─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
It's been over a week since I moved to the golden palace. I must say, I love it here. The maids ended up throwing away all of my clothes. The imperial tailor came with hundreds of new, high-quality dresses that only royals would wear. I had to wear hair ties or headbands that matched all of my clothing now. Apparently, it's the fashionable thing to do. I receive countless toys, books for bedtime, and desserts. The quality of the meals has improved tremendously as well. I am also allowed to play in the golden garden by my palace too.
Though I must admit, the imperial garden is more elegant and beautiful in comparison to this one. But who am I to complain? I am finally living like a human being and not like a rat. However, ever since my deal with Hansol, whether it be it a lie from his part or not, I made that promise to myself. I will kiss his ass, make him love me by my charm, study my ass off to impress him, and boom. I will make him fall on his knees and beg for forgiveness for what he did to me.
"Ahem, your Majesty. You have been working endlessly, day and night. Why do you not go to rest or enjoy the weather outside for a change? It is a beautiful day. I can have the maids…"
"Enough Hansol, You know damn well that the weather will just get gloomy every time I step outside. I swear those so-called gods hate me with every being in their soul. I was born to be miserable." Xavier huffed as he read the scattered documents on his desk.
"Your Majesty, a word? May I?" Hansol requested as he walked a bit closer to the imperial desk.
"What is it now, Hansol?"
"What if, only IF the princess is, in fact, the chosen one? That means she can lift this… curse from you, right? Or so… that is what the mages say. Only the holy one can relieve you from your curse." Hansol suggested.
Xavier placed his calligraphy pen down, along with the documents in his hand, and looked up at Hansol. He chuckled in disbelief as he stood up from his chair and went towards the window. As he glanced through the window, he could see the golden garden, where the princess played with Marina and a couple of other maids.
"That child, whether she is the chosen one or not, the mages know nothing about this curse. I was born to be perfect in every way possible. To rule this empire. That is a given. However, my destiny was made long before I was even born. I was made to be heartless, cruel, lifeless, and alone. You of all people know this. My father, who praised me and cherished me, was poisoned by my own flesh and blood; my mother, who had an ounce of love for me, died of illness. My brother, who was my mentor- hated me to shreds, died in my arms, and the love of my life passed away during childbirth. Everything was only given to me for a taste, then snatched away when I became too comfortable. I… am meant to hate, not love, Hansol. My father, may he rest in peace, would turn in his grave just to know how much of an emotional wreck I have been lately. He would personally rise from the dead and have me hanged." He said in a saddened tone as he continued to look at the princess through the window.
"Is that why you refuse to love the princess, Your majesty? Because you feel if you get to love her as well, she will be taken away from you?" Hansol questioned as he sat down by the imperial desk.
Xavier quickly looked at Hansol with a demonic presence.
"Me? Love a child like that? Are you out of your mind, you fool? I would rather cut my tongue before I say the words, gash my eyes out before I look at her with tender warmth, and stab my eardrums before I become fond of her voice." Xavier promised as he served himself a glass of wine.
Hansol stood up and went towards the window where Xavier stood.
He smiled gently and nodded.
"The princess is by far, the spitting image of you, yet- she is free-spirited like her mother. Something about the way she looks at you, with those big, green eyes captivates you."
Xavier chugs the wine glass and begins to fill his cup again. He walked upstairs to the bookshelves and sat down with a book he randomly selected.
"Leave, you are starting to bother me. I will call you for tomorrow's meeting." Xavier said from upstairs.
From looking at the window, Hansol saw the imperial mage walking alone to the golden palace.
"Y… yes, your Majesty!" Hansol said as he ran out of the imperial office. He ran as fast as he could to the imperial mage.
"Good, you made it on time, chancellor. It seems to me that I am in need of the death flower, and as promised - I believe I came up with the potion to… solve your problem." Said the imperial mage.
"W… what? Do you not think coming out in broad daylight is a bit too suspicious? What if someone sees you?! Are you out of your mind?!" Hansol says in a panic.
"Relax, Chancellor, I am under the invisibility spell. Since you are of royal blood, only those can see me. Here, the potion. I do sense a strong mana smell… coming from the gardens over there. Who…?" The imperial mage said curiously as she walked towards the gardens. Hansol quickly grabbed her arm.
"I suggest you do not take another step. You need my blood, right? You will have it soon. A deal is a deal. Understood?" Hansol said in a severe tone. The imperial mage smirked and nodded.
"Very well. Let me tell you how this will work at its best. Have his majesty, and the princess drink it while they look at each other. They are father and daughter, this is how they will form a bond. The probability of it working this way is much higher than none."She said as she walked away.
"Once they have both drunk the potion, I will come to collect my blood. You will know when."
Hansol released a big sigh. He placed his thumb and index finger above his nose bridge as a sign of frustration.
"How am I supposed to find the opportunity to get them both to drink this? Let alone at the same time while they stare at each other?! That is impossible! Perhaps me persuading the princess is easier since we are on the same team. However, having that bastard do it? Ugh… impossible."