The next day:
The new morning sun was rising through the horizon. Painting the sky with pretty colors of red and orange and pink. The soft morning rays of sunlight were trying to make way through the windows of the houses to wake up the humans for another day to complete in their life.
The palace was also not an exception. Though, the servants were bustling with different activities, the royals were yet to rise. The kitchen had many servants rush through it in the preparation of the breakfast for the royal family.
"Nothing should go wrong. Today's menu is requested by The Mighty Emperor himself. Everything should be perfect and there should not be any scope for complaints!" the head chef barked orders to the chefs, who were taking care of the cooking. He was strolling through the boiling pots making sure everything was right and according the requests from the Emperor himself.
Alexander was getting ready in his chambers. He requested today's breakfast with special as he wanted everyone in his family to gather at the ding for an important discussion. He just hoped he could be able to see everyone after long time. And he had a very important matter to discuss.
He was dressed a bit casually today. He wasn't going to dine with his fsmily as an Emperor but, as a family member. He was wearing all cream robes which, being casual gave him a very royal look. IT's no one's fault, Alexander Seazle was a true royal, who had leadership and dominant aura surrounding him always.
After being satisfied with his outfit, Alexander slowly made his way to the large bookcase just beside his work table. He looked at the huge bookcase with an unreadable gaze and moved towards one end of the case. he gently scanned the spines of the books placed at the end. Then, suddenly, as if some button was pressed, rumbling sound was heard.
Slowly but, heavily the hard wood colored wall just adjacent to the bookcase opened. It had a single candle light to light the small place, which looked like a hallway. Alexander slowly made his way through the dark hallway, like he knew this place very well. His feet moved confidently and knowingly through the darkness, his feet stepping on the known dents of the paths.
As Alexander moved in farther in to the hallway, the path slowly started to light up. Finally, Alexander stopped his feet making smushy noises, as if he stepped into some kind of damp area. He sharply turned towards his right and took practiced four steps towards what seemed like an wall.
He put his hand firmly on the stone wall and pushed it with all his strength, directing all his strength towards one side. Not so long after, the stone wall moved to let the soft rising sun rays to make its way, lighting up the space he was standing.
The thick blanket enveloping the place was lifted and the beauty of the place was finally visible to Alexander. It was a pleasant sight before him. Soft grass was spread under his feet and the musky smell of the greenery invaded his nose. The little flowers that growing in the edges of the cave like place, seemed to be very happy in the company of rising sunlight.
Alexander was viewing the rising sun with his back to the entrance from where he came. He turned and slowly walked, while admiring the place he spent most of his memories with his one and only love. He reached a small water source that was on the corner of the cave and sat down. He gently put his hand and the made the still water come alive with ripples.
He softly chuckled at the memory his mind was replaying.
But, the smile vanished as soon as it came.
Tears welled up in his eyes at the memory of his Empress. Her demise was the most painful thing he had ever experienced in his whole existence.
And soon, before he knew this place where he spent most beautiful time with his wife, became his safe place when things get a lot for him. His wife was an escape, safe place for him. And when that was taken away from him, this place filled in for him.
After spending some time, reminiscing and drowning in his past memories, he realized the sun was now just above the horizon and he better be getting to go, before anyone realizes he is not in his chambers.
After shutting the stone wall and leaving the place with a heavy heart, Alexander emerged out from his secret place just in time, his personal servant came in.
"Your Highness, your orders to assemble at the dining for breakfast have been passed. The meals would be served soon." The servant recited after bowing. Alexander nodded as a acknowledgement and made his way out of this chambers.
....
At the princess Aeinshia's chambers:
the soft sun rays were peeking from the blinds and softly lightened up the side of Aeinshia's face. She groaned and turned to other side and pulled her soft bed covers up to her chin and tucked herself deep into the pillow.
Though, her attempts to sleep more, the sleep vanished from her eyes but, the memories from last night evaded her mind, making her smile, unconsciously.
"Something really good must have happened for you to be in such good mood, my princess" a soft voice spoke out from just beside Aeinshia's ear.
Aeinshia jumped and bolted from her position, hitting her head hard on the headboard of the bed. Shirley burst into fit of laughter, seeing the bewildered expression on the princess. Aeinshia pouted and threw a fluffy pillow on her personal maid, whose laughter was still not ceasing.
"You are mean" Aeinshia whined, still pouting. Shirley stopped laughing but, still was trying to control her laughter. "It's not funny. I might have died from heart attack." with that Shirley's laughter returned full force.
"You deserve a punishment." Aeinshia declared, while glaring at her main maid. "I'm sorry my princess. I was just curious what had you in such a good mood." Shirley said while going through wardrobe of Aeinshia to pick her outfit for the day.
"Can't I be in a good mood? Is it really strange?" Aeinshia said, more like questioning herself. She couldn't see anything bizarre by her being in a good mood. Shirley turned around, she had a blank expression on her face "You are always in bad mood in the mornings, princess."
The duo stared at each other for a silent second and then, both of them burst out laughing. "Well, i can't deny you. You know me so well for so long." Aeinshia spoke when her laughter seized for a while but, after saying it, she again burst into laughter, realizing the truth in Shirley's words.
But, Aeinshia failed to notice the smile totally disappear from Shirley's face. She stared at Aeinshia blankly, remembering her true purpose, she was here for.
"If only you knew, Princess Aeinshia."
When Aeinshia turned to gaze at her maid, she masked her darkened look with a smile. Aeinshia's gaze totally missed the dark look, that was still present in her eyes, despite he sweet smile, which Shirley was using to deceive the royals from years.
There fond laughter was seized, when the door of Aeinshia's chamber opened, revealing a widely smiling Felix with both of his hands on the grand double doors.
"Wow, the Earth is still fine. Then, how would my baby sister would be in such a good mood?" Felix spoke, while wandering his eyes around the room, before settelling them on his sister, who was still in bed.
Shirley again started laughing but, this time, silently, while Aeinshia simply rolled her eyes at her over reacting brother.
"I'm not always in a bad mood. You all are exaggerating the things." Aeinshia replied with slight annoyance in her voice. She got up from her bed and made her way towards Shirley, seeing what outfit she picked for her.
"Oh, don't be fussy now. Let's maintain your good mood. Uncle wants us all to assemble for breakfast." Felix informed his sister, which immediately caught up her attention. "Important?" she asked while looking at her brother who was now, looking out of her window.
Felix shrugged, still facing the nature. "He said all the family to gather at the dining. Purpose, unknown." he replied in a clipped, while turning to face her at the last sentence. Aeinshia just let out a small smile at her brother's attempt for sounding intimidating.
Don't misunderstand her now, Felix can be hella scary, when he really wants to. He just can't be when he is with his sister. Aeinshia knows how Felix is when is angry so, she tries not to piss her brother off.
"I would really appreciate if you see yourself out, Felix Rutz. I would like to get ready to follow the orders of Mighty Emperor." Aeinshia replied, trying to play along with her brother. "Very well, Princess. I would be just outside for your needs and will be escorting you to the dining hall." Felix bowed, saying it.
Aeinshia and Felix burst out laughing "I'll be out, make it quick, baby sister." Felix said, while approaching her with a wide smile and pinched her soft and puffy, rosy and full cheeks. She swatted his hand away and Felix continued on his way out, laughing loudly.
Shirley watched their interaction with an expressionless face. She knows them for a long time and was the witness for their most sibling interaction. She hoped they stayed like this, no matter what happens and she knows, Felix will always stay by Aeinshia's side. And, Aeinshia will definitely need it.
Because, Aeinshia's future had something in it's store.