Um... How did it come to this?
Recalling what happened over dinner, she sighed again. It's only her first day back, but she...
It all started when Edmund asked if they could be excused. The emperor said it's dangerous and he had to come to insure everyone's safety and inspect the soldiers at the same time.
Edgar tagged along to assist their father, the empress wanted to watch Edmund's progress in fencing, and Angelina only came because everyone else did.
Everything escalated rapidly, and one thing led to the other, and that's why the imperial family, and the palace servants, are currently on the stands of the imperial palace's arena, watching the knights battle with wooden swords.
Unfortunately, Amourora was absent minded, thinking about her future. It's only her first day back, but a lot of things have changed already. She didn't know if this was a good thing.
"what's today's date?" she asked aloud.
"it should be 26th of October, year 838 since the beginning battles. Why?" The emperor answered.
"no reason." she shifted her gaze to the arena, where Edmund was coming up.
"the third prince takes after father in both appearances and skills." Royal princess Angelina praised. Low key showing off the power of her late father in martial arts.
"true, whereas the second prince takes after my father." the empress smiled gently. Secretly reminded her of her powerful family background and her father's intelligence.
"he does hold a resemblance to you." the royal princess shot back.
It was unknown if she was praising her or looking down on her. But the second prince indeed took after his mother's soft and delicate face, when he was younger, people often mistook him for a girl.
" why, thank you, imperial aunt. " Edgar smiled politely. Though the underlying meaning of his words were, 'imperial Aunt, please avoid implicating me in your quarrels.'
"Edmund is good, isn't he?" she butted in and changed the subject.
"he is indeed." the emperor was first to agree with her. He threw everyone else a glance and they instantly agreed.
"yes, of course." the empress and the royal princess nodded.
"the way he controls the movements of the saber smoothly is something to be proud of." Edgar praised.
"Edmund is great, his skills surpass his peers by leaps and bounds."
Even her youngest uncle who was gazing absent mindedly at the pink and orange clouds a moment ago sounded interested in what was happening in the arena.
For a ten year old, Edmund was quite advanced in swordsmanship. Even in her last life, he had been known for his superior sword skills, a peerless genius if one may say.
Unfortunately, he was executed by the guillotine after being charged with treason.
It didn't make sense to her why her straight forward and honest brother did it, he was closest to her and stayed by her side even when she didn't treat him with half the affection and respect he showed her.
As second to last, he should have been jealous of the youngest child for stealing all the attention from him, but he always cared for her and sought to please her by telling jokes and buying her presents.
He wasn't like that to the rest of his siblings, he constantly bickered with Edgar and treated Edward with a high level of respect like that of a captain or mentor.
Watching his steady footing and agility when swinging the wooden saber, she couldn't help but feel proud of him and ashamed of how she ended her relationship with such a loyal child.
"woo-hoo!"
"yeeeaaah!! "
The eruption of cheers woke her up from her daze, and she started clapping too. When their eyes met, she smiled and waved, making him grin at her.
He bowed and jogged over. "how did I do? I mean, this son hopes he impressed you with his humble skills...?"
"you did well." the emperor commented.
"I thank imperial father."
he bowed again as everyone praised him, the whole time his eyes didn't stray from Amourora's smiling face.
"Brother, you were really good." she tugged his sleeve.
"really! Ahm, yes. Um, thank you." he nodded, his ears turning a light shade of pink. Then he blurted, "do I get a reward!"
"...Yes, imperial father, doesn't he get a reward?" she stared at her father.
"sure." The emperor's gloomy face lightened in a charming smile as his daughter talked to him. "Bastian, reward the third prince with an iron sword."
"yes, your majesty."
Amourora yawned, today was too 'life-changing' for her.
The emperor stood up and walked away dismissing everyone else. "it's getting late, everyone should turn in for the day."
"you seem to be exhausted. This emperor shall walk you back." he stopped Amourora before she could excuse herself.
"there's something this emperor wishes to tell you."
She stared at him bored. One of the benefits of her carefree personality is her undisguised expressions. If she was bored, she won't be courteous.
However, the emperor didn't seem to mind, but kept thinking of something silently.
" darling...is something bothering you?"
"no, your majesty."
"Ahm. Call me like you did this morning. " he smiled sheepishly. A stark contrast to his usual dignified imposing persona.
" your majesty...? "
" no. "
"imperial father..."
"..."
"daddy?"
"hm? you called me?"
"..." is he still the cold majestic emperor from earlier?
"well? Is something bothering you?"
"not really..."
"hm. Tell me if there is. " he patted her head. "by the way, you look pretty today."
"I know!" She smiled smugly. "I always have."