HAPPINESS CRYSTAL over his features , the duke had to stand back a moment to take his daughter's image in completely ; it had been some months , true , but she looked far too grown up ― mature in such a short time ― he couldn't help the swell of pride in his chest that appeared watching her carry herself with such grace , every inch the empress no-one expected her to be .
" welcome , father . " she said , giving him an earnest smile , to which he couldn't respond ― not with words anyway . so instead he ended up engulfing her in a warm embrace , patting the back of her head .
" happy birthday , dearest . " he said , pulling back to press a kiss to her forehead in an affectionate manner .
" can you please stop hogging her ? I want to be done with my wishes too . " came the cranky voice of reynold from behind them , and the duke couldn't help but shake his head as he watched his younger son loop an arm around Persephone's neck and mess her hair .
" tch tch , look at you pretending to be all sophisticated ― hah ! " he teased , earning a jab in his ribs delivered promptly through Persephone's elbow .
" ― OW ! i was just trying to wish you a happy birthday ! crazy bitch . " he muttered angrily , shoving a gift in her hand whilst scowling at her at the same time .
the duke clicked his tongue , pinching the bridge of his nose in an irritated manner ( * that still did not hide his little smile , though . )
" she is married now , reynold . and an empress at that . show some dignity and don't embarrass me in front of the emperor . "
and as if on cue , azazel made his entrance in the receiving hall with athanasia at his side .
" blessings and glory upon the sun of astocian empire . " the duke greeted , reynold quietly curtseying along with his father . azazel nodded in acknowledgement .
" i'm thankful you accepted our invitation , duke eckart . your presence honours astocia . " he said , voice composed .
" the honour is mine , your highness . "
the conversation flowed freely between the men , ambrosia being occupied once again with reynold who had ― surprisingly ― prepared a gift for the little princess too . she seemed fairly fond of 'uncle' reynold , who was insistent on feeding the little princess' mind with various mischievous ideas for god knew what reason .
Persephone had excused herself from the conversation to go check if the luggage had been settled in their respective chambers well , heading out with emily on her tow .
it was near the luggage she found , the head butler fennel stood supervising the servants of palace inside . her face immediately brightened , as the butler approached her with a smile on his face . he bowed ,
" blessings and fortune to the mother of empire ― " his words were earnest . weathered brown eyes rise to look at her with a hint of paternal affection in them .
" you look well , my lady , i almost couldn't recognize you from far . "
" raise your head , fennel . " she softly asked , grinning at the familiar presence in front of her . " it is so nice to have you here . father didn't tell me you were coming too ? "
at that , the grin on the butler's face faltered , his eyes downcast as he said in a hushed voice ― making sure no - one else than emily was able to hear their conversation .
" ah .. about that , my lady ― it is me who requested the duke to take me along with him . i had something you'd like to see . " he said , his voice hesitant .
it was the usually collected butler's nervous words that intrigued Persephone ― he never reacted this way until it was something really serious . scanning the area out of habit , she noted the servants settling the duke and reynold's things in the chambers , and the rest were busy amongst themselves .
a glance from Persephone was enough to send emily aside , standing at the doorway of the rooms to ensure no - one of importance was entering .
" what is it , fennel ? " she questioned , to which fennel replied with silence . reaching inside his coat ― he dished out several letters piled together with a red satin ribbon binding them .
" these letters were sent to you ― by him , my lady ― first young master always blocked them and asked me to burn these . they never stopped even after your wedding to the emperor . i kept them safe in expectations of returning them to you ,, so here are these . " he placed them on her palm , worried expression etched across the aged lines of his face .
the feather-like weight of those letters seemed like boulders on her hand , her heart dropping at the sight of the old , crumpled paper in her hand .
" please open these only in the privacy of your chambers , my lady . in the wrong hands ― these letters could be far too dangerous . "
concerned , fennel brought her out of her reverie . with hollow eyes , she looked at him gratefully .
" thank you , fennel . you've done me a great favour , i would like to repay you for this― " fennel held a hand up , shaking his head in dismissal .
" no , my lady . i failed you serve you well through your childhood and have wronged you far too much to expect even gratitude from you . it is your kindness that you think that way , but if anything , it is i who should be repaying you . you are the lady of the house I've served for my entire life ― and will remain so for the rest of your days ― thus it is merely my duty . "
Persephone was at a loss for words . fennel gestured towards the letters , so she simply nodded in acknowledgement , before skipping out of the chambers .
heels clattered against the marble floor , pace quicker than normal , normally composed features distressed . emily noticed the empress leaving the place looking flustered , turning to look at fennel who had already gone back to helping the servants arrange the luggage .
she knew better than to assume , and followed behind Persephone quickly .
on the other hand , Persephone shut the doors to her chambers behind her back ― dashing over to the office table . with shaking hands she dished out the letter opener , cutting the envelope open .
she picked the letters out one by one , but couldn't bring herself to read them ; you have to ― she reminded herself ― just rip the bandage off and get it over with .
gathering the courage , she picked the first letter up , murmuring to herself the worlds inked upon in messy scrawl .
