duke Geuffroi to the west border to take care of some trivial matter. I happened upon the news when I was on my way out of my father''s cold and suffocating palace. And because of the work my father entrusted to Uncle Assel, he wasn¡¯t able to hear the news of my mother¡¯s death until he arrived in the capital.


    This was a situation that most likely happened. But why is he coming to me and not to Cedrin?


    ¡°I admit that the news of Seraphina¡¯s death shocked me,¡± he said. His face contorted into an expression full of hatred. ¡°But you, on the other hand, saw the death of your own mother.¡±


    ¡°Where did you¡ª?¡±


    ¡°It must¡¯ve been harder for you. I know how much you cherished my sister.¡±


    I did not answer. ¡°But she shouldn¡¯t have died the way she did.¡± I looked up and saw my uncle¡¯s bitter expression.


    ¡°Jehanel this bastard¡­¡± his face went red as he uttered the name of my father. It was the first time I¡¯ve seen someone so openly express their hatred toward the HIgh King. Usually they would just keep it inside and let it all out once they¡¯re out of sight and out of reach.


    ¡°Mother was not an adulterer,¡± I said. My voice was firm and resolute. I am sure my mother would never commit such a crime. Cedrin might¡¯ve refused to believe me because of the evidence my father held against my mother.


    But who¡¯s to say that father¡¯s evidence was real and not fabricated? If it¡¯s my father, then he¡¯ll surely do something quite similar. If not, something even more dubious. He¡¯s my father after all. The most heartless and cruel man in this entire empire.


    ¡°I know.¡± My uncle nodded. ¡°Seraphina loved that bastard too much for her to commit that unfaithful act.¡±


    ¡°Mother might¡¯ve been suffering from a mental illness, but she would never dare to sleep with her personal knight. She¡¯s not that kind of person!¡±


    Uncle Assel turned his attention to me, his brows knitted in anger. ¡°What do you mean she suffered from an illness? How did I not hear about this?¡± His voice rose up, questioning my statement. Did uncle¡¯s shadows not tell him about my mother¡¯s circumstances?


    ¡°Mother¡­¡± I paused, twiddling my thumbs. ¡°She sometimes suffered from episodes where she becomes a completely different person.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Normally mother wouldn¡¯t give my father a second glance because she knew he would never love her. But when she had her episodes, it was as though nobody in this entire world mattered more than my father¡¯s love.¡±


    Uncle Assel clicked his tongue and looked away. His eyes burned with anger as he stared at my door. Perhaps he was going to make a run for it and harm the High King? But I doubt he was someone immature like that. ¡°She never mentioned to me about her health. So I naturally assumed she was healthy. And you¡¯re telling me Seraphina is¡ª¡± He closed his eyes and massaged his temples.


    ¡°Was this the reason why Jehanel refused my requests to see my sister?¡± His voice was low and cold, like melted ice streams.


    I understood how he felt. His only sister, whom he had a hard time meeting, was murdered by the very person who vowed to protect her. However, my parents were tied to a political marriage. No matter how much my mother loved my father, nothing about that fact would change.


    I watched as Uncle Assel regained his composure. And the moment he looked like he was calm. He whipped his head around to see me. His face bore hatred as he looked at me with fire in his eyes.


    ¡°So Cecilia,¡± he said. His voice was firm and it was full of authority. ¡°No, Princess¡­¡±


    I looked down at him from where he was kneeling and blinked. What was he going to say?


    ¡°Would you like to play a game of chess?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°The High King is insane. The Crown Prince turned his back on the one who raised him. And there is only you,¡± he said.


    ¡°What does all of this have to do with me?¡± I questioned, genuinely confused.


    ¡°We want to put you on the throne. It¡¯s about time that the Empire acknowledged you, your highness.¡±


    ¡°You could¡¯ve chosen my brother¡ª¡±


    ¡°It has to be you, Princess Cecilia.¡± He cut me off.


    I frowned. ¡°Why must it have to be me, Uncle Assel?¡±


    ¡°Because that is what my sister told me to do.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± My eyes widened in shock. What did he mean by that?


    ¡°The Duke of Geuffroi will offer our support to you and make you High Princess of Ostulia. And you shall be High Queen.¡±


    ¡°This is all too sudden! What are you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Princess, I do not have much time. For now, please think about my offer to you. And when you¡¯ve gotten your answer, you have to tell me the next time we meet.¡±


    ¡°What¡ª¡±


    I jolted up as my uncle disappeared right in front of my eyes. Was it magic? But how did he do such a spell without alerting the protection that was cast inside the palace? I ran towards my open window and looked out with wide eyes, trying to find even a silhouette of my uncle. But he was long gone.


    What did he mean by ¡®next time¡¯? Do we truly have a next time?


    I continued to gaze upon the silvery shining rays that touched the flowers in the garden and I entered my thoughts. He wanted me to become High Queen? On top of that, the Duchy of Geuffroi will be giving me their utmost support? What was that all about?


    Becoming a candidate to inherit the throne isn¡¯t as easy as it seems. You have to have a very huge following along the way. But in order to get support, you have first to show the people what you are really capable of. And why they must gamble and choose you to inherit the throne. The second option is riskier.


    Treason.