╱
My princess ,
it has only been a week in the battlefield and i already wish i was back ; i don't understand what was the need to send me to settle rebellions which could have been handled by any general , but i did not have any choice but to oblige . i hope your work is doing well back home .
P.S. don't forget to miss me .
yours ,
Aidan .
a lump crawled it's way up her throat , and penelope found her voice betraying her . covering her mouth with her hand , she opened the second letter .
╱
My dearest .
i hear there is a gemstone called mermaid's tear found here , which is exactly the same colour as your eyes . i will get it back for you . take care of yourself until then .
i will be back soon .
yours ,
Aidan .
and another letter followed , and once again , another . they were all written in the same , sarcastic manner as his speech . they all had enthusiastically drawn letters , pressed beneath the weight of his fingertips .
it was all too alive on the paper .
╱
Princess ,
my men have informed me that sending me here on battlefield was a trap my father had set in order to keep me out so he can marry you off for the sake of some blasted alliance behind my back .
they informed me you had said yes .. but i know better than to believe them . what do they know ? my princess would never betray me like that .
i know you've been forced into this , my love . i will come back for you , and save you out of that place just as you had for me . you're my hero , after all .
please wait for me .
yours , now and ever ,
Aidan .
tears stained the paper as she finished the last letter , big drops of saltwater dripping down her lashes relentlessly , as she continued to read his writing over and over again .
aidan was not much of a writer , but in his desperation , he had written more than expected , betraying all his flurried emotions all over the parchment .
it made her heart turn ; to think the paranoid prince had trusted someone ― her ― despite the allegations against her . and yet what had she done ? she had betrayed him . betrayed the trust he put on her for a deal of convenience .
hic ―― Persephone choked on her own , stifled sobs , covering her mouth with a shaking hand to stop any noise to escape the room . her form crumbled back , falling on the chair .
tears wouldn't stop , no matter how hard penelope tried . so the sight that emily witnessed when entering the empress' bedchambers was ― disturbing , to say the least .
" your majesty ?! " she gasped , quickly locking the doors behind her before reacting any further . before her , Persephone crumbled down , bit by bit , as broken pieces of her sobs that she'd repressed so far left her . it was devastating to watch , the control wither from her hands as she shook violently against the desk .
emily was quick to dash across the room and beside her lady ― forgetting her boundaries as a servant for all but a moment ― as she held a crying Persephone still , rubbing her back soothingly as possible .
her eyes fell on the letter , and she didn't need to ask for an explanation . it was all too obvious what had caused the empress to break down .
" I'll hide these letters in your personal library , your highness . no one comes to check that place , they'll be safe there . "
she suggested , to which Persephone could only nod . emily wiped her tears off her cheeks , giving her a tender smile .
" I'll prepare a bath for you and tell them that you got a headache so you'll join them directly at dinner . is that fine ? "
Persephone nodded silently , biting her lip to inhale deeply ― building her composure back to it's place .
" thank you , emily . "
" it's my duty , m'lady. "
AT THE DINNER TABLE ― Persephone had presented herself with a practised smile , joining the table which was quiet save for reynold's heated discussion with the princess and lucas .
her father looked pleased to see her , and quipped .
" i was just talking about you , my dear . the emperor was telling me about your work in the small council for astocian empire ― i'm very proud of you , Persephone . "
his gentle look made the same , guilty lump rise in her throat once again . she gave him a weak smile , skimming through her brain to find an appropriate response .
but thankfully , the duke added " oh and , koshar has asked me to give you his best wishes . he has even sent the jewels that had been obtained from the bird he caught for you , as a birthday gift . I've asked your maid to keep them back in your room along with my gift . I hope you like it . "
in that moment , he looked so happy ― Persephone couldn't help but let his joy reflect on her face as well . she smiled , one that didn't quite reach her eyes ,
" I'm sure I will , father . "
and through the dinner , her façade didn't falter ― which she was grateful for . however one thing that she failed to notice , was the unnecessarily perceptive gaze of the emperor , which was fixed on her the whole time .
such a deceptive woman